Costa Rica is not a large country, however, it is a highly urbanized one (urbanization: population shift from rural to urban lifestyle). The majority of Ticos live in or around major cities like San Jose (home to one-third of the population) and Cartago in the Central Valley, Puntarenas on the Pacific coast, and Limón on the Carribean coast. The major cities are connected by autopistas (highways) that wind their way through the mountains and out towards the coasts. These roads tend to be in pretty good condition as they are toll roads, but city roads are full of potholes and roads on the coast can range anywhere from pavement to a path in the grass! Getting around can be a bit of a challenge!
For most Ticos, the easiest and cheapest way to get around is by bus. There are buses that take you across town, to different cities, to another province and even to another country! Bus fare is usually quite cheap and can range from less than one American dollar to about $10 based on where you are going. It costs me about $1.05 to ride the bus home after work. The downside to the bus system is that it can be really confusing and takes a long time to get places.
Taking a taxi or Uber is also a viable option in Costa Rica, especially for tourists.
