In Costa Rica, the buses run on time. Should you arrive at a terminal a few minutes late, you may find yourself riding a pie (standing), waiting for the next autobús, or staying over at a hotel for an unplanned next-morning departure. Horarios (schedules) are hardly ever published and those you may luckily find posted in a bus terminal may be outdated. Few drivers and ticket sellers speak a language other than Spanish, so it is important to obtain information in advance about where to find your bus and its departure and arrival times and to know a few simple phrases such as A que horas salen su buses a ... (At what hours do your buses leave for ... your destination).  Long-distance buses are usually crowded, especially on a fin de semana (a weekend) or a día de fiesta (a holiday). Buy your boleta (ticket) in advance.

Many travel guides assume the traveler will rent a carro and the bus information they contain is often sketchy at best and may also be badly outdated.  Rejoice that you have clicked you way to a guide that is bus-oriented and that is written and frequently updated by a resident of Costa Rica who rides the bus!

For complete, detailed, up-to-date bus schedules, routes, fares, and travel tips, see our Costa Rica by Bus guide. Click on the Order Now button below:

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