How to Get From San Jose to La Fortuna

The direct bus is the cheapest option for the San Jose to La Fortuna route, with prices from only $9.50 (4,300 CRC). 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.

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 $9.70 (4,400 CRC).

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 3h - 4h 30m, and minivan rates start at $49 (22,200 CRC).

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.

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 $200 (90,000 CRC) — that’s just around $33 (15,000 CRC) 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.

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 $40 (18,200 CRC) 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 $120 (54,000 CRC) 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!

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 $135 (62,000 CRC). 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.

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 $190 (86,000 CRC) per person.