Traffic in Cartago

In 2024, Cartago's transportation landscape is dominated by buses, trains, and walking, with buses being the most popular mode of transport.

The city faces challenges with CO2 emissions and traffic inefficiencies, but there are opportunities for improvement through strategic planning.

Average Commute Times

The average commute involves a total travel time of 38 minutes, with significant time spent on buses and trains.

  • Bus - Bus commuters spend about 80 minutes traveling, highlighting the reliance on this mode of transport.
  • Train - Train users experience a commute time of 45 minutes, indicating a moderate use of rail transport.
  • Walking - Walking commutes average 20 minutes, often supplemented by short bus rides.
Traffic Breakdown
Bus
50%
Walking
25%
Train
25%

Traffic Data

The following traffic data has been gathered from 4 user contributions.
Overall average travel
Distance
13.0 miles
Walking
13.8 mins
Waiting
6.3 mins
Bus / Trolley
42.5 mins
Train
11.3 mins
Total:
73.8 mins
Average when primarily using Bus
Distance
17.1 miles
Walking
12.5 mins
Waiting
5.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
80.0 mins
Total:
97.5 mins
Average when primarily using Train
Distance
14.9 miles
Walking
10.0 mins
Waiting
5.0 mins
Train
45.0 mins
Total:
60.0 mins
Average when primarily using Walking
Distance
3.1 miles
Walking
20.0 mins
Waiting
10.0 mins
Bus / Trolley
10.0 mins
Total:
40.0 mins

More Information

Seasonal Trends

Traffic congestion tends to increase during the rainy season, affecting commute times.

Holiday periods see a reduction in public transport usage as residents travel out of the city.

Commuter Pain Points

Long waiting times for buses and trains are a common frustration among commuters.

Limited transportation options during peak hours lead to overcrowding and delays.

Best Travel Times

Early mornings before 7 AM are ideal for avoiding heavy traffic.

Mid-afternoon, around 2 PM, offers a quieter travel window before the evening rush.

Event Impacts

Public events in the city center can cause significant traffic disruptions, necessitating alternative routes.

Festivals and parades often lead to temporary road closures, impacting regular commute patterns.

Sustainability Efforts

Cartago is exploring the expansion of green spaces to encourage walking and cycling.

Initiatives to upgrade the public transport fleet with eco-friendly buses are underway.

Ride-Sharing Impact

Ride-sharing services are gradually gaining popularity, offering flexible commuting options.

These services help reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, contributing to lower congestion.

Worldwide
Costa Rica

Traffic Rankings

The Traffic Index for Costa Rica combines user-contributed data on commute times, traffic dissatisfaction, CO2 emissions, and traffic system inefficiencies in Costa Rica, to provide insights into overall traffic conditions.
Worst to BestUpdated: Oct, 2025