San Jose, Costa Rica — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Tel: 437 2626.
Juan Santamaría Airport is located 17km (10.5 miles) northwest of the city center just outside the city of Alajuela. As Costa Rica’s principal gateway, Juan Santamaría is serviced by a number of international carriers, and serves as the hub for domestic flights on Sansa Airlines.
Airport facilities: These include conference and banqueting facilities, a business center, shops, restaurants, bars, banks, ATMs, bureau de change, tourist information and car hire from Avis, Budget, Hertz and several others.
Transport to the city: The all-red Tuasa bus runs frequently from the airport to the city center, journey time is less than 45 minutes. Taxis also serve the terminals.
Getting There By Road
While San José’s roads don’t require a 4-wheel drive car, potholes, narrow one-way streets, confusing traffic circles, and lack of signs challenge even the best drivers. Road rules, when followed, are similar to the USA and EU. Cars drive on the right. In the city, the speed limit is usually 40kph (25mph), while freeways have signed speed limits of up to 90kph (56mph).
Emergency breakdown services
Costa Rica Asistencia (tel: 2242 2600; www.costaricaasistencia.com) is the national auto club, but most rental companies offer assistance. For general emergency services, call 911 or 112.
Routes to the city
San José lies at the crossroads of the country. The Panamerican Freeway becomes the city’s major east-west artery, called Paseo Colón and Calle Central. East of the city, it becomes Highway 2 south to Panama. To the north, the highway passes Guanacaste en route to Nicaragua. New Highway 239 connects the capital to Jacó and the central Pacific beaches, while Highway 141 heads north to La Fortuna and Arenal. Take Highway 32 west from Barrio Amón to the Caribbean coast.
Driving times to the city
From Jacó – 1 hour; Quepos (Manuel Antonio) – 2 hours; Golfito - 9 hours; Liberia – 3 hours; Tamarindo – 5 hours; La Fortuna (Arenal) – 3 hours 30 minutes; Limón – 2 hours; Puerto Viejo de Talamanca – 4 hours.
Coach services
Several international bus lines serve the Central American capitals and Mexican border, including Ticabus (tel: 2221 0006; www.ticabus.com), Transnica (tel: 2223 4242; transnica.com), and King Quality (tel: 2241 8787; www.king-qualityca.com). Buy tickets in advance, in person, with your passport. International buses are air conditioned, with reclining seats and Hollywood blockbuster movies. Most domestic buses leave from the chaotic Coca Cola Bus Terminal (Avenida 1 and Calle 16). The neighborhood is not safe; take taxis and keep your belongings secure. Buses to the Caribbean leave from Terminal Atlantico del Norte (Avenida 12 and Calle 7). Other buses leave from paradas (stops) throughout the city. Ask at your hotel or check The Bus Schedule (www.thebusschedule.com/cr).
Getting There By Rail
Most of Costa Rica’s once extensive railway system, which operated from the 1880s until the 1980s, has fallen into disrepair although this is improving.
Rail Services
There are three recently re-opened sections all departing from San José.
Rail Operators
INCOFER (tel: 2221 0777; www.incofer.costa.rica.cr) operates two inexpensive commuter trains, traversing San José weekdays 0600-0830 and 1600-2000. The first runs from Pavas (Pavas Station; 7km (4 miles) west of San José) east through San José (Mata Redonda Station) to San Pedro (U Latina Station; 3km (5miles) east of San José) and neighboring suburb of Curridabat (Curridabat Station). In 2011, the line will be extended to Cartago. The second train runs from San José (Atlantic Station) east to Heredia (Heredia Station; 12km (7.5 miles) northwest of San José), stopping in Tibás (Colima Station); Santo Domingo (Santa Rosa Station), and Miraflores (Miraflores Station).
Connections
San Pedro to Pavas – 1 hour; San José to Heredia – 25 minutes; San José to Caldera (Punta Arenas) – 4 hours.
Getting Around in San Jose, Costa Rica
Public Transport
San José has an extensive network of inexpensive city buses. There are no comprehensive bus maps, but any hotel or tour office can point you toward your parada (stop). Pay as you board the bus; coins are appreciated.
Taxis
Official red taxis are safe and inexpensive, but make sure that the meter is running. Avoid unlicensed pirate taxis, which may be cheaper for locals but often take merciless advantage of tourists. Your hotel can call a trusted driver, or try Taxi Rojo (tel: 2214 0083).
Driving in the City
Driving in San José is not for the faint-hearted, and most tourists take taxis. Note that addresses are often given using a cryptic system of directionals (eg, 300m east of Roosevelt School) that you’ll probably need a local to decipher anyway. Taxi drivers know where you’re headed. If you do drive, always use guarded parking.
Car Hire
You must have a valid driver’s license from your home country and, in most cases, a major credit card. Most rental companies only rent to drivers over 25, but local agencies may be more flexible. Mandatory insurance can add US$20 per day to your total. Local companies include Avis (tel: 2293 2222; www.avis.co.cr), Budget (tel: 2436 2000; www.budget.co.cr), Hertz (tel: 2221 1818; www.costaricarentacar.net), Thrifty (tel: 2257 3434; www.thrifty.com), and Hola! (tel: 2520 0100; www.hola.net).
Bicycle Hire
While bicycle rental and tours are common elsewhere in Costa Rica, San José’s chaotic traffic makes urban biking dangerous. Hotels and tour offices can help locate rental bikes if you’re determined.
