Raymond R. Says:
I’m considering retiring in Costa Rica. One thing I cannot figure out is how to just get around town. I’m considering an Airbnb in Quesada. Is there public transportation that just gets you around town there? What’s the best way to do that?
IL Costa Rica Correspondent Bekah Bottone Says:
Hi Raymond,
Thanks for your question; it gave me an excuse to reach out to someone I met on my last editorial trip, Stephanie.
She lives in Chachagua, which is about a 45-minute drive from Quesada, and I recently talked about her and her husband’s life, which prioritizes rest and relaxation, in Costa Rica in an International Living postcard.
Stephanie shares, “There are buses from Cuidad Quesada (known as CQ and San Carlos) to San Jose and Fortuna… and many local ones, too. The terminal is right by El Rey and the movie theater.”
(El Rey is an excellent store to check out in Costa Rica; it has a little of everything, from kitchen goods to art supplies.)
See the bus route in Ciudad Quesada here. And there are other routes to get you from Ciudad Quesada to neighboring towns. Check out the San Carlos buses page for more information.
Now, let’s switch gears and talk about buses around the country.
In the Central Valley and bigger towns around Costa Rica, I have found buses cheap, reliable, and easy to use. Years ago, I went to work by bus (from Tres Rios to San Jose), since being on a bus was better than sitting in my car in traffic. I often had to take two or three buses to reach my final destination, and I always loved navigating the streets and experiencing city life.
Moving to a more rural life and having kids has changed the situation. I live in Villarreal (by Playa Tamarindo in Guanacaste) and can get to Santa Cruz in about 50 minutes on a bus, but the bus only runs every 90 minutes or so. The 1 hour and 20-minute drive to Liberia (home of an international airport) takes more than 2.5 hours by bus, so I always move things around and find rides from friends if I can’t drive myself.
However, getting to Guanacaste from San Jose has never been easier. The Transporte Inteligente de Guanacaste service (along with other bus companies in Costa Rica) now lets you purchase tickets online, saving you a lot of hassle while ensuring a seat.
Tracopa has routes around the Central Valley, heading to the Central Pacific and coast.
Transmonteverde is used for transportation between Puntarenas, Monteverde, and San Jose.
MiBus also has many options around the country.
For trips to Jacó, Monteverde, San Carlos, Guanacaste, and Nicaragua, buy tickets at La Terminal (7-10),
TransportesCobano may be another resource to use.
Rome2Rio, Yo Viajo, and Moovit can help you find more information about buses in Costa Rica.
Bus schedules also change, so be sure to find the most current schedule online when planning trips around the country. For local buses, get out on the street and ask people, such as your neighbors or those working in restaurants and stores. Another great resource is a local Facebook page.
Hope that helps!
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