San Jose Local Transportation

• Buses: Local buses run every 5-10min. from 5am to 10pm and go all over San José, including to the suburbs and the airport. There are no official printed schedules, and timing is generally approximate. Ask locals and drivers for information or check bus fronts. Most bus stops are marked with the destination they serve. As local destinations generally run no more than ¢300, it’s best to carry small change. Major bus stops include Escazú (Av. 1/Central and C. 16), Guadalupe and Moravia (Av. 3, C. 3/5), and San Pedro (Av. 2, C. 11/13 and Av. Central, C. 9/11).
• Private Buses: Grayline Tours (☎2220 2126; www.graylinecostarica.com). Offers buses to and from popular destinations all over Costa Rica for US$25-43 one-way. Buses run once or twice daily between San José and Arenal, Conchal, Golfo Papagayo, Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, Playa Hermosa, Playa Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Rincón, and Sámara. Most leave daily 7:30-10:30am. AmEx/DC/MC/V.
• Car Rental: Prices range from US$20 (for a small, manual sedan) to US$105 (for a 4x4) per day. Avis and Economy tend to offer some of the lowest rates. Minimum rental age is 21, although a few companies require drivers to be at least 23 or 25. Some companies will rent to those 18-21 but require double or triple the deposit. Passport, valid driver’s license, and major credit card required; International Driver’s Permit not necessary for rentals less than 3 months. Online reservations available with the following companies:
• • Avis, (☎2232 9922; www.avis.co.cr), at the Hotel Corobicí, north of the Parque La Sabana on C. 42, and at the airport (☎2242 1321). Minimum rental of 48hr. 23+.
  • Budget, Paseo Colón, C. 28/30 (☎2255 4750; www.budget.co.cr), and at the airport (☎2440 4412). Open M-Sa 7am-6pm, Su 7am-4pm; airport office open daily 6am-10pm. 21+. Offers combination packages with specific hotels. Minimum rental of 3 days.
  • Economy (☎2299 2000; www.economyrentacar.com), in Sabana Norte and at the airport (☎2442 8100). Open daily 7am-10pm, airport office open 5am-2am. Rents to ages 18-21 for surcharge.
  • Europcar, Paseo Colón, C. 36/38 (☎2257 1158; www.europcar.co.cr), and at the airport (☎2440 9990). Open daily 8am-6pm; airport office open daily 5am-12midnight (surcharge 5am-6am and 10pm-12am.
  • Hertz, Paseo Colón, C. 38 (☎2221 1818; www.hertz.com). Open M-F 7am-6pm, Sa-Su 7am-5pm. 25+.
  • National Car Rental, Av. 7, C. 36 and (} 2242 7878, toll-free from US +1 800-227-7368; www.natcar.com), at the airport (☎2440 0085), also at the Hotel Irazu and Hotel Real Intercontinental in San José. Main office open daily 7:30am-6pm; airport 6am-10pm. 21+.