5. Public transit is safe, reliable and friendly.

If you don't plan on renting a car, public transit in Costa Rica is safe, on-time and inexpensive. Buses travel between cities and within cities. San Jose is the hub for all country-wide travel, so if you're travelling between two cities, you will go through San Jose.

Ask at your hotel for information on routes, schedules and depot locations. A local fare is as little as 35¢ US. Be sure to carry the correct change in colonies!