Buses in Costa Rica

i don't get your mathematical analogy, solohobo.

i have been riding the buses all over the country (and out of and into the country) for almost 12 years and have had only one thing stolen: the backpack i put in the overhead bin and then promptly fell asleep. my own stupid fault. i have put stuff in the overhead, under my feet, in my lap, in the aisle, in the space normally reserved for wheelchairs, in the seat next to me and underneath in the storage compartment with nary a problem.

as you have said before many times, a little common sense goes a long way when traveling around. (including not giving a stranger money. )

Wiremu,

I am saying the odds of a bandit hitting the bus, or getting something stolen, is slim.

Thank you all for your help. I am wanting to go to La Fortuna, Monte Verde, Montezuma, and then probably back to San Jose. I only have 11 days and really want to make the most of it, while being able to relax at the same time.
I am thinking of taking a horse from La Fortuna to Monte Verde. Do you know anything about doing something like this? I realize the bus would be cheaper, but from what I understand it is a 9 hour ride by bus. I think the scenery and experience would be amazing by horse.

Arenal to Monteverde there is both a shuttle service with Interbus/Grayline for $35, or a Jeep/Boat/Jeep for aound $20 ish, allow 4 hours for either.

A Horse in rainy season, is not for everyone, but its a pretty ride.

the horse trip from la fortuna to monteverde is great. you can check here

[www.monteverdeinfo.com] or here[www.arenal.net] and i think you can find out more about it.

but... it is not a 9-hour bus trip. check here
[www.thebusschedule.com]

Hi Wendell,

I can offer advice on the Monteverde - Montezuma leg of your journey. There is a direct bus that goes from Monteverde (not sure of times) to Puntarenas. From the bus station in Puntarenas get a short taxi ride ($4) to the ferry and on the other side, the Montezuma bus will be waiting.

If the direct bus times do not suit your schedule, let me know and I can tell you about the local public bus alternative.

Check the current Puntarenas - Paquera ferry times as they do change - phone 26612084. But definitely right now there are ferries at 1pm, 3pm & 5pm (I did the trip last week)

As was said by others for security - just keep an eye out when they unload the under storage compartments. Cobano, 7km before Montezuma is a big changeover, and also keep watch on your overhead stuff, or put it between your feet. Otherwise the buses are perfectly safe. Do keep close watch on your things in bus stations too.

Do you know where you are staying in Montezuma? Because if it is outside town, the bus can drop you before the actual town to save you a trek uphill.

Feel free to send me a private message about that part of your journey or Montezuma in general.

Happy Travels!

What is the best way to get from San Jose to San Juan del Sur and what roughly is the cost? Thanks

Getting to San Juan Del Sur from San Jose you have many options. But it would much easier to fly into Liberia (LIR) as its two hours from Nica border and has busses hourly from Liberia to border and back from 6am to 4pm.

That said there is King Quality, TicaBus to Managua. You would need to get off at Rivas Nicaragua, 30 minutes north of CR/Nica border.

Steve interesting remark, the Yellowbrick is not always on here, this manner of phishing for business on the Forum is similar to Ballardo/Jaguarmans strategy. Though both these people we have realized are trustworthy I guess, its is a RED Flag, as posters and travelers could be lured onto scams, fraud or even dangerous set ups- all the while thinking the person sending the PM was a regular and can be trusted. I agree with you 100%. Now, I wonder what Wiremu's motive is here on the LP, as Wiremus has defended Ballardos and now Yellowbirck practices. I am flagging this post for the Moderators.

Scary!

johnsuth:

to deal with the destination first ---- not too far from the border, there is a turnoff for san juan del sur. you could get off the bus here and wait for a collectivo or other bus and flag that down to get to san juan del sur. if you want to do this, just tell your driver.

otherwise, go to rivas and take the bus from there.

you can take the public bus from san jose to penas blancas at the border. go through costa rican passport control and walk over to the nicaraguan side, go through nicaragua passport control (there is a small fee - around $10 or less) and then get a bus or taxi or collectivo for rivas or san juan del sur. getting a taxi will be relatively inexpensive and you will get several offers at the border. however, most of the taxis are more or less "piratas" so cars not in the best shape - but they will get you there.

you can take the ticabus, central line, nicabus, transnica or king quality bus -- all international buses with pretty much one or two stops between san jose and the border. air conditioned and with a toilet on board - but more expensive. once again, you can tell your driver to let you off at the intersection for san juan del sur or just get off in rivas.

if you take the international bus and want to get off in rivas, you will have to walk or take a taxi from the panamerican highway to the bus station.

all the international buses have websites. for public bus check here [www.thebusschedule.com]

solohobo-- i am laughing so hard at your "scary!" thing. thanks for my laugh of the day.

while your warning, in general, is appropriate, i can't see that it applies to either ballardo or yellabrick. of course, i could be wrong - they could be one of those guys that interpol is looking for who ran online poker operations. really...... come on.

i have to wonder why you haven't flagged/tagged or reported all the other thinly disguised posts that come from people with a business interest who will often just write something out of a guide book and then put in either an email or website that points to their business.

i have no business or connection with any business in costa rica and do not get little gratuities or freebies of any sort from anyone that i happen to recommend.

so funny.......