Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from La Fortuna to La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Going from Arenal to La Paz Waterfall Gardens or Peace Lodge? We pick you up in La Fortuna and drive you up the Cinchona road to the park entrance, with the San Fernando waterfall lookout on the way. You pay one flat fare for the vehicle, with taxes and tolls included.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from La Fortuna to La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Leaving Arenal for La Paz Waterfall Gardens is easier when someone else handles the road. Your driver picks you up at your hotel at the time that suits you, loads the luggage and drives your group, and only your group, straight to your accommodation in La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
One price covers the whole vehicle: fuel, tolls, taxes, insurance, bottled water, WiFi and child seats, with nothing to pay on the day. Standard takes you straight there; VIP, for $80 more per vehicle, adds sightseeing stops and a driver who doubles as a guide.
Your destination
Arriving in La Paz Waterfall Gardens
La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a private nature park on the slopes near Vara Blanca, between the Poás and Barva volcanoes. Its trails and stairways follow the La Paz River past a series of waterfalls, and the park also has gardens and animal exhibits, from hummingbirds and butterflies to frogs and wild cats. Peace Lodge, its hotel, sits inside the property.
At around 1,400 m the climate is cool and often misty, very different from La Fortuna. Many travellers come for a night at the lodge or for a long visit between Arenal and the Central Valley. Park tickets are not part of the transfer; buy them directly or ask us when you book.
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 La Paz Waterfall Gardens
What to do in La Paz Waterfall Gardens
The waterfall trail
A loop of trails and metal stairways descends beside the river past the park's series of waterfalls; allow a couple of hours.
The hummingbird garden
Feeders attract many species of hummingbird at very close range, one of the most photographed spots in the park.
Wildlife exhibits
Butterflies, frogs, birds and wild cats in rescue and exhibit areas along the route.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Distance
- about 90 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 and Route 140 to the San Miguel area, then Route 126 via Cinchona
- Last stretch
- Route 126 through Cinchona to the park entrance
The last part runs on narrow, winding roads through small farming villages. It is fully driveable in any of our vehicles, but it is not a road to rush, which is why the fare table allows approx. 2 h 30 min for a distance of about 90 km.
The final part climbs Route 126 from the San Miguel area through Cinchona, a mountain road rebuilt after the 2009 Cinchona earthquake, with the San Fernando waterfall visible from the lookout. The park entrance is a few kilometres further up.
Along the way
What you'll see between La Fortuna and La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Some of what you will pass on this drive:
The San Carlos plains
Flat cattle country, sugarcane and cassava fields, and the small towns around Muelle and Aguas Zarcas.
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.
The San Fernando waterfall
Seen across a deep green gorge from the Cinchona lookout on Route 126, just before the park.
Hummingbird feeders
At the roadside cafés around Cinchona, feeders attract several species of hummingbird at very close range.
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:
Soda y Mirador Cinchona
A coffee and a few photos at the Cinchona lookout café, facing the San Fernando waterfall and its hummingbird feeders.
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
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 126 was badly damaged by the 2009 earthquake and has been rebuilt; it is paved but steep and winding, with fog most afternoons. In heavy rain, small landslides can block a lane for a while.
Our terms cover the rare day when a closure or extreme weather stops the transfer: you can move it to another date or receive a full refund.
From the road
Driver's tips for this route
- A morning departure gives you the best chance of clear views before the afternoon cloud comes in.
- Arrive early in the day if you want to see the waterfalls before the afternoon mist.
- The park trails are wet and have many steps: wear shoes with grip.
- 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 | $215 | $295 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $270 | $350 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $355 | $435 |
Extra hour of stops: $35, up to 4. Hotels with a surcharge are listed below.
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
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 Paz Waterfall Gardens
How long is the drive from La Fortuna to La Paz Waterfall Gardens?
Approximately 2 h 30 min of driving according to our fare table, for about 90 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 Paz Waterfall Gardens?
$215 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $270 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $355 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.
Are the park tickets included in the transfer?
No. The transfer covers the vehicle, driver, fuel, tolls and taxes. Park tickets are bought separately, directly from the park; ask us when you book if you need help.
Can we visit the gardens on the way and continue to another destination?
Yes, as a VIP transfer with extra hours, or as a booking to the park plus a second transfer later. Tell us the plan and we will price it in the calculator or on WhatsApp.
Can we visit the park on arrival day?
Yes, if you arrive with enough time before closing. Tell us your plan and we time the pickup in La Fortuna so you reach the gardens with daylight.
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 La Paz Waterfall Gardens
These are some of the hotels in La Paz Waterfall Gardens that our calculator already lists. We go to any address in the area: if yours is not here, write it in the booking.
- Peace Lodge · La Paz Waterfall Gardens
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