By Bus

The overland route from North America is an attractive alternative for travelers for whom time is no object. Allow at least one week. Obtain all necessary visas and documentation in advance. You can travel from San Diego or Texas to Costa Rica by bus for as little as $100 (with hotels and food, however, the cost can add up to more than flying direct). Book as far ahead as you can—the buses often sell out well in advance. You will need to provide a passport and visas when buying your ticket.

Buses serve Mexico City from the U.S. border points at Mexicali, Ciudad Juárez, and Laredo.

From Nicaragua, cross-border buses depart from Peñas Blancas every hour for Rivas, a small town about 40 kilometers north of the border. From Panamá, buses leave from David for Panama City.

By Car

Many people drive to Costa Rica from the United States via Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It’s a long haul, but you can follow the Pan-American Highway all the way from the United States to San José. It’s 3,700 kilometers minimum, depending on your starting point. Experienced travelers recommend skirting El Salvador and the Guatemalan highlands in favor of the coast road. Allow three weeks at a leisurely pace. Make sure that your vehicle is in tip-top mechanical condition. You should plan your itinerary to be at each day’s destination before nightfall (80 percent of insurance claims are a result of nighttime accidents).

You’ll need a passport, visas, driver’s license, and vehicle registration. It’s also advisable to obtain tourist cards (good for 90 days) from the consulate of each country before departing. A U.S. driver’s license is good throughout Central America, although an International Driving Permit—issued through AAA—can be handy, too. You’ll need to arrange a transit visa for Mexico in advance, plus car entry permits for each country. AAA can provide advice on carnets (international travel permits).

A separate vehicle liability insurance policy is required for each country. Most U.S. firms will not underwrite insurance south of the border. (Insurance sold by AAA covers Mexico only, not Central America.) Sanborn’s (tel. 800/222-0158, www.sanbornsinsurance.com) specializes in insurance coverage for travel in Mexico and Central America. It publishes a booklet, Overland Travel, full of practical information, as well as regional guides.

Upon arrival in Costa Rica, foreign drivers must buy insurance stamps for a minimum of three months (approximately $15). There’s also a $10 road tax (good for three months) payable upon arrival in Costa Rica. Vehicle permits are issued at the border for stays up to 30 days. You can extend this to six months at the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo.