Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from La Fortuna to Peñas Blancas (Nicaragua border)
Crossing into Nicaragua by land? We pick you up at your hotel in La Fortuna and drive you up the Inter-American Highway to the Costa Rican side of the Peñas Blancas border. One closed price for the whole vehicle, taxes included.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from La Fortuna to Peñas Blancas border
Leaving Arenal for Peñas Blancas border 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 Peñas Blancas border.
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 Peñas Blancas border
Peñas Blancas is the main land border crossing between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, on the Inter-American Highway north of La Cruz. It is a busy crossing used by trucks, buses and travellers on foot, with the immigration and customs buildings of each country a short walk apart.
Our transfer ends at the Costa Rican side. From there you complete the exit procedures and cross on foot to the Nicaraguan post, where you continue with your own onward transport. Requirements, fees and opening hours can change, so check them shortly before you travel and allow plenty of time.
We confirm the pickup time with you when you book. With approximately 4 h of driving ahead, most travellers leave La Fortuna in the morning so they arrive in daylight.
In Peñas Blancas border
What to do in Peñas Blancas border
Cross on foot
Complete the Costa Rican exit, walk to the Nicaraguan post and continue with your onward transport.
Plan your onward trip
Arrange transport on the Nicaraguan side in advance; Rivas and San Juan del Sur are the usual next stops.
Change money
Carry small notes in US dollars or local currency for fees and the first purchases.
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
- Route 142 around Lake Arenal to Cañas, then Route 1 (Inter-American Highway) north
- Last stretch
- Route 1 north past La Cruz to the border post
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.
After La Cruz the Inter-American Highway runs a few more kilometres north to Peñas Blancas, where truck queues often line the shoulder. The driver drops you at the Costa Rican side of the crossing, as close to the pedestrian area as the traffic allows.
Along the way
What you'll see between La Fortuna and Peñas Blancas
Some of what you will pass on this drive:
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 Orosí volcano
On clear days the forested cone of Orosí, part of the Guanacaste Conservation Area, rises to the east of the highway near the border.
Santa Rosa National Park
The entrance to the dry-forest park lies on the highway between Liberia and La Cruz.
Tropical Experts VIP
VIP stops on this route
Tropical Experts VIP adds $80 per vehicle and gives you one to two hours of stops, a bilingual driver acting as guide, a welcome kit (local beers, soft drinks and Costa Rican snacks) and sparkling water. We offer VIP stops on every route; on this drive these are the ones we suggest:
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.
Extra hours of stops cost $35 each, up to 4. Tell us what you would like to see when you book and we plan the timing around it. Standard goes direct, with a restroom break whenever you need it.
Before you travel
Road conditions and 2026 roadworks
Route 142 around Lake Arenal is paved but narrow and curvy, with little shoulder, few guard rails and almost no street lighting, according to independent driving guides from 2025 and 2026. Strong wind is common around Tilarán. The lakeside section between La Fortuna and Nuevo Arenal has been closed by landslides after heavy rain, in July 2024 and again in July 2026.
The Inter-American Highway is wide and fast, but near the border long lines of trucks can slow traffic. Border opening hours and procedures are set by the authorities of each country; check them before travelling.
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
- Wear closed shoes if you plan a hike on arrival: volcanic trails are rocky.
- Have your passport, onward ticket if required and cash for any fees ready before you reach the border.
- Leave early: queues at the crossing can be long, especially on holidays and at weekends.
- Travelling with children? Tell us their ages and weights when you book and the right child seat will be installed, free of charge.
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.
“Muy agradable el servicio, nos encantó.”
Read all our reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: La Fortuna → Peñas Blancas border
How long is the drive from La Fortuna to Peñas Blancas border?
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 La Fortuna to Peñas Blancas border?
$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.
Do you take us into Nicaragua?
No. Our service ends on the Costa Rican side of the Peñas Blancas border. You cross on foot and continue with transport arranged on the Nicaraguan side.
Can you pick us up if we arrive from Nicaragua?
Yes. Tell us your expected crossing time and stay in touch on WhatsApp; the driver waits on the Costa Rican side and adapts to the time you actually come out.
Do you wait while we cross?
No. We drop you on the Costa Rican side; the crossing is done on foot and continues with transport arranged on the Nicaraguan side.
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 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 → Peñas Blancas border?
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