Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna
Leaving Manuel Antonio's beaches and monkeys for the volcano? We collect you at your hotel above the park and drive you up the coast and over the mountains to La Fortuna. You pay per vehicle, never per seat, and the price already includes taxes.
- Private vehicle
- Door-to-door
- Taxes & tolls included
- Child seats free
- 24/7
The service
Your private transfer from Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna
Shared shuttles leave at fixed times and collect other passengers on the way. Ours is booked for your party only: you set the pickup time in Manuel Antonio, we wait while you check out, and the drive to La Fortuna 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.
Leaving Manuel Antonio
From Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna: the logistics
Manuel Antonio is the area of hills, beaches and rainforest just south of the town of Quepos, around Manuel Antonio National Park. The park is small but famous: white-sand coves, trails through the forest and easy sightings of monkeys, sloths and iguanas. Most hotels sit on the winding road that climbs from Quepos to the park entrance, many with ocean views.
We collect you at your hotel or villa in Manuel Antonio or Quepos. Many properties have steep driveways or private roads; the driver goes to your reception or villa entrance. Because this is a full travel day, most travellers choose a morning pickup.
Once you are in La Fortuna you are close to everything the area is known for: the La Fortuna waterfall, the national park trails, the hot rivers and the lake. The driver leaves you at your hotel door and can point you to a good place for dinner.
We confirm the pickup time with you when you book. With approximately 5 h of driving, many travellers leave Manuel Antonio after breakfast so they reach La Fortuna with time to spare.
Before you go
Before you leave Manuel Antonio
Early park visit
If you visit the park on your last day, go at opening time and set the pickup for the late morning.
Watch the balcony
Pack up with the balcony door closed: monkeys and raccoons take anything left out.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Distance
- about 220 km between the town centres (our measurement, approx.)
- Driving time
- approx. 5 h without stops (our fare table)
- Main roads
- The Costanera Sur (Route 34) north, inland towards San Ramón, then Route 702 (or 141) to La Fortuna
- First stretch
- The Manuel Antonio hill road down to Quepos and Route 34 northbound
From the hillside hotels the van drops down to Quepos and joins Route 34 heading north, through the oil-palm plantations to Parrita and on along the coast to Jacó and Tárcoles.
From San Ramón it takes Route 702 north through La Tigra (or Route 141 via Zarcero) and drops down into the San Carlos plains to La Fortuna. Expect the temperature to fall by several degrees as you climb.
Along the way
What you'll see between Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna
Some of what you will pass on the way to La Fortuna:
The Manuel Antonio hill road
The road between Quepos and the park climbs through forest with sudden views over the Pacific and its rocky islands.
San Ramón and La Tigra
Mountain towns on Route 702, with one-lane bridges and frequent mist on the high part of the road.
The Tárcoles River bridge
The bridge on Route 34 where American crocodiles gather on the sandbanks below; many drivers slow down here and people walk the pavement to look.
Tropical Experts VIP
VIP stops on this route
Prefer to sightsee on the way? Tropical Experts VIP costs $80 more per vehicle and includes one to two hours of stops, a bilingual driver who acts as your guide, a welcome kit of local beers, soft drinks and snacks, and sparkling water. We offer it on every route; here, you can ask for:
Tárcoles River bridge
A stop at the bridge on Route 34 to see the American crocodiles resting on the sandbanks below.
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
The Costanera Sur (Route 34) is a good, wide road, though weekend and holiday traffic towards the beaches can be heavy, especially on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. In the rainy season, roughly May to November, afternoon storms are common on the Pacific side.
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
- Choose a morning pickup: with about 5 h of driving, you reach La Fortuna in the afternoon.
- Pack a warm layer for the evening in Arenal, which feels cool after the Pacific.
- Pack a warm layer at the top of the bag: La Fortuna is noticeably cooler than the coast, especially at night.
- 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.
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.
“Muy agradable el servicio, nos encantó.”
Read all our reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.
Questions
Frequently asked questions: Manuel Antonio → La Fortuna
How long is the drive from Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna?
Approximately 5 h of driving according to our fare table, for about 220 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 Manuel Antonio to La Fortuna?
$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.
Can we stop at the Tárcoles crocodile bridge on the way?
Yes. It is on Route 34, roughly halfway between the mountains and Manuel Antonio. With VIP the stop is part of the plan; on Standard, ask the driver for a brief stop if traffic allows.
Is Manuel Antonio National Park open every day?
It has traditionally closed one day a week, on Tuesdays, and visitor numbers are limited. Rules can change, so check the current schedule and buy entrance tickets in advance; they are not part of the transfer.
Do you pick up at hotels with private roads, like Tulemar?
Yes. Give us the villa or building; the driver passes the entrance and goes to your door or to the meeting point the hotel indicates.
How do payment and cancellation work?
You pay online by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on Tilopay's secure page; SINPE Móvil or a bank transfer can be arranged on WhatsApp. Cancel up to 48 hours before pickup for a full refund. Within 48 hours there is no refund, except for a flight cancellation documented by the airline.
Pick-up and drop-off
Hotels we drive to 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 pick up from in Manuel Antonio
These are some of the hotels in Manuel Antonio that our calculator already lists. We go to any address in the area: if yours is not here, write it in the booking.
- Si Como No Resort & Spa
- Tulemar Resort
- Arenas del Mar
- Gaia Hotel & Reserve
- Hotel Parador Resort & Spa
- Makanda by the Sea
- Shana by the Beach
- La Mariposa Hotel
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