Ride Hailing Apps in Costa Rica

Get around with local ride-hailing apps, curated for travelers visiting Costa Rica.

Last updated: August 20267 sources

2 apps1 essential

What to know about Ride Hailing 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.

Best Ride Hailing apps in Costa Rica (2026)

UberEssential

The broadest useful ride-app starting point across San José and many Costa Rican tourist destinations.

Pro tip: Check the plate and driver, keep the trip in the app, and retain an official taxi or prearranged transfer as the backup outside busy areas.

App Store Play Store Website

DiDi

A second ride option whose official coverage currently names San José, Liberia and San Carlos.

Pro tip: Compare the live pickup and total with Uber, but do not depend on DiDi for an airport connection or a return from a remote destination.

App Store Play Store Website

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.

At a glance

How it works here Uber operates across San José and numerous tourist and regional locations. Costa Rica's transport regulator nevertheless classifies unauthorized platform-based private cars as unregulated transport, so travelers should understand the legal and insurance distinction from licensed taxis.