Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from La Fortuna to Malpaís
Heading for the rocky coast and quiet bays of Malpaís? We pick you up at your hotel in La Fortuna and drive you door to door to the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. The fare is per vehicle, not per person, and taxes are already in it.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from La Fortuna to Malpaís
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 Malpaís 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 Malpaís
Malpaís lies just south of Santa Teresa, where the coast turns rockier and quieter towards the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. It began as a fishing community, and fishing boats still go out from its small harbour, while tide pools and rocky points line the shore between short sandy beaches.
A little further south is the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, the first protected area created in Costa Rica, with trails through the forest to a remote beach. Accommodation in Malpaís is mostly small hotels, villas and houses among the trees, many with ocean views.
We confirm the pickup time with you when you book. With approximately 6 h 30 min of driving ahead, most travellers leave La Fortuna in the morning so they arrive in daylight.
In Malpaís
What to do in Malpaís
Cabo Blanco reserve
Forest trails to a remote beach in Costa Rica's first protected area.
Tide pools
At low tide the rocky shore turns into pools full of small fish and crabs.
Fresh fish
The small harbour supplies the local restaurants with the day's catch.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Distance
- about 250 km between the town centres (our measurement, approx.)
- Driving time
- approx. 6 h 30 min without stops (our fare table)
- Main roads
- Route 142 out of Arenal, then, depending on the time and season, the land route or the Gulf of Nicoya crossing (we confirm when you book)
- Last stretch
- The roads of the southern peninsula via Cóbano to the coast at Malpaís, partly gravel
The southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula is one of the longest trips from Arenal, and there is more than one way to get there. Depending on the time of day and the season, we choose the route on your travel day and confirm it with you when you book, together with the pickup time.
The final part crosses the southern peninsula via Cóbano and drops to the coast at the junction between Santa Teresa and Malpaís. From there the road heads south along the rocky shore to Malpaís.
Along the way
What you'll see between La Fortuna and Malpaís
The landscape changes several times between Arenal and Malpaís. This is what passes the window:
The Gulf of Nicoya
Islands, mangroves and fishing boats in the gulf that separates the peninsula from the mainland.
Arenal at the end of the day
On the Arenal side, the green lowlands and, with luck, the volcano's cone in the last light.
The Malpaís harbour
Small fishing boats and the rocky shore at the southern end of the village.
Tide pools
At low tide the rocky points of Malpaís form pools full of small fish and crabs.
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.. Tell us what you would like to see and we will plan it: VIP stops are not limited to a fixed list.
Each additional hour of stops is $35, with a maximum of 4. Not booking VIP? Standard still includes a restroom or snack break on request.
Before you travel
Road conditions and 2026 roadworks
Roads on the southern peninsula are a mix of paved sections and gravel, especially the last kilometres to the beaches. They are dusty in the dry season and can be muddy and potholed in the wet one. All our vehicles drive gravel roads; the driver adjusts the pace to the conditions.
The road network here mixes paved and gravel stretches; side roads to houses on the hills can be steep. In the dry season dust is constant; after heavy rain, potholes and mud slow the final kilometres. All our vehicles drive these roads.
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
- Take water, snacks and something to read: this is one of the longest transfers in the country.
- Visit Cabo Blanco early in the day; check its opening days and rules before you go.
- Bring cash in colones; shops and ATMs are mostly in Cóbano and Santa Teresa.
- Bringing surfboards, bikes or diving gear? Tell us when you book so we send a vehicle with room for it.
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 | $400 | $480 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $445 | $525 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $530 | $610 |
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 → Malpaís
How long is the drive from La Fortuna to Malpaís?
Approximately 6 h 30 min of driving according to our fare table, for about 250 km. Stops, rain and traffic come on top of that.
How much is a private shuttle from La Fortuna to Malpaís?
$400 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $445 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $530 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Do we take the ferry?
It depends on the time of day and the season. We choose the route for your travel day and confirm it with you when you book, together with the pickup time.
Is Malpaís the same as Santa Teresa?
They are neighbours on the same coast and share the same fare from La Fortuna. Santa Teresa is the busier surf town to the north; Malpaís is quieter and rockier to the south.
Is Malpaís quieter than Santa Teresa?
Yes. It is the rockier, calmer end of the same coast, with fewer shops. Santa Teresa's restaurants are a short drive away.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, with a 100% refund to the same card. Within 48 hours there is no refund, except for a documented flight cancellation. Changes of date, time or address are free, subject to availability.
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 Malpaís
These are some of the hotels in Malpaís that our calculator already lists. We go to any address in the area: if yours is not here, write it in the booking.
- Hotel Nantipa · Malpaís
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 → Malpaís?
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.