Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from La Fortuna to Bajos del Toro
Off to the waterfalls of Bajos del Toro? We pick you up at your hotel in La Fortuna and drive you up into the cloud-forest valley to your lodge or to the Catarata del Toro entrance. 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 La Fortuna to Bajos del Toro
Shared shuttles run to a timetable and stop at several hotels. With us the van is booked for your party only: you set the departure time from La Fortuna, the driver waits while you check out, and the drive to Bajos del Toro goes door to door.
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.
Your destination
Arriving in Bajos del Toro
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.
Accommodation is spread out along the valley, from simple cabins to El Silencio Lodge & Spa. Evenings are cool and quiet, with trout on the menu in the local restaurants. It is an easy place to spend one or two nights between Arenal and the Central Valley.
We confirm the pickup time with you when you book. With approximately 2 h 30 min of driving, even a late-morning departure from La Fortuna leaves most of the day free.
In Bajos del Toro
What to do in Bajos del Toro
Catarata del Toro
A tall waterfall dropping into an old volcanic crater, with a viewpoint and a steep trail down towards the base.
The Blue Falls
A set of turquoise cascades in the forest, reached on foot along rivers and stairways.
Trout and country cooking
Small restaurants in the valley serve fresh trout and traditional mountain dishes.
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 142 east, Route 4, Route 140, then Route 708 up to Bajos del Toro
- Last stretch
- Route 708, a narrow mountain road into the valley
This is a short trip on the map but a mountain trip in practice. From La Fortuna the van crosses the flat farmland of San Carlos towards the east and then turns south, climbing into the forested slopes of the Central Volcanic Range, where the air gets cooler with every curve.
The last part of the drive follows Route 708 up into the valley, a narrow and winding mountain road through pasture and cloud forest. The Catarata del Toro entrance and the lodges are along this road.
Along the way
What you'll see between La Fortuna and Bajos del Toro
Keep the camera within reach. On the way from La Fortuna to Bajos del Toro you will see:
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.
Rivers and gorges
The road follows and crosses fast mountain rivers; after rain you will see waterfalls running down the road cuts.
Catarata del Toro
The entrance to the waterfall, with a viewpoint above the old volcanic crater into which the falls plunge.
Trout farms and dairy pastures
Small trout ponds and dairy farms line the valley road, a reminder that this is working countryside.
Tropical Experts VIP
VIP stops on this route
If you would rather make a day of it, Tropical Experts VIP (+$80 per vehicle) includes one to two hours of sightseeing stops, a bilingual driver-guide, a welcome kit and sparkling water on board. Stops you can request on this route:
Catarata del Toro viewpoint
On arrival or departure day, an hour at the Catarata del Toro viewpoint and trails (entrance fee paid on site).
Want more time? Each extra hour is $35 (up to 4) and is added in the calculator. The Standard service goes direct, with a restroom stop if you need one.
Before you travel
Road conditions and 2026 roadworks
The mountain roads in this part of the country are paved but narrow, with tight bends, steep grades and little or no shoulder. Fog is common in the afternoon and in the rainy season, and landslides occasionally block one lane for a few hours.
Route 708 is paved but narrow and steep in places, with sharp bends and little room to pass; mist is common in the afternoon. Some lodge driveways are gravel. All our vehicles drive these roads regularly.
Should a closure or severe weather stop the transfer altogether, you can reschedule or get your money back in full, as our terms set out.
From the road
Driver's tips for this route
- Bring a warm layer: it can be 10 °C cooler at the destination than in La Fortuna.
- Bring a warm layer and a rain jacket: the valley is cool and wet for much of the year.
- The trails to the waterfalls have many steps; if you plan to hike, wear shoes with grip.
- Add your WhatsApp number when you book; it is the quickest way for the driver to reach you on the day.
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.
“Muy agradable el servicio, nos encantó.”
Read all our reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: La Fortuna → Bajos del Toro
How long is the drive from La Fortuna to Bajos del Toro?
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 La Fortuna to Bajos del Toro?
$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.
Is Bajos del Toro a good stop between Arenal and San José?
Yes. Many travellers spend a night here between the two. We can book La Fortuna to Bajos del Toro now and the next leg separately.
Pick-up and drop-off
Hotels we pick up from in La Fortuna
Any hotel in the La Fortuna area, door to door. A few examples, plus every hotel with a surcharge:
Drop-off and pickup
Hotels we drive to 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
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
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Plan the rest of your trip
Ready to book La Fortuna → Bajos del Toro?
Pick your date, vehicle and service in the calculator, pay online and get your voucher by email — or message us and we'll book it with you.