Domestic Air

Costa Rica's two domestic airlines are SANSA (Servicios Aéreos Nacionales, S.A.) and Nature Air. Sansa is linked with the Grupo TACA, and you can buy tickets for both through our web-site. Demands for seats are high and the planes are small. Baggage allowance is limited. Oversized items like surf-boards have an extra charge if they are not rejected. SANSA flights start at the International airport Juan Santamaría and NatureAir flights at the Tobias Bolaños airport in Pavas. Fairs might be different during high and low season. Since sometimes flight are delayed or cancelled, we recommend not to book the same day for a connecting International flight but one day in advance. Use your international cell phone rental to make airline reservations.

Charter Flights

Tobias Bolaños Airport also caters to small single- and twin-engine aircraft that can be chartered to just about anywhere in the country where there is an airport. Fares are charged by the hour and it take 40 to 90 minutes to fly to most destinations. You also have to pay for the return flight unless you can coordinate with the company to fly you out one day when they are picking up somebody else. Many towns that have an airport will have light aircraft available for charter.

Standard or Public Buses

San José is the centre of the country's bus network, and buses depart from the capital for just about anywhere in the country. There are few central bus terminals. In San José, some bus companies leave from what used to be the old Coca-Cola bottling plant in San José - the area is still known as 'La Coca-Cola'. A few blocks north, the Atlántico Norte terminal serves some northern destinations, and the Caribbean area is served by the Caribe terminal, in another location.

Other companies leave from their own offices elsewhere in the city. Still others leave from bus stops on the street, and some leave from a street corner without even a bus stop to mark there departure point.

The larger companies with offices and buses serving mayor destinations sell tickets in advance. The smaller companies with just a bus stop expect you to wait in line for the next bus, but normally there is room for everyone. If you don't have a ticket, buy one when you board; the fares should be clearly posted inside the bus.

The exceptions are the days before and after a major holiday, especially Easter, when buses are ridiculously full. Note that there are no buses at all from Thursday morning to the Saturday afternoon before Easter. Friday night and Saturday morning trips out of San José can be very crowded, as can Sunday afternoon and evening return trips; try to avoid those if possible.

If this all seems chaotic, take heart. Costa Ricans are used to the system and know where buses depart - just ask. Alternatively take a tourist bus. Fares are generally cheap, with even the longest and most expensive runs out of San José.

Long distance buses are of two types, direct (directo) and normal (or corriente). The direct buses are a little faster and more expensive. Travellers on a budget can save as much as a quarter of the direct bus fare by taking a normal bus, which stops on demand at various intermediate points and usually takes an hour or two longer.

Roads are narrow and winding and sometimes unpaved; normal buses are rather old, so comfort is not one of the things that bus journeys are known for, particularly those to smaller and more remote destinations served by battered old Bluebird school buses. But they get you there. Trips longer than four hours have a rest stop, and no trips are scheduled to take longer than about 9 hours. If you want reasonable comfort, take the more expensive direct buses.

Luggage space is limited, so you could brake your Costa Rica stay into sections and leave what you don't need for a certain section in San José. A small bag is certainly much easier to travel with and easier to keep an eye on, as you can take it aboard with you. There have been reports of checked luggage on buses getting 'lost', particularly on the route from San José to Puntarenas.

If your bag is too big to take aboard the bus with you, watch it getting loaded and keep your eyes open during any stops the bus makes to ensure that it isn't 'accidentally' given to the wrong passenger. Another suggestion is to put your backpack in a large burlap sack, thus making it less conspicious.

Tourist Buses

These small, air-conditioned buses serve all the main tourist destinations and provide service between many destinations without having to change companies in San José. they are efficient, punctual, convenient, and often provide service to your hotel at your destination. Drivers speak some Engñlish, and many tourists prefer this simpler but more expensive way of getting around. Use your international cellular phone rentals to locate the bus station nearest you.

Train

The railway lines were severely damaged in the 1991 earthquake and have been closed since then. they were running at a financial deficit before the closure, so despite occasional talk of privatising the system with foreign money, it is unlikely that the system will be repaired or reopened. this is a shame, because the run from San José to the Caribbean coast was a famous and well-loved ride. There is a train running on Sundays from San José to the Pacific Port of Caldera, with is a typical adventure tour many Ticos and also tourist enjoy. Use your international mobile phone rental to locate the train station nearest you.

Car

Few people drive to Costa Rica with their own vehicle, though it is certainly possible. renting a car after arrival, on the other hand, is something many travellers do for part of their trip. some rent motorcycles, though this is not such a popular option and is expensive. You can use your Costa Rica cell phone rental to reserve a rental car easily.