Absolutely Yes! GPS works very well in Costa Rica and enhances smooth navigation around the major cities. However, there is a little downside since Costa Rica does not have a proper stress numbering system, so it can be hard sometimes to navigate with a GPS, which does not work in most remote locations.
“In Costa Rica, the signposts, road signs, and addresses have no proper number, so you must use a GPS.” Those were the exact words my expatriate friend told me when I first visited Costa Rica.
Ten years later, I can categorically tell you that Costa Rica does not have a proper numbering system yet for street addresses; however, the GPS has improved and can take you to any street without numbers, and you can drive on the road without signposts.
In this guide, I’ve compiled important information you need to know about the functionality of GPS in Costa Rica.
Key Takeaways
Here are some takeaways from this article in case you are in a hurry and do not have the time to read through it. However, I’d encourage you to, because there is invaluable information in it that cannot be summarized here.
- GPS works perfectly fine in Costa Rica, and it’s a part of their everyday navigation system.
- Google Maps has a feature where you can download and use your map offline.
- Waze is a community-driven app where users share real-time updates on traffic and road conditions while driving.
- Combining GPS apps with physical maps is best when driving to remote towns or areas of Costa Rica with no internet connectivity.
- Before starting your journey, it is best to cross-check and update GPS apps to see if the maps correspond.
- Understanding Spanish can save the day when traveling to remote towns in Costa Rica.
GPS Functionality in Costa Rica
General Reliability
Using a GPS is one of the most vital tools for navigating the major cities and remote towns in Costa Rica properly.
It is very reliable and functional since there are mainly no proper street addresses, road signs, or signposts to guide you when driving, especially if you are a first-timer driving alone in a rental car.
However, be rest assured that the
GPS brands and apps such as Waze and Google Maps that operate in Costa Rica work perfectly well in urban and well-traveled areas of the country and have good coverage for remote towns.
And in situations where you feel you are good without a GPS, still drive with a map and be able to speak Spanish very well so you can ask the locals if you are taking the correct route to your destination or not.
Coverage in Rural Areas
GPS coverage is pretty good in major cities like San Jose and Liberia due to the robust signal connectivity and infrastructure. However, the situation is different in rural areas of Costa Rica.
The poor coverage is because of the dense rainforest, giant mountains, and foggy weather conditions that weaken the strength of the satellite coverage in these areas, thereby obstructing GPS signals.
So, if you are traveling to rural areas or remote towns, I’d advise you to either download an offline map on your smartphone or, better yet, use the good old paper map for navigating your way.
If you decide to use paper maps, please ensure that they are up-to-date with the current road network in the country, and they should not be more than three months old.
Popular GPS Apps and Devices
Costa Rica is a small paradise with beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, tropical rainforests, and volcanic mountains.
Navigating through such a country with all of that magnificence can be complicated, especially if you enjoy adventures and prefer traveling on your own.
That is why I’ve detailed below some of the popularly used GPS apps and devices that can serve you on your journey:
Google Maps
Google Maps is a widely used GPS navigation app that provides on-point directions regardless of whether you want to walk, drive, or take public transportation.
It is an excellent tool for finding information about destinations as you travel because it is linked to reviews, contact information, phone numbers, etc. about the place you are traveling to in Costa Rica.
One great Google Maps feature is the ability to download maps that you can use offline when you are in a remote town or area with little or no internet coverage, which is a common thing once you drive out of major Costa Rican cities like Liberia into the hilly and mountainous area where there is likely no cell service or internet connection.
The Google Maps app will run without internet connections using GPS.
Also, the Google Maps app has the feature of providing you with real-time traffic updates so you know if you should avoid a particular route due to heavy traffic.
Waze
Waze is the most popular GPS navigation app among Costa Ricans because of how community-driven it is for users to share on-the-go information like real-time traffic updates, road accidents, closures, obstacles, and so on while driving.
And with all this information, you are likely to get to your destination quicker than those using other GPS apps and devices.
The only downside of Waze is that, unlike the Google Maps download feature, where you can download your maps and use them offline, your phone needs to be connected to the internet before providing directions and updates.
So this means that if you are driving into remote areas where the cell service often fluctuates, using a Waze is a no-no option to have a stress-free trip.
However, you can switch to Google Maps and use offline maps or a paper map that has up-to-date information about the directions to your destination.
Garmin and Other Devices
Garmin is a reliable GPS device when traveling to remote towns in Costa Rica because they come with preloaded detailed maps of Costa Rica and provide accurate directions to your destination.
The best part about this device is that you can use it completely offline, which is an advantage if you drive to remote towns of the country where there may be little or no internet connections.
The downside of this GPS navigation device is that it is pretty expensive. price ranges from $70 to $150, and it does not provide real-time traffic updates like Waze and Google Maps.
Practical Tips for Using GPS in Costa Rica
1. Downloading Offline Maps
If you have plans to travel to remote towns or rural areas of Costa Rica, where the internet connection is sketchy, it is essential to download an offline map of the remote village while you are still in cities where there is access to an internet connection.
If you are wondering how to download offline Google Maps on your smartphone, here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
- Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone and ensure you are connected to the Internet.
- Search for the place you are traveling to.
- Tap the name or address of the place at the bottom.
- Then tap on the download offline map button and download your map.
2. Keep Devices Charged
Always keep your smartphone and GPS device charged when traveling to remote towns for a smooth ride.
It would help if you had a car phone charger to charge it while driving.
3. Double-checking routes
Before using a GPS app or device, double-check to see if the address and landmark correspond with what you are seeing on the website, online forums, and directories, especially when you are traveling to rural areas in the country.
Challenges and Solutions
1: Outdated Maps
One thing you need to check about a GPS app or device before using it as your navigation tool, especially when driving to remote towns, is if the map is up-to-date or outdated.
A common way of knowing this is:
- To research the area of their recent infrastructure and see if it reflects on the map.
- Go to the GPS app settings to check if the last update history is recent or due for an update.
- Cross-check the app with other GPS apps to see if the landmarks are the same.
- Check the user reviews on the GPS website and app store to see if the users are happy with using the app or complain about how outdated It is.
2. Language Barrier
Costa Rica is mostly a Spanish-speaking country, even though there are English speakers.
This means that most of the GPS apps in the country have Spanish as the default language setting.
So, to have a smooth ride, you have to go to the app or device settings and change the preferred language settings to English or any language you understand fluently.
Also, use Google Translate in situations where necessary.
Benefits of Using GPS
The benefits of using a GPS app or device when traveling around Costa Rica and other parts of the world are enormous and should not be underestimated.
Below are some of the benefits:
- A GPS app or device gives you accurate navigation directions that make it easy for you to reach your destination in time.
- With the real-time traffic updates feature in most GPS apps, you are sure to know the routes to take in cases of traffic and bad road conditions. This does not just help you save time but also fuel consumption.
- Knowing your location can help you get out of certain situations on time. The GPS app provides you with your area to share in an emergency.
- One great thing about using a GPS is that you get to see landmarks, buildings, etc. on the map, which helps you discover new locations and tourist destinations.
- A GPS app or device also helps you find points of interest on time, such as gas stations, restaurants, etc. when driving.
- It helps you navigate unfamiliar routes. Say you just landed in Costa Rica for the first time. With a functional GPS app or device, you can drive to your destination all by yourself, just by following instructions.
Comparisons With Other Navigation Methods
| GPS | Physical Maps | Road Signs | Asking for Directions |
| A GPS is an excellent tool that provides you with accurate navigation directions that will get you to your destination in real-time. It is also straightforward to use and gives you real-time updates on traffic, etc. as well as the nearest point of interest. However, the downside is that it requires internet connectivity and drains your smartphone battery quickly. And they will likely not work in an area with dense rainforest, mountains, and hills. | Physical maps do not need an internet connection or charging before you can use them. The downside is that, unlike the GPS, you do not have real-time updates on traffic, etc., so you can drive into heavy traffic or bad roads. Also, the map can be outdated and stressful to carry while driving. | Road signs are often available to give vital information to drivers, and in most cases, they do not depend on batteries or charging. However, it is not reliable because it does not provide you with detailed navigation directions, and you can easily not see it if the weather is terrible or you are driving at night. | Asking for directions is good because you can get detailed, up-to-date information and advice from the locals. However, in a Spanish-speaking country like Costa Rica, communication can be difficult because of the language barrier, which can cause you to be misunderstood and given wrong directions if you do not understand Spanish to a great extent. Moreover, stopping to ask for directions is time-wasting. |
Before you hit the road in Costa Rica, make sure you’re prepared with our guide on What Side of the Road They Drive On in Costa Rica.
Conclusion
GPS is an excellent navigation tool in Costa Rica that makes traveling smooth and convenient for locals and tourists.
With a GPS app or device, you can get real-time updates on traffic, road conditions, weather conditions, and points of interest like gas stations, etc.
Although minor challenges may arise, such as data consumption, internet connectivity, and battery drainage, they are nothing compared to the assistance you will receive from using the tool.
Moreover, when driving to remote towns or areas, you can easily cross-reference with other navigation apps, physical maps, etc.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
