Lots of adventures while just getting to your destination

Costa Rica is as much adventure getting to places as being in places. Unlike vacations where you fly from place to place, the serendipity often happens as you are driving -- spotting a jagarundi or toucan, crossing a river without a bridge, pulling off to take pictures of monkeys or splash in a mountain stream. Driving can be one of the most delightful (and frustrating) adventures of Costa Rica.

If your interest is less touristy places, you'll need a private vehicle because the tour buses and Interbus services don't go there. Your options to explore Costa Rica depend on how much time you have, your sense of adventure, comfort with Spanish, your budget, and your priorities.

 

Rental car, and drive yourself

Unless you are only in San José, rent a 4x4 car. 4x4 cars have higher clearance and generally higher tires. Costa Rica roads - including many major paved roads, are FULL of potholes and nasty speed bumps. Small wheels and low-profile tires end up with bent wheel rims - a very expensive damage you will have to pay for when you return the car.

Renting a car does not necessarily give you "ultimate freedom". Where and how you park your car while swimming at the beach or exploring a waterfall or other times when you will be away from the car is a prime theft opportunity, so you have to be more cautious on what is left in your car and how visible it is. Rarely are cars stolen, but cameras, purses and suitcases "walk away" from unguarded cars.

Volare will determine which rental agency is best for your itinerary. Some agencies offer remote pick-up services. Some agencies will deliver the car to you. You don't have to be in the same rental car for your whole trip.

Rental car with driver

If driving in a Latin country on narrow roads and bad road signs is not your idea of a vacation, let us do all your driving.

Volare can arrange a driver for a day or your whole trip. Costs range from $90 for partial day to $175 per day if long-term -- this fee includes driver's expenses for lodging and meals. Drivers are usually not bilingual, but are expert at taking care of the car while you are enjoying the adventures. All drivers selected by Volare are responsible people (not too young!), clean and non-smokers.

Bilingual guide / driver in private vehicle

A bilingual guide is well worth the money. A Volare full time bilingual guide serves as your driver, interpreter, first aid responder, and allows you to take on even more exacting adventures. By all means you'll want a bilingual guide if you are doing remote hiking, or spending time away from tourism centers. Volare guides are educated in what matters most to you -- nature and habitat, how to handle a horse, speaking with Indigenous people, picking out the right restaurants and food. They are expert with everything from finding the right medicines in a pharmacy to taking care of lost luggage. Costs for bilingual guide / driver is from $190 for partial day (no overnight or meals required) to $275 a day if traveling with you overnight or more than 8 hours.

Private Transfers and Taxis

Mini bus transfers are economical for shorter distance transfers for 3 or more people - within two or so hours between points. Many transfers can be arranged with hotels, and often a mini-bus can be rented for the day for local tours. Even travelers with their own rental cars may prefer the mini bus service so you don't have to deal with protecting the parked car or finding the route. The buses usually have noisy small diesel engines and are usually hot (no air conditioning) so not the most comfortable way to travel for some people.

Taxis run about the same as mini buses but carry only 3 people. Once out of cities the taxis tend to be 4x4 vehicles, so preferable to mini-bus when trying to get to a place in the country. Again they have diesel engines, usually not air conditioned, and move slowly.

City Taxis

In San Jose the BEST way to travel is by taxi - no parking hassles, economical. Taxis have marias - meters - and start at about $6 for a short trip. Some drivers (when business is slow and you are pure tourist) will drive in almost circles to run the meter up. Before getting in the taxi ask "cuanto vale hasta...." meaning "how much to ...." your destination. Even if you don't understand, the driver thinks you do and goes more or less directly. Most taxi drivers are very honest (and if you add "Pronto! = Hurry!) he knows you'll tip well -- add 10% to the Maria and be happy to get there directly.

Fixed Route Transfer service (Interbus)

Service between major tourism destinations - San Jose, La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, Jaco. To less touristy destinations the Interbus service is incomplete. Interbus is cost effective if less than four in your group; four or more then private transfers or rental car is more cost effective.

Internal Flights

You can see flights on the domestic airline map of SANSA. Many flights and routes are dropped during low season. All flights are completed between sunrise and sunset as no airstrips (except San Jose and Liberia international airports) have runway lights or radar or control towers. The Caribbean destinations operate only early in the morning. Remote destinations like Tortuguero, Drake Bay, and Bocas del Toro are tied to tour operator schedules for all-inclusive tour packages. Pacific destinations depart as late as 3:30 PM, arriving in San Jose before sunset. Remember Costa Rica has a 12 hour day (plus/minus 35 minutes) year round. Sunrise and sunset is 5:30 to 6:15.

Hotel or Tour Operator Transportation

More remote but popular destinations, like Tortuguero, Barra Colorado, Osa Peninsula, are often packaged with transportation - usually a flight from San Jose plus vehicle which takes you directly to your hotel.

Public Buses

A really great way to meet Costa Ricans, people outside the bubble of tourism. Costa Rica's public transport system covers every village with only dirt road access - maybe only once a day, sometimes only 3 days a week. But even the most remote towns have some bus connection, and always a fun way to meet people. You can cross the whole country for less than $20 by public bus.

By Bike, By Foot, By Horse

Yes. All is possible. And Volare has these routes in mind for our specialist guests who want that kind of adventure.

Google Maps

Google Maps is less complete than WAZE away from San Jose.

Copyright © 2021, Volare Costa Rica, Inc. All rights reserved