Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle to The Springs Resort & Spa from SJO and Liberia Airports
The Springs Resort & Spa is reached by leaving Route 142 about 9 km west of La Fortuna and heading north on the hotel's road. We take you there privately from SJO or Liberia airport, and although it is one of the farther hotels, it is charged at the standard La Fortuna fare: $220 from SJO.
Location
Where The Springs Resort & Spa is
- Directions
- “9 km west and 3.5 km north of La Fortuna centre”, according to the hotel
- Access
- turn-off from Route 142, then the hotel's own road north
- Other figure
- arenal.net counts the entrance at 9 km plus about 6 km inside (about 15 km)
- Not to confuse with
- Arenal Springs Resort, a different hotel on Route 142
The hotel gives its own directions as 9 km west and 3.5 km north of La Fortuna centre, roughly 12.5 km in total; the arenal.net guide counts the entrance at 9 km and about 6 km more inside, closer to 15. Either way, the last part is the hotel's access road rather than the main road. TripAdvisor places it in its five-star class and Travel Weekly in its Deluxe class.
Two practical points. First, the name: The Springs Resort & Spa and Arenal Springs Resort are two different hotels, a few kilometres apart, so check which one is on your reservation. Second, the price: The Springs is charged at the La Fortuna fare, with no surcharge.
From the airports
Getting to The Springs Resort & Spa from SJO and Liberia
From SJO airport (San José)
The drive from SJO follows Route 1 out of the Central Valley and then Route 702 or Route 141 over the mountains, approx. 3 h to the La Fortuna zone in our fare table. From town we continue west on Route 142 and turn north onto the hotel's road for the last few kilometres. On a VIP day we use the Vara Blanca road for La Paz waterfall and the Cinchona lookout.
From Liberia airport (LIR)
From Liberia we come around Lake Arenal on the north shore and descend on Route 142, meeting the hotel's turn-off before reaching La Fortuna. The drive is approx. 2 h 45 min in our fare table. VIP stops on this side are the lake viewpoints, a lookout above the water and Café y Macadamia.
Road conditions, VIP stops and airport logistics for each leg:
Fares
Prices to and from The Springs 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 ↔ The Springs Resort & Spa | $220 | $275 | $360 | approx. 3 h |
| Liberia Airport (LIR) ↔ The Springs Resort & Spa | $225 | $280 | $365 | approx. 2 h 45 min |
Onward trips from The Springs Resort & Spa
| Route | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monteverde ↔ The Springs Resort & Spa | $255 | $300 | $385 | approx. 3 h 15 min |
| Manuel Antonio ↔ The Springs Resort & Spa | $330 | $375 | $460 | approx. 5 h |
| Tamarindo ↔ The Springs Resort & Spa | $315 | $360 | $445 | approx. 4 h |
| Jacó ↔ The Springs Resort & Spa | $260 | $305 | $390 | approx. 3 h 45 min |
| Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) ↔ The Springs Resort & Spa | $390 | $435 | $520 | approx. 5 h 15 min |
| Papagayo Peninsula ↔ The Springs Resort & Spa | $285 | $330 | $415 | approx. 3 h 15 min |
- The Springs 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 The Springs Resort & Spa
- Double-check the hotel name before you book: “The Springs Resort & Spa”, not “Arenal Springs Resort”.
- Allow a few extra minutes beyond the La Fortuna time for the hotel's own access road.
- Heading to the Pacific next? From The Springs it is $260 to Jacó and $330 to Manuel Antonio for up to five passengers.
Questions
Questions about transfers to The Springs Resort & Spa
How much is a private shuttle from SJO or Liberia airport to The Springs 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.
Why is The Springs at the La Fortuna fare if it is 12–15 km out?
The Springs Resort & Spa is charged exactly like La Fortuna, $220 from SJO and $225 from Liberia for up to five passengers. Surcharges only apply to hotels on the far side of the volcano, at the dam and beyond El Castillo.
Is The Springs the same as Arenal Springs Resort?
No. They are two different hotels. Arenal Springs Resort is on Route 142 about 7 km west of La Fortuna; The Springs Resort & Spa is reached by a road heading north from Route 142, about 9 km out.
How long is the transfer from SJO to The Springs?
Our fare table gives approx. 3 h of driving from SJO to the La Fortuna zone; add the last stretch along the hotel's own road. Rain, fog or traffic on Route 1 can add time.
Can we book a round trip, SJO to The Springs and back?
Yes. Add both legs in the calculator: each costs $220 for up to five passengers ($275 in the Hiace, $360 in the Maxus). For the return we set the pickup time around your flight.
Can you collect us at The Springs for a flight from Liberia?
Yes: $225 for up to five passengers. The first part of that trip is the road along Lake Arenal, the slowest section, so we build a margin into the pickup time, especially in the rainy season.
How do I book a transfer to The Springs Resort & Spa?
To book online, type “The Springs 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 The Springs Resort & Spa
Other hotels nearby
Book your private shuttle to The Springs Resort & Spa
Pay online and get your voucher by email, or book with us on WhatsApp.