El Silencioso wrote:
Eddiemunster wrote:
This seems like a great idea, to check out one of the local towns, but I have no idea how to catch a bus. Where would I go? How do I know which buses go out there? Any advice? Be specific!!! Thanks guys!
Check your PM
Best way to catch a bus to ANYwhere is to get in a taxi and ask the driver to take you to the bus station for ______ "Puede llevarme para el estacion de autobus para _____"
That's pronounced "Pway-day yay-var may para el ay-stah-see-own day a-out-oh-boos para ___________"
To where?
Try San Ramon, try Heredia, try Cartago - all within an hour by bus and the buses run back and forth all day until night, though if you plan to be late you may want to ask someone when the last bus leaves for San Jose'.
For an overnight excursion take a bus to Manuel Antonio or Arenal Volcano or Monteverde Cloud Forest or Braulio Carillo. Get a tour book in the states and look up recommended hotels in your price range. You can usually get a van trip for $50 or so to these places, with a group of other travelers, a.c. etc. OR ride the bus for the true CR style...
You can also get day trips to Irazu or the other volcano for not too much and that is fun, usually its an a.c. van that takes you early in the morning.
Best not to arrive back in San Jose' at night.
By the way, most buses leave from in or near "the Coca Cola". The Coca Cola is the place that is basically a huge unorganized area where many buses leave from. Buying a ticket there CAN be daunting, depending on which one. Finding the bus for Quepos used to be a bitch.
Always buy First Class if you get a choice, it's only a buck or two more and is on better buses. Buy Express if you can, too - the non-express stops every 30 seconds...
BUT, all that said, riding a bus is a real adventure and way to get to really know the people, even if you don't talk to them, just observing them and their lifestyle. I've spent hundreds of hours on CR buses, and while at times it's uncomfortable, I still prefer it to driving. Driving is for the brave, especially in San Jose and on the big highways where buses and trucks come towards you in YOUR lane. Last time I drove in CR, I was scared shitless from all the big trucks coming towards me in my lane. It's common, you just have to watch for it and be ready to slide over to the right very quickly.
The best way to get around is to hire a driver. Last time I heard a driver might run you $75 for the whole day plus gas. If there's 2 of you, that ain't bad. But you won't learn as much about Costa Rica or her people.
Warning: if you take a bus, hang on to your wallet, backpack, etc. while walking around the coca-cola area and while waiting for your bus. Thieves are rampant and they will pull scams to distract you while they snag your stuff. Stand up against a wall or sit, but whatever you do, assume there are thieves looking for an easy target.
Hanging out in San Jose is harder... You can go to the museum -walking distance from the Gulch or take a taxi for $2 or so. Museo Nacional.
The Mercado Central is fun but again, watch your wallet and back pack. I carry my day pack in front kangaroo style in there. Too easy for someone to push up against you and open a zipper and grab what's there. I had a pair of eyeglasses stolen that way, another time I had an electronic dictionary stolen. Not at Mercado Central but on the walking street.
Pickpockets are a plague in downtown San Jose.
That said, there is no reason to not walk or go to these places, it just means, watch your wallet. Buy pants that have zipped or buttoned pockets or just leave most of your stuff back in your safe in your room.