Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from La Fortuna to La Cruz & Costa Elena
Going to the far north of Guanacaste, to La Cruz, Bahía Salinas or the Costa Elena area? We pick you up in La Fortuna and drive you up the Inter-American Highway to your hotel. 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 La Cruz · Costa Elena
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 La Cruz · Costa Elena goes door to door.
Prices are per vehicle, not per passenger, and nothing is added later: taxes, tolls, fuel, insurance, bottled water, WiFi and child seats come with every booking. Go Standard for the fastest trip or VIP (+$80) to stop along the way.
Your destination
Arriving in La Cruz · Costa Elena
La Cruz is the last town on the Inter-American Highway before the Nicaraguan border, perched on a ridge with a lookout over Bahía Salinas and the Pacific. Below it, the bays of this northern corner of Guanacaste are quiet, with few buildings and a landscape of dry hills and long beaches.
Bahía Salinas is known as one of the best kitesurfing spots in Central America, thanks to the strong, steady winds that blow roughly from December to April. Our La Cruz · Costa Elena fare zone covers the town and the coastal resorts and hotels of this area; tell us the exact property when you book.
We confirm the pickup time with you when you book. With approximately 3 h 45 min of driving, even a late-morning departure from La Fortuna leaves most of the day free.
In La Cruz · Costa Elena
What to do in La Cruz · Costa Elena
Kitesurfing in Bahía Salinas
Steady winds from about December to April make the bay a kitesurfing hub.
The La Cruz lookout
Wide views from the ridge over the bay and its islands.
Santa Rosa National Park
Dry forest and history, a short drive south on the Inter-American Highway.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Distance
- about 190 km between the town centres (our measurement, approx.)
- Driving time
- approx. 3 h 45 min without stops (our fare table)
- Main roads
- Route 142 around Lake Arenal to Cañas, then Route 1 (Inter-American Highway) north
- Last stretch
- Route 1 north past Liberia to La Cruz, then the roads down to the coast
This part of Guanacaste lies inland, under the volcanoes of the Guanacaste range, so the views are of ranches, dry forest and volcanic peaks rather than beaches. The highway is wide and the driving is easy once you have left the lake behind.
North of Liberia the Inter-American Highway runs through dry ranch land with the Orosí and Rincón de la Vieja volcanoes to the east. At La Cruz, roads drop from the ridge to the bays and resorts on the coast.
Along the way
What you'll see between La Fortuna and La Cruz
Keep the camera within reach. On the way from La Fortuna to La Cruz · Costa Elena you will see:
The Guanacaste volcano chain
Miravalles, Rincón de la Vieja and Orosí rise inland from the highway on clear days.
Lake Arenal
The north shore of the lake, with the wind turbines of Tilarán on the ridges above.
The La Cruz lookout
From the ridge at La Cruz there is a wide view over Bahía Salinas, its islands and the Pacific.
Santa Rosa National Park
The highway passes the entrance to Santa Rosa, a dry-forest park and historic site of the 1856 battle against William Walker's forces.
Tropical Experts VIP
VIP stops on this route
With Tropical Experts VIP (+$80 per vehicle) the transfer includes one to two hours of sightseeing stops, a bilingual driver who doubles as your guide, a welcome kit with local beers, soft drinks and bocas, and sparkling water on board. VIP stops are available on any route in the country. On this one, you can ask for:
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.
The Bahía Salinas lookout
A stop at the lookout in La Cruz for the view over the bay and the kitesurfers in the wind season.
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
Most of the curves on this trip come on Route 142 beside Lake Arenal, a paved road with little margin: narrow lanes, few barriers, no lighting at night and crosswinds around Tilarán, as independent driving guides from 2025 and 2026 point out. After very heavy rain, landslides have closed it between Nuevo Arenal and La Fortuna, in July 2024 and July 2026.
The Inter-American Highway north of Liberia is wide and fast, with truck traffic heading to and from the Nicaraguan border. Coastal roads around Bahía Salinas can be partly gravel. In the dry season the wind is very strong on this coast.
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
- Wear closed shoes if you plan a hike on arrival: volcanic trails are rocky.
- Kitesurfers: tell us how many boards and kites you carry so we send the right vehicle.
- The wind can be strong and sunny all day in the dry season: bring a windbreaker and plenty of sunscreen.
- 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 | $330 | $410 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $375 | $455 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $460 | $540 |
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: La Fortuna → La Cruz · Costa Elena
How long is the drive from La Fortuna to La Cruz · Costa Elena?
Approximately 3 h 45 min of driving according to our fare table, for about 190 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 La Cruz · Costa Elena?
$330 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $375 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $460 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Is Route 142 around the lake the only way?
It is the usual way. If it is closed, we take the inland alternative via Guatuso, the Tenorio Volcano area and Bijagua to Route 1, which takes longer; we tell you before leaving.
What does the La Cruz · Costa Elena zone include?
The town of La Cruz and the hotels and resorts on the coast of this northern corner of Guanacaste. Tell us your exact hotel when you book and we confirm the access.
When is the wind season for kitesurfing?
Roughly from December to April, when strong, steady winds blow across Bahía Salinas. Conditions vary from year to year; local kite schools can advise.
Is La Cruz close to the Peñas Blancas border?
Yes, a few kilometres south of it. If you plan to cross into Nicaragua, book the Peñas Blancas route instead.
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 drive to in La Cruz · Costa Elena
These are some of the hotels in La Cruz · Costa Elena that our calculator already lists. We go to any address in the area: if yours is not here, write it in the booking.
- JW Marriott Costa Elena
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:
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Plan the rest of your trip
Ready to book La Fortuna → La Cruz · Costa Elena?
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.