Overview Compare Minivan Taxi Direct Bus Indirect Bus To Stay
San Jose is a bustling urban landscape in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Being the capital of Costa Rica, it may not be as pretty as the beach and jungle destinations that the country is known for. But if you are stopping by anyway, might as well explore for a few hours or a day before moving on to your next stop.
Within the city of San Jose, you can check out the colonial buildings turned museums at Barrio Amon, try out the famed restaurants at Barrio Escalante, or party the night away in El Pueblo. If you want to venture outside the city limits, the Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens are highly recommended!
How to get from La Fortuna to San Jose
The distance from La Fortuna to San Jose is 130 km (80 miles). To travel this distance from La Fortuna to San Jose you can take a minivan (4 hours), a private transfer (3 hours), or a direct or indirect bus to San Jose (4-6 hours). Ticket costs range from $5 (3,000 CRC) – $160 (85,000 CRC).
4 ways to get from La Fortuna to San Jose
Where to stay in San Jose?
Still looking for accommodation? Don’t forget to check out our favourite places to stay in San Jose at the bottom of this page.
La Fortuna to San Jose by Minivan
Most tourists prefer to take a minivan for comfort and convenience. Although shared, minivans will take you door-to-door from your hotel in La Fortuna to your hotel in San Jose, or to the airport if that’s where you’re headed. Fares start from $40 (21,000 CRC) — quite expensive, but well worth it.
You can choose from five minivan operators: Paradise Shuttle, RideCR, Interbus, Volcano Travel and Tropical Tours.
Travel time is around 4 hours to the city centre and 3 hours to San Jose Airport. When you book your tickets, make sure to pick the correct arrival point to avoid any hassle on the day of your trip.
You can see a more detailed list of schedules and prices in the table below. We also did the work of finding the cheapest rates so you can easily book them using the respective booking links!
Minivan schedule from La Fortuna to San Jose
We don’t recommend buying minivan tickets onsite on the day of your trip because there’s a risk of tickets being sold out. Just book them online beforehand, it’s more convenient and there’s no additional fee.
Online, you can only buy Tropical Tours tickets through its own website. The rest of the options are mostly cheaper and easier to book on BookAway!
La Fortuna to San Jose by Private Transfer
For groups, a private transfer can be cheaper than a shared minivan ride when you split the cost. You can choose from various types of vehicles — from regular cars to more luxurious ones. Rates start from $160 (85,000 CRC) for a 6-seater minivan from La Fortuna to San Jose.
For larger groups, there are 18-seater buses with rates from $305 (162,000 CRC).
We recommend that you book your private transfer through BookAway because they offer great customer service.
Book a Private Transfer with BookAway
La Fortuna to San Jose by Direct Bus
The bus is the cheapest option at $5 (3,000 CRC). However, you’ll need extra transfers to and from bus terminals, which also adds extra cost. Buses are not as reliable as minivans too, with pickpockets known to be lurking around unknowing travellers. If you become a victim, you might end up spending more than a minivan ticket.
There is only one direct bus available from La Fortuna to San Jose. This is operated by Transportes San Carlos. It departs from the town’s bus terminal at 14:45 and arrives at Terminal 7-10 in San Jose city centre at around 18:45.
Note that travel time is highly dependent on traffic. So it really can take between 4 to 6 hours. You can buy your ticket at La Fortuna Bus Station for $5 (3,000 CRC).
PRO TIP: It’s always best to be mindful of your luggage. When leaving them at the compartment below the bus, watch the driver put them in and get your luggage ticket before boarding. As for the smaller bags with your valuables, it’s safer to put them in front of you than on the overhead bin.
La Fortuna to San Jose by Indirect Bus
If the direct bus doesn’t fit your schedule, you can take an indirect bus via Ciudad Quesada, a town 45 km southwest of La Fortuna. Combined rates cost around $6 (3,000 CRC) and travel time is 4 to 6 hours.
Step 1: La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada by Bus
There are a number of buses operating from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada from 05:10 in the morning to 21:20 in the evening.
There are 2 routes available: via El Tanque to the north and via Chachagua to the south. The El Tanque route is a bit faster, but the Chachagua route is more beautiful. Either way, you will arrive at Ciudad Quesada Terminal after a little over an hour.
A ticket costs $3 (2,000 CRC) and you can buy them at La Fortuna Bus Terminal.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you’re out of La Fortuna before 17:00 if you want to make it in time for the last connecting bus from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose.
Step 2: Ciudad Quesada to San Jose by Bus
At Ciudad Quesada Bus Stop, you can then transfer to another bus going to San Jose. You should be able to catch one any time between 04:30 to 18:15.
The bus journey from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose takes around 3 hours without traffic. You can get a ticket for $3 (2,000 CRC). Buses park at Terminal 7-10 at Paso de la Vaca, San Jose city centre.
Our favourite places to stay in San Jose
Barceló San José - Treating Yourself
Barceló Hotel blows most other city hotels out of the water. It has amenities usually only found in resorts, and for extortionate prices. Here you’ll find an outdoor pool, spa, gym, three squash courts and two tennis courts. Plus they offer a free airport shuttle.
If you don’t fancy venturing out of the hotel to get some food, no worries! There are three restaurants and a bar on site offering a variety of different cuisines. The rooms are spacious and clean, providing comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep.
- Outdoor swimming pool and spa
- Tennis courts
- Free airport shuttle
- Three onsite restaurants and a bar
Double rooms start from $80 per night
Isla Verde Hotel - Mid Range
Isla Verde Hotel is a real gem within the urban jungle that is San Jose. They have so many extras that you wouldn’t expect for the price – a gym, free shuttle to the airport and a great breakfast every morning.
The hotel is ultra-modern, boasting some beautifully designed rooms and seating areas. All of which are very clean and comfortable. If you don’t feel like venturing too far for food, their onsite restaurant serving Cantonese food is highly reviewed!
- Free airport shuttle
- Delicious breakfast included
- Onsite gym
- Modern and clean rooms
Double rooms between $50-$80 per night
Eco Stay Hostel - Budget Friendly
Eco Stay Hostel starts to feel like home after a while, as it has a shared living room, communal kitchen, a lovely garden area, and even barbeque facilities. You can even spend your evenings at the hotel having a friendly competition of snooker or darts.
The friendly hosts add to the welcoming atmosphere. Making sure that your room is clean and comfortable, whilst offering their help in any way that they can. The rooms are basic, but nicely decorated and have everything you could need whilst in San Jose.
- Shared living room
- Communal kitchen
- Good location
- Friendly hosts
Double rooms between $15-$50 per night
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Based in Bali, Maarten’s passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you’ll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
