Navigating San Jose
Uber is the most popular and safest transportation app for getting around San José, Heredia, Catago, and Alajuela. You will not find this app in smaller towns outside of the Central Valley, but you will find taxis. The public bus system in the city is very cheap, but not the easiest to learn, so most students prefer Uber. CIS Staff will be more than happy to help you learn how and where to take the bus.
If you are staying with a host family, you are really close to everything! Banks, malls, supermarkets, stores, parks, a gym…you could walk everywhere if you wanted to! Veritas also has a shuttle bus service that will take you to and from the university. This shuttle runs in the mornings before Spanish class and between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Public Transport Tickets
Public buses around San José cost around $1 depending on the route and are paid in cash directly to the driver. It’s important to have change or small bills to pay, since change is usually given in coins.
Public transportation to areas outside of San José costs around $10 each way depending on the destination. Tickets can be purchased at each bus station prior to the date of departure. Information can be found here: https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/bus-itinerary
Agencies that provide good tour services:
The Traveling Monkey: gowiththemonkey@gmail.com
Expediciones Tropicales: https://www.costaricaguides.com/