Is the Pan American Highway open and accessible from Texas through Costa Rica?

Yes, the highway is open but it is a long and often dangerous trek. You will need to be extremely fluent in Spanish, have a very reliable car or transportation/ 4x4 is preferred as there are several parts that can get flooded or rained over. The trip can take from two weeks to 3 months but it is unrealistic to think you can drive to Costa Rica for a short vacation and drive back.
It is not a typical highway by States standards so do some reading and thorough researching before heading out on such a trip. The other thing to remember is that the border along Texas is extremely dangerous right now as the Gulf and Juarez cartels are battling over turf and Nuevo Laredo. Stay far away from these areas and dont stop until Monterrey at the very least.

The postings below are not a very accurate depection of Latin America. It can be very dangerous for sure but I have had several friends and know others who have driven this route by car and also by Motorcycles. If you are a seasoned traveler through Central America and speak very fluent Spanish then this trip is do-able but be very cautious.

Example: a few years back a friend and his wife shipped their BMW Motorcycles to Chile and were biking from Patagonia to Alaska to raise money for Cancer Research.
I joined them in Panama and rode up to San Pedro Sula in Honduras, then sold the bike and jumped to Roatan while they contined their trek. We only encountered corruption and possible bad visions at the border crossing between Costa Rica and Nica. We paid them $40 bucks and that was the end of our problems.
My friends never got mugged, robbed or felt endangered during their entire trip- even in Colombia.

Again, Latin America is a wonderful place but like any 3 world destination, you need to be prepared and alert.

i'm an experienced tourist, a woman, and that i've got traveled in Mexico appreciably. i might on no account on no account force there! the guidelines of the line are not observed o.k., to declare the least! i've got hardly seen every physique extremely provide up at a provide up sign, or a policeman giving a value ticket for rushing, etc. additionally, the roads at nighttime could be sooo risky! Animals roam around, as fencing isn't that trouble-unfastened interior the nation-state. there have been gangs of thieves that provide up site visitors at nighttime on some roads to rob human beings, a terrifying journey, i'm particular! Then there is dealing with the police, could something take place, such as you hit somebody or something, or get right into a smash. whether you're fluent in Spanish, which you will no longer be, dealing with the police as a foreigner might probably require bribes and heaven is familiar with what else. There at the instant are not any generic gasoline stations, and no AAA to call..... and that i doubt in the journey that your assurance agency might disguise you to force in Mexico. i'm fairly particular that mine might say NO! such fairly some issues to contemplate. Be risk-free, take an plane. this is lots quicker, whether you % to fly or no longer. It extremely is safer than driving, exceptionally in Mexico! i like the country, are not getting me incorrect, yet i might on no account force there, even interior the daylight hours!

yes, but the street sux in costa rica!

Yes, but I would advise you against this in the strongest possible terms. This is extremely dangerous. There are criminal gangs in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras who would kill you for the change in your pocket.

The police could easily shake you down. The police themselves prey on Americans foolish enough to do this.

yes