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My love for Central American vacations is no secret; and my adoration for Costa Rica far outweighs any other country I have visited -- whether it be somewhere in Europe, Africa, Asia, or anywhere else. When it comes to this beautiful country, nestled between the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, I can never prevent myself from coming back for more. Getting around in Costa Rica is easy. This is one of the perks that makes a Costa Rican vacation so much more pleasurable than many other bustling tourist locales around the globe.
When traveling in Costa Rica, most national taxi services are an affordable way to go about it. Of course, it is worth your while to do at least a little investigation into the taxi companies around. If you have never heard of a particular company or if something seems a little "off" simply move on to a cab you recognize. It is of the utmost importance that you insist on meter usage, lest there be a monetary discrepancy at the end of the journey.
During my first visit here I made the mistake of climbing into a taxi without checking if the cab owner was bilingual. Suffice it to say that we spent the better part of our time together gesticulating wildly in an attempt at establishing some kind of sign language. While the cabbie was friendly and as accommodating as he could be, the experience is not one that you want to relive when you are in a hurry. If English is the only language you can fall back on, it will be in your best interests to find a cab driver you can converse with.
If you prefer to be in charge of your own transportation, car rental is probably a good idea. If the majority of your holiday involves travelling from one exciting place to the next, you will really save on costs if you drive yourself. Driving in Costa Rica for the first time is an experience you are bound to remember for the rest of your life -- I know I do! I will never forget my sweaty palms and creased forehead as I navigated those streets for the first time; it seemed like utter chaos! Costa Rican drivers are a little bit more forward and a lot more vocal in their daily driving sojourns. It is quite something to get used to. If you are able to ride the waves and avoid feeling too stressed, the entire experience transforms into a feeling of pure liberation. I drive almost everywhere myself now.
The great thing about renting a car in Costa Rica is the fact that you do not need to obtain any special international licensing papers. As long as you have a valid driver's license, you will have no problem driving in Costa Rica. Adjusting to driving in the country can be quite challenging, as there are no street names or numbers. However, with the right mindset, the whole experience becomes somewhat of an adventure.
Slightly chaotic but ever so engaging, getting around in Costa Rica is more of a skill than a mere activity. It transforms a simple daily excursion into an adrenaline filled quest. I have learned to enjoy every aspect of my Costa Rican travel and strongly encourage fellow tourists to embrace their traveling experience in the same way.
