www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I'm still planning parts of my trip outside of San Jose. I already booked a place to stay in Puerto Viejo. I'm not sure which 2 out of 4 other places I will be going to. Playa Conchal, Monteverde, Quepos/Manuel Anotnio or Drake Bay.

I know Interbus is a bit more $ but they take you straight to your hotel.

I was wondering what experience you guys have had with either option.

Thx

On my first 'eco-tourism' trip to CR in 2004, we used Interbus. They were reliable and efficient and I highly recommend them. Cost back then was about $35 one-way, to just about most anywhere you wanted to go.

If money isn't an issue, I'd go with Interbus. The buses are cheap, but they aren't too comfortable. The one I took was packed as shit so no room whatsoever. You have to be aware of who's around you. You can't put anything in the overhead bin or you may never see it again. Worrying about pickpockets at the bus stations when waiting for the bus. The bus I was on had no A/C, and it got hot so they opened all the windows. As day turned to evening, it got cold and windy. I had a runny nose for the next 3 days.

IB takes you door to door. Comfortable. Good drivers. No stops (maybe a hotel pick but once you get on the road, no stops, except a reststop and if you ask for a bathroom stop). A/C vans.

The bus costs about 1/8th of IB, but I would pay the difference for the convenience, comfort, and security.

The public bus system is pretty good here but the buses are not made for comfort. Trip to PV is a LONG one in the local buses especially if it is hot and muggy or especially raining where people won't open the windows (or maybe they will and you get wet). Interbus would be a much better option IMHO simply for the air conditioning especially with rainy season coming on.
The 'you get what you pay for' applies strongly. What are you willing to put up with to save some money?

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Thanks guys, sorry about not following up with this. I decided to go with Interbus after reading up more on my options.

I would say that some of the public bus's are better and more comfortable than the interbus....

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Jaco is called little USA by all ticos

And I Agree Too.....

I've used rental car, Interbus and public bus to Puerto Viejo. IMO, Interbus provides the optimal transport in terms of comfort, efficiency and cost.

Acosta (Mirador Ram Luna, Donde Alcides, "Pork Chop Hill") - Calle 7 y Ave. 10/12. (NW corner of C7 y A12) (oranges tours)
Alajuela/Aeropuerto - Ave. 2 y Calles 12/14. (in small terminal on N side of Ave. 2 across from Parque Merced)
Calle Blanco (Linda Vista Apts.) - Ave. 5 y Calle 1/3. (South side midblock)
Cartago - Ave. 2 y Calle 3/5. (South side) & Calle 5 y Ave. 10/12 (East side)
Escazu - Ave. 6 y Calle /14.
Grecia/Atenas - Calle 18 y Ave. 5/7 (???)
Heredia - Calle 1 y Ave. 7/9 (West side) & Calle 8 y Ave. Cntl/2 (East side) & Calle 4 y Ave. 5/7.
San Pedro - Ave. 2 y Calle 9/11. (South side anywhere along block)
Turrialba - Calle 13 y Ave. 6/8 (East side)
Volcán Irazú - Ave. 2 y Calle 1/3. (South side)
Volcán Poás - Ave. 2 y Calle 12/14. (same terminal as for Alajuela)
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Terminal del Alfaro (Tamarindo & Central Nicoya Peninsula)- Ave. 5 y Calle 14/16. (on diagonal street between Calle 14 & 16 south of Ave. 5)
Terminal del Atlántico Norte (Fortuna, Monteverde) - Calle 12 y Ave. 7/9. (East side)
Terminal del Caribe (Limon, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Caribbean areas) - Calle Central y Ave. 13. (West side just north of river - huge terminal area that you can't miss)
Terminal del Coca Cola (Jaco & Central Pacific) - Calle 16 y Ave. 1/3. (West side)
Terminal del Pulmitan (Liberia & Playa Coco) - Calle 24 & Ave. 5/7. (West side)
Terminal del Tralapa (Tamarindo, Flamingo y Guanacaste beaches) - Calle 20 y Ave. 3/5. (East side just south of side street)
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Tica Bus (Panama or Central America north of CR) - Ave. 3 y Calle 26/28. (North side in big new shiny blue and red terminal that you can't miss)
Kingquality (Central America north of CR) - Calle 12 y Ave. 3/5 (East side south of side street)
Transnica (Nicaragua) - Calle 22 y Ave. 3/5. (East side)
Transporte Bocatoreños (Changuinola y Bocas del Toros Panama) - Ave. 5 y Calles 14/16, (just south of Ave. 5 where Calle 14 splits off for Calle 16).

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Jaco is called little USA by all ticos