Private shuttle · door-to-door
Private Shuttle from Punta Leona to La Fortuna
Leaving the beaches of Punta Leona for the volcano? We collect you at your hotel or condo inside the reserve and drive you over the mountains to your hotel in 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 Punta Leona to La Fortuna
Getting from Punta Leona to Arenal is a long day if you have to piece it together. With us the van comes to your door in Punta Leona, the driver loads the luggage and your group rides alone, all the way to reception in La Fortuna.
The fare is per vehicle and final: taxes, tolls, fuel, insurance, bottled water, WiFi and child seats are included, and there is nothing to pay the driver. Choose Standard to go direct, or add Tropical Experts VIP (+$80) for one to two hours of sightseeing stops.
Leaving Punta Leona
From Punta Leona to La Fortuna: the logistics
Punta Leona is a large private resort and nature reserve on a headland between the Tárcoles River and Herradura Bay. Inside the gated property are the Hotel Punta Leona, condominiums, forest trails and two of the prettiest beaches of the Central Pacific, Playa Blanca and Playa Mantas, with light sand and calm water.
We collect you at Hotel Punta Leona or at your condominium inside the reserve. Give us the building name or number; the driver passes the gate and waits at your entrance at the agreed time.
In La Fortuna we drop you at reception. Most hotels sit along Route 142 between the town and the volcano, a few minutes apart. Arenal often hides in cloud during the afternoon, so do not worry if you cannot see it on arrival.
We confirm the pickup time with you when you book. With approximately 3 h 45 min of driving, a pickup after breakfast in Punta Leona gets you to La Fortuna for lunch or the early afternoon.
Before you go
Before you leave Punta Leona
Last swim at Playa Blanca
Mornings are calm on the beach; plan the pickup after a final swim.
Internal shuttle
Ask reception how long it takes from the beach back to your building, so you are ready on time.
The route
What to expect on the drive
- Distance
- about 140 km between the town centres (our measurement, approx.)
- Driving time
- approx. 3 h 45 min 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
- Internal roads to the gate and out onto Route 34 northbound
From the hotel or your condo, the internal road climbs through the forest to the gate and onto Route 34, which heads north across the Tárcoles River towards the mountains.
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 Punta Leona and La Fortuna
Some of what you will pass on the way to La Fortuna:
Scarlet macaws
Pairs of macaws fly over the reserve and the Tárcoles area, especially early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
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.
Carara National Park
With extra time, a short walk in Carara, a few minutes from the gate, known for scarlet macaws (entrance fee paid on site).
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
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.
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
- Be ready at your building entrance at the agreed time; inside the reserve the driver cannot park for long on the narrow roads.
- Keep binoculars handy for the first minutes of the drive: macaws often fly over the gate area.
- Pack a warm layer at the top of the bag: La Fortuna is noticeably cooler than the coast, especially at night.
- If you get carsick, take the front seat or the first row and look ahead on the curves.
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 | $260 | $340 |
 Toyota Hiace6–9 passengers |
6–9 | 9 | $305 | $385 |
 Maxus V9010–12 passengers |
10–12 | 12 | $390 | $470 |
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: Punta Leona → La Fortuna
How long is the drive from Punta Leona to La Fortuna?
Approximately 3 h 45 min of driving according to our fare table, for about 140 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 Punta Leona to La Fortuna?
$260 in a Hyundai Staria (1–5 passengers), $305 in a Toyota Hiace (6–9) and $390 in a Maxus V90 (10–12). Prices are per vehicle, in US dollars, with taxes included. VIP adds $80 per vehicle.
Is Punta Leona close to Jacó?
Yes, a few minutes north of Jacó and just south of the Tárcoles River. From La Fortuna the fare is the same to Punta Leona, Herradura and Jacó.
Can we stop at the Tárcoles crocodile bridge?
Yes, it is only a few minutes before the Punta Leona entrance. With VIP it is part of the plan; on Standard, ask the driver and he will stop briefly if traffic allows.
Can we visit Carara on the way back?
Yes. Carara is beside Route 34, a few minutes north. With VIP or extra hours you can walk one of its trails; entrance is paid on site.
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 Punta Leona
These are some of the hotels in Punta Leona that our calculator already lists. We go to any address in the area: if yours is not here, write it in the booking.
- Hotel Punta Leona
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 Punta Leona → La Fortuna?
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.