Getting Around San Jose

Overview

Getting around San José on your medical tourism vacation is exceedingly simple.  In fact, traveling is not normally a major hassle in Costa Rica due to the small size and intimate communities for which the country is famous.   

Taxis

Taxis, which are plentiful, tend to be one of the most convenient ways of getting around town. All taxis have a triangular yellow shield symbol painted on the side, and all taxis are required to run a meter for passengers.  If a taxi driver ever refuses, simply hop out and take another cab instead.  Minor exceptions include trips to the airport and daylong excursions.  It’s best to negotiate the fare before the journey begins.  Late at night night, you will often find piratas or illegal taxis that don’t operate by the meter, and are less expensive than metered taxis.  It’s best to stick with official liveries however. 

Buses

The bus system in Sam Jose is quite evolved, and the buses themselves aren’t the rickety contraptions you find in other Central and South American interiors.  However you might find the lack of a single bus station inconvenient. Bus stops are scattered all across town.  The Coco-Cola Building (named so because it was once the building that housed the cola maker) is the only thing resembling a bus station here and is obviously chaotic. Pickpockets are common here, so keep a firm grip on your belongings. 

Rental Cars