Make traveling inside Costa Rica fast, easy, and comfortable by booking a private or group shuttle to your next destination! PuraVidaTraveling.com partners directly with most travel companies in Costa Rica and can schedule your transportation for you at no additional cost to you. Transport providers are reliable, insured, and honest.
About Group and Private Transportation service:
There are two similar shuttle options available in Costa Rica: private and shared. With either option, you will be riding in a small-to-medium-sized van that should be air-conditioned, insured, and properly licensed by the government. Shuttles can typically hold between 5 and 14 passengers and drivers typically speak some basic English while some are completely fluent. Shared shuttles are a great way to travel around Costa Rica because you get to your destination fast, secure, and on time while meeting other people.
Shared Shuttles are available daily. They typically have morning and afternoon departures (depending on the destination). They offer door-to-door hotel and hostel service and they are not too expensive when compared to other travel options.
Book a group or a private shuttle
Main differences between shared and private shuttles service
Number of People
Shared shuttles have other passengers on board, while private ones carry only you and your traveling party.
Pick-up Time and Location
Shared shuttles run on a set schedule and pick up only at certain places, mostly hotels (i.e., hotel-to-hotel service). Private shuttles, on the other hand, will pick you up at a custom time and place, including vacation rentals.
Airport Pick-ups
Because shared shuttles run on a set schedule, your flight has to get in early enough to make the designated time(s). If you booking a shared shuttle, make sure to reserve a shuttle that is leaving at minimum one hour after your arrival time, as it can take one to one and a half hours to get through customs and immigration at the San Jose Airport.
Private shuttles can pick you up right at the airport when your flight arrives. The driver will wait for you outside the airport doors and will typically have a sign with your name on it in their hands. If you book a private shuttle, make sure you provide the transportation company with your airline, flight number, and arrival time so that your private driver can monitor your flight. for delays.
Length of Trip
Be aware that shared shuttles can tend to take a bit longer than expected sometimes because they have to make stops to pick up and drop off other passengers. While this may not seem like a big delay, sometimes it can be because some hotel pick-ups/drop-offs can be far out of the way. Private vans are direct so they take about the same amount of time as if you drove yourself.
Shuttle Stops
Shared shuttles include a short stop to use the restroom or grab food. Most private shuttles include an hour for time to stop along the way (if desired) to see a quick attraction, grab a bite to eat, stop at the grocery store, etc. There are great fruit stands and markets all along Costa Rica highways.
Luggage
When traveling in a shared shuttle, you are limited to one carry-on and one piece of luggage per person. Surfboards and other bulky may be allowed but you must notify the shuttle provider of your luggage requirements and it is likely you will have to pay an extra bag fee ($15-$20) for each bag over the allotted amount.
Private shuttles are only limited by the amount of space they have and can normally add luggage to their roof racks to make more room for travelers.
Car Seats
Both shared and private shuttles can provide car seats and booster seats free of charge. Just make sure you request them in advance.
Kids
Kids traveling in group shuttles are offered a discounted rate. While differences exist between transport companies, ages 0-2 are normally free and ages 3-10 normally get a discounted rate.
Cancelation
All transportation reservations are fully refundable as long as they are canceled 72 hours before the pick-up date. They may become partially refundable if you cancel within 72 hours. They become completely non-refundable 48 hours before the day of travel.
Group and Private shuttle service companies in Costa Rica
There are a variety of private and shared shuttle companies servicing Costa Rica. Most companies have very similar offerings and generally have the same prices. These companies provide excellent customer service and are very clear about costs, cancelation penalties, and trip details. Their drivers are normally veterans and tend to know the roads like the back of their hands. Here are a few of the group and private transport companies we work with in Costa Rica. You can contact them directly via phone or email or you can reserve the travel you need using one of the buttons on this blog post. The transport and pricing should be the same for you either way.
Company Name: Pura Vida Traveling
Company Phone Number: (+506) 8345-1516
Company Website: https://www.puravidatraveling.com
Company email: support@puravidatraveling.com
Operating countries: Costa Rica
Company Name: Caribe Shuttle
Company Phone Number: (+506) 8585-8448
Company Website: https://www.caribeshuttle.com
Company email: info@.caribeshuttle.com
Operating countries: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama
Company Name: Go Jaco Shuttle
Company Phone Number: (+506) 8380-5030
Company Website: https://www.shuttlejaco.com/
Company email: book@shuttlejaco.com
Operating countries: Costa Rica
Company Name: Easy Ride CR
Company Phone Number: (+506) 8812-4012
Company Website: https://www.easyridecostarica.com/
Company email: easyridecostarica@gmail.com
Operating countries: Nicaragua and Costa Rica
Company Name: Interbus
Company Phone Number: (+506) 4100-0888
Company Website: https://www.interbusonline.com/
Company email: reservations@interbusonline.com
Operating countries: Costa Rica
Company Name: Ride CR
Company Phone Number: (+506) 2469-2020
Company Website: https://www.ridecr.com/
Company email: info@ridecr.com
Operating countries: Costa Rica
Company Name: Tropical Tours Shuttles
Company Phone Number: (+506) 2640-1900
Company Website: https://tropicaltourshuttles.com/
Company email: info@tropicaltourshuttles.com
Operating countries: Costa Rica
Company Name: Pink Bus Shuttles
Company Phone Number: N/A
Company Website: https://mypinkbus.com/
Company email: N/A
Operating countries: Costa Rica and Panama
Company Name: Tico Shuttle
Company Phone Number: (506)2244-0379
Company Website: https://www.ticoshuttle.com/es/
Company email: info@ticoshuttle.com
Operating countries: Costa Rica
Frequently Asked Questions
Tourists get around in Costa Rica by bus, rental car, group shuttle, private shuttle, taxi, and on domestic flights. For detailed information, visit our blog post> What is the best way to get around in Costa Rica?
Shared shuttles normally cost $40-$89 per person.
Private shuttles in Costa Rica normally cost around $200 for every 100 miles you plan to travel but can be more or less expensive depending on the highway conditions and specific route you choose.
Getting around Costa Rica without a rental car can be challenging yet easy and very doable with the right attitude and perspective. You can bus to any part of the country but it can take a long time and may come with some unexpected hiccups.
Private shuttles with private drivers are readily available and recommend if you have a large group and can afford the expense. Click here to reserve your private driver and van.
The best mode of transportation in Costa Rica depends on your group size and budget limitations. A rental car or private shuttle is the best mode if you have no limitations. To learn more about the best way to get around in Costa Rica read our blog post> What is the best way to get around in Costa Rica?
Rental cars can be extremely expensive in Costa Rica if you don't reserve them well in advance. As car rental inventory dissipates, you see the price of a rental sky rocket. Multiple mandatory insurances also add to the expensive cost of renting a car in Costa Rica.
