Getting Here!

Airport Arrival
International flights arrive at San José's Juan Santamaría International Airport, 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the city. Coaches, buses, and taxis are available to and from the airport. A departure tax of $17 is applicable to passengers who have spent over 48 hours in Costa Rica.

From Australia
By Air: There is no direct service to Costa Rica from Australia. The cheapest airfare is probably from California or Miami, Florida to San José.

From Canada
By Air: Air Transat offers direct flights from Montréal to San José. Air Canada, Aviateca, and Lacsa fly from Toronto to San José. United Airlines flies from Vancouver to San José.

From France
By Air: American Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic fly from Paris to San José, as do KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines and Iberia.

From Germany
By Air: KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines flies from select cities in Germany to San José. American Airlines and United Airlines fly from Frankfurt to San José.

From Japan
By Air: VASP and Lacsa both fly from Osaka to San José.

From the United Kingdom
By Air: American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic all fly from London to San José. Flight time from London to San José is approximately 12 hours (including stopovers).

From the U.S.
By Air: Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Aviateca fly from many U.S. cities to San José. Lasca, the official airline of Costa Rica, flies from Miami, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and New York direct to Costa Rica. A flight from New York to San José takes approximately 7 hours; from Los Angeles to San José, approximately 11 hours.

Lacsa offers an Ecopass, which offers up to 50 percent savings on Lacsa's Central American routes for flights originating in the U.S. The pass is valid year-round, with no blackout periods or minimum stays (maximum stay is 30 days). The pass must be purchased at the time of originating ticket purchase.

By Sea: Quite a few cruise ships now include Costa Rica as a destinations. Popular stops are the ports of Puerto Caldera (on the Pacific Coast) and Puerto Limón (on the Caribbean coast). Cruise lines include Clipper Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland American Westours, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Royal Viking Line, and Sun Line Cruises.

By Bus: You can take a bus from the United States to Costa Rica, but make your reservations far in advance, as these buses are known to be sold out many months ahead. A bus ticket from San Diego or Texas is relatively inexpensive, but you must factor in food and lodging; at that point, you may realize it's not that much cheaper than flying. Allow at least three weeks to get there—it's well over 3,220 kilometers (2,000 miles) from the U.S. to Costa Rica, and the going is slow. But Central America is well served with local bus systems, and there are plenty of accommodations along the way. However, you might want to consider carrying your luggage with you on the bus (or at least keeping a close eye on it), and make sure you've obtained all necessary visas and documentation in advance of your trip. Be prepared to stand on the bus at times, and remember that these buses don't make frequent rest stops.

Getting Around

By Car
Driving: When driving in Costa Rica, be careful, especially in San José, where a car can be more of a liability than an asset. People say that Ticos like to drive—speeding, tailgating, passing on curves, and ignoring traffic lights and laws, this is totally true.  If you'll be driving outside of the city, you can cover a lot of ground in a car without the time delays of buses, and you can stop to sightsee anywhere you want.

Other things to look for when driving in Costa Rica: Beware of the many roads that are unpaved and full of potholes, of the pedestrians and livestock that walk along the side of the road, and of the mountain roads that are often blocked by thick fog, floods, and landslides.

You must be at least 21 years old and possess a passport to drive in Costa Rica. Foreign driver's licenses are good for up to three months; then you'll need a Costa Rican license. Driving is on the right side of the road.

Rental Cars: Rental car agencies can be found in San José, usually west of downtown, and some have offices in the Juan Santamaría Airport. You will need a valid driver's license plus a credit card. Minimum age for drivers ranges from 21 to 25. Rental rates are highest from November to April, but you can always get better rates by reserving a car before you get to Costa Rica, at least a week ahead of time. Reserve as far in advance as possible, especially in the dry season and during Christmas and holidays.

By Train
Train service operates three times daily between Heredia, San José, and San Pedro on the "Silver Train." There's also service between San José and Puntarenas (two trains daily).

By Bus
Generally, if there's a road in Costa Rica, there's a bus that travels it—buses serve even the most remote towns. You can travel to most parts of the country for less than $5. But make your reservations ahead of time, at least on the major bus routes (you'll have to pay as you board on smaller routes) because the buses are crowded. Try to sit towards the front of the bus, where it's not as hot, and don't drink too many liquids, as the rest stops are infrequent. Don't flash your money around, and try to travel light—luggage space is limited.

By Taxi
Normal fares are $1.5 per mile. There are plenty of taxis in Costa Rica, especially in San José. You can rent them by the hour or half-day, and they are fairly cheap. Make sure that your fare is agreed upon before you get in the taxi, and don't be afraid to bargain. San José taxis are usually metered; make sure that your driver turns yours on. In smaller towns, where few taxis have meters, you'll receive a better fare if you speak Spanish and know the local customs. Do not tip taxi drivers in Costa Rica.

By Air

Travelair, another domestic airline, flies from Tobias Bolaños Airport, near Pavas, 3 kilometers (2 miles) west of San José. You can confirm reservations without prepayment, and it is somewhat more reliable. Charter flights are also available at the Tobias Bolaños Airport.