How to get to La Fortuna

By car from San José

The usual route from San José and Juan Santamaría airport (SJO) follows Route 1 west to San Ramón and then Route 702 north to La Fortuna, about 130 to 140 km. Plan on 2.5 to 3 hours, more with traffic leaving San José or rain on the mountain section, where fog is common.

By car from Liberia airport

From Liberia, in Guanacaste, the drive is about 140 to 160 km and takes 3 to 4 hours, through Cañas and Tilarán and along Lake Arenal. The roads are more rural, so leave early and avoid the last stretch after dark.

By shuttle

Shared shuttles run from San José and Liberia, often with a morning and an afternoon departure, and take about 3 to 4 hours. Private transfers pick you up at your hotel or the airport and cost more, but you choose the time.

By public bus

Buses to La Fortuna leave from Terminal 7-10 in downtown San José. The direct bus has few departures and takes about 4.5 to 5 hours; other buses change in Ciudad Quesada and take 5 to 6 hours. Tickets are cheap and usually paid in cash. Check current schedules before you travel.

By plane

Small planes fly from San José to an airstrip near La Fortuna in about 30 minutes. Seats and luggage are limited, so check the weight allowance before you book.

From Monteverde

Monteverde and La Fortuna are close on the map but far by road, about 4 hours around Lake Arenal. Many travelers take the taxi-boat-taxi transfer across the lake instead, which saves about an hour.

Options at a glance

Driving tips

• Avoid driving at night, especially on your first day
• Download offline maps, because signal drops in some areas
• Fill up the tank before leaving the main towns
• Expect curves and fog on the mountain sections
• Allow extra time for rain in the green season

Once you are in La Fortuna

You do not need a car for our tours. Every tour includes round-trip transport from downtown La Fortuna and nearby areas; hotels outside the free pickup area may pay an extra fee. Our meeting point is Sloth Park La Fortuna.