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La Fortuna sits at the foot of the Arenal Volcano, 86 kilometres (53 miles) from San Jose. By road, the bus is the cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to San Jose, at $9.50 (4,320 CRC). If you'd rather fly, the trip takes 2h 20m.
Distance from La Fortuna to San Jose
La Fortuna and San Jose are about 86 km (53 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 138 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 2h 15m and 6h.
6 ways to travel from La Fortuna to San Jose
There are six ways to travel from La Fortuna to San Jose. You can choose between the bus, indirect bus, minivan, private transport, car rental, and flight. The journey takes 2h 15m–4h and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $9.50 (4,320 CRC).
2 legs — see itinerary
- La Fortuna→Ciudad Quesada1h
- Ciudad Quesada→San Jose5h
incl. transfers — see itinerary
- La Fortuna City Centre→La Fortuna Airport20m
- La Fortuna→San Jose30m
- San Jose Airport→San Jose City Centre1h
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La Fortuna to San Jose by Bus
The bus is the most affordable option for travelling from La Fortuna to San Jose, with prices starting from $9.50 (4,320 CRC).
Buses are not as reliable as minivans, though, with pickpockets known to be lurking around unknowing travellers. If you become a victim, you might end up spending more than a minivan ticket.
There's only one direct bus operating from La Fortuna to San Jose. And it often fills up fast. We recommend booking your tickets in advance online via mibus.cr. There's an additional booking fee that costs about a dollar, but well worth the convenience. Alternatively, you can buy your tickets at the bus station.
Departure and arrival stations
The bus departs from La Fortuna Bus Terminal and arrives at Terminal Atlantico Norte in San Jose city centre.
Note that travel time is highly dependent on traffic and the number of stops to pick up and drop off passengers, so it really can take between 4 to 6 hours.
Attention: Terminal 7-10 closed in April 2025. Buses operating to San Jose from La Fortuna used to arrive at San José’s Terminal 7-10. This was the main hub for buses from Cóbano, Monteverde, San Carlos, Jacó, and even international routes from Nicaragua and El Salvador.
Bus schedule from La Fortuna to San Jose
Bus tickets are available on Mibus.
Booking Tip
PRO TIP: It’s always best to be mindful of your luggage. When leaving them at the compartment below the bus, watch the driver put them in and get your luggage ticket before boarding. As for the smaller bags with your valuables, it’s safer to put them in front of you than on the overhead bin.
La Fortuna to San Jose by Indirect Bus
If the direct bus doesn’t fit your schedule, you can take an indirect bus from La Fortuna to San Jose via Ciudad Quesada, a town 50 km southeast of the famous Arenal Volcano. Combined rates cost around $9.70 (4,410 CRC) and travel time is 4-6h.
The advantage of taking an indirect bus is that buses depart frequently throughout the day, so you can be more flexible with your schedule.
Step 1: Bus from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada
Buses from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada depart as early as 05:00 in the morning, and continue until 19:30 in the evening. You have two route options:
- Via El Tanque (north): This route is quicker.
- Via Chachagua (south): This route offers more scenic views.
Both routes will take about 1 hour to reach Ciudad Quesada Terminal.
A ticket costs $3.40 (1,550 CRC) and you can buy them at La Fortuna Bus Terminal.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you’re out of La Fortuna before 18:00 if you want to make it on time for the last connecting bus from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose.
Step 2: Bus from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose
At Ciudad Quesada Bus Stop, you can then transfer to another bus going to San Jose. You should be able to catch one any time between 04:30 to 19:45.
The bus journey from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose takes around 3 hours without traffic. You can get a ticket for $6.30 (2,860 CRC). Buses park at Terminal Atlantico Norte, San Jose city centre.
La Fortuna to San Jose by Minivan
Most tourists prefer to take a minivan from La Fortuna to San Jose for comfort and convenience. Although shared, most minivans for this route will take you door-to-door from your hotel in La Fortuna to your hotel in San Jose, or the airport if that’s where you’re headed.
Fares start from $43 (20,000 CRC). Travel time is 2h 15m - 4h 30m depending on where you're going in San Jose. When you book your tickets, make sure to pick the correct arrival point to avoid any hassle on the day of your trip.
You can choose from seven minivan operators: Volcano Travel, RideCR, Interbus, Tropical Tours Shuttle, Expedition CR, Costa 24/7 and Amazing Go Costa Rica.
La Fortuna to San Jose
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway and Tropicaltourshuttles.
minivan
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Booking Tip
We don’t recommend buying minivan tickets onsite on the day of your trip because there’s a risk of tickets being sold out.
Better to book them online beforehand through BookAway. It’s more convenient and you can just wait for the minivan to pick you up from your hotel. Also, BookAway prices are often cheaper compared to booking directly with the minivan company's website.
La Fortuna to San Jose by Private Transport
For groups, a private transfer can be cheaper than a shared minivan ride when you split the cost. You can choose from various types of vehicles — from regular cars to more luxurious ones.
Rates start from $155 (70,000 CRC) for a 6-seater minivan from La Fortuna to San Jose. Divide the cost and that’s about $26 (12,000 CRC) per person.
Private minivans operating to San Jose from La Fortuna can accommodate groups of up to 18 persons.
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway.
La Fortuna to San Jose by Car Rental
Do you plan on going on a road trip around Costa Rica? It’s an easy enough drive from La Fortuna to San Jose. The roads are paved and easy to manoeuvre, even for tourists.
We don’t recommend driving this route at night, though. It gets dark pretty early in this region. And there are a lot of twists and turns in some areas, which might not be safe if you’re not familiar with the roads. Also, there are plenty of trucks taking these roads at night.
Why rent a car from La Fortuna to San Jose
When you’re travelling in a group, having your own car in La Fortuna can come in handy. The town’s highlights are far apart and you’ll need a car (or a motorbike) to travel between Arenal Volcano, Chato Volcano, Fortuna Waterfalls, El Salto, and the town’s other attractions.
Once you’re done exploring La Fortuna, you can bring the same car to drive to San Jose.
Where to rent a car in La Fortuna
We don’t recommend renting a car in La Fortuna if you’re not going back here. Rental prices are significantly more expensive if you’re dropping off the car in another town, with rates starting from around $120 (55,000 CRC) on the first day.
If you’re starting your Costa Rican journey in San Jose and ending it there as well, it’s best to rent your car from the capital city. Prices are cheaper when you have the same pickup and drop-off point, starting at $40 (18,000 CRC) per day.
But if you don’t have a car yet when you arrive in La Fortuna, there are a few rental shops here you can choose from. You can ask your hotel for recommendations on where to rent a car, or you can just find one online.
We normally recommend checking Skyscanner for the best car rental prices (and flights), but occasionally you might find even better prices on Kayak. Both are reliable search engines which make it easy to search for the cheapest car deals and apply relevant filters.
Driving directions from La Fortuna to San Jose
There are two routes you can take when driving from La Fortuna to San Jose: via San Ramon and via Ciudad Quesada. San Ramon is the most direct, and usually the route that will be recommended to you when you use Waze or Google Maps.
From La Fortuna, drive south and follow the winding roads to Route 702. We recommend driving a bit slower for this part if you don’t know the roads well. You’ll pass through the towns of La Tigra, San Lorenzo, and San Ramon.
Turn left once you reach the Pan-American Highway (Carretera Interamericana) going to San Jose. Continue on this road until you reach the capital.
The entire drive from San Jose to La Fortuna takes about 3.5 hours unless you decide to make a stop along the way — something you are definitely free to do when renting your own car!
Car Rental tickets are available on Skyscanner.
La Fortuna to San Jose by Flight
The flight might seem like the fastest way to get from La Fortuna to San Jose. But when you add in the waiting time at the airport and the additional time you spend getting from one transfer to another, you don’t really get to save time compared to taking a door-to-door shared shuttle van or private transfer.
We don’t recommend taking a flight for this route unless your aim is to get a bird’s eye view of the Costa Rican landscapes.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
Step 1: How to get to La Fortuna Airport
Step 2: Flight from La Fortuna to San Jose
Sansa Regional offers 2-3 flights from La Fortuna to San Jose every day during the peak tourist season from December to April.
Airfares start from $115 (52,000 CRC) and the flight takes around 30 minutes.
If you're travelling from May to November, check Skyscanner beforehand to see if flights are available.
Step 3: San Jose Airport to San Jose City Centre by Bus or Taxi
All flights arrive at San Jose Airport, also called Juan Santamaria International Airport, 15 km northwest of San Jose city centre. You can get to the city in 2 ways: a 1-hour bus or a 30-minute taxi.
You can save on cash if you take the bus, which costs only $1.50 (685 CRC). Buses are available every 10 minutes or so from the bus stop just outside the airport. It’s best to confirm with the driver if he’s going to San Jose city centre before boarding. Buses bound for Alajuela in the opposite direction also make a stop here.
Note that these buses can be crowded, especially during rush hour. It’s not rare for passengers to have to stand on the way to TUASA Terminal in San Jose city centre.
If you want to be more comfortable, you can also take a taxi for around $31 (14,000 CRC). Note that airport taxis add extra fees so if you don’t want to spend even more, we recommend walking to the main road and hailing a taxi from there. You can also try hailing one through the Uber app.
IMPORTANT: Uber is widely used in Costa Rica, but it is not entirely legal. There have been rare cases of Uber rides being stopped in the middle of the journey. In this case, the passengers were forced to transfer to a regular taxi.
Flight tickets are available on Skyscanner.
Our favourite places to stay in San Jose
Here are our favourite places to stay in San Jose for every budget.
Treat YourselfBarceló San José
Barceló Hotel blows most other city hotels out of the water. It has amenities usually only found in resorts, and for extortionate prices. Here you’ll find an outdoor pool, spa, gym, three squash courts and two tennis courts. Plus they offer a free airport shuttle.
If you don’t fancy venturing out of the hotel to get some food, no worries! There are three restaurants and a bar on site offering a variety of different cuisines. The rooms are spacious and clean, providing comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep.
- Outdoor swimming pool and spa
- Tennis courts
- Free airport shuttle
- Three onsite restaurants and a bar
Double rooms start from $90 per night
Treat YourselfIsla Verde Hotel
Isla Verde Hotel is a real gem within the urban jungle that is San Jose. They have so many extras that you wouldn’t expect for the price – a gym, free shuttle to the airport and a great breakfast every morning.
The hotel is ultra-modern, boasting some beautifully designed rooms and seating areas. All of which are very clean and comfortable. If you don’t feel like venturing too far for food, their onsite restaurant serving Cantonese food is highly reviewed!
- Free airport shuttle
- Delicious breakfast included
- Onsite gym
- Modern and clean rooms
Double rooms start from $90 per night
Mid-RangeEco Stay Hostel
Eco Stay Hostel starts to feel like home after a while, as it has a shared living room, communal kitchen, a lovely garden area, and even barbeque facilities. You can even spend your evenings at the hotel having a friendly competition of snooker or darts.
The friendly hosts add to the welcoming atmosphere. Making sure that your room is clean and comfortable, whilst offering their help in any way that they can. The rooms are basic, but nicely decorated and have everything you could need whilst in San Jose.
- Shared living room
- Communal kitchen
- Good location
- Friendly hosts
Double rooms between $50-$90 per night
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit San Jose?
San Jose is a bustling urban landscape in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. Being the capital city, it may not be as pretty as the beach and jungle destinations that the country is known for. But if you are stopping by anyway, might as well explore for a few hours or a day before moving on to your next stop.
You will find plenty of things to do in San Jose. Within the city, you can check out the colonial buildings turned museums at Barrio Amon, try out the famed restaurants at Barrio Escalante, or party the night away in El Pueblo. If you want to venture outside the city limits, the Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens are highly recommended!
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from La Fortuna to San Jose, roughly 86 kilometres (53 miles) apart. In all, there are 6 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $9.50 (4,320 CRC). The quickest trip takes 2h 15m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from La Fortuna to San Jose?
The distance from La Fortuna to San Jose is 86 kilometres (53 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from La Fortuna to San Jose?
Journey times from La Fortuna to San Jose overlap: bus 4h, indirect bus 4-6h, minivan 2h 15m - 4h 30m, private transport 2h 30m - 4h, car rental 3.5 hours, flight 2h 20m. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to San Jose?
The cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to San Jose is by bus with ticket costs starting from 4,320 CRC.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Founder & Trip Planning Expert
Based in Bali, Maarten's passion for travel is undeniable. In 2016, he decided to quit his job as a stock analyst and started doing what he always dreamed of: travelling through South East Asia and helping other people plan their trips. When he is not working on Gecko Routes, you'll find him surfing in the ocean or exploring the best gems of Indonesia.
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