Posted on June 26, 2015
I’ve heard from many friends and fellow travelers that though they would like to take advantage of public transit while traveling, unfamiliar systems can be confusing. The public bus in Costa Rica is similar to many others I’ve ridden in the United States and abroad, but if you aren’t used to riding buses, subways, or light rail systems at home, sometimes even the basics are intimidating. Here is an overview of the steps to riding the bus in Costa Rica (and the video above has clips of me boarding and paying my fare on a pubic Costa Rican bus):
Boarding. As the bus approaches, it will have a sign in the front window that says where it is going. I find that these signs are small, and sometimes I miss them. You don’t have to speak Spanish to ask the driver if it’s the bus you want; simply say your destination with a questioning tone, and the driver will let you know if you have the right bus.
Fare. You will pay your fare when you board. Local buses are cheap! I think I paid 90 colones (₡90) to get from the airport to Alajuela, which is around $0.17 USD at the current exchange rate. You do not need exact change for Costa Rican busses. If you know the fare and have it ready ahead of time, exact change is always appreciated, but you can hand over a small bill and get change if needed.
Disembarking. When your stop is approaching, either pull the cord running below or between the windows, press the plastic strip below or between the windows, or press the button on the pole in the aisle (not all buses will have all of three of these, but you should see at least one). There is usually an audible ring or buzzing sound, and a light that goes on above the bus driver, to indicate that a stop has been requested. (If you know where you want to go but you don’t know when the stop will be along the route, let the driver know where you are going when you board. You can write it down and show it to him or her; if you do this, most drivers I’ve encountered will let you know when your stop has arrived. Still, it is always smart to follow the bus route on a map as you’re riding, just in case).
This post is part one of three on using the bus system in Costa Rica. Stay tuned for information about finding routes and timetables, and specific details on taking the bus from San José to Monteverde.
Kelly Wanders 