Bussing it in Costa Rica
On the west coast is the mighty Pacific and the more resort-type beaches with (most of) the niceties one might expect on vacation. Depending upon the price of the room, it may come with a kitchenette complete with a fridge and stove -but no phone. There may be a phone, room service and a spectacular view – but no TV. However, the Costa Rican tourist industry is wise enough to realize that air conditioning is essential in every room.
The east coast, or the Atlantic side is less known for its elegance, but has more of a local, Caribbean ambiance to it. The main port is Limon. It has been recommended that travelling to Limon is safer in groups, particularly at night. Younger people tend to gravitate toward the exciting east coast. Any traveler can reach either of the coasts from the capital of San Jose within a few hours.
THE CITY BUS
While in Costa Rica, I never once saw a “chicken bus”. All of the busses are modern, pretty well maintained and usually painted in primary colors. All of them different. The city busses vary from anything to a glorified school bus to a small *Greyhound kind of bus. The fare is usually about .40 cents in US standards and they DO give change. A large chunk of foam teeters where the “meter” should be. Wide-cut slots in the foam hold hundreds of coins for easy fare exchange. Dangling from the mirror is usually a picture of Jesus, Mary or a cross as most of Costa Ricans are Catholic. Music blares almost inaudibly, but it’s good music.
Once in a while, a kid with a guitar will get on the bus and belt out a traditional song while he strums. His smaller brother may be playing a drum. After they collect a few coins, they get off and head back the way they came. Stay alert – these may be future “American Idols”!
THE EXPRESS BUS
Most people don’t realize how modern the city of San Jose, Costa Rica is. With internet cafes, Pizza Huts, tattoo parlors and fine clothing stores, the busing system should follow suit. And it does. To the more popular locations just outside the city, there are local express busses. This is usually for the rush-hour business crowd, and even though it costs more than a regular bus, it still pales in price comparison to any American city.
THE TOUR BUS
The tour busses, of course are the safest, cleanest, most direct and boring bus ride offered in the city. These busses pull up to a hotel, load the guests (seldom any local people) and head off to a narrated, air-conditioned ride to another modernized resort or destination.
THE COCA-COLA BUS STOP
This is, by far, one of the most interesting and questionable places to experience the local life in the city. Although it’s not the safest place – neither is Central Park in New York City! The bus stop was so named because there was once a Coca-Cola plant in the buildings connected to the terminal. When the plant closed, the terminal remained, thus keeping the name. Every kind of riff-raff may be found on Avenida (Avenue) 6 and Calle (Street) 2, so travel in pairs if possible. As a woman traveling alone, I have gone (more than once) to the Coca-Cola bus stop and have never had a problem.
Busses leave from this central bus station and go to almost every town and city in the whole country. From San Jose to the very popular Manuel Antonio Beach (a 3.5 hour trip), the cost is about $6.00 each way. A real bargain. A traveler can get anywhere in the country for under ten bucks! Half way through the trip, the bus will pull over at a cantina or Mom-and-Pop store where the things you will find are to numerous to name here. This is also a rest room stop as there are not facilities on the bus.
Safety Tips
Just like any other city or travel situation – using a few street-smarts will assure a higher level of safety.
� Bring a business card with the address of the hotel on it for ease of directions with taxi drivers
� A small, thin cash belt is recommended rather than a backpack
âÂ?¢ Keep cash, cards and ID on your body at all times – not in a back pack
âÂ?¢ Stay on the main roads – don’t wander in alleys
� Travel during the day if possible
� Traveling in a group of two or more is safer and more fun
âÂ?¢ Buy a round trip ticket – booths are sometimes open at irregular hours
� Always bring a bottle of water and sunblock
Whether you’re traveling locally within a Costa Rican city to the theater or the grocery store, or whether you’re going to spend a few glorious days at the beach – do yourself a favor and save a ton of money, too by experiencing the best mode of transportation in Central America. The bus.
(NOTE: Although transportation websites are not as technically high-end as metro US – they are usually reputable.)
