Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from Bajos del Toro to La Fortuna
Leaving the cloud forest of Bajos del Toro for Arenal? We collect you at your lodge in the valley and drive you down to the San Carlos plains and on to your hotel in La Fortuna. One closed price for the whole vehicle, taxes included.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from Bajos del Toro to La Fortuna
A private transfer means the vehicle is reserved for your group alone. We collect you at your accommodation in Bajos del Toro at the time you choose and drive straight to the door of your hotel in La Fortuna, with stops only when you ask for them.
What you see is what you pay, per vehicle: fuel, tolls, taxes, insurance, water, WiFi and child seats are all in the price. Standard is the direct trip; VIP adds $80 per vehicle and turns the drive into a day with stops.
Leaving Bajos del Toro
From Bajos del Toro to La Fortuna: the logistics
Bajos del Toro is a small farming village in a deep, misty valley on the edge of the Juan Castro Blanco and Poás highlands, a world away from the busy towns. It is known above all for its waterfalls: Catarata del Toro, which drops into the crater of an old volcano, and the Blue Falls nearby, a set of turquoise cascades reached on foot.
We collect you at your lodge in the valley. Some properties sit at the end of steep or gravel driveways; every vehicle we use can reach them, but it helps to have the bags ready at reception at the agreed time.
Your driver takes you to the door of your hotel, whether it is in town, on the road to the volcano or out towards El Castillo. If you arrive in the afternoon, the evening is a good moment for the hot springs; the volcano is usually clearest early the next morning.
We confirm the pickup time with you when you book. With approximately 2 h 30 min of driving, a pickup after breakfast in Bajos del Toro gets you to La Fortuna for lunch or the early afternoon.
Before you go
Before you leave Bajos del Toro
Hike early
The waterfalls are clearest in the morning; plan the last hike before a midday pickup.
Layers on
The valley is cold in the morning; you can peel off layers as you drive down to the warm lowlands.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Distance
- about 85 km between the town centres (our measurement, approx.)
- Driving time
- approx. 2 h 30 min without stops (our fare table)
- Main roads
- Route 708 down from Bajos del Toro, Route 140 and Route 4, then Route 142 west
- First stretch
- Route 708 down the valley towards the lowlands
From the valley the van follows Route 708 down through farms and forest towards the lowlands. The first stretch is narrow and slow, then the road opens up towards Aguas Zarcas and the San Carlos plains.
Once the road reaches the San Carlos plains it straightens out and runs west through pasture and sugarcane to La Fortuna. On a clear afternoon the cone of Arenal shows up ahead well before you reach town.
Along the way
What you'll see between Bajos del Toro and La Fortuna
Keep the camera within reach. On the way from Bajos del Toro to La Fortuna you will see:
Trout farms and dairy pastures
Small trout ponds and dairy farms line the valley road, a reminder that this is working countryside.
Rivers and gorges
The road follows and crosses fast mountain rivers; after rain you will see waterfalls running down the road cuts.
Cloud on the slopes
Above about 1,000 m the vegetation turns to wet mountain forest, with tree ferns at the roadside and frequent mist.
Tropical Experts VIP
VIP stops on this route
Tropical Experts VIP adds $80 per vehicle and gives you one to two hours of stops, a bilingual driver acting as guide, a welcome kit (local beers, soft drinks and Costa Rican snacks) and sparkling water. We offer VIP stops on every route; on this drive these are the ones we suggest:
Catarata del Toro viewpoint
On arrival or departure day, an hour at the Catarata del Toro viewpoint and trails (entrance fee paid on site).
If one or two hours are not enough, add extra hours at $35 each (maximum 4). Without VIP, the driver still stops for restrooms or a snack when you ask.
Before you travel
Road conditions and 2026 roadworks
On this route the weather matters more than the traffic. In the wettest months, September and October around La Fortuna, allow extra time; the driver adapts the speed to the visibility.
And if a road closure or extreme weather makes the transfer impossible, our terms let you choose: a new date or your money back in full.
From the road
Driver's tips for this route
- If you hike to the falls on the morning of departure, schedule the pickup for after lunch.
- Pack muddy shoes in a separate bag before the pickup.
- Pack the warm clothes at the top of the bag: you will be taking them off once you reach the lowlands.
- Keep water, sunscreen and a light jacket in your hand luggage, not in the boot: the weather changes on the way.
Fares
Prices for this route
Per vehicle, in US dollars, taxes included.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Large bags | Standard | VIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hyundai Staria1–5 passengers |
1–5 | 5 | $195 | $275 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $250 | $330 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $335 | $415 |
Extra hour of stops: $35, up to 4. Hotels with a surcharge are listed below.
Google reviews
What travellers say
Short excerpts from real Google reviews of Tropical Experts Costa Rica.
“We had a great experience… our driver John… very professional, friendly, and drove safely… shared so much interesting information about Costa Rica… Highly recommended!”
Read all our reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: Bajos del Toro → La Fortuna
How long is the drive from Bajos del Toro to La Fortuna?
Approximately 2 h 30 min of driving according to our fare table, for about 85 km. Stops, rain and traffic come on top of that; with VIP, add the one to two hours of sightseeing stops.
How much is a private shuttle from Bajos del Toro to La Fortuna?
$195 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $250 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $335 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Is the mountain road safe in the rainy season?
Yes, driven calmly. The roads are paved but narrow and foggy at times, so the driver adjusts the speed and we leave margin in the schedule. If a landslide closes the road, we look for the alternative or reschedule with you.
Can you take us to the Catarata del Toro entrance instead of a hotel?
Yes. Give us the address you prefer, the waterfall entrance or your lodge. Entrance fees to the waterfalls are paid on site and are not part of the transfer.
Are the roads to the lodges gravel?
Some driveways are. The main access, Route 708, is paved but narrow and steep. All our vehicles enter gravel roads, so the lodge's location is not a problem.
Can we hike the Blue Falls before the pickup?
Yes, if you start early. Tell us roughly when you will be back at your lodge and we set the pickup accordingly.
Every private transfer
What's included
- Pickup at your door at the time agreed when you book
- A private vehicle for your group only, door to door
- Professional driver and full-cover insurance
- Fuel, tolls and taxes (VAT) — nothing to pay the driver
- Child seats at no cost, on request
- Free cancellation up to 48 h before pickup
Drop-off and pickup
Hotels we pick up from in Bajos del Toro
These are some of the hotels in Bajos del Toro that our calculator already lists. We go to any address in the area: if yours is not here, write it in the booking.
- El Silencio Lodge & Spa
Pick-up and drop-off
Hotels we drive to in La Fortuna
Any hotel in the La Fortuna area, door to door. A few examples, plus every hotel with a surcharge:
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