A Guide to Travel by Public Transportation in Central America: Costa Rica By Bus

Costa Rica is a package tour destination. It's hard for independent travelers that are willing to rent a car and it's even more challenging for people traveling by public transportation.

Bus to Cartago

There is no centrally - organized transportation system. For instance, if you want to go from point A to B you have to switch buses in between different small cities. And you always have to connect in San Jose. There are several bus terminals spread across the city. It's very inefficient and time consuming.

This leaves Costa Rica at same level than other Central American countries. Even in Nicaragua, with the lack of resources, it wasn't harder to travel there by bus.

Bus from San Carlos to Granada in Nicaragua

Drivers drive like maniacs. I grew up in a country where roads aren't a safe place. And even there this would be too extreme.
Roads are in really bad shape. Several roads leading to main attractions are unpaved and buses are not frequent. For example, if you are planning to visit Tortuguero (I'll write in more detail about it in a next post) be aware that there are only 3 buses per day.

Bus from Pavona to Tortuguero yielding for bananas

In some areas, there are reports of tourist buses and boats being robbed by armed gangs. And there are also alerts for drivers, to not drive in roads with no traffic.
We didn't experience any of these issues but we took our precautions using a waist belt and keeping money and credit cards in different places.

Unsustainable Tourism: a boat just to carry luggage to the national park

Despite all the constraints, traveling by bus in Costa Rica provided us with another view. Certainly different from many tourists that visit the country in package tours with organized transfers and in luxury resorts in the most touristic (developed) areas.

Bus from Naranjo to Upala

We experienced the real Costa Rica, the one that you don't find on many guide books or advertisement. 

During our  trip we had the opportunity to meet locals and discuss their lifestyle and struggles. They were always very generous, willing and welcoming - this statement is not part of the new trend "I love locals" that some tourists are now using.