What to expect when visiting La Fortuna
La Fortuna translates to “The Fortune” in English, which seems pretty accurate as you feel like you’ve hit the jackpot while visiting here. As the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna attracts hiking and nature lovers eagerly waiting to explore the park’s two volcanoes — the still active Arenal and the inactive dormant Chato.
And let’s not forget about the incredible views that this laidback town is blessed with too. From virtually any spot in La Fortuna, you can see Arenal Volcano standing guard over the area.
7 ways to get from San Jose to La Fortuna
There are 7 ways to travel the distance of 160 kilometers (99 miles) from San Jose to La Fortuna by Direct bus (3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours), minivan (2 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes), private Transfer (2 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours), flight (1 hour 50 minutes), Indirect bus (5 hours 10 minutes), Day Trip (14 hours) and Car Rental (3 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 1 hour 50 minutes to 14 hours and the quickest way is by flight. The lowest priced tickets start from 2,070 CRC ($4) for the direct bus.Where to stay in La Fortuna?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in La Fortuna.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Direct Bus
The direct bus is the cheapest option for the San Jose to La Fortuna route, but unlike the minivan, you’ll need to travel to and from the bus terminals. Ticket prices start from only 2,070 CRC ($4) and travel time is around 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, sometimes longer depending on traffic.
Operated by Autotransportes San Jose San Carlos, there is only one direct bus available daily and it departs every morning at 08:40. Note that it is not airconditioned, and the heat can be uncomfortable.
Departure and arrival station
The bus departs from Terminal 7-10 in San Jose city centre. Upon arrival at the bus station, be aware of scammers. They may tell you the bus has already left and will offer expensive taxi rides. Simply continue looking for the bus or head to the ticket counter.
You will be dropped off at La Fortuna Bus Station, within walking distance from most accommodations in La Fortuna.
Local transport options, including the bus station in San Jose, can attract thieves, so keep your belongings in sight. Don’t board the bus until your bigger bags are inside the luggage compartment, and be sure to get your luggage ticket. It’s best to keep smaller bags, containing your valuables, in front of you or between your feet, instead of in overhead storage.
Direct bus schedule from San Jose to La Fortuna
You can only buy tickets at the bus terminal. Online reservations are not available. Keep in mind that this route is popular not just with tourists, but also among locals, so it can get busy. We recommend arriving 30 minutes to 1 hour before departure to secure tickets.
On weekends or during the busy season, the bus can be too full, so some passengers have no choice but to stand. If you’re among the standing passengers, we recommend you take an indirect bus instead.
Bus personnel might tell you that you’ll be able to sit after a while. But in reality, there’s a high chance you won’t get to sit at all during the 4-hour journey.
Alternative: Direct Bus from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna
When coming from Juan Santamaria International Airport, you don’t have to go all the way to San Jose city centre to take the bus. There is also one direct bus departing for La Fortuna from La Radial Bus Station, which is less than 2 km from the airport.
The thing is, this direct bus departs at 06:50 in the morning. That means you can only take it if you arrive very early at San Jose Airport, or if you spend the night in the area.
A bus ticket from La Radial to La Fortuna costs 2,070 CRC ($4). The bus journey takes around 3.5 hours.
If you arrive at the airport later in the day — but still before lunch — you can still take the bus from La Radial, but only up to Ciudad Quesada. From here, you can take another bus to La Fortuna. Check out the next section by indirect bus for more details.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Indirect Bus
The indirect bus via Ciudad Quesada is a good alternative if you don’t like to plan and would rather just show up at the bus terminal. You will have to take two buses, but it comes with the advantage that buses depart more frequently. This option is slightly more expensive than a direct bus, costing around 3,620 CRC ($7).
When taking the indirect route from San Jose to La Fortuna, you will first take a bus from San Jose to Ciudad Quesada and then another bus from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna. Total travel time is about 5 hours 10 minutes.
Step 1: San Jose to Ciudad Quesada by Bus
Ciudad Quesada is a district located 95 km northwest of San Jose.
The buses bound for Ciudad Quesada also depart from Terminal 7-10. These buses are available from 05:00 until 18:00 every 40 minutes.
There is no need to buy a ticket beforehand. You can buy them from the driver for 2,170 CRC ($4.20). Travel time from San Jose to Ciudad Quesada is around 3h 40m, but the ride can take longer depending on the traffic.
Upon arriving at Ciudad Quesada Bus Terminal, you can directly transfer to another bus heading to La Fortuna.
Step 2: Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna by Bus
For the second part of this journey, you can choose between two bus routes from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna:
- via El Tanque to the north (a bit faster)
- via Chachagua to the south (more scenic)
Both routes cost the same and take a similar amount of time.
Travel time from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna takes around 1h 30m. Take the next departing bus if you can’t decide which route to take.
Buses are available from 04:00 to 21:30. A ticket costs 1,450 CRC ($2.80) and you can buy them from the bus driver.
All buses park at La Fortuna Terminal, situated in the town centre.
Alternative: Indirect Bus from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna
You can also take an indirect bus from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna. It’s basically the same process, you’ll just have to take the bus from La Radial Bus Terminal, instead of Terminal 7-10 in San Jose centre.
Here’s how your journey will go:
- From San Jose Airport, take a 10-minute taxi to La Radial Bus Terminal. This should cost around 2,580 CRC ($5).
- At La Radial, take a bus to Ciudad Quesada. These buses depart at 08:05, 09:05, 10:05, 11:05 and 18:05. Buses from San Jose city centre also stop here, so you should be able to catch a bus every hour. A ticket costs around 1,550 CRC ($3).
- From Ciudad Quesada, transfer to a bus going to La Fortuna. These buses are available from 05:00 to 19:30 and a ticket costs 1,550 CRC ($3).
Combined travel time by indirect bus from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna is around 20 minutes.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Car Rental
Driving from San Jose to La Fortuna is also possible. The roads between the two cities are paved and easy to drive, even for tourists. Still, it’s best to drive only when you plan to arrive in La Fortuna before 17:00.
We don’t recommend driving this route at night. It gets dark pretty early in this region. And there are a lot of twists and turns in some areas, which might not be safe if you’re not familiar with the roads. Also, there are plenty of trucks taking these roads at night!
Why rent a car from San Jose to La Fortuna
We recommend renting a car when coming back to San Jose after visiting La Fortuna. Car rental prices are cheaper that way — about 1/4 the price compared to when you’re dropping off the car in La Fortuna.
If you’re travelling in a group, your rental car can also come in handy when exploring La Fortuna. The town centre is just a few blocks of accommodation and restaurants, but its highlights are far apart.
You’ll need a car (or a motorbike) to travel between Arenal Volcano, Chato Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, El Salto rope swing, and the town’s other attractions.
There are taxis in town, but they can be expensive, even for short distances. Buses are also available, but don’t depart frequently. So having your own car can definitely help you do more and go to more places!
Where to rent a car in San Jose
There are plenty of car rental shops in Costa Rica’s capital city or at San Jose Airport. You should be able to rent a car whether you plan to return to San Jose or not. Just expect additional costs if you drop off the vehicle in another city, like La Fortuna.
You can ask your hotel for recommendations on where to rent a car, or you can just find one online.
We normally recommend checking Skyscanner for the best car rental prices (and flights), but occasionally you might find even better prices on Kayak. Both are reliable search engines which make it easy to search for the cheapest car deals and apply relevant filters.
One-day car rental costs around 13,000 CRC ($25) per day when returning the car to San Jose. If you’re dropping off the car in La Fortuna or elsewhere in Costa Rica, rental prices are significantly more expensive, starting at 59,000 CRC ($115) on the first day.
Check Car Rentals on Skyscanner
Driving directions from San Jose to La Fortuna
There are two routes you can take when driving from San Jose to La Fortuna: via San Ramon and via Ciudad Quesada. San Ramon is the most direct, and usually the route recommended when you use Waze or Google Maps.
From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway (Carretera Interamericana) going to Puntarenas. Exit at San Ramon. Drive through the town and continue to Route 702. In case your Waze stops working, don’t worry. There are plenty of road signs pointing the right way to La Fortuna.
Prepare for winding roads (and amazing landscapes) as you enter Route 702. These roads are still paved, but we recommend driving a bit slower for safety.
The entire drive to La Fortuna from San Jose takes about 3 hours 30 minutes unless you decide to make a stop along the way — something you are free to do when renting your own car!
San Jose to La Fortuna by Minivan
Taking a minivan shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna is the most popular option and is the best way to travel this route.
With a shuttle, you get an airconditioned ride with free hotel pick-up/drop-off. The journey takes between 2 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 30 minutes and minivan rates start from 24,000 CRC ($46).
Coming from the airport? You can even book a shuttle that picks you up from San Jose Airport. When you arrive, the driver will be waiting at the arrival hall holding a sign with your name. This way, you won’t need to spend an extra night in the city of San Jose and also save yourself taxi costs.
Below, we give an overview of some of the most trusted companies operating minivan shuttles from San Jose to La Fortuna.
Shared minivan schedule from San Jose to La Fortuna
These minivan operators get good reviews on BookAway, but note that some of them require a minimum of 2-3 passengers onboard before leaving.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Flight
You can also take a flight from San Jose to La Fortuna, but we don’t recommend it. When you include the airport transfers and the waiting time at the airport, you don’t get to save time or money with this option.
A flight to La Fortuna from San Jose takes around 1 hour 50 minutes. Combined fares start from 70,000 CRC ($135).
Still want to take a flight? Read on for a step-by-step guide.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: San Jose City Centre to San Jose Airport by Bus or Taxi
San Jose Airport, also called Juan Santamaria International Airport, is 15 km northwest of San Jose city centre. You can get there in 2 ways: a 1-hour bus or a 30-minute taxi.
On a budget? A bus ride costs only 1,030 CRC ($2). Buses are available at TUASA Terminal every 10 minutes from 04:00 to 23:00. Look for either of these two bus companies: TUASA (coloured red and white) and Station Wagon (coloured orange and yellow).
A taxi ride is more expensive with rates from 16,000 CRC ($31), but also more convenient because you don’t need to go to the bus terminal. You can just hail a taxi from the street or through the ride-hailing app Uber.
PRO TIP: While Uber is widely used in Costa Rica, it is still not entirely legal. There have been rare cases of Uber rides being stopped in the middle of the journey, not something you’d like to risk when in a hurry to make it to your flight. It’s best to confirm with your hotel whether it’s safe to use Uber before booking a ride.
Step 2: San Jose to La Fortuna by Flight
Sansa Airlines operates flights from San Jose to La Fortuna, but not every day. Check Skyscanner beforehand to see if a flight is available on your desired date.
Airfares start from 61,000 CRC ($120) and flight time is around 30 minutes.
Step 3: La Fortuna Airport to La Fortuna City Centre
All flights arrive at Arenal Airport, about 8 km east of La Fortuna centre. The best way to get to your hotel would be to take a taxi.
Expect to pay around 7,800 CRC ($15) and the taxi ride takes around 20 minutes.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Private Transfer
A private transfer is often more convenient if you’re travelling in a group from San Jose to La Fortuna. There’s no need to pick up other guests and the driver will bring you straight from your hotel or San Jose Airport to your accommodation in La Fortuna. Also, a private minivan is cheaper than a shared minivan if you travel with four or more people.
Private minivans for 4 people usually cost 87,000 CRC ($170) — that’s just around 22,000 CRC ($42) per person if you divide the cost.
You can book a taxi through your hotel, but you can get more spacious cars and trusted drivers by booking through BookAway.
Private Transfer options from San Jose to La Fortuna
San Jose to La Fortuna by Day Trip
Short on time? You can also visit La Fortuna via a day trip from San Jose. This group tour takes around 14 hours, including roundtrip transfers. We don’t think that’s enough time to fully explore La Fortuna, to be honest, but good enough if you really don’t have more time to spare.
We recommend booking your day trip with GetYourGuide, which will allow you to enjoy the best of La Fortuna: La Paz and San Fernando Waterfalls, hot springs on the base of Arenal Volcano, zip lining, wildlife sighting, and authentic Costa Rican lunch and dinner, among others.
Prices for a day trip from San Jose to La Fortuna start from 92,000 CRC ($180) per person.
Frequently Asked Questions about San Jose to La Fortuna
What to expect when visiting La Fortuna?
Located northwest of the capital San Jose, La Fortuna is a quiet little town in Alajuela Province. Its name translates to” The Fortune”, referring to its fertile lands and abundant natural wonders.
La Fortuna is also the gateway to the famous Arenal Volcano National Park. You can find here 2 volcanoes – the still-very-active Arenal and the dormant Chato – as well as the 70-metre-high La Fortuna Waterfalls.
Both are tucked in lush jungle, making it an adventure to reach the falls while keeping an eye out for the wildlife. The park is home to an abundant amount of birds and if you’re lucky, you might even be able to spot a few sloths and toucans in La Fortuna’s rainforest.
What are the top things to do in La Fortuna?
There are so many different activities to do in La Fortuna. You can go white-water rafting, go off-road with an ATV tour, climb a volcano or two, relax at Tabacon Hot Springs, go zip lining or become a kid again and visit one of the best waterparks in Costa Rica. If you love adventure,
Make sure to have a look at our blog post with the top 17 things to do in La Fortuna. It’s truly amazing how much La Fortuna has to offer.
How is the nightlife in La Fortuna?
La Fortuna is a small town in Costa Rica and is mainly known for its famous vulcano and national park. Therefore, don’t expect the same vibrant nightlife you’ll find in other Costa Rican destinations like Santa Teresa or Tamerindo.
Most of the bars in La Fortuna have a more laid-back culture. You can enjoy your food while listening to live music and mingle with other travellers and locals. If you want to dance till late in the night, you can visit Volcan Look Discotheque, which is about a 5km ride from La Fortuna centre. It’s one of Costa Rica’s larger clubs and is open from Thusrday to Saturday.
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from San Jose to La Fortuna. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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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.
