Costa Rica has many popular destinations, and La Fortuna is one of them. It is home to the Arenal Volcano, relaxing hot springs, and wildlife. Whether you want to hike, zip line, raft, or just chill, La Fortuna has something for everyone.
But how do you get there from San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica? In this article, we will show you the best ways to travel from San Jose to La Fortuna, depending on your budget, time, and preferences.
We will also share some tips and recommendations on what to see and do along the way.
Driving from San Jose to La Fortuna
As a traveler in Costa Rica, you can drive from San Jose to La Fortuna when you get a rental car. This is a good option if you want to enjoy the scenery as you go.
You can rent a car from San Jose airport or downtown and drive to La Fortuna in about 3 hours, depending on the traffic and the route you take.
There are two main routes to choose from: the northern route and the southern route. The northern route is shorter and faster, but it has more tolls and less scenic views. The southern route is longer and slower, but it has fewer tolls and more scenic views.
The northern route follows highways 1 and 142, passing through Alajuela, San Ramon, and Chachagua. The southern route follows highways 2 and 4, passing through Cartago, Turrialba, and Guapiles.
Both routes have their pros and cons, but we recommend the southern route if you have more time and want to enjoy the scenery. You will see lush green mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and farms along the way.
You can also stop at some interesting places, such as:
Irazu Volcano National Park
This park is home to the highest volcano in Costa Rica, which has a stunning crater lake and panoramic views of the Central Valley and the Caribbean coast.
You can hike around the volcano and admire the flora and fauna. The entrance fee is $15 per person, and the park is open from 8 am to 3:30 pm.
Lankester Botanical Garden
If you are a plant lover, then this garden is a must-visit for you. It has more than 3,000 species of orchids, bromeliads, cacti, and other tropical plants.
You can walk along the trails and enjoy the colors and fragrances of the flowers. The entrance fee is $10 per person, and the garden is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Rio Pacuare
Rio Pacuare, or the Pacuare River, is another place you will come across on the way from San Jose to La Fortuna.
This river has an amazing scenery of rainforests, waterfalls, and wildlife. It is also one of the best places to go white-water rafting in Costa Rica, as it has rapids ranging from class II to IV.
You can book a rafting tour from San Jose or La Fortuna, which includes transportation, equipment, guides, and lunch. The price varies depending on the tour operator and the length of the trip, but it usually ranges from $80 to $120 per person.
Taking a Bus from San Jose to La Fortuna
Another way to get from San Jose to La Fortuna is by taking a bus. This option saves you money, but you will spend more time on the road.
You can take a public bus or a shared shuttle, depending on your comfort level and schedule.
The public bus is the cheapest way to get from San Jose to La Fortuna, as it costs only $5 per person. But it is also the slowest and least comfortable way to move around since it takes about 5 hours with several stops along the way.
The bus departs from San Jose downtown daily at 8:40 am and arrives at La Fortuna between noon and 1 pm.
The shared shuttle is a more comfortable and convenient way to get from San Jose to La Fortuna, as it costs around $50 per person. It takes about 3 hours and makes only one stop along the way.
The shuttle picks you up from your hotel or airport in San Jose and drops you off at your hotel or destination in La Fortuna.
Both the public bus and the shared shuttle follow the northern route, so you won’t see much of the scenery along the way. However, you can still enjoy the views of the Arenal Volcano and the countryside as you approach La Fortuna.
Taking a Flight from San Jose to La Fortuna
If you want to save time and don’t mind spending more money, then taking a flight from San Jose to La Fortuna is the fastest option for you. You can fly from San Jose airport to Arenal airport, which is located about 10 km from La Fortuna.
The flight takes about 30 minutes and costs around $100 per person. You can book your flight online or through a travel agency. Two airlines operate this route: Sansa and Skyway.
The flight is a great way to see the aerial views of the Central Valley, the mountains, and the volcanoes. Since flights are subject to weather conditions and availability, they may be delayed or canceled.
You should also consider the extra costs of transportation to and from the airports and the luggage fees.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to get from San Jose to La Fortuna, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. You should choose the one that suits your budget, time, and preferences.
No matter how you get there, you will enjoy your stay in La Fortuna, as it is one of the most beautiful and fun places in Costa Rica.
This article has provided information on how to get from San Jose to La Fortuna, the estimated price for each option you choose, and the time. I believe this information will help you plan and save time and money.
If you have any questions or comments, please let us know. We would love to hear from you.
FAQs
Do I need a 4WD to drive from San Jose to La Fortuna?
No, you don’t need a 4WD to drive from San Jose to La Fortuna, as the roads are paved and in good condition. However, a 4WD may be useful if you plan to visit other places in the area that have dirt roads or rough terrain.
What are the best maps to use for the drive?
The best maps to use for the drive are Google Maps or Waze since they have accurate and updated information on the routes, traffic, and tolls.
How do I pay tolls in Costa Rica?
You can pay tolls in Costa Rica with cash (colones or dollars) or with a prepaid card called QuickPass. You can buy the card at some gas stations or convenience stores and reload it online or at authorized points.
The tolls vary depending on the route and the vehicle type, but they are usually between $1 and $3.
Is it safe to drive to La Fortuna at night?
No, it is not safe to drive to La Fortuna at night, as the visibility is low, the roads are winding and steep, and the streetlights are scarce.
You may also encounter animals, pedestrians, or cyclists on the road. It is better to drive during the day and avoid driving after dark.
What are some things to do in La Fortuna?
Some of the best things to do in La Fortuna are visit the Arenal Volcano National Park, relax in the hot springs, go on adventure tours, and visit wildlife.
Hi, I’m Louis Ojibe, and I grew up around wildlife in Africa. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature across the world.
As a child, my parents used to take me to see wild animals like lions, elephants, gorillas, tortoises, and many others at our local zoo.
