Booking transportation in Costa Rica is relatively easy, but there’s a few important things to consider. This guide can help you decide which mode of transportation in Costa Rica will best fit your family’s needs.
Transportation in Costa Rica: Renting a car
Why: In most towns, if you are near the city center then you don’t need to rent a car for your day-to-day life. However, it could be a good option for transportation in Costa Rica if you want to take weekend trips to explore other parts of the country.
What you need: To rent a car, all you need is your passport and a valid US driver’s license and credit card.
Saving Money: The cheapest times to rent transportation in Costa Rica are during the low tourist seasons in May and June and then from September through November.
Another way to save money is by renting a manual car — but only if you’re proficient with it! Costa Rican roads can be narrow and windy and often are not paved.
Important note: The price you see on a third-party website or a big international car rental company is usually super low, but it’s often not accurate. Most times these online prices don’t include all of the country-specific fees and insurance costs — you may show up in person only to realize the price is actually much higher. For this reason, most locals recommend using the Costa Rican company Adobe Rent a Car because they are transparent about their fees and have great customer service.
Car seats
Age appropriate car seats and booster seats are required by law and the fine for non-compliance is pretty hefty.
Bring it with you: You could bring your own car seats and booster seats — airlines will allow you to check these bags for free. If you don’t already have a car seat travel bag, check out this thorough guide from Fatherly.
(Warning: car seat experts don’t recommend checking these seats because they could be damaged — checked luggage isn’t exactly treated delicately by the airline staff! if you do check the seats, doing so at the gate instead of the counter means it’s less likely to be damaged. Or, you could always bring it on the plane with you and have your child use it).
Rent it on location: If you don’t want to bring your own, car rental companies as well as shuttle companies can provide you with one upon request and for an extra fee. Keep in mind, however, that the brands and condition of the carseats will vary — if you have any concerns about that, it may be best to bring your own. Also, keep in mind that you’ll have to install it yourself, often without a manual.
Important note: Whether you bring your own or rent one, it’s a great idea to carry a car seat belt clip everywhere you go. Often, a vehicle’s seat belts won’t lock properly so you’ll want to be prepared in that situation.
Shuttles
Why: For weekend excursions, shuttles are also a great mode of transportation in Costa Rica. It’s usually professional, comfortable, and reliable.
Cost: Private shuttles are more expensive but the most convenient for families with young kids. With a private shuttle, you can choose your own pick up / drop off time and location as well as make your own pit stops along the way. With a shared shuttle, you’ll be constrained to specific time and location for pick-up and drop-off and you won’t be as free to make any special pit stops your kids may need.
There’s usually a limit on the amount of luggage you can bring on the shuttles; for extra luggage, they may charge a fee.
Popular options: There’s many different shuttle companies to choose from — a few popular options are Tropical Tours Shuttles, Paradise Shuttle, and Zuma Tours. Zuma offers a professional boat taxi service, too, and can accommodate young children.
Important note: Both shared and private shuttles can provide car seats and booster seats if you request in advance — but again, the brands and condition of the carseats will vary. You’ll also still need to bring a seat belt clip.
Transportation in Costa Rica: Uber and Taxis
Why: Ubers are usually significantly cheaper and often quicker than hailing a taxi. You generally won’t have a problem finding one in tourist spots like Tamarindo.
Make it official: If you need to call a taxi, make sure it’s an official taxi — these are red cars with yellow triangles on the door. Try not to go with “pirate taxis” or unmarked taxis. Many times, they’re able to charge higher prices to unsuspecting tourists. They also don’t have the same insurance as official taxis and may not be as safe.
Important note: This usually isn’t a great option if you need to install a car seat.