Transportation Options for Traveling to Costa Rica

This option involves traveling with “complete freedom,” behind the wheel of a rental car that you’ll drive for all or part of your stay in Costa Rica, following the itinerary we’ve designed for you.

Self-drive tours include:

• A rental vehicle—preferably an SUV—with the insurance required in Costa Rica,
• Additional services (Wi-Fi hotspot, child seat, roof racks, etc.),
• Comprehensive insurance if you wish.

To ensure your trip goes smoothly, we’ll provide you with a travel guide containing general information about the country, but most importantly, a day-by-day breakdown of your itinerary with contact information for all scheduled service providers (hotels, guides, excursions, etc.) as well as details on times, meeting points, and personalized recommendations (activities along the way, notable sites, suggested stops).

This is undoubtedly the best way to explore Costa Rica, as you’ll enjoy a great deal of freedom—especially when it comes to meeting locals—while maintaining good control over your budget. This type of trip is possible because the roads are in good condition—especially on the major routes—and we work with the country’s top car rental providers to ensure you have access to high-quality 4×4 vehicles.

To estimate your gas budget for such a trip, you can expect to spend between $10 and $15per day.

There are very few tolls in Costa Rica, and they cost between $1 and $3 per toll.

Traveling in Costa Rica with a private driver:

What do we mean by private transportation?

Private transportation consists of a vehicle driven by a Spanish- or English-speaking driver. The vehicle is sized to accommodate the number of passengers you specify and is completely private—meaning only you will be on board. The vehicle is at your disposal all day, for all or part of your stay. Of course, the driver is available during reasonable hours to ensure he gets adequate rest!

Private transportation trips include:

• The vehicle and its insurance
• The driver’s salary,
• The driver’s meal and lodging expenses,
• Fuel, parking, and tolls.

You don’t need to provide anything else for the driver, except perhaps a tip at the end of your stay if you were particularly satisfied with the service.

This mode of transportation is preferable if you have the budget for it, since you won’t have to worry about travel arrangements at any point during your stay in Costa Rica (road conditions, travel time, driving style, etc.). It’s a comfortable option, with a driver who knows the country inside and out to take you from one destination to the next, while you sit back and enjoy the scenery passing by!

A trip with a guide-driver combines the advantages of the two previous types of travel.

By choosing this type of trip, you’ll be accompanied by an official guide who is an expert on the country (biology, history, culture, etc.) and will be happy to share all their knowledge with you. In addition, they will serve as your driver and take you wherever you wish to go, while following the itinerary we have planned and confirmed with them. All of our guides are proactive in suggesting ways to make your trip unforgettable and help you experience the true essence of Costa Rica.

All our driver-guides are fluent in French and are generally native Costa Ricans. This will largely eliminate the language barrier and allow you to interact with everyone you meet.

Trips with a driver-guide include:

• The vehicle and its insurance,
• The guide’s salary,
• The guide’s meal and lodging expenses,
• Fuel, parking, and tolls,
• Admission fees to sites and the guide’s activity fees when accompanying you,

You don’t need to provide anything else for your driver-guide, except perhaps a tip at the end of your trip if you were particularly satisfied with the service provided.

This is the best way to travel in Costa Rica if you’re looking for an exclusive trip or want to be well taken care of, so you can explore the “Land of Green Gold” in every detail.

➕ HIGHLIGHTS

• Sharing unique local experiences,
• A local expert who actively contributes ideas every day,
• No language barriers,
• Makes for a safer trip,
• Less tiring.

➖ THE DOWNSIDES

A trip to Costa Rica using shared transportation involves traveling between each destination via shuttles—that is, private minibuses that operate daily routes between various tourist destinations in the “Green Gold” country.

This mode of transportation, often favored by North American travelers, is well-established in Costa Rica and allows you to enjoy a complete trip without necessarily having to rent a car or hire a driver or driver-guide. It’s a convenient option, as you’re picked up directly from your hotel—often in the morning—and then dropped off at your hotel at the next destination.

It’s important to note that not all parts of the country are accessible via this mode of transportation, particularly more remote regions. Therefore, if you’re looking for an authentic trip off the beaten path, this isn’t the best option.

Note that this option can be combined with other modes of transportation.

For example, it’s common to start your trip with a shared shuttle service to Tortuguero, and then pick up your rental car from there. This saves you a few days’ worth of rental fees while allowing you to start your trip at a leisurely pace without the potential stress of driving.

Trips using shared transportationinclude:

• Transportation from hotel to hotel between each stop,
• Wi-Fi and air conditioning in the minibuses,
• Some routes include a meal

You don’t need to plan anything else with this type of transportation, other than being ready at the scheduled pickup time .

This is an attractive option if you want to explore Costa Rica without having to drive, at a lower cost than hiring a private driver or a driver-guide (especially if you’re traveling in a group). However, if you’re a groupof at least 4 people, it becomes more economical to rent a vehicle, since the cost can be split among the group.

➕ HIGHLIGHTS

• Comfortable rides
• A budget you can control
• The mode of transportation with the lowest carbon footprint
• Can be combined with other modes of transportation

➖ CONS

➕ HIGHLIGHTS

• Fast travel between distant destinations
• A chance to explore the country from the air
• Combination with other modes of transportation

➖ CONS