Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from JW Marriott Guanacaste to La Fortuna
Leaving the JW Marriott Guanacaste for the volcano? We collect you at the resort's lobby and drive you via Liberia and around Lake Arenal to the door of your hotel in La Fortuna. Taxes and tolls are part of the fare, which is per vehicle.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from JW Marriott Guanacaste to La Fortuna
This is a door-to-door service. Your driver meets you at your hotel, rental or house in JW Marriott Guanacaste, your group travels on its own in a vehicle reserved for you, and we drop you at the entrance of your hotel in La Fortuna.
There are no extras to discover later: the per-vehicle fare already includes taxes, tolls, fuel, insurance, water, WiFi and child seats. Pick Standard for a direct trip, or upgrade to VIP (+$80) to stop along the way.
Leaving JW Marriott Guanacaste
From JW Marriott Guanacaste to La Fortuna: the logistics
The JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa is a large beachfront resort inside Hacienda Pinilla, on the coast south of Tamarindo. Its buildings face the Pacific across a wide lawn and a long infinity pool, with the resort's restaurants, spa and access to the golf course of the surrounding community.
We collect you at the main lobby of the JW Marriott. Large resorts can have long check-out queues in the morning; settling the bill the night before saves time. The bell staff can bring the luggage to the vehicle.
In La Fortuna we drop you at reception. Most hotels sit along Route 142 between the town and the volcano, a few minutes apart. Arenal often hides in cloud during the afternoon, so do not worry if you cannot see it on arrival.
We confirm the pickup time with you when you book. With approximately 4 h of driving, many travellers leave JW Marriott Guanacaste after breakfast so they reach La Fortuna with time to spare.
Before you go
Before you leave JW Marriott Guanacaste
Bell desk
Ask the bell desk to bring the luggage to the lobby a few minutes before the pickup.
Bill the night before
Settle the resort bill the evening before to skip the check-out queue.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Distance
- about 210 km between the town centres (our measurement, approx.)
- Driving time
- approx. 4 h without stops (our fare table)
- Main roads
- Local roads to Huacas, Route 21 and Route 1 to Cañas, then Route 142 around Lake Arenal
- First stretch
- From the resort to the Hacienda Pinilla gate, then north to Villarreal
From the lobby the van follows the internal road to the Hacienda Pinilla gate and heads north through Villarreal to the Huacas area and Route 21.
From the Tamarindo coast the van takes local roads inland to Huacas and then Route 21 across the plains of Guanacaste to Liberia, turning south there on the Inter-American Highway to Cañas.
Along the way
What you'll see between JW Marriott Guanacaste and La Fortuna
Some of what you will pass on the way to La Fortuna:
Hacienda Pinilla
The private community around the resort, with golf, dry forest and quiet beaches.
Tilarán's turbines
The wind farms on the ridges above the lake, one of the reasons Costa Rica produces most of its electricity from renewable sources.
Lake Arenal
A long stretch along the north shore of the largest lake in the country, with views to the volcano on clear days.
Tropical Experts VIP
VIP stops on this route
Our VIP upgrade (+$80 per vehicle) turns the transfer into a short tour: one to two hours of stops chosen with you, a bilingual driver-guide, a welcome kit and sparkling water on board. It is available on any route in the country. Ideas for this one:
Lake Arenal views
Short stops along the north shore of the lake when the clouds lift and the volcano shows across the water.
Café y Macadamia
A restaurant with a view over Lake Arenal, good for a coffee or a late breakfast.
Wildlife stops
When coatis, monkeys or birds appear by the lake road, we pull over so you can see them.
Need more than two hours? Add up to 4 extra hours at $35 each when you book. On Standard the driver goes straight there and stops for the restroom whenever you ask.
Before you travel
Road conditions and 2026 roadworks
When that section is shut, we switch to the inland road through Guatuso, the Tenorio Volcano area and Bijagua, which meets the Inter-American Highway further north; it adds time, and we warn you before you leave. Beyond the lake the highway is wide and easy. Guanacaste's dry months, roughly December to April, bring heat and dust; the rest of the year the plains turn green.
If we cannot run the transfer because of a road closure or extreme weather, you choose between a new date and a full refund.
From the road
Driver's tips for this route
- Settle the resort bill the night before to skip the morning queue.
- Ask the bell staff to bring the luggage to the lobby a few minutes before the pickup time.
- Rinse the sand off the boards and pack them the night before; it makes for a quicker pickup.
- If you get carsick, take the front seat or the first row and look ahead on the curves.
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 | $315 | $395 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $360 | $440 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $445 | $525 |
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.
“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.”
Read all our reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: JW Marriott Guanacaste → La Fortuna
How long is the drive from JW Marriott Guanacaste to La Fortuna?
Approximately 4 h of driving according to our fare table, for about 210 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 JW Marriott Guanacaste to La Fortuna?
$315 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $360 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $445 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Do you take the lake road or the inland road?
Normally the lake road, Route 142 via Nuevo Arenal and Tilarán. If it is closed by a landslide, we use the inland alternative via Guatuso, the Tenorio Volcano area and Bijagua to Route 1, which takes longer.
Is the fare the same as to Tamarindo?
Yes. From La Fortuna, the JW Marriott Guanacaste, Hacienda Pinilla, Tamarindo and Avellanas share the same fare in our fare table.
Can you carry golf bags?
Yes. Tell us how many golf bags and suitcases when you book and we send a vehicle with enough room.
How do payment and cancellation work?
You pay online by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on Tilopay's secure page; SINPE Móvil or a bank transfer can be arranged on WhatsApp. Cancel up to 48 hours before pickup for a full refund. Within 48 hours there is no refund, except for a flight cancellation documented by the airline.
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
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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