Can you self drive in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica, with a comprehensive road network is ideal for independent exploration by self-drive 4WD car hire. This action-packed holiday visits off-the-beaten-track national parks with a backdrop of volcanoes, mangroves or jungle.

Is it easy to drive around in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is a tough place to drive in during the day. At night, it's even worse. Road signs (which are already shoddy in some places) can be difficult to see in the dark—it's common to pass by the road or hotel you were looking for several times.

What is the best way to get around 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 driving safe in Costa Rica?

Yes, driving in Costa Rica is safe and is the best way to travel around the country.

What are the driving rules in Costa Rica?

Driving In Costa Rica ?? - Travel Tip Thursday - How To Travel Costa Rica

How long does it take to drive around Costa Rica?

it's about an eight hour drive so if you leave by 9a you should be fine. gps will take a lot of challenge and worry out of the drive.

Will my cell phone work in Costa Rica?

The type of phone doesn't matter. It can be an iPhone or Android, Samsung, HTC, Blackberry, whichever, as long as it fits those three requirements. Make sure you call your home provider to see if your phone it unlocked and can accept international SIM cards before you leave.

What is Costa Rica's road system like?

The roads in Costa Rica are mostly paved and form an extensive road system that provides access to most parts of the country. The highway system in the capital city of San José is comprised of modern freeways. Road rules are similar to those in other large cities around the world.

What are roads like in Costa Rica?

The roads in Costa Rica are much different than in most parts of the United States, Canada and European countries. The standards are much lower with few road signs, guardrails, shoulders and no street lights (only in populated areas). Bridges are often only one lane and can come up without warning.

Does Costa Rica have Uber?

NOTE: As of April 2022, the license plate based driving restrictions that were making it difficult/impossible to find an uber even in the city have been lifted. Availability is back to the normal limited service area.

How do tourist get around in Costa Rica?

Buses are the most common way of getting around Costa Rica, and the public bus system is excellent, inexpensive and relatively frequent, even in remote areas. Privately run shuttle buses offer quicker but pricier transfers, while taxis are decent value for groups.

How long is the drive from one side of Costa Rica to the other?

It is possible to visit both the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Costa Rica. You will have to break up the drive as it's around 9-10 hours coast to coast. Or you can fly, which is fastest. I do recommend having at least 2 weeks in Costa Rica if you want to visit both coasts.

Which part of Costa Rica is the best to stay?

Can you drive on beaches in Costa Rica?

In general, driving on the beach in Costa Rica is not allowed. Plus we do not recommend it as it can severely damage the beach and potentially wildlife.

How do I pay tolls in Costa Rica?

You can pay these tolls in cash or credit card. They also accept both USD and CRC (local currency). We recommend to use Costa Rican currency since they do not use a great exchange rate but if you have to use USD, you can pay in 1, 5, 10 and 20s. They will give you your change back in Costa Rican colones.

Is Costa Rica expensive?

Costa Rica can be expensive. At least, it can feel expensive to Westerners who expect to be able to have the same buying power as in places like India or Thailand. Costa Rica is ranked as the most expensive country in Central America and the sixth most expensive in North America and the Caribbean (2015).

Is it scary driving in Costa Rica?

Driving in Costa Rica can be intimidating for a first- or even second- or third-time visitor. When we traveled to Costa Rica as tourists, we most often took the bus or shuttles. It took us several trips to gain the courage to finally get behind the wheel. But once we did, we never went back.

Do they speak English in Costa Rica?

Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica: it's also the most widely spoken language throughout the country. Other languages spoken are English, Creole, and some Indian languages. All official business and major newspapers are in Spanish, whereas English is widely used in areas frequented by tourists.

Can you turn right on red in Costa Rica?

Road signs are similar to those in North America. Alto means stop and ceda means yield; right turns on red lights are illegal in Costa Rica.

Are roads good in Costa Rica?

1) There Are Good Roads

The national highway in Costa Rica is a fine road. The roads out of the capital of San Jose compare favorably to roads in the U.S. They are primarily two-lane roads but there are not huge potholes, at least most of the time.

Do you pull over for emergency vehicles in Costa Rica?

If you live in Costa Rica, nothing. Pulling over to let emergency vehicles pass is not the law here. People will try when possible.

Does Costa Rica drive on the left?

Costa Ricans drive on the right side of the road with traffic rules and signs approximating those of the United States and Canada. However, the country's challenging terrain and sometimes subpar road infrastructure means drivers should expect to maintain a high level of concentration behind the wheel.

Do you tip taxis in Costa Rica?

If you're taking a cab a short distance, a large tip isn't really necessary, but rounding the fare up to the nearest dollar is usually the norm. For longer cab rides, a tip of between $1 and $5 is sufficient, but if you're going a really long way, giving a little extra might be a good idea.

Should you exchange money before going to Costa Rica?

Tourists should not exchange money before leaving the U.S., as American agents will give them significantly worse rates if even available. We advise to use an ATM when arriving in Costa Rica and to pull out Costa Rica Colones. This is a much easier option of going to a bank.