There are several ways to travel throughout the country and San Jose has most of its traffic. Ground traffic density has increased considerably in the last few years withing the capitol forcing to create new ways to travel like train. San Jose also holds bus terminals for most of the destinations in the country. Here is a brief description for the most used ways to travel within the country.

Air

Costa Rica has several international and domestic carriers which serve the country daily. From North America, direct flights are available, as are those with stopovers in Miami, Houston and/or several Central American countries, for example El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Stopovers are particularly common during the low season, as filling daily flights becomes less likely. At the present time, two airports are scheduling international arrivals, the largest Juan Santamaría Airport located in San Jose, and another in Guanacaste (Daniel Oduber).

Two major domestic carriers, Sansa and Travel Air, provide reasonably priced air travel within Costa Rica. Government owned and subsidized, Sansa's fares are significantly cheaper than those of its privately owned rival, Travel Air. Sansa operates out of Juan Santamaría International Airport and offers a free shuttle service for all flights. Travel Air operate from Pavas Airport (Tobías Bolaños), approximately 4 miles from San José. There is no shuttle service offered.

Bus

Costa Rica's efficient and elaborate bus system provides the most inexpensive and popular method of travel throughout the country.

There are two major bus companies that offer international service for Costa Rica; Tica Bus which offers bus routes between Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador; and Panaline that offers service between Panama and Costa Rica. A trip from San Jose to Panama City, via David, normally takes about 16 hours. The buses are large, comfortable and normally air conditioned.

Generally speaking, the bus system is quite organized and runs close to schedule. The vast road system makes virtually every region of Costa Rica accessible by bus. Companies in charge for longer trips have acquired more modern buses with air conditioning and comfort seats. Most bus services in downtown San Jose, as well as in the countryside itself, rely on older and more conventional school style buses.

Taxi Cabs

Most metropolitan areas are well supplied with taxi's, all of which are red in color. In Sn José there are approximately 5,000 licensed taxis. There are also unregistered taxi’s, also known as pirate taxis, which might cost a little less if you bargain; however, it is recomended the most to travel with registered taxi’s, espcially if you are not familiarized with the taxi driver.

Taxi's are required by law to use a meters (commonly referred to as a María) when transporting passengers, and it is used for measuring the distance traveled, and the charge for it in colones. Pirate taxis or taxis without a meter will often charge based on the distance traveled. In that case, we recommend that you agree to a price before utilizing the service. Or, if they don't start the meter, make sure to tell them  "Ponga la maria por favor" (please put the maria “meter”); if they come up with some excuse, just ask to be let off and hail another taxi. There are plenty around.

Driving

Sice there is a lot of tourism in the country, there are quite several car rental agencies. Most offer new-model vehicles, from sub-compact sedans to all terrain 4x4 cars. Services are generaly good and reasonable prices.

Visitors can drive in Costa Rica with valid licenses from their countries, plus their passports up to three months. When traveling outside of the city in the rainy season it is recomended to use a four wheel drive vehicle, specially if the roads are not properly paved.