www.CostaRicaTicas.com

No. Prepaid only, the Interbus rep and the drivers do not handle money.

I've always been able to pay for my trip into town at the time of service, never had to wait more than 15 minutes for the next bus no matter how late my plane arrived or how long it took me to get through immigration, was always charged less than a BUCK for the trip and, while we did make a few short stops on the way into town, I never had the vehicle breakdown on the side of the highway or fill up with smoke. HOWEVER, I did have to walk all of an extra 100 yards with my bag to street in front of the airport to meet my driver, and did have to transfer to a local taxi once I got downtown for an extra $2 to take me the rests of the way directly to my hotel.

For the VERY limited extra "inconvenience" of using the public bus, the dirt cheap price and the knowledge that you never have to worry about arranging it in advance and prepaying and still possibly having them screw up (however remote), I'm not sure why more guys don't go that route for simple daytime pickups. Naturally, arriving really really early (like that 5:30AM pickup) or late in the day, or with an inordinate amount of luggage could be another matter. Then it would be worth paying a little more for personalized pickup (rather than using a public bus that might be either unsafe, slow or not even running at those hours) IF you could be assured that they'd actually show up when you need them or not delay you because of other passengers. It shouldn't be that hard for any service to have drivers arrive within a reasonable amount of time during the day when there is regular traffic back and forth between town and the airport. To me the real test would be situations like that 5:30AM arrival when the driver would really have to make some effort to arrive on time to pick you up rather than leaving you wondering "should I wait even longer for him or just take a cab like I should have done from the beginning?" After all, isn't what you're paying that extra money over the public bus mostly the assurance that you'll never face any delays getting into town no matter what time of day you arrive? And if you have to go through the extra hassle of booking (and paying) in advance and still don't have that assurance, then what's the point?

and too....using Interbus via http://www.shuttlebus.co.cr/ gives one the ability to control the purchase in that one pays using PayPal; and any problems will be handled either via http://www.shuttlebus.co.cr/ once you email http://www.shuttlebus.co.cr/ you experienced a problem and desire a refund.....that failing....simply email PayPal; 'splain the matter......refund.......

Prolijo makes a fine point provided you're traveling pretty light....as in one bag......

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

And if you are traveling with more than one bag Interbus has a written policy that they can double your fare. They allow one item of luggage and one carry-on.

Howdy Skink:

InterBus has never charged me for what I carry: A big ass Samsonite two suit suitcase; a carry-on STYLE soft cloth suit case with 4 exterior pockets that each have pockets within them; and a laptp (SWISS) case which is filled to the brim and, hence, heavy. Not in 8 trips in the past 22 mos have they ever "charged" me a dime for "extra luggage". *shrug* Is it because my reservation is from http://www.shuttlebus.co.cr/ ??? I dunno......don't care either. The system is working well, smoothly, and even seamlessly for this boy......

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

I just booked with interbus and received a email requesting that I fill out the "attached" form and email/fax it to them.
The problem is that I don't see any attachment??? The email interbus sent states that I need to send the email/fax soon or I may lose my reservation and be charged 100% what am I missing here. Does any one know about this form/attachment they are speaking of??

That faxing credit card data to InterBus is one of the several reasons that it may just be better to book through http://www.shuttlebus.co.cr/ . That is a USA based company; is run by the ex Chief Information Officer of InterBus; he's on a personal level with InterBus; the service you purchase from him is InterBus; but it's far more efficient and responsive. Pay for the service either using PayPal or a secured web page via credit card. InterBus itself don't offer that.*shrug*

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

I thought I was cheap taking the public bus into town from the airport for pennies, until I saw this disreputable monger hitchhiking his way into town!

looked like he had a plastic bag filled with fly swatters and napkins....and a trail of empty minis followed in his wake.


(I threw my empty beer can out the window at him and damn near hit his "Will Work for Black
Bean Soup sign".)

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The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(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)

If you book direct, you may have to do that the first time. I had to do it the first time, but not since.

Or you can book through this site and pay with Paypal: http://www.shuttlebus.co.cr

Yeah I checked them out but decided to go with the interbus site because I wasn't sure if the shuttlebus.co.cr site honors the interbus special (3 transfers the third one is free). I received an email this morning saying "Your reservation all ready" whatever that means?? I didn't fax a thing as per their request....pura vida I guess, Well see how it turns out.. I'm going to email them again...

Someone mentioned the price of Interbus from SJO to SL or similar properties. I tried to find the price again but was not able to. How much is it?

I believe it's $10 by Interbus but $9.50 by the shuttlebus site frequently mentioned by Brother Steven1.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Thank you my friend.

FYI, I have taken the shuttle bus (Steven1's site) before. This last time, supposedly the bus wasn't working. I think the driver had a problem. They taxied me into town. Took an hour bcs I was waiting for another ride (20 min) then 40 minutes for the guy to get confirmation from the driver. I wasn't happy.

Dean

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my first wingman sent me this, how true

" most of the girls down here, lie as a self defense mechanism and to not have to face the truth, thinking most men couldn't accept them knowing the whole truth. Simpler, they may just want men to think they are as perfect as they want to appear to them, trying to hide what they consider to be the ugly truth about themselves. And I may be reading more into it than is there, but I do believe they consider the basis of the lies to be justified."

Last May while staying at the copa interbus was a no show on my return
trip to san jose. Recommend one way trips only booked thru your hotel, they
tend to show up that way..