San José serves as Costa Rica’s main transportation hub, which makes it one of the best places for tourists of the country to use as a starting point for their exploration. This province – and country capital – is centrally located so it is easy for travelers to get into and out of.
How do you get around San Jose Costa Rica?
The best way to get around Costa Rica is by bus, which is reliable, navigable, inexpensive and frequently runs through San José, Costa Rica’s capital. Driving on your own is not highly recommended as some roads are tricky (speckled with potholes and ambiguously marked intersections).
Is it hard to get around in Costa Rica?
While many minor roads are indeed badly potholed and unsurfaced, travelling around Costa Rica by car is relatively easy. Plus with your own vehicle you can see the country at your own pace without having to adhere to bus or plane schedules.
Is San Jose Costa Rica a walkable city?
In San Jose, one of those places is Avenida Central (Central Avenue). This is one of the most accessible areas of the city. Here, it is easy to walk between the plethora of museums, parks, outdoor plazas, shops, and restaurants.
How do people get around in San Jose?
Local Public Transportation
VTA Light Rail and Bus: Light Rail gets you quickly and inexpensively through the city, including the Alum Rock, Almaden and Santa Teresa areas of San Jose, plus neighboring Mountain View and Campbell. The extensive bus routes are easy to navigate throughout all of Silicon Valley.
Is San Jose Costa Rica worth staying in?
San Jose is most famous for being the entryway into Costa Rica. The country’s largest airport is here, and so the vast majority of travelers to CR come in and out of there. In addition, San Jose has some wonderful museums (especially the gold museum) and perhaps the best nightlife in the country.
How much time should I spend in San Jose Costa Rica?
Six days is a great amount of time to experience Costa Rica—you can easily combine two of the country’s biodiverse national parks with a day of exploration in San José.
Do you need a car in San Jose Costa Rica?
First of all, Costa Rica is do-able without a car, hooray! BUT, only if you’re either: Willing to ride on hot and bumpy buses; Willing to spend $180-$200 each way to get a private van from San Jose to wherever you’re going (realistic quote);
Is Uber popular in Costa Rica?
Uber Coverage is Spotty in Costa Rica
In the most popular tourist destinations drivers are few and far between – frequently there are none.
Is driving a rental car in Costa Rica safe?
Should I rent a car and drive in Costa Rica? We would definitely recommend renting a car and driving in Costa Rica! Not only is it safe to drive in Costa Rica, but it’s a beautiful country and you will get to see more of it if you rent a car.
Is it worth visiting San Jose?
San Jose is an amazing city, it is the center of the tech industry, and it is absolutely worth adding to your Northern California itinerary. The metropolis is easily accessible and jam-packed with cultural events, shopping, historic sites, parks, and museums that the whole family will enjoy.
Can you drink the water in Costa Rica?
Can you drink the water in Costa Rica? The short answer is yes. You can drink the tap water in Costa Rica safely in most every part of the country. In some rural areas, including the Caribbean and in non-touristy places, you may want to stick with bottled water.
Is it safe to walk in San Jose Costa Rica?
Avoid walking around at night (especially in the San Jose city center). Stay alert: crowded tourist attractions and resort areas popular with foreign tourists are also common venues for criminal activities. Steer clear of deserted properties or undeveloped land. Walk or exercise with a companion.
Can you get around San Jose without car?
Despite seeing floods of traffic on a daily basis, San Jose is surprisingly bike-friendly. With year-round moderate weather and flat, wide streets, this is ideal cycling territory, and it’s easy and safe to use the city’s 400 miles of bike lanes to get around town.
How do you get around San Jose without a car?
Train Resources
- Caltrain.
- ACE (Altamont Corridor Express) Train.
- Capitol Corridor Train.
- BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)
- Amtrak California and National Train Service.
Is public transportation good in San Jose?
Public transit is a viable option for visitors to downtown San Jose, the many busy commercial corridors throughout town, and major tourist destinations. The airport is easy to reach on public transit too, as are several office parks located north of downtown.
Why you should not go to Costa Rica?
Country Summary: While petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists in Costa Rica, violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault, occurs in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican government provides additional security resources in areas frequented by tourists.
What should you not do in Costa Rica?
Don’t:
- Don’t bathe nude at the beach.
- Don’t hike in the rainforest off of any marked paths.
- Don’t plan a vacation to Costa Rica during the Christmas and Easter holidays.
- Don’t pick plants or hunt for seashells.
- Don’t skimp out by not paying for a local naturalist guide.
Do Costa Ricans like tourists?
Since tourism is such an important part of the country’s economy, many Costa Ricans are very hospitable. Ticos are also extremely polite, and will often go to great lengths to avoid directly saying no to people, which can be a little confusing for some tourists!
How far is San Jose from the beach?
The closest beaches are about 45 minutes away in Santa Cruz. From Santa Cruz, it’s a short drive north on Highway 1 to unique cove beaches near the town of Davenport. More sandy options near Santa Cruz include the beaches in Aptos and Capitola.
Does San Jose Costa Rica have a beach?
Jaco Beach is the closest beach to San Jose and one of the most crowded. The closest beach to San José, Playa Jaco is good destination for a quick beach getaway.