Bus
Public buses cover most of the country and are the cheapest way to travel. San José's main bus terminals (La Coca-Cola for the Pacific and north, Gran Terminal del Caribe for the Caribbean coast) are the hubs. Intercity buses are called directo (few stops, faster) or colectivo (many stops, slower). The longest journey — San José to Paso Canoas on the Panamanian border — costs around $14. Buy tickets in advance for popular routes on weekends or holidays, as buses fill up. The Visit Costa Rica website publishes a bus schedule PDF worth downloading before you travel.
Shuttle
Shared tourist shuttles (Interbus, Grayline, and others) run between the most popular destinations — San José, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, the Nicoya beaches — in comfortable air-conditioned minivans. They cost significantly more than public buses but are faster, door-to-door, and don't require advance planning at a bus terminal.
Car
Renting a car makes sense for exploring remote areas, the Osa Peninsula, or the Caribbean coast where buses are infrequent. A 4WD is worth the extra cost outside dry season (December–April); many secondary roads become difficult in the rains. Road signage is patchy; download offline maps before setting out. Driving at night is not recommended — potholes, missing guardrails, and wandering livestock are genuine hazards.
Domestic Flights
SANSA and Sky Airline connect San José with Quepos, Liberia, Tamarindo, Puerto Jiménez, and other destinations. Flights are short (20–45 minutes) and can save hours of ground travel. Book ahead during peak season.
Taxi and Rideshare
Official taxis are red with a yellow triangle. Agree on the meter (taxímetro) before setting off in San José; for longer trips a negotiated flat rate is normal. Uber operates in the metropolitan area and is generally cheaper than taxis.