Buses are one of the most popular ways to travel around in Costa Rica, and most definitely the main form of transportation for Ticos. They are, in fact, a great way to travel! They are cheap, and reliable, meaning they always run, not that they always run on the same time!
When you travel by bus always make sure to head to your bus stop just a little early because a bus might arrive five minutes early and take off… or it might be five minutes late. When on a bus always keep your luggage with you or in your line of sight 
(preferably with you, but this isn’t always possible). Sometimes depending on how much luggage you have and how far you are traveling they may require you to put your luggage below the bus.
Stowing your luggage below is generally safe, but I always like to get a seat next to a window so I can see people as they shuffle through bags to find their luggage. This way I can always make sure nothing of my is taken on accident.
One thing I found/find extremely annoying trait is how slow the buses run! If it is not an express bus that heads directly to your final destination, forget about it. The reason bus travel takes so long is because Ticos love to get the most out of their money, so someone will signal to stop, the bus will drop them off, and then twenty feet later somebody else will signal for a stop, instead of just getting off with the first passenger. That is why it is best to try and take the express buses if at all possible.
Also it is very important to make sure exactly how much a bus ride will cost before getting on the bus. That way you can have your exact change ready. Sometimes being a gringo, if I pay using a larger bill I will have to insist on my change and then everyone stares because they wonder why a “rich” gringo like me is insisting on such a small amount of change. Fair is fair people! All of this can be avoided if you just have the exact change ready before boarding the bus.
Though travel in Costa Rica may be confusing and difficult, one thing is for sure it is always an adventure.
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[...] your travel plans? Read this post on how to navigate the Costa Rican bus system. [...]