Using local transportation instead of a rented car
Local transport is cheap and goes everywhere
Guaguas, Carros Publicos and Expresos. There are networks of vanette-sized buses (guaguas) and compact public taxis (carros publicos) that make it possible to ride from village to village and town to town for one to three dollars for each leg of the journey. There are mid-sized express buses (expresos) that run the principal highways between the larger cities. These forms of transport enable you to move anywhere all around the country but in order to use these, command of Spanish is helpful and you need an adventurous mindset. “Traveling like a local” can mean being six in the back seat of a Toyota Corolla—and the person beside you might have a live chicken on their lap.
Luxury Expresos. There are two main bus services connecting the north and south coasts with very comfortable Mercedes-type, 45-passenger coaches. The four-hour trip costs less than ten dollars and makes for a pleasant, scenic drive.
Airport Transfers. There are no airport shuttles, only private taxis that cost at least $30 for up to six passengers. The only cheaper alternative is walking to the highway and jumping on a guagua into town.
Moto Taxis. Motorcycle taxis are also available for short hops in city and rural areas costing two- to six dollars.
