Private Transportation on your Costa Rica vacation
The hub of public transport in Costa Rica is its capital city San Jose. From here, you can easily go to the other regions then go back to San Jose to find transportation for another trip to another area of the country. It will depend on the part of the country where you are located, because in some towns, there are local hubs where they have transportation to another city in the same region. You have to ask the locals how to go around on your Costa Rica vacation.
Public transportation in Costa Rica is quite regular and efficient as most Costa Ricans do not own private vehicles. There are buses going to almost all parts of the country with very remote areas or small towns served by only one bus trip a day. But it is possible to get to places you want to see by bus. You have to remember though that even if the bus companies seem laid back and informal, they will leave on time on the appointed hour, and you will be left behind even if you are holding paid tickets you purchased in advance.
If you are staying in The Costa Rican Condo in downtown San Jose, you can ask for a car rental referral. A rented car will get you to places where there is no public transportation. You can draw up your own schedule and itinerary with a rented car, stopping wherever you like and whenever you want. Public transportation to remote areas are infrequent, so a rented car will not cause you these unnecessary delays and you will be able to visit more areas to enjoy your vacation. Driving at night is not recommended on mountain roads however, as there are many blind corners on narrow roads and there are trucks travelling at night in the opposite direction. Hotel Costa Rica can provide comfortable chauffeured air conditioned vehicles for sightseeing tours upon your request if you do not want to drive.
If you are staying near the beaches like Jaco, Flamingo and Tamarindo, the town center is just a short walk from the beaches and you can always find taxis for short trips, so renting a car might not be necessary. Some resorts are self-contained where everything is provided for including various recreational activities, so you will not need a vehicle except the golf carts and shuttle vehicles they provide.
There are also internal carriers available in Costa Rica like Nature Air or Sansa which offers unlimited flights on a daily or weekly rate. These airlines use around 15 airstrips all around the country, and it is much better to fly than to drive for 8 to 12 hours to reach the remote exotic destinations. Chartered flights can always be arranged from The Costa Rican Condo in San Jose.
Upon arriving in Costa Rica, there are private airport shuttle buses which can take you to your destination. Bookings for shuttle services can be done in advance online or by calling toll free. Some transport companies have regular scheduled airport service but a private pick up service can easily be arranged. These shuttle services also provide transportation for trips to other towns and cities for more relaxed and comfortable outings on your Costa Rica vacation.
