Licensed by the Costa Rica Tourism Board · ICT 3946-2025
Private Shuttle to La Fortuna (Arenal)
Door-to-door private shuttles to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano from SJO and Liberia airports and from 47 towns and beaches across Costa Rica. One flat price for the whole vehicle, from $180, with taxes, tolls, WiFi and child seats included. Tropical Experts is based in La Fortuna, so this is our home town.
- From Liberia $225
- From SJO $220
- Per vehicle, not per person
- Free cancellation up to 48 h before
Prices
Prices to La Fortuna from every starting point
49 starting points, one flat price per vehicle in US dollars, taxes and tolls included. Tap a route for the full details, or tap Book to open it in our booking form.
Airports
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberia Airport (LIR) | $225 | $280 | $365 | 2 h 45 min | Book |
| SJO Airport (San José) | $220 | $275 | $360 | 3 h | Book |
Central Valley and the mountains
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bajos del Toro | $195 | $250 | $335 | 2 h 30 min | Book |
| La Paz Waterfall Gardens | $215 | $270 | $355 | 2 h 30 min | Book |
| Alajuela | $220 | $275 | $360 | 2 h 45 min | Book |
| San José centro | $250 | $295 | $380 | 3 h 15 min | Book |
Northern lowlands
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sarapiquí | $180 | $235 | $320 | 2 h 15 min | Book |
| Río Celeste | $185 | $240 | $325 | 1 h 30 min | Book |
| Los Chiles | $240 | $295 | $380 | 1 h 45 min | Book |
Caribbean
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tortuguero · La Pavona | $270 | $315 | $400 | 3 h 15 min | Book |
| Cahuita | $390 | $435 | $520 | 4 h 45 min | Book |
| Puerto Viejo | $390 | $435 | $520 | 5 h 15 min | Book |
Monteverde
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monteverde | $255 | $300 | $385 | 3 h 15 min | Book |
Guanacaste: Gulf of Papagayo and the north
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Río Perdido | $220 | $275 | $360 | 2 h 45 min | Book |
| Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste) | $280 | $325 | $410 | 3 h 15 min | Book |
| Playa Ocotal | $280 | $325 | $410 | 3 h 15 min | Book |
| Playas del Coco | $280 | $325 | $410 | 3 h 15 min | Book |
| RIU Guanacaste | $280 | $325 | $410 | 3 h 30 min | Book |
| Rincón de la Vieja | $280 | $325 | $410 | 3 h 15 min | Book |
| Papagayo | $285 | $330 | $415 | 3 h 15 min | Book |
| La Cruz · Costa Elena | $330 | $375 | $460 | 3 h 45 min | Book |
| Peñas Blancas | $330 | $375 | $460 | 4 h | Book |
Guanacaste: from Las Catalinas to Avellanas
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hacienda Pinilla | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
| JW Marriott Guanacaste | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
| Las Catalinas | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
| Playa Avellanas | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
| Playa Brasilito | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
| Playa Conchal | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
| Playa Flamingo | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
| Playa Grande | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
| Playa Potrero | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
| Tamarindo | $315 | $360 | $445 | 4 h | Book |
Nicoya Peninsula
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punta Islita | $370 | $415 | $500 | 5 h | Book |
| Sámara | $370 | $415 | $500 | 4 h 45 min | Book |
| Nosara | $390 | $435 | $520 | 5 h | Book |
| Malpaís | $400 | $445 | $530 | 6 h 30 min | Book |
| Montezuma | $400 | $445 | $530 | 6 h 45 min | Book |
| Santa Teresa | $400 | $445 | $530 | 6 h 30 min | Book |
Central Pacific
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puntarenas · Caldera | $205 | $260 | $345 | 3 h | Book |
| Herradura · Los Sueños | $260 | $305 | $390 | 3 h 45 min | Book |
| Jacó | $260 | $305 | $390 | 3 h 45 min | Book |
| Punta Leona | $260 | $305 | $390 | 3 h 45 min | Book |
| Esterillos | $305 | $350 | $435 | 4 h | Book |
| Manuel Antonio | $330 | $375 | $460 | 5 h | Book |
South Pacific and Osa
| From | Staria (1–5) | Hiace (6–9) | Maxus (10–12) | Driving time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominical | $400 | $445 | $530 | 5 h 45 min | Book |
| Uvita | $415 | $460 | $545 | 6 h | Book |
| Ojochal | $430 | $475 | $560 | 6 h 15 min | Book |
| Sierpe | $510 | $555 | $640 | 6 h 45 min | Book |
| Puerto Jiménez | $570 | $615 | $700 | 8 h 30 min | Book |
- Staria: up to 5 passengers and 5 large bags; Hiace: 6–9 and 9 bags; Maxus: 10–12 and 12 bags.
- Same price in both directions. VIP with sightseeing stops: +$80 per vehicle.
Reviews
What travelers say
Rated 5.0 on Google (111 reviews) and 5.0 on Tripadvisor (36 reviews).
“We had a great experience… our driver John… very professional, friendly, and drove safely… shared so much interesting information about Costa Rica… Highly recommended!”
“The van was on time, assisted us with our luggage… His English is extremely good… you will be taken care of to the highest regard.”
Getting there
SJO or Liberia: which airport for La Fortuna?
From Liberia (LIR, Guanacaste): about 2 h 45 min and $225 per vehicle. The road heads south to Cañas, climbs to Tilarán and follows the north shore of Lake Arenal into town.
From SJO (Juan Santamaría, San José): about 3 h and $220 per vehicle. The road crosses the mountains west of the Central Valley, either through San Ramón (Route 702) or through Zarcero (Route 141), and then comes down into the plains of San Carlos.
The difference on the road is 15 min and $5. Many travelers land at one airport and fly home from the other; we cover both legs.
The destination
About La Fortuna (Arenal)
La Fortuna is a small town in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica, at the foot of Arenal Volcano. It is the base for most of what visitors come to do in the Arenal area: the hot springs along Route 142, the La Fortuna Waterfall, the hanging bridges in the rainforest, Lake Arenal and the lava trails of Arenal Volcano National Park.
Hotels here are spread out. Some are in town, many line Route 142 between La Fortuna and the lake, and a few sit on the El Castillo side of the volcano, where the last stretch of road is gravel. When you book, give us the exact name of your hotel and we drop you at the door, not at a meeting point.
Hotels
Hotels we drive to in La Fortuna
We drive to every hotel in and around La Fortuna. These have their own page with the exact price from each airport:
- Amor Arenal
- Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa
- Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort
- Arenal Observatory Lodge
- Arenal Paraíso Resort & Spa
- Arenal Springs Resort & Spa
- Arenal Volcano Inn
- Baldi Hot Springs
- Casa Luna Hotel & Spa
- Chachagua Rainforest Hotel
- Chateau Arenal
- Hotel El Silencio del Campo
- Hotel Linda Vista (El Castillo)
- Hotel Lomas del Volcán
- Hotel Los Lagos
- Hotel Magic Mountain
- Hotel Montaña de Fuego
- Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
- Nayara Gardens
- Nayara Springs
- Nayara Tented Camp
- Paradise Hot Springs Resort
- Rancho Margot
- Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
- The Royal Corin
- The Springs Resort & Spa
- Volcano Lodge
Your next stop
Private shuttles from La Fortuna
Included
Every private shuttle to La Fortuna includes
- Driver waiting at arrivals with your name
- Flight tracking at no charge
- Child seats at no cost, on request
- Bottled water and free WiFi on board
- Taxes and tolls included
- Free cancellation up to 48 h before
FAQ
Private shuttle to La Fortuna: frequent questions
How much is a private shuttle to La Fortuna?
From Liberia airport it is $225 for up to 5 passengers, $280 for 6 to 9 and $365 for 10 to 12. From SJO airport it is $220 for up to 5 passengers, $275 for 6 to 9 and $360 for 10 to 12. The price is for the whole vehicle, not per person, and includes taxes and tolls. From other towns, see the table above.
Which airport is better for La Fortuna, SJO or Liberia?
SJO is about 3 h away ($220) and Liberia about 2 h 45 min ($225). Choose the airport with the better flights for you; if you land at one and leave from the other, we drive both legs.
How long is the drive from Liberia airport to La Fortuna?
About 2 h 45 min without stops. The road heads south to Cañas, climbs to Tilarán and follows the north shore of Lake Arenal into town. Rain, traffic and stops add time.
Which hotels around La Fortuna have a surcharge?
Hotels on the El Castillo side (such as Hotel Linda Vista and Chateau Arenal) and the Arenal Observatory Lodge add $20 per vehicle, because the last part of the road is longer and partly gravel. Lost Iguana (+$20) and Rancho Margot (+$40) are booked on WhatsApp. Most other hotels in and around La Fortuna have the La Fortuna price; if yours is outside town, ask us and we confirm the fare before you book.
Can we stop on the way to La Fortuna?
Yes. The standard transfer includes a short courtesy stop if you ask (restroom or a quick bite). With Tropical Experts VIP (+$80 per vehicle) your driver plans one to two hours of sightseeing stops on the way, and extra hours cost $35 each.
Is the price per person or per vehicle?
Per vehicle. Two or five passengers pay the same in the Hyundai Staria, so the more of you travel, the less each person pays.
Book your private shuttle to La Fortuna
Flight tracking, child seats, WiFi, water, taxes and tolls are included. Get the exact price for your date in seconds, or send us your plans on WhatsApp.