Is Uber Available in Costa Rica?

Uber is the most practical first ride app for many visitors because its own current city list covers San José and a broad set of regional and tourist locations.

DiDi is a useful second check, but its official Costa Rica page currently names only San José, Liberia and San Carlos. Availability can still disappear at quiet hours and in remote beach, mountain and rainforest destinations, so arrange a return ride or hotel transfer before leaving reliable coverage. The legal distinction matters. Costa Rica's Consejo de Transporte Público says private cars carrying passengers through unauthorized digital platforms are unregulated transport outside the public passenger framework.

Licensed red taxis are the regulated street and dispatch option. At Juan Santamaría airport, the airport's own page says orange taxis are the only taxis authorized to serve the terminal and lists the approved providers. Do not assume an app pickup will be available at the arrivals curb. Use the app's current instructions, an authorized airport provider or a prearranged transfer.

For any app ride, match the plate, vehicle and driver before entering, keep the trip inside the app, share the journey and refuse a different car or an off-app price. For an official taxi, look for the correct livery and authorized plate and ask that the meter be used. Allow extra road time for rain, congestion, mountain roads and construction rather than planning a tight flight connection around an app estimate.

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