BoldspiritTravels on a budget: From Costa Rica to Colombia. #1 Long hours in buses. [Solo backpacking on a budget in Latin America]

Colombia was to be my next stop. I was super excited!

But first I needed to get there. Before arriving in Central America I have bought a plane ticket from Panama City, in Panama to Bogota in Colombia. I did that because I knew that the price afterward will only get higher. So here I was, in Tamarindo, a small city in Costa Rica thinking how to get to Panama with little money. I decided that plane could not be an option, as it was out of my reach.

What I came up with? With the only possible alternative really – buses! The ride was much more accessible, but on the other hand, it would take ages. Fortunately, time is what I had, I mean I would prefer spent it differently, but if you are travelling on a tight budget, those are the sacrifices you have to make!

I did not sleep that night as I had my but super early in the morning – at 3:30 am! I actually checked if this is still the case, and yes, there were no changes in the timetables. The little local Bus station was around a 20-minute walk from my room. So I did walk because I didn’t want to spend my money on something so trivial like a taxi. I bought my ticket two or three days in advance, not earlier. Luckily there were a lot of places available! I arrived at the terminal a lot in advanced. Central America has already taught me that although buses here may have their schedules, they do not necessarily obey them. And I simply couldn’t miss my bus. If I had missed one of my connections, I would have missed my plane. And that was not an option!

A travel hint in order to travel by buses in Central America – check out this web page: www.centrocoasting.com/costarica. It can be very useful in finding the right connections and timetables.

From Tamarido I had to go to the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose. The bus had air conditioning and comfortable seats. I was not expecting that for the price I paid. This is one of the craziest things while travelling in local buses, I never knew what to expect and their standard could pleasantly surprise or disappoint, it really could go both ways. The second important thing about local buses – they are really cheap. There is no comparison with the price of a plane ticket, and the rail is basically non-existent.

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Travelling by bus has its other super strong points – the country is so beautiful that it is worth admiring even from the window. I should be sleeping, but I couldn’t. I rarely can sleep in any mean of transportation. So here I was, appreciating Costa Rican nature, it seriously is stunning each and every time. The forest is breath-taking and majestic. I could profit more after 6 am when the sun was already starting to wake up. The whole ride took six hours thus I had enough time to enjoy the views and to think. And my thoughts were mostly with my mom back in Poland. How I wanted her to be there with me and to see this spectacular and powerful nature! How I wanted her to be able to experience all that this exotic country has to offer. How much she would have loved it. And how much she deserved it!

After a little more than six hours of the ride, we arrived at the bus station in San Jose. It was my second time here within 30 day time. It felt somehow nostalgic, “time flies” I thought.

I had my next bus, directly to Panama City in Panama, in a couple of hours. I wanted to eat something and drink a coffee. I have asked a driver where could I find a nice café and he directed me to a nice street with several bars opened. As always my arrival provoked smiles and whispering among the clients. After all, there I was, tiny girl with her huge backpack.

I ordered a “bocadillo” (a sandwich) and a coffee,and I sat in a corner to be able to observe people more freely.

Thank you for being here with me. I hope until the next time!
Pura Vida and enjoy your journey! ❤

• More about me here: You can travel without being wealthy aka a girl from a "struggling" family chasing her dreams!

• Some of my recent stories from South America:
  Boldspirit and the death road - la ruta de la muerte - Bolivia (part 1)
  BoldspiritTravels on a budget: Reaching Ometepe Island, Nicaragua. Solo backpacking on a budget in Latin America