Costa Rica flagTransportation & Infrastructure Guide · Costa Rica

Transportation & Infrastructure Guide in Costa Rica

Public transit, airports, and getting around

Costa Rica's transportation landscape features an extensive but poorly maintained road network of over 35,000 km, reliable bus services concentrated around San José, and limited rail options, with 144 airports providing strong air connectivity for its 5.1 million residents and tourists. Key strengths include affordable buses and eco-friendly initiatives like electric mobility pushes, while challenges encompass pothole-ridden roads, congestion in urban areas, underdeveloped railways, and weak intermodal links. Major features are the Juan Santamaría International Airport hub and ongoing projects for electric trains and road upgrades. Residents rely on private vehicles and buses; visitors often rent cars or fly domestically for efficient mobility across diverse terrain.
Public Transport
Below Average
Road Infrastructure
Below Average
Public Transport
4.2/10

Basic 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
3.2/10

Extensive 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
6.1/10

Average 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
7.2/10

144 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

5G Coverage: Deployed in San José, Liberia, major tourist areas; expanding 2024-2026 by Kolbi/ICE, Claro
4G Coverage: 95%+ population coverage, strong nationwide from ICE, Claro, Liberty

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

IDP requiredConversion needed

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.