Transportation & Infrastructure Guide in Costa Rica
Public transit, airports, and getting around
Public Transport
Road Infrastructure
Public Transport
4.2/10Basic bus networks serve major routes from San José with affordable colectivo and directo options, but no metro/subway exists. Railways are underdeveloped, recently reactivated for limited urban freight/passenger use with slow progress on electric train projects. Schedules unreliable outside cities; poor integration and accessibility.
Road Infrastructure
3.2/10Extensive 35,330 km network (only 24% paved) connects cities via 19 primary roads, but OECD rates it poor quality with potholes, narrow lanes, and maintenance issues. Urban congestion in San José; limited highways/motorways; traffic management and safety features inadequate.
Internet Speed
6.1/10Average fixed broadband speeds around 90-120 Mbps in 2025, with mobile at 50-70 Mbps. Fiber expanding in urban areas like San José (Kolbi, ICE providers), but rural gaps persist due to geography. Investments growing, closing urban-rural divide.
Avg: 105.5+ Mbps • Available in major cities (40-60% coverage), expanding via ICE fiber projects; limited in rural/coastal regions
Airport Connectivity
7.2/10144 airports including 16 major ones offer solid domestic coverage and international links via San José hub. Strong regional connectivity to US/Europe; good accessibility but modernization ongoing. No global mega-hub status.
Hubs: Juan Santamaría (SJO), Daniel Oduber Quirós (LIR), Quepos (XQS), Tamarindo (TMO)
Transportation Costs
- Metro Pass
- N/A (no metro)
- Bus Trip
- ₡500-1000 ($1-2) single ride
- Taxi
- ₡800-1500 ($1.50-3) start + ₡500/km ($1/km); meters (marías) required in San José
- High-speed Train
- N/A (electric train projects pending, ~₡10,000-20,000 San José-Alajuela proposed)
Mobile Network
Reliable networks with good urban speeds (30-100 Mbps); 4G ubiquitous even rural; 5G growing but limited outside cities. High reliability supports ride-sharing/maps.
Driving License
Foreign licenses valid 90 days with IDP recommended/required for non-Spanish; right-hand driving. Long-term residents (3+ months) must convert to Costa Rican license via exam/translation process at COSEVI.
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