Best Mode of Transportation in Costa Rica
Planning a trip to Costa Rica and trying to figure out how to get around? We got you covered!
Whether you arrive by air, land or sea, Costa Rica will welcome you with amazing things to do and see all across this beautiful country. Even though Costa Rica is quite small, measuring some 19,700 square miles (or 51,100 square kilometers), it can take a lot longer to get from A to B than you might be used to. Let’s discuss our two favorite means of transport – Car and Plane!
Driving in Costa Rica
Getting your hands on a rental car when you arrive for your trip in Costa Rica, sure is the means of transport we will recommend you the most. It will give you all the flexibility and freedom you want to get the most out of your trip.
Flexibility and Freedom
Just imagine - driving along a beautiful coast line, wind in your hair, music in your ears. Your stomach is starting to rumble. And just then, you see a little sign that reads “fresh fish with ocean view”. You take a sharp turn, go off road up a mountain. Out of seemingly nowhere appears the cutest little restaurant with the most delicious food and even better sea view. Sounds a bit out of a movie? Not in Costa Rica!
Having the flexibility to make spontaneous decisions and discover places of the beaten track, is a huge plus and why we recommend renting your own car. If you have the budget, opt in for a 4x4, you are likely not going to need it, but it will give you ease of mind, just in case.
The Roads
You will find that most roads connecting larger towns are perfectly paved and provide lovely driving comfort. Once you leave the larger, multi-lane, highways around San Jose, you might sometimes need a bit of patience. Roads like the frequently visited Costanera Sur in Puntarenas are mainly one lane wide. If there has been an accident or you are behind a slow truck, your ETA can quickly get pushed back. We recommend always adding an extra hour to your travel plans just in case! If you don’t need it, you have time for a snack! Win-win.
But what if you don’t have the luxury of time and just want to get to your location as quickly as possible…
Go by Plane!
Maybe not for the faint hearted, but my gosh, flying across Costa Rica on a small plane really is a unique experience. Having that birds-eye view of the coastline, the jungle, the city, trust us, you will not put your phone/camera away!
Flying with Costa Rica Green Airways
Our favorite airline, and by far the one we would recommend, is Costa Rica Green Airways. We could tell you all about their new planes and modern technology (which they do all have), but we much rather share that every single person that works for Green Airways, loves Costa Rica. And they love to share their love with you.
The Fly Experience
If you are to land at the San Jose International Airport, you just need to follow the signs that will bring you to the domestic airport next door (less than a 5-minute walk). The Domestic Airport is very small, and everything is navigated easily. There are no gates per se, you just wait in the main hall until your flight is called.
The pilot will greet you at the plane, you are likely to be offered a beer or a coffee and if there happens to be no co-pilot for your flight, you might even get to take the co-pilot seat (take it!!).
No matter which route you are flying, the pilots will always try to make sure to give you the most scenic experience. It really is a treat! Instead of driving from San Jose International Airport for 3 to 4 hours to Quepos, you can take Costa Rica Green Airways and be there in 20 minutes!
Car rental agencies can arrange for a car to be ready and waiting for you at the Quepos airport. Besides it being a quick way to get around, traveling by plane will for most people, add to the Costa Rica adventure!
P.S. All of us at Casa Kia Ora were personally blown away by the service that Green Airways offered us and our clients so far. They have on numerous occasions gone above and beyond to help us and our clients when flights were delayed, canceled, too much luggage, etc (we have all been there!). We decided to partner up with Green Airways, which allows us to offer your discount rates on flights, simply by using this link here.
For questions and bookings, never hesitate to contact us!
