Are you currently in Costa Rica and wondering how to reach La Fortuna? Well, you’re in luck! In this article, I’ll guide you through the various transportation options available to get to La Fortuna (Arenal) hassle-free. If you’re coming from SAN JOSÉ (👉price), you can hop on a convenient SHUTTLE. The same goes for those traveling from MONTEVERDE (👉price).
If you’re on the Caribbean coast, I’ve got you covered too! You can easily make your way from PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA (👉price) and CAHUITA (👉price), Manzanillo, Limón, or even TORTUGUERO (👉price).
Now, if you happen to be on the Pacific side, fret not! There are transportation options from TAMARINDO (👉precio), LIBERIA (👉price), and Santa SANTA TERESA (👉price). Even popular central towns like JACÓ (👉price), QUEPOS (👉price), and MANUEL ANTONIO (👉price) have convenient connections.
In addition to shuttles, I’ll also walk you through the process step by step on how to make these exact journeys to La Fortuna by car (whether you have your own vehicle or decide to RENT A CAR), by public transportation, and provide information on the fares (whether by BUS or BOAT), or by booking a TOUR from San José.
While this article won’t dive into every detail, rest assured that SHUTTLES are available from other locations such as ALAJUELA (👉precio), PLAYA MATAPALO (👉price), and PUERTO VIEJO DE SARAPIQUÍ (👉price). So, get ready to embark on an exciting journey to La Fortuna!
Best Travel insurance for Costa Rica
How to get to La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica)
In La Fortuna, located in the province of Alajuela in Costa Rica, in addition to enjoying the breathtaking views of the Arenal Volcano, you can also enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, rafting, boating, and canopy tours.
There are also several hot springs resorts in the area that offer a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. La Fortuna is a destination that should be on the list of anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica and its impressive biodiversity.
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How to get to La Fortuna by CAR
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can travel with your own vehicle or rent a car to travel through Costa Rica by road. I’ll tell you all the details you need to make the journey and some useful information.
Renting a car in Costa Rica
Road trips are a fantastic option and, in Costa Rica, you have a variety of vehicles and pick-up locations to choose from to meet your needs. In case you decide to RENT A CAR, I’ve listed a few pick-up locations near your destination and tourist areas that you might want to visit on your trip.
Also, keep in mind that you have the option of picking up and dropping off the car at different locations. For instance, you can pick up the car in San José and return it in La Fortuna.
| Car rental in SAN JOSÉ | Car rental in LA FORTUNA |
| Car rental in LIMÓN | Car rental in TAMARINDO |
| Car rental in UVITA | Car rental in PUERTO JIMÉNEZ |
| Car rental in QUEPOS y MANUEL ANTONIO | Car rental in LIBERIA |
If your destination is not listed above, you can also check the availability of vehicles and prices using the following search engine:
How to reach La Fortuna from SAN JOSÉ by car
If you’re in San José and looking to drive to La Fortuna, follow these steps:
- Leave San José and head towards Alajuela on Highway 1, the main road connecting San José to other parts of the country.
- Continue driving on Route 1 until you reach San Ramón, which is approximately a 1 hour and 30-minute drive from San José.
- In San Ramón, take a right turn onto National Route 702, which will lead you straight to La Fortuna.
- Keep driving on National Route 702 for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes until you reach La Fortuna.
How to travel to La Fortuna from TAMARINDO, SANTA TERESA, and LIBERIA by car
If you’re in Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, or Liberia and planning to drive to La Fortuna, follow these steps:
- From Tamarindo: Leave Tamarindo and head east on Route 155 towards Belén. Then, take National Route 21 towards Liberia. Once in Liberia, turn onto Route 1 towards Cañas and continue on Route 142 towards La Fortuna.
- From Liberia: Simply take Route 1 towards Cañas, and then continue on Route 142 towards La Fortuna.
- From Santa Teresa: Leave Santa Teresa and follow the coastline towards Secondary National Route 160. Stay on this route and make a right turn when you reach Route 915. Continue on Route 915 until you reach Route 163, where you’ll make a left turn. Stay on Route 163 until you reach the Juan de Léon intersection, then take Route 162. Follow this road until you reach Route 21, which will lead you to Pueblo Viejo de Nicoya. From there, take a detour onto Route 18 and continue towards Limonal. Once you reach Limonal, take the Interamerican Highway to San Pedro, and finally, go up Route 142 to reach La Fortuna.
How to go to La Fortuna from QUEPOS, MANUEL ANTONIO, and JACÓ by car
If you’re in Quepos, Manuel Antonio, or Jacó and planning to drive to La Fortuna, follow these steps:
- Leave Quepos or Manuel Antonio and head north towards Jacó.
- Continue on Highway 34, also known as Costanera Sur, until you reach Cerro Bajo.
- From Cerro Bajo, take National Route 27 towards Orotina.
- Once in Orotina, take Route 3 and continue until you reach Quebrada Honda.
- Turn onto Route 713 and follow the road until it transitions into Route 702. Keep driving on Route 702 until you reach La Fortuna.
How to get to La Fortuna from PUERTO VIEJO and TORTUGUERO by car
If you’re in the Puerto Viejo area or Tortuguero and planning to drive to La Fortuna, follow these steps:
- From Puerto Viejo (5 hours): Start by leaving Puerto Viejo and heading west towards Limón. Then, take Highway 32 all the way to Santa Clara. Once you reach Santa Clara, switch onto National Route 4, which will lead you straight to La Fortuna.
- From Tortuguero: First, you’ll need to take a BOAT (👉price and schedules) to the Pavona dock, where you’ll have your car parked. After leaving La Pavona, proceed towards La Esperanza to access Route 247. Stay on this route (passing through Route 249) until you reach Barrio Sinaí. In Barrio Sinaí, make a right turn and continue on Route 32 towards Santa Clara. From Santa Clara, take Route 4 to reach your final destination, La Fortuna.
How to get FROM SAN JOSÉ to La Fortuna (Arenal)
To reach La Fortuna from San José, you have several transportation options available. You can choose to go by SHUTTLE or TRANSFER, take a 1-DAY TOUR, use a bus, or drive by car. Let me provide you with detailed information about each of these options.
How to get to La Fortuna (Arenal) from San José by shuttle/transfer
The fastest and most comfortable way to get from San José to La Fortuna, or vice versa, is by taking a SHUTTLE or TRANSFER. This option offers a convenient and secure travel experience as it provides direct transportation from your hotel in San José or from Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) to your reserved hotel in La Fortuna, without any intermediate stops.
The distance between La Fortuna and San José is approximately 128 kilometers, and the travel time is around 3 hours. The duration of the journey may vary depending on traffic and road conditions, but overall, it is a quick and safe trip.
How to visit La Fortuna on a TOUR
If you prefer organized activities, there are also DAY TOURS available that will allow you to explore La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano, as well as its hot springs, without any worries. In addition to the La Fortuna tour, you can find other excursions in the provided link to discover more of Costa Rica’s beautiful destinations, such as Tortuga Island or Poás Volcano.
How to get to La Fortuna (Arenal) from San José by BUS
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly transportation option from San Jose to La Fortuna, taking a public bus is a great choice. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
First, make your way to the 7-10 Terminal in San Jose, where the buses to La Fortuna depart. This terminal is conveniently located in the heart of San Jose, between 7th Avenue and 10th Street.
When it comes to bus options,
- there is a single direct bus from San Jose to La Fortuna. It departs every day at 8:40 a.m. and typically costs around 2500 CRC for a ticket. The direct bus journey takes approximately 4 and a half hours, offering a convenient and efficient option.
- However, if the departure time doesn’t fit your schedule, there’s an alternative route you can take. You can catch a bus to Ciudad Quesada and then transfer to the bus heading to La Fortuna. This option may take a bit longer, around 5 hours in total, but it will still cost you about 4000 CRC, making it a more affordable alternative.
Once you arrive in La Fortuna, the bus will drop you off at the central bus terminal located in the town center. From there, you have the flexibility to either walk or take a taxi to your accommodation, depending on its proximity.
Getting from JACÓ, QUEPOS y MANUEL ANTONIO to La Fortuna
You have two options to reach La Fortuna: either by taking a minibus or shuttle, or by opting for the public bus. Let me provide you with a detailed description of both transportation methods.
How to get to La Fortuna by SHUTTLE or TRANSFER
Out of the two options, going by minibus or shuttle is the most convenient and quickest choice. This service is available from JACÓ (👉price & schedule), QUEPOS (👉price & schedule), and finally from MANUEL ANTONIO (👉price & schedule).
They will pick you up directly from your hotel in any of these locations and take you straight to your reserved accommodation in La Fortuna, without making any unnecessary stops.
The approximate distance between Jacó and La Fortuna is about 150 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of around 3 hours and 30 minutes. In the case of Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park, we’re looking at a distance of approximately 215 to 222 kilometers, which can be covered in about 4 hours and 30 minutes (15 minutes longer from Manuel Antonio).
How to travel to La Fortuna by BUS
The most budget-friendly option to reach La Fortuna from Jacó, Quepos, Jacó, and Manuel Antonio is by taking the bus. However, it’s important to note that there is no direct bus operating on these routes. To complete this journey, you will need to take a total of three buses, and the travel time will be approximately 8 to 9 hours.
Your first step will be to reach Puntarenas, where direct buses are available from Jacó and Quepos. If you’re traveling from Manuel Antonio, you will first need to take a bus to Quepos. From Jacó, the ticket price is ¢1345, and the journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The next leg of the trip is to San Ramón. It’s worth mentioning that the arrival terminal (TQP) in Puntarenas is just a five-minute walk from the bus terminal that will take you to San Ramón. Buses operate on this route for around 1 hour and 30 minutes, with a ticket price of 1400 CRC.
Once you arrive in San Ramón, buses depart from the same arrival terminal to La Fortuna. The journey takes approximately two hours, and the ticket cost is 2235 CRC.
Upon arrival in La Fortuna, the bus will drop you off at the central bus terminal located in the town center. From there, you can easily reach your accommodation by walking or taking a taxi.
How to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna
The quickest and most comfortable way to travel from Monteverde to La Fortuna (Arenal) is by taking a SHUTTLE. They will pick you up directly from your hotel in Monteverde, and in just 3 hours, you will be transported to your hotel in La Fortuna without any worries or hassle.
Another option is to use public transportation. Buses depart from Monteverde to the town of Tilarán (approximately ¢930 in around 3 hours). Once you arrive in Tilarán, you will need to transfer to another bus that will take you to La Fortuna (approximately ¢2,610 in 1 hour and 45 minutes). When calculating the total travel time, please consider adding the waiting time during the transfer in Tilarán.
Upon reaching La Fortuna, the bus will drop you off at the central bus terminal, conveniently located in the town center. From there, you can easily reach your accommodation by walking or taking a taxi.
How to get from LIBERIA and TAMARINDO to La Fortuna
To reach La Fortuna from Liberia and Tamarindo, you have two options: either take a minibus or shuttle, or choose the public bus. Let me provide you with a detailed description of both transportation methods.
How to get to La Fortuna by shuttle or transfer
Out of the two options, taking a minibus or shuttle is the most convenient and fastest choice. This service is available from both TAMARINDO (👉precio & schedules) and LIBERIA (👉price & schedules).
They will pick you up directly from your hotel in Tamarindo or Liberia and take you straight to your reserved accommodation in La Fortuna, without any unnecessary stops along the way.
The approximate distance between Tamarindo and La Fortuna is about 208 kilometers, and the estimated travel time is around 4 hours. As for Liberia, it’s approximately 135 kilometers away, and the journey takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
How to reach la Fortuna by bus
If you’re looking to save some money and take the bus from Tamarindo or Liberia, the total travel time will be around 7 to 8 hours. Let’s go through the steps involved:
- First, at the Tamarindo terminal, you’ll need to purchase a ticket to Liberia (1775 CRC).
- Next, you’ll head from Liberia to the town of Cañas. The ticket price for this leg is 1250 CRC, and the journey takes about 1 hour.
- Once in Cañas, you’ll need to board the bus that will take you to Tilarán. This part of the journey lasts approximately 40 minutes and costs 1000 CRC.
- Finally, hop on the bus that will bring you to La Fortuna. The ticket price for this leg is 2740 CRC, and the travel time is 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Upon arrival in La Fortuna, the bus will drop you off at the central bus terminal, conveniently located in the town center. From there, you can easily reach your accommodation by walking or taking a taxi.
How to get from PUERTO VIEJO, Cahuita & Limón to La Fortuna
To get to La Fortuna from Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Manzanillo, or Limón, you have two options: either take a minibus or shuttle, or opt for the public bus. Let me give you a detailed overview of both transportation methods.
How to get to La Fortuna by shuttle or transfer
Of the two options, taking a minibus or shuttle is the most convenient and fastest way to travel. This service is available from PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA (👉price & schedule) and the nearby town of CAHUITA (👉price & schedule).
They will pick you up directly from your hotel in both Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, and take you to your reserved accommodation in La Fortuna without making any unnecessary stops.
The approximate distance between Puerto Viejo and La Fortuna is 269 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of around 4 hours and 30 minutes. For Cahuita, it’s about 253 kilometers, and the journey takes approximately 4 hours and 11 minutes
How to reach La Fortuna by bus
Going by bus is a slightly longer and more complicated option, but it offers the advantage of being more budget-friendly. Let’s take a look at the steps to follow:
- From Puerto Viejo, there are direct buses that make stops in Cahuita and Limón. The ticket price from Puerto Viejo to San José is 7345CRC, and the journey takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. If you’re in Manzanillo, you’ll need to take an initial bus to either Puerto Viejo or Limón (this same bus also stops at Cocles and Playa Chiquita). The ticket price from Manzanillo to Limón is 3310CRC.
- In San José, the bus will stop at the MEPE Terminal, situated between Avenida 9 and Calle 12. Buses to La Fortuna depart from the 7-10 Terminal. This terminal is located in the heart of San José, between Avenida 7 and Calle 10, and you can easily walk between the two terminals as they are adjacent to each other.
In San José, you have different options to reach La Fortuna by bus:
- There is only one direct bus that operates between San José and La Fortuna. It departs daily at 8:40 AM, and the ticket price is approximately 2500 CRC. The direct bus journey from San José to La Fortuna takes around 4 hours and 30 minutes.
- To catch the aforementioned bus, you would need to stay overnight in San José. If you prefer to arrive in La Fortuna on the same day, you also have the option of taking the bus heading to Ciudad Quesada and then transferring to the bus that goes to La Fortuna. The total journey will cost you 4000CRC, and it takes about 5 hours.
Upon arrival in La Fortuna, the bus will drop you off at the central bus terminal, located in the town center. From there, you can either walk or take a taxi to reach your accommodation.
How to get from TORTUGUERO to La Fortuna
To travel from Tortuguero to La Fortuna, you have two options: taking a minibus or a transfer with a boat, or choosing to go by public bus + boat. Let me explain both transportation methods in detail.
How to go to La Fortuna by shuttle + boat
Traveling by SHUTTLE + BOAT (👉price & schedule) is the quickest and most convenient option to get from Tortuguero to La Fortuna. It takes you directly to your destination without any hassle. The journey lasts about 5 hours, covering a distance of 169 km by land, followed by a scenic boat ride.
Personally, I recommend this option if you want to make the most of your time in Tortuguero, minimize travel time, and arrive in La Fortuna feeling more relaxed.
How to reach to La Fortuna by bus + boat
This option takes longer and is more complicated, but it does have the advantage of being more budget-friendly. Let’s go through the steps:
- First, you’ll need to make your way to the El Almendro dock in Tortuguero and board the BOAT (👉price & schedule) that will take you to the La Pavona dock.
- From La Pavona, there are buses that travel to Cariari. The ticket costs 1100 CRC.
- In Cariari, you’ll need to catch a direct bus to San José. The ticket price is 1815 CRC.
- Once you arrive at the Gran Terminal del Caribe in San José, you’ll find buses departing from Terminal 7-10 to La Fortuna. This terminal is conveniently located in the city center, between 7th Avenue and 10th Street. If you don’t have much luggage, you can easily walk between the terminals (it’s a 15-minute walk). However, if you have heavy bags, I recommend taking a taxi.
In San José, you have different options for the bus journey to La Fortuna:
- There is only one direct bus from San José to La Fortuna, departing at 8:40 am daily. The ticket price is around 2500 CRC. The direct bus ride from San José to La Fortuna takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
- To catch the aforementioned bus, you would need to stay overnight in San José. Alternatively, if you prefer to make the journey in a single day, you can take a bus to Ciudad Quesada and then transfer to the bus that will take you to La Fortuna. The total journey will cost you 4000 CRC and take about 5 hours.
Upon arrival in La Fortuna, the bus will drop you off at the bus terminal, conveniently located in the town center. From there, you can easily walk or take a taxi to your accommodation.
Tours and activities in La Fortuna
Experience the wonders of La Fortuna with a handpicked selection of tours and activities designed to immerse you in its natural beauty. Discover stunning waterfalls, traverse scenic trails embraced by lush greenery, and behold awe-inspiring views of the majestic Arenal Volcano.
Useful stuff for your trip to Costa Rica
Below, you will find some products that will be very useful during your trip to Costa Rica.
In addition, the options that I recommend are committed to the environment/social causes and are vegan.
Waterproof windbreaker
Carrying a waterproof windbreaker in your suitcase is essential in case temperatures drop, it rains unexpectedly, or to go hiking.
When traveling, it’s important to choose a jacket that is lightweight, takes up little space and that you can use in different situations; that is to say, that transpires, is waterproof and has a hood to protect you properly from bad weather.
👉 Price windbreaker for MAN and windbreaker for WOMAN
Gopro 11 Black
The GOPRO 11 (👉 PRICE) is a great choice if you are visiting natural areas, practicing adventure sports or want to make videos underwater, e.g. while scuba diving or snorkeling.
In addition, with its stabilization and Horizon Lock function, it will allow you to make incredibly stable videos even in adverse situations (such as walking, running or riding a motorcycle). In addition, it comes with an amazing 5.3k image quality.
👉 GOPRO 11 PRICE + specs
3-in-1 hiking shoes
These La Sportiva shoes are designed to run in the mountains, thanks to this you can use them for hiking, go out to run and do tourism ; saving space in your suitcase.
They are made with goretex, which means they protect you from the inclement weather weather (such as rain, ice or cold) and are adherent to the ground. This makes them ideal for traveling due to their versatility.
👉 Price shoes for MAN and for shoes for WOMAN
Is Costa Rica SAFE to Travel?
Costa Rica is a moderately dangerous country, where nothing should happen to you if you go carefully and take precautions. Remember to follow these recommendations:
- In case of robbery, do not resist physically.
- Do not show a high purchasing power, that is, do not go with jewels, bags, etc … that are expensive.
- Be careful if you go out at night, and stay in crowded places where you are surrounded by other people.
- Thefts are usual, so don’t go with the camera or mobile in your hand or hang out of your neck.
- Try to avoid carrying the backpack on the back. Put it in front of you, or use a belt pouch or a cross bag.
Personally, I spent 3 months traveling alone in Costa Rica (I visited San José, Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero, Dominical, Uvita, Bay Drake and Puerto Jiménez) and I did not find myself in any really serious situation.
Going down the street with the camera, several Costa Rican people approached and warned me that they were carefully with robberies, since they told me that they are very frequent.
In my case, during the trip they tried to steal 2 times and, luckily, I realized on time and I could avoid it. In any case, it is always a good idea to have travel insurance (👉5% discount) that can compensate you financially and help you if a medical emergency occurs.
If you are interested in traveling alone, I recommend this article about the reasons and benefits of traveling alone and this other article with tips for traveling alone being a woman. I encourage you to try it since it is a great and very profitable experience for oneself.
Eating VEGAN in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is not a country faced with vegan food. Anyway, they have some traditional dishes that are vegan or that you can ask without egg or sauces such as the pico of rooster (rice with beans for breakfast), black bean soup or rice with vegetables.
You should always ask if the purés or soups are made with some type of dairy product or meat broth, since at first glance they might seem vegan dishes but not be.
In San José you can find some vegan restaurants, but when you leave the capital the offer is very limited or non -existent. Next, I make three recommendations and in this link you can read tips to travel vegan.
- Try to stay in hotels that are characterized by cooking vegan and vegetarian dishes. This is the best option and the most practical for not having to be looking for places where to eat comfortable without always repeating the same dishes.
- Before going on a tour that includes a meal, always mention that you are vegan or vegetarian, so that they can adapt the food.
- Costa Rica is a country where you can find a variety of fresh products (fruits and vegetables) to prepare salads and breakfast with fruits. In any city or town, you will easily find some supermarket or stalls on the street where you can buy groceries.