- Route: Alajuela (SJO) → La Fortuna → Sámara
- Transport type: Shared shuttle (Interbus)
- Cost: ~$70 per leg
- Pro tip: Perfect for your first few days after landing when you want to avoid the stress of local bus transfers.
Costa Rica has a solid network of cheap and reliable local buses, but the system can feel a bit chaotic and usually involves multiple transfers. Before flying in, I was weighing my options: rent a car for the week, grab a motorbike, or just figure out transport on the fly until I reached Tamarindo for my ten days of surfing.
In the end, I opted for Interbus for the first two legs of my trip. At around $70 a pop, it felt pretty steep for just a few hours on the road. But it definitely has its perks, especially when you’re arriving solo in a totally unfamiliar country. It’s a pure door-to-door service—they pick you up at your hotel and drop you right at the next one. Don't expect the usual laid-back 'Pura Vida' timekeeping here; both of my rides ran like clockwork. A 9-seater van rolled up exactly on time, and we always made a solid 20–30 minute pit stop along the way at a local bistro with restrooms.
On the drive from Alajuela (SJO) to La Fortuna, we even spotted a toucan right by the road—which instantly won the whole van over.
My second trip from La Fortuna to Sámara had the exact same reliable vibe. The only difference was a quick van swap halfway through, about two hours in. The driver kept a hawk's eye on me and my luggage to make sure nothing got left behind. The whole swap happened at a busy transfer hub where vans from all over converged. I also got to experience proper Costa Rican fast food there—a fresh empanada con pollo and a strong coffee.
A transfer hub guarded by...
Is it worth it?
For $70, it’s not exactly a budget option. But if you’ve just landed, you're traveling solo, and you want zero stress getting straight to your accommodation without navigating local bus terminals, the premium is absolutely justified. It's a textbook example of spending a bit more to buy yourself peace of mind.
One small tip: book one journey – once you complete it, a discount code for the next one lands in your inbox.
