How to Get From San Jose to La Fortuna
Bus · Indirect Bus · Minivan · Private · Car Rental · Flight · Day Trip
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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 160 kilometre (99 miles) distance from San Jose to La Fortuna. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly how to get there — whether you want to travel on a budget, reach La Fortuna as fast as possible, or enjoy the ride in comfort. We base our information on verified schedules, ticket prices, and on-the-ground insights from recent travellers.
What are the 7 ways to travel from San Jose to La Fortuna?
There are seven ways to travel the 160 km distance from San Jose to La Fortuna. You can choose between the bus, indirect bus, minivan, private, car rental, flight, and day trip.
The journey takes between 1h 50m–14h and the quickest way is by flight (1h 50m). If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 4,320 CRC ($9.50).
3h 30m - 4h
4,320 CRC ($9.50)
5h 10m
4,410 CRC ($9.70)
2h 15m - 4h 30m
23,000 CRC ($50)
2h 30m - 4h
90,000 CRC ($200)
3.5 hours
18,000 CRC ($40)
1h 50m
62,000 CRC ($135)
14 hours
86,000 CRC ($190)
Where to stay in La Fortuna?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in La Fortuna at the bottom of this page.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Direct Bus
The direct bus is the cheapest option for the San Jose to La Fortuna route, with prices from only 4,320 CRC ($9.50). Travel time is around 3h 30m - 4h, sometimes longer depending on traffic.
Keep in mind that you'll also be travelling to and from the bus terminals — which adds a bit to the total cost and journey time.
There is only one direct bus available daily. It departs every morning at 08:00. After about 3 hours on the road, there’s usually a quick bathroom stop. Note that the bus is not air-conditioned, and the heat can be uncomfortable.
Departure and arrival station
The bus departs from Terminal Atlantico Norte in San Jose city centre. Upon arrival at the bus station, be aware of scammers. They may tell you the bus has already left and will offer expensive taxi rides. Simply continue looking for the bus or head to the ticket counter.
You will be dropped off at La Fortuna Bus Station, within walking distance from most accommodations in La Fortuna.
Attention: Terminal 7-10 closed in April 2025. Buses operating from San Jose to La Fortuna used to depart from San José’s Terminal 7-10. This was the main hub for buses to Cóbano, Monteverde, San Carlos, Jacó, and even international routes to Nicaragua and El Salvador.
Bus schedule from San Jose to La Fortuna
Ready to book your bus?
Direct operator sites
Booking Tip
Reserve your tickets online at mibus.cr for 4,320 CRC ($9.50). You can also buy tickets at the bus terminal for a dollar less. But since this route is popular with both tourists and locals, and there's only one daily bus, tickets sell out fast. If you can’t book in advance, try to arrive about an hour before departure to secure a seat.
On weekends or during the busy season, buses can get so crowded that some passengers end up standing. If you’re among the standing passengers, we recommend you take an indirect bus instead.
Bus personnel might tell you that you’ll be able to sit after a while. But in reality, there’s a high chance you won’t get to sit at all during the 4-hour journey.
When coming from Juan Santamaria International Airport, you don’t have to go all the way to San Jose city centre to take the bus. There is one direct bus departing for La Fortuna from Central de Autobuses del Norte (also called La Radial), which is less than 2 km from the airport.
The thing is, this direct bus departs at 06:50 in the morning. That means you can only take it if you arrive very early at San Jose Airport, or if you spend the night in the area.
A bus ticket from La Radial to La Fortuna costs 1,820 CRC ($4.00). The bus journey takes around 3.5 hours.
If you arrive at the airport later in the day — but still before lunch — you can still take the bus from La Radial, but only up to Ciudad Quesada. From here, you can take another bus to La Fortuna. Check out the next section by indirect bus for more details.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Indirect Bus
The indirect bus via Ciudad Quesada is a good alternative if you want to be more flexible with your schedule. You will have to take two buses, but it comes with the advantage that buses depart more frequently.
When taking the indirect route from San Jose to La Fortuna, you will first take a bus from San Jose to Ciudad Quesada and then another bus from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna. Total travel time is about 5h 10m. Combined fares start from 4,410 CRC ($9.70).
Step 1: Bus from San Jose to Ciudad Quesada
Ciudad Quesada is a district located 95 km northwest of San Jose.
Buses bound for Ciudad Quesada also depart from Terminal Atlantico Norte. These are available every 30 minutes from 05:00 until 18:00.
You can buy a ticket directly from the driver for about 2,860 CRC ($6.30). Buses run frequently, so there’s usually no need to reserve a ticket. But if you prefer to buy your tickets online beforehand, you can book them via mibus.cr, with an additional booking fee.
Travel time from San Jose to Ciudad Quesada is around 3h 40m, but the ride can take longer depending on the traffic.
Ready to book your custom1?
Direct operator sites
Booking Tip
Step 2: Bus from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna
For the second part of this journey, you can choose between two bus routes from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna:
- Via El Tanque to the north (a bit faster)
- Via Chachagua to the south (more scenic)
Both routes cost the same and take a similar amount of time — around 1h 30m. Take the next departing bus if you can't decide which route to take.
Buses are available from 04:00 to 22:00. A ticket costs about 1,550 CRC ($3.40) and you can buy them from the bus driver.
Booking Tip
You can also take an indirect bus from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna. It’s basically the same process, you’ll just have to take the bus from Central de Autobuses del Norte, instead of Terminal Atlantico Norte in San Jose centre.
Here’s how your journey will go:
- From San Jose Airport: Take a 10-minute taxi ride to Central de Autobuses del Norte (also known as La Radial). This should cost around 2,280 CRC ($5.00).
- From La Radial Bus Terminal: Take a bus to Ciudad Quesada. Buses leave at 08:05, 09:05, 10:05, 11:05, and 18:05. Since buses from San Jose city centre also stop here, you can usually catch one every hour. A ticket costs around 3,000 CRC ($6.60).
- From Ciudad Quesada: Transfer to a bus heading to La Fortuna. Buses run from 04:00 to 22:00, with ticket fares at 1,550 CRC ($3.40).
Combined fares by indirect bus from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna is around 7,000 CRC ($15). The journey takes about 5 hours.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Minivan
Taking a minivan shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna is the most popular option and is the best way to travel this route.
With a shuttle, you get an air-conditioned ride with free hotel pickup/drop-off. The journey takes 2h 15m - 4h 30m, and minivan rates start at 23,000 CRC ($50).
Coming from the airport? You can even book a shuttle that picks you up from San Jose Airport. When you arrive, the driver will be waiting at the arrival hall, holding a sign with your name.
Shared minivan schedule from San Jose Airport to La Fortuna
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Minivan Option 2
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Booking Tip
San Jose to La Fortuna by Private Transport
A private transfer is the most convenient option when you’re travelling in a group from San Jose to La Fortuna. There’s no need to pick up other guests and the driver will bring you straight from your hotel or San Jose Airport to your accommodation in La Fortuna.
Also, a private minivan is cheaper than a shared minivan if you're travelling with four or more people. Private minivans for 6 people usually cost 90,000 CRC ($200) — that’s just around 15,000 CRC ($33) per person if you're in a group of 6.
Below are some of the most trusted private transport operators for the San Jose to La Fortuna route.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Car Rental
Driving from San Jose to La Fortuna is also possible. The roads between the two cities are paved and easy to drive, even for tourists. Still, it’s best to drive only when you plan to arrive in La Fortuna before 17:00.
We don’t recommend driving this route at night. 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 San Jose to La Fortuna
We recommend renting a car if you’re returning it in San José after exploring La Fortuna and other parts of Costa Rica. It’s much cheaper this way — around a third of the price compared to dropping the car off in La Fortuna.
If you’re travelling in a group, your rental car can also come in handy. La Fortuna's town centre is just a few blocks of accommodation and restaurants, but its highlights are far apart.
You’ll need a car (or a motorbike) to travel between Arenal Volcano, Chato Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, El Salto rope swing, and the town’s other attractions.
There are taxis in town, but they can be expensive, even for short distances. Buses are also available, but don’t depart frequently. So having your own car can definitely help you do more and go to more places!
Where to rent a car in San Jose
There are plenty of car rental shops in Costa Rica’s capital city or at San Jose Airport. You should be able to rent a car whether you plan to return to San Jose or not. Just expect additional costs if you drop off the vehicle in another city.
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.
One-day car rental costs around 18,000 CRC ($40) per day when returning the car to San Jose. If you’re dropping off the car in La Fortuna or elsewhere in Costa Rica, rental prices are significantly more expensive, starting at 55,000 CRC ($120) on the first day.
Driving directions from San Jose to La Fortuna
There are two routes you can take when driving from San Jose to La Fortuna: via San Ramon and via Ciudad Quesada. San Ramon is the most direct, and usually the route recommended when you use Waze or Google Maps.
From San Jose, take the Pan-American Highway (Carretera Interamericana) going to Puntarenas. Exit at San Ramon, drive through the town and continue on Route 702. If Waze stops working, don’t worry. There are plenty of road signs pointing the right way to La Fortuna.
Prepare for winding roads (and amazing landscapes) as you enter Route 702. These roads are still paved, but we recommend driving a bit slower for safety.
The entire drive to La Fortuna from San Jose takes about 3.5 hours unless you decide to make a stop along the way — something you are free to do when renting your own car!
San Jose to La Fortuna by Flight
You can take a flight from San Jose to La Fortuna, but we don’t recommend it. When you include the airport transfers and the waiting time at the airport, you don’t get to save time or money with this option.
A flight to La Fortuna from San Jose takes around 1h 50m. Combined fares start from 62,000 CRC ($135). That makes it just a bit faster than a minivan ride, but about 3x more expensive.
Still want to take a flight? Read on for a step-by-step guide.
Step 1: How to get to San Jose Airport
San Jose Airport, also called Juan Santamaria International Airport, is 15 km northwest of San Jose city centre. You can get there in 2 ways: a 1-hour bus or a 30-minute taxi.
On a budget? A bus ride costs only 910 CRC ($2.00). Buses are available at TUASA Terminal every 10 minutes from 04:00 to 23:00. Look for either of these two bus companies: TUASA (coloured red and white) and Station Wagon (coloured orange and yellow).
A taxi ride is more expensive with rates from 14,000 CRC ($31), but also more convenient because you don’t need to go to the bus terminal. You can just hail a taxi from the street or through the ride-hailing app Uber.
While Uber is widely used in Costa Rica, it is still not entirely legal. There have been rare cases of Uber rides being stopped in the middle of the journey, not something you’d like to risk when in a hurry to make it to your flight. It’s best to confirm with your hotel whether it’s safe to use Uber before booking a ride.
Step 2: Flight from San Jose to La Fortuna
Sansa Airlines operates flights from San Jose to La Fortuna, but not every day. Check Skyscanner beforehand to see if a flight is available on your desired date.
Airfares start from 55,000 CRC ($120) and flight time is around 30 minutes.
Step 3: La Fortuna Airport to La Fortuna City Centre
All flights arrive at Arenal Airport, about 8 km east of La Fortuna centre. The best way to get to your hotel would be to take a taxi.
Expect to pay around 6,800 CRC ($15) and the taxi ride takes around 20 minutes.
TIP: If you decide to travel by plane, please consider including a carbon compensation fee to reduce your impact on the environment.
San Jose to La Fortuna by Day Trip
Short on time? You can also visit La Fortuna on a day trip from San Jose. This group tour takes around 14 hours, including roundtrip transfers. We don’t think that’s enough time to fully explore La Fortuna, to be honest, but it’s still a decent option for a quick visit.
We recommend booking your day trip with GetYourGuide, which will allow you to enjoy the best of La Fortuna: La Paz and San Fernando Waterfalls, hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano, zip lining, wildlife sightings, and authentic Costa Rican meals, including both lunch and dinner.
Prices for a day trip from San Jose to La Fortuna start from 86,000 CRC ($190) per person.
Our favourite places to stay in La Fortuna
Here are our favourite places to stay in La Fortuna for every budget.
Treat YourselfCasa Luna Hotel
This place is just wow! It’s the epitome of luxury, all whilst being surrounded by nothing but nature and tropical gardens. This eco-friendly hotel offers a number of outdoor pools, hot springs, spa and a grill restaurant.
After a relaxing treatment at the spa, slip on your robe and flop onto your comfy bed in your spacious room. The staff here are super friendly and will help you with anything they can. You won’t want to leave this private tropical oasis.
- Hot springs and outdoor pools
- Onsite grill restaurant
- Stunning gardens and views
- Includes a very tasty breakfast
Double rooms start from $90 per night
Treat YourselfCondo’s Vista Al Volcan
This hotel offers more than just a standard room. You’ll get to stay in a fully equipped apartment, for a very reasonable price. Each apartment has its own sitting area, TV and kitchen. It’s your private space to retreat to after a day of adventure in La Fortuna.
On top of that, you’ll also have access to a great gym that includes most of the equipment that goes way beyond the typical hotel gym! Then after you’ve worked up a sweat, you can relax on the hotel’s terrace, or play a game of snooker.
- Fully-equipped apartments
- Amazing onsite gym
- Great location
- Games area
Double rooms start from $90 per night
Mid-RangeHotel Secreto
Hotel Secreto feels like a mini oasis, surrounded by lush plants and views of Arenal Volcano. There are not many places where you can lounge in a swimming pool, or hot tub, and admire views of a 1,600m volcano. Well here you can!
The large glass doors of the rooms mean you’re never shut away from the glorious views either. They’re large, modern and clean. Every morning you can start the day right by enjoying their delicious free breakfast.
- Outdoor swimming pool and hot tub
- Delicious breakfast included
- Bright and clean rooms
- Stunning hotel landscape and views
Double rooms between $50-$90 per night
BudgetArenal Xilopalo
The view of Arenal Volcano should already be enough to convince you to stay at Arenal Xilopalo. Enjoy the tasty breakfast with an unobstructed view of the volcano whilst listening to the chirping birds in the trees.
The rooms match the vibe of La Fortuna, boasting a rustic and natural design. Every room is clean, spacious and includes extras like a coffee machine and fridge. The location of the hotel is also perfect.
- Amazing view of Arenal Volcano
- Bicycles for rent
- Perfect location
- Helpful and friendly staff
Double rooms between $15-$50 per night
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from San Jose to La Fortuna. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
Frequently Asked Questions
Located northwest of the capital San Jose, La Fortuna is a quiet little town in Alajuela Province. Its name translates to" The Fortune", referring to its fertile lands and abundant natural wonders.
La Fortuna is also the gateway to the famous Arenal Volcano National Park. You can find here 2 volcanoes - the still-very-active Arenal and the dormant Chato - as well as the 70-metre-high La Fortuna Waterfalls.
Both are tucked in lush jungle, making it an adventure to reach the falls while keeping an eye out for the wildlife. The park is home to an abundant amount of birds and if you're lucky, you might even be able to spot a few sloths and toucans in La Fortuna's rainforest.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit La Fortuna?
La Fortuna translates to "The Fortune" in English, which seems pretty accurate as you feel like you've hit the jackpot while visiting here. As the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna attracts hiking and nature lovers eagerly waiting to explore the park's two volcanoes — the still active Arenal and the inactive dormant Chato.
And let's not forget about the incredible views that this laidback town is blessed with too. From virtually any spot in La Fortuna, you can see Arenal Volcano standing guard over the area.
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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.
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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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