Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Costa Rica take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
My taxi‑bus hybrid on the coastal route still asked for cash in colones - no card reader there. But once I switched to Costa Rican state buses, cards worked fine. Tried it on two rides: declined to use a QR code linked app because I didn’t set it up; instead tapped my Visa credit card and it charged the fare immediately. My advice: carry small bills or coins for old‑school buses and markets, but for buses and the metro in bigger towns, cards work smoothly.
Took the new Incofer/Metro line to Alajuela and used my BBVA Maestro debit card. No kiosk, just tapped at the turn‑style fare popped up on screen. Metro’s got flat fare model, so didn’t have to worry about distance or transfers. Loved it - felt seamless. Still carries a few colones in wallet just in case, but 9 out of 10 times, contactless card or even mobile works.
I used a Banco Nacional bus near La Fortuna in May 2025. Expected chaos and exact‑change only - but the driver scanned my Mastercard contactless card (shoutout to Littlepay/SINPE‑TP rollout). Fare was around 330 colones and it just tapped off - felt futuristic, honestly. I still dropped some coins into the “bus fund” jar for towns that might not yet have the system, but jetting between places, cards work in almost all buses now.
Took the bus from my neighbourhood in Escazú to downtown noticed a small contactless reader as I boarded. I tapped my Visa debit card and it went through instantly - no need to dig for colones. It’s thanks to the SINPE‑TP system launching early last year. The fare was deducted from my bank rather than needing cash. I still keep ₡1,000 handy just in case, but so far every ride with BAC Credomatic or Banco Nacional buses accepted the card.