Traveling around Costa Rica

Hello Friend.
Taking the local busses is OK, you just need to be carefull with your luggage. Arenal to Monteverde you need to do the van/boat/van for $25p/p. From monteverde to manuel Antonio is going to be the hard part if you do it with local trasportation, you will have to take the buss to puntarenas and latter to M.A. in this case interbus is easier and faster. M.A to San jose we have busses running 6am, 9am,12md,3pm,5pm the cost is about $6p/p, any of this busses will take you directly to the airport. NATUREGUIDE

We used Desafio for the Jeep Boat Jeep from Arenal to Monteverde, and that worked out great. Other than that, we hired private drivers, but that can get a little pricey. Interbus gets great recommendations and is budget friendly.

I am going to Costa Rica in Feb. and doing the same trip as you are except I'm going to Monteverde first and then to Arenal. I am going from San Jose to Monteverde on Interbus, doing the Jeep/Boat/Jeep from Monteverde to Arenal, Interbus from Arenal to Manuel Antonio and then Interbus from MA to San Jose. Interbus offers a "Flexipass" if you are traveling 3 or more trips with them - each trip is $39/pp. - you save a few $$. The Jeep/Boat/Jeep is $25/pp. I've heard great things about Interbus, it's much better than the public bus so I decided it is worth the extra money. You can email Interbus at reservations@interbusonline.com and you will get a quick and professional response. I booked the Jeep/Boat/Jeep with anywherecostarica.com.

Interbus, not matter how namy trips you take with them is always $39 each trip and I think M.A to S.J is only $29. You dont have to book many trips to get this prices, if you want you can only book one from Monteverde to M.A. NATUREGUIDE

We used Interbus in January and it was very convenient to book and use. You get picked up at your hotel and deposited at your destination hotel. I'd certainly recommend them.

I also reccommend Interbus... easy, efficient, and reasonably priced.

My wife and I honeymooned in CR in April and visited Arenal, Jaco and Manuel Antonio. I'd highly recommend hiring the driver we used - Danny Jiminez. We were recommended Danny by friends and he was terrific. He did all of our transfers and a day-trip to Manuel Antonio and he was much more than a driver - just a very friendly guy who taught us a bunch about the country. He was on time for all our transfers, spoke good english, had a new van and has a great sense of humor. The cost was reasonable and he was WELL WORTH IT. crdannytravels@yahoo.com or www.costaricatourdriver.com.

www.interbusonline.com

my choice for hotel to hotel

convenience and price.

Public transport cheapest

really not bad just keep

luggage/packs between legs

to keep them safe.

Lots more hassle to get from

bus station to hotel figuring cab

interbus works out same pricewise

more or less...

So interbus for me most areas.

We hired a private driver and found it convenient and economical. After much research on the internet I decided to contact Danny Jimenez via email. (crdannytravels@yahoo.com) The first day in Costa Rica he met us at the airport and we drove to Arenal making a few stops along the way. We visited Sarchi and then a botanical garden. I travel with a lot of camera equipment and laptop so I appreciated his extra concern when we would leave our luggage in the car (even though I added a rider to my homeowners covering my equipment). We spent 3 days in Arenal and then his buddy Rene (also very reliable) drove us to Tamarindo. Three days later Danny met us again and we returned to San Jose. All three trips totaled $430. Both Danny and Rene spoke English, knew the roads well and most importantly drove cautiously without speeding or passing indiscriminately. Not only did I find a couple of great Costa Rican drivers but I also felt I made a couple of friends and would never hesitate to use either one of them again next time I go to Costa Rica.

bookmarking

Hi! I am going to CR for New Years, and then planning on going to Montezuma on the first. I have been attempting to find out if there is bus service on New Years Day, and was wondering if anyone knew. Also, what is the best way to get to Montezuma from San Jose? The Interbus does not go directly to the coast, and I believe we need to pick up a ferry. What does everyone recommend?

Hi Ken,

We had about the same itinerary on my first trip to CR. From San Jose to Monteverde then Monteverde to Arenal then Arenal to Manuel Antonio then Manuel Antonio to San Jose, we took Interbus each time with the exception of Monteverde to Arenal when we took Interbus/Boat/Interbus. Most of the time we had the bus to ourselves (there were three of us)and had a safe and comfortable trip everywhere we went.

Fares were usually $35 per person but I've paid $45 one way from San Jose to Rincon de la Vieja and then $45 again one way from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal, but I was told that that was because it wasn't an established/popular route.

I've taken one local bus from San Jose to Canas which was a 3.5 hour trip one way and while it wasn't too bad, it was hot and crowded on that bus and it wasn't something I would have attempted had I all my luggage with me. I'm also not that comfortable having to stash my luggage in the baggage compartment under the bus, so I prefer Interbus for the convenience - air conditioning, scheduled rest stops, comfort (no more than 7 passengers) and security (your luggage stays with you the whole time).

Just read all this. Would you recommend Interbus as a good way to get around Costa Rica for a solo traveller, a lady of a certain age, without much Spanish? It looks too good to be true!

I would definitely recommend it for you. It's so easy to book in advance--and they pickup and delivery you to the front door of your hotels. We did fly from San Jose to Manuel Antonio because of the distance and travel time.
Jane

Hi Gertie,

I would recommend Interbus for female solo travelers of all ages. I traveled for 5 weeks solo and only spoke tourist Spanish but I was game to try more conversation whenever possible and always had my phrasebook and travel dictionary with me.

Thanks everyone. I think I have my next trip! Yes, I can manage tourist Spanish too, as you say, a chance to improve it.

We've never used Interbus, but it is a great alternative for those who wish not to rent a car and drive.

I can honestly say that, as a frequent solo traveler (and at 55, an older gal!), I find the public bus system lots of fun! Yes, I pack lightly and hang on to my bag. I speak intermediate espanol (my opinion), but have never had a negative experience (except for riding a couple of hours while standing in the aisle!).

If you can pack lightly and can speak enough Spanish to purchase your ticket, it's a great way to get around for next to nothing!

Shillmac, yes I can do all that. Tell me more about travelling by public bus say from San Jose to Arenal to Monteverde to Manuel Antonio and back to San Jose.

I can't help you with public bus info from Arenal to Monteverde (you'd want to do the jeep-boat-jeep transfer for the sheer interest factor!).

If I were you I'd take Interbus from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio.

And then public bus from MA back to SJO. That will mix it up for you nicely.

I took the public bus to Arenal (La Fortuna) about 18 months ago. It took about 4 hours out of San Jose and involved a 30-40 min. stop at the very interesting bus station/mall/multiplex theatre in San Carlos (excellent road that route, by the way). I relaxed, listened to the piped in music, and had a great ride!

If you want to keep your seat, don't get off the bus. Otherwise, be sure you are in line to get back on a few minutes ahead of time. No guarantees! I had a seat on the first row going back to Arenal, got off for a bathroom break in San Carlos (the driver assured me of a seat), and found myself standing in the aisle packed like a sardine for the next 2 hours! I survived, but it would have been nice to sit!

More info, e-mail me at: mickydee53@gmail.com

Hi,

My husband and I are first time visitors to Costa Rica. We are planning to be there mid to end of January. We are budget travelers, so we are trying to break down our trip into several legs and plan on our own. We have several reliable guidebooks, but still need help planning transportation from Monteverde to San Jose. I heard the roads were bad in this area. How is the trip from Monteverde to San Jose via public bus? How long and how difficult? Is it just better to use a private shuttle company for this leg of our trip? Or do the guidebooks make it seem worse than it really is?

I took the public bus for eight hours from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez and it was not that bad. Book your tickets in advanced otherwise they overbook sometimes and you may have to stand. Also, if you are over six foot it may be extremely uncomfortbable due the fact that I had little knee room and I am five foot five. Always watch your belongings at the bus stations. I felt pretty safe once on the bus. If you are going to do cross country travel I could highly discourage renting a car. The roadsa are horrible, traffic rules do not exist, and there are NO street signs.

We have just returned from Costa Rica.

I have always driven a rented car when I am there. The Costa Rican drivers drive more aggressive than most of us are accustomed to but once you learn this style of driving, it works well there. If you are the timid or extra cautious type it would be better for you to use a more sedate mode of transportation, otherwise you will be a nervous wreck by the time you return home. Aside from the Tico drivers you will come across some very narrow switch-back roads going up and down the mountains. I have driven most of central valley and Pacific coast roads. Over the years these roads have improved greatly, they are by no means the best compared to North America but they are relatively easy and safe to drive.

To be on the safe side, use a 4X4. This will give you the extra ground clearance on those roads when you decide to test your curiosity to find out where the little dirt road will take you. I sure needed it on this trip.

I haven't been to Monteverde lately but the road leading up there and the roads within the town of St. Elana and Monteverde are horrible, they keep it this way purposely to control traffic. I don't think this will change in the near future.

The roads inside Santa Elena is actually perfectly nice. It's once you get outside the MV area that they get horrible.

RAC you are absolutely right! The roads within St. Elana are very good but either side, are a challenge.

Our family of 5 will be travelling to Costa Rica the middle of March. Is the use of US Dollars widely accepted or should we also carry some colones? We've had varied comments. Would appreciate previous travelers input.

I think it might depend on how far you travel outside the tourist zone and how small the establishment is that you visit. We've been all over CR and have never had to exchange our money. We pay in US dollars and usually get change back in colones which we use. I've heard that at smaller places like gas stations that you might need to pay in colones. All tours, restaurants, and hotels we've done have taken US dollars and/or credit cards. We had one hotel ask us for a check.