www.CostaRicaTicas.com

We were going to take Interbus, but my girl has convinced me to take the public bus instead, it's less than $3 versus $19, saving $64 round trip.

I read a few threads about it, and it's recommended to buy tix in advance. How much in advance? Some website I looked said at least 5 days. That seems a bit overcautious. Also, are the tix assigned seats or first come, first served? Can I buy return tix from Jaco at the same time I'm buying the tix to Jaco at Coca Cola?

If I have the tix bought, how early do we need to get there for a 7:30 departure? How far to Coca Cola from Amon Plaza?

Any other tips/suggestions? Thanks.

The bus to Jaco is not nearly as bad as you would believe from reading all of the horror stories in these boards. The busses are actually modern, air conditioned, and comfortable. Just go to the Coca Cola terminal (which is inside of a small market) either one or two days in advance and buy your round trip tickets at the window. Coca Cola is about a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute taxi ride from Amon Plaza. Show up about 25 to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Enjoy your trip.

Orange,

Myself and Hazel actually took the bus to Jaco a couple of years back. We were lucky and got a seat, but many people actually had to stand until someone got off. The bus stops in every little town, and vendors come on the bus and try and sell you fruit, drinks and other stuff.

We purchased our tickets about 1/2 hour before the trip. It was an experience, but something that I would not repeat again. Spend the extra money and take one of the private tour buses.

Devo

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Public bus to Jaco or anywhere else in CR is fine. Great way to travel cheap and efficiently and experince a bit of the culture. Jaco bus runs several times a day. Be sure to the get express bus.rbc100

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In Search of Fine Kittens,
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IN my early Costa Rica years I took the bus to Jaco a number of times. usually bought tickets an hour before departure though during high season or weekends...might want to buy night before.

Not all are airconditioned...and yes they can get packed. You may want to pack a sweater for the mountain pass...or incase the bus has AC and is cranked up. Usually its jut open windows though...and its often best to ask for a window seat to control your level of ventilation. But for the cost and cultural experience...a lot of us enjoy it. Its nice being served drinks and food on the bus by the vendors...and cheap:). I say, go for it.

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All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts...

I actually took the public bus to Puerto Viejo way back on my 2nd trip in February of 2005. Long ride (5 hours) and the bus wasn't air conditioned, but all in all, it wasn't bad. And on the way back I got to sit next to a very hot girl who spoke English and worked for the Costa Rican legislature, which made the time pass a lot faster.

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Orange

I've taken the bus three times only problem the bus broke down by the airport luckily chica with us got us on abus that got us within a three dollar cabfare to the prez.
recommend getting tickets as soon as plans are firm. went 9 in the morning of trip 1100 am bus sold out took 1 pm bus. money saved brought plenty cervaza at bohio

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But mama, that's where the fun is

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Took the public bus to Jaco last week, for the savings as well as the experience.

It wasn't bad at all. We bought the tickets the day before at Coca-Cola bus station. When you buy a ticket you get a reserved seat. We didn't notice this, and took a seat in the back and had to relocate to our assigned seats when the people who had those seats came on. I never felt threatened or saw any shady characters. I did take the appropriate precautions: kept my stuff with me, not under the bus or in the luggage rack above. It wasn't an issue. There was a bunch of young guys playing music, like a party.

The only bad thing was no A/C and no bathroom. The open windows do provide a nice breeze, which can be good or bad. Good when it's very hot near Jaco, but very bad when you get closer to SJ and it turns dark and cold, and you get the "gripa". (I came home Sunday sick as a dog). If you get the urge to piss, you may be in trouble since the buses only stop to pick up/drop off passangers. We did make a 10-minute stop on the way to Jaco about 45km away.

I will probably not take the public bus again. Not that it wasn't good but because it becomes uncomfortable after 2 hours. And since I'm never going to Jaco again, everything else is further away so I'll fly or take the tourist vans.

The price is unbeatable. At 1,355¢, or $2.63, per person each way, it's $10 for 2 people round trip versus almost $70-80 for the tourist vans.

Public Bus is the way to travel in Latin America. Just anouther part of the cultural experinece plus it is very economical. I have used to buses to travel all over CR. Gald it worked out fine for you Orange. rbc100

_________________
In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

Is there only 7:30am departure or some much buses after that time? Is it daily?

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(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

There are about 4-5 buses daily. These are the approximate times.

7:30am
10:30am
1:00pm---we got in to Jaco 3:55pm
3:30pm

But you need to check the schedule for the exact times.

Is there only company with this shedule or there are others too? (with similar prices)

The times I posted are for the public bus. It is the only public bus company as far as I know. There is also a 1pm bus that's not on the schedule on the website.

There are also private tourist shuttle buses, but they are $17-19/person each way. Interbus and Orbitz are two popular ones.

www.interbusonline.com is one that have used before, very smooth, but you have to book them with credit card at least 4 days before your trip.

Let me add to this good information. Ask for the "directo", the times are not listed on the public sign but basically leave just a few minutes later. However, the direct bus does not make all the stops as described above and shortens the trip by some 20-30 minutes. Also, if you like a seat at the window and a smoother feeling ride say "ventana enfrente" which is as it sounds a window seat up front. The seats are similar to airline seats but slightly more worn. The ride is less crowded on the direct bus presumably as there is no mention of them. The bus does stop on the way for a quick break. I do what orange says and buy the ticket beforehand. One cannot beat the price.