Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle to Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa from SJO and Liberia Airports
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa lies at the base of Arenal on Route 142, the road from La Fortuna to the lake, 11 to 13 km from town depending on the source. We drive you there from SJO or Liberia airport in a private vehicle, door to door, from $220 per vehicle.
Location
Where Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is
- Location
- at the base of the volcano, on Route 142 toward Lake Arenal
- Distance
- 11 km from the La Fortuna church (ICT tourism portal); 13 km (Michelin, Travel Weekly)
- Recognition
- Small Luxury Hotels of the World member; selected in the Michelin Guide
- Our link
- our founder worked at Tabacón's front desk and concierge
Tabacón is a thermal resort at the foot of the volcano. It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and is selected in the Michelin Guide, and the Costa Rica Tourism Board's portal describes it as a five-star hotel. Published distances differ: the ICT portal says 11 km north of the La Fortuna church toward Lake Arenal; Michelin and Travel Weekly say 13 km.
Tabacón is also part of our own story. Before founding Tropical Experts in 2023, Johnson Paniagua spent years in five-star hotels in La Fortuna, Tabacón among them, working at reception and as a concierge. Arriving guests, check-in times and the questions people ask on day one are familiar ground for us. Despite the distance from town, Tabacón is in our La Fortuna fare zone.
From the airports
Getting to Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa from SJO and Liberia
From SJO airport (San José)
From SJO you cross the Central Valley on Route 1 and the mountains on Route 702 or Route 141, reaching La Fortuna in approx. 3 h of driving according to our fare table. Tabacón is then 11–13 km further on, following Route 142 west from town toward the lake. With VIP, the day includes La Paz waterfall and the Cinchona lookout on the Vara Blanca road.
From Liberia airport (LIR)
From Liberia the fastest way in is along the north shore of Lake Arenal, which joins Route 142 on the western side of the volcano. Tabacón sits on that stretch, so from LIR you reach the resort before you get anywhere near La Fortuna town. Our fare table gives approx. 2 h 45 min of driving to the La Fortuna zone.
Road conditions, VIP stops and airport logistics for each leg:
Fares
Prices to and from Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Per vehicle, not per person. US dollars, taxes included, same fare in both directions.
| Route | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SJO Airport ↔ Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa | $220 | $275 | $360 | approx. 3 h |
| Liberia Airport (LIR) ↔ Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa | $225 | $280 | $365 | approx. 2 h 45 min |
Onward trips from Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
| Route | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monteverde ↔ Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa | $255 | $300 | $385 | approx. 3 h 15 min |
| Manuel Antonio ↔ Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa | $330 | $375 | $460 | approx. 5 h |
| Tamarindo ↔ Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa | $315 | $360 | $445 | approx. 4 h |
| Jacó ↔ Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa | $260 | $305 | $390 | approx. 3 h 45 min |
| Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) ↔ Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa | $390 | $435 | $520 | approx. 5 h 15 min |
| Papagayo Peninsula ↔ Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa | $285 | $330 | $415 | approx. 3 h 15 min |
- Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is in the La Fortuna fare zone, so there is no surcharge.
- VIP: +$80 per vehicle. Extra hours of stops: $35 each, up to 4.
Before you go
Practical notes for Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
- Pack a separate bag for wet swimsuits the night before you leave; after a hot-springs resort it saves digging through luggage at the airport.
- Tabacón is on the road toward the lake, and that road is where the Liberia route comes in: if you have a choice of airports, LIR gets you there without crossing town.
- From Tabacón it is $255 to Monteverde and $390 to Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean for up to five passengers, collected at the door.
Questions
Questions about transfers to Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
How much is a private shuttle from SJO or Liberia airport to Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa?
From SJO: $220 (Staria, 1–5 passengers), $275 (Hiace, 6–9) or $360 (Maxus, 10–12). From Liberia: $225, $280 or $365. Per vehicle, taxes included; the return costs the same.
How far is Tabacón from La Fortuna?
Between 11 and 13 km, depending on the source: the ICT tourism portal says 11 km from the La Fortuna church; Michelin and Travel Weekly say 13 km. It is on Route 142, the road from La Fortuna to Lake Arenal.
Is Tabacón at the La Fortuna fare or does it cost more?
It is at the La Fortuna fare: $220 from SJO and $225 from Liberia for up to five passengers, taxes included. The surcharged hotels are the ones on the far side of the volcano, such as the Arenal Observatory Lodge and El Castillo.
Do you know Tabacón well?
Yes. Our founder worked at Tabacón's reception and concierge desk before starting Tropical Experts, and the resort is on the main road between La Fortuna, where we are based, and the lake.
We arrive at SJO late in the evening. Should we still go straight to Tabacón?
You can: we run transfers 24/7. After dark the mountain section is unlit and can be foggy, so the approx. 3 h drive may take a little longer, but you won't be the one driving. We track your flight and adjust the pickup if it lands late.
Can you take us from Tabacón to Monteverde afterwards?
Yes: $255 for up to five passengers, $300 in the Hiace and $385 in the Maxus, collected at the resort. The driving time is in the table above; with VIP you can add stops on the way.
How do I book a transfer to Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa?
To book online, type “Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa” in the calculator (it appears under La Fortuna · Arenal), then choose your date and vehicle. You pay by card through Tilopay, and you can cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before pickup.
Around Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Other hotels nearby
Book your private shuttle to Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Pay online and get your voucher by email, or book with us on WhatsApp.