How do you get around Costa Rica?

The best way to get around Costa Rica is by bus, which is reliable, navigable, inexpensive and frequently runs through San José, Costa Rica's capital. Driving on your own is not highly recommended as some roads are tricky (speckled with potholes and ambiguously marked intersections).



Getting around Costa Rica in 2026 involves choosing between seven primary options, with self-drive rental cars being the most popular for flexibility. Renting a 4x4 is highly recommended, as many roads to remote "ecolodges" or beaches remain unpaved and rugged. For those who don't want to drive, shared shuttle transfers (like Interbus or Gray Line) offer reliable, air-conditioned transport between major tourist hubs for $50-$70. Private transfers are available for families or groups who want "door-to-door" convenience without the stress of navigating. For long distances, domestic flights via Sansa provide incredible views and save hours of travel time. The public bus system is the most economical way to travel like a local, though it can be slow and requires multiple transfers. In specific regions like Tortuguero or the Osa Peninsula, boat rides are the only way to reach your destination. Lastly, while Uber is widely available in San José and Liberia, official "Red Taxis" remain the standard for short local trips in smaller coastal towns.

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Despite its slender proportions, the country has more than its fair share of national parks and wildlife reserves, sandy beaches, volcanoes, cities and towns. Luckily, getting around Costa Rica is relatively quick and easy, whether by car, bus or plane.

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Costa Rica is full of opportunities for adventure—and one of the best ways to explore is on a self-drive road trip. Renting your own car means you have the freedom to take spontaneous detours and side trips.

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Driving in Costa Rica is definitely safe, as long as you realize: the rules and road conditions are very different from what US drivers are used to. Challenges include animals, weather, and a lack of signage in cities.

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It's easy to experience sticker shock when checking into eco-lodges and renting vehicles and booking tours in Costa Rica. Indeed, it is the most expensive country in Central America, thanks to a booming economy and well-developed tourist sector.

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Tourism in Costa Rica causes problems with in the habitats of animals and plants living there. Because of tourism half of Costa Rica's monkey population is gone. And rain forests are growing smaller.

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We recommend spending 10 days to two weeks in Costa Rica, as this timeframe will give you enough time to cover all the major highlights while also including time for traveling from one destination to another.

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Pura vida — Hello/Goodbye/Thank you/You're welcome (lit. “pure life”) You'll hear pura vida used as a greeting, a goodbye or a way to say “thank you” or “you're welcome.” It's basically like the Costa Rican “aloha.” It's a positive phrase about seizing the moment and enjoying life.

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Hola = Hello. This is the basic way to say hello. Buenas = Shorthand way of saying hello, any time of day. It is more casual and works in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

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