Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [495]
If crossing the border by bus, note that international buses may cost slightly more than taking a local bus to the border, then another onwards from the border, but they’re worth it. These companies are familiar with border procedures and will tell you what’s needed to cross efficiently.
There will be no problems crossing, provided your papers are in order. If you are on an international bus, you’ll have to exit the bus and proceed through both border stations. Bus drivers will wait for everyone to be processed before heading on.
If you choose to take local buses, it’s advisable to get to border stations early in the day to allow time for waiting in line and processing. Note that onward buses tend to wind down by the afternoon.
International buses go from San José to Changuinola (Bocas del Toro), David and Panama City in Panama; Guatemala City in Guatemala; Managua in Nicaragua; San Salvador in El Salvador; and Tegucigalpa in Honduras. For approximate schedules and fares, Click here.
Return to beginning of chapter
Car & Motorcycle
The cost of insurance, fuel and border permits makes a car journey significantly more expensive than buying an airline ticket. Also, the mountain of paperwork required to drive into Costa Rica from other countries deters many travelers, who prefer to arrive here and then buy or rent a vehicle. To enter Costa Rica by car, you’ll need the following items:
valid registration and proof of ownership
valid driver’s license or International Driving Permit
valid license plates
recent inspection certificate (not essential, but a good idea)
passport
multiple photocopies of all these documents in case the originals get lost
Sometimes border guards can be overzealous when examining a vehicle, so make sure that it doesn’t violate any potential or existing safety regulations or you may have to pay a hefty fee to get it processed. Before departing, check that the following elements are present and in working order:
blinkers, head- and taillights
spare tire
jerry can for extra gas (petrol)
well-stocked toolbox including parts, such as belts, that are harder to find in Central America
emergency flares, roadside triangles and a fire extinguisher
Insurance from foreign countries isn’t recognized in Costa Rica, so you’ll have to buy a policy locally. At the border it will cost about US$15 a month. In addition, you’ll probably have to pay a US$22 road tax to drive in.
DRIVING TO COSTA RICA FROM NORTH AMERICA
Every year, readers send us letters detailing their long-haul road trip across the continent. If you think you’re game for a little overland adventure, here is a selection of reader-tested tips for making the most of the big drive:
Think it through Driving yourself through Central America is not a cheap option. Having your own car will afford you greater comfort and flexibility, though you will spend more than you expect on gas, insurance and import fees. Unless you are planning to spend a lot of time off the beaten track or detest the idea of slumming it on local buses, public transportation will probably be a cheaper and easier way to go.
Buy a Japanese car Toyotas, Hondas and Nissans are extremely popular in Central America, which makes them substantially easier to service if problems arise.
Learn to service your car A degree of mechanical know-how will allow you to make minor repairs yourself, and help you avoid being ripped off by unscrupulous mechanics. If you do need to repair your vehicle, be advised that mechanics charge much more in Costa Rica than in other Central American countries.
Be prepared It’s a good idea to plan for the worst, so make sure that you bring along a good tool kit, an emergency jerry can of gas, plenty of emergency food and water, and a roll of industrial-strength duct tape for reattaching bits of your battered car. A spare tire or two is also a good idea, especially if you’re planning to go off-road or traveling over rough terrain.
Know the law Costa Rican law requires