Travel Blogging
Best ways to get from San Jose Costa Rica to La Fortuna
La Fortuna – a small town but majestic by the invaluable assets that nature bestows. La Fortuna attracts visitors because of its poetic beauty because it is surrounded by verdant rainforest and above it is a majestic volcano. Coming to La Fortuna will help you play with nature, see wildlife and relax in geothermal springs. For these reasons, La Fortuna is one of the best destinations in Costa Rica.
Located northwest of the capital city of San Jose, La Fortuna is the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. The driving distance from San Jose to La Fortuna is 130 kilometers (80 miles). To move from San Jose to La Fortuna, there are several main means of transport. Let’s find out in this article!
How to get from San Jose to La Fortuna?
You can go from San Jose to La Fortuna by 3 main means: Minivan, private transfer or direct bus.
MINIVAN
Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
Price: start from ~ $55/ pax
Advantage
– Convenient as this vehicle includes hotel pick up and drop off
– Move quickly because the car almost goes in a single circuit, does not stop and park many places
– Good facilities, comfortable seats
– You can also save a night in San Jose by booking a minivan that will pick you up from the airport for free, then head straight to La Fortuna
Disadvantage
– The price is quite high for tourists with a limited budget
Conclude
Minivan is a 16-seat-car so it is the best transportation if you have a group of 7-10 people with bulky luggages and 7-15 people with small luggages. This is a great vehicle if you travel with a group of family or friends, then you can rent a private van, the car will not have to stop at many hotels to pick up /drop off passengers.
PRIVATE TRANSFER
Duration: 2.5 – 3 hours
Price: start from ~ $150
Advantage
– Good facilities, luxury, comfort
– Move quickly because there is no need to stop/park
– Pick up from hotel or airport and drop off at the hotel for free
– Private space, no need to share the car with strangers
Disadvantage
– High price, not suitable for travelers with limited budget
Conclude
Private car is suitable for business people or tourists with a high budget who want to move with private space and the highest quality of service. However, you can also save a bit if you can find someone to share or you have a group of 3 or more people.
DIRECT BUS
Duration: 4 hours
Price: ~ $5
Advantage
– Cheap price, suitable for all tourists
– Travel quite quickly, not too long compared to going by car or van
Disadvantage
– Can’t expect for good amenities with the bus
– You need to move from hotel to the bus station and from bus station to hotel
– There is only one direct bus per day so you need to be careful not to miss it
– The bus has many people so you need to keep your belongings carefully to avoid pickpockets or robbers
Conclude
The bus is suitable for travelers with low budgets or those who do not want to spend too much money on transportation. You should arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure time to secure tickets. You can buy them at the ticketing centre on the terminal’s top floor.
Top 5 places to visit in La Fortuna
- Arenal Volcano National Park
This is a popular activity in La Fortuna as the volcano is one of the most famous features in this town. You can hike the volcano with a guide, it would be easỉer, you also can explore without a guide by going to the park entrance visitor centre, pay your fee and pick up a map.
- La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall is located outside of town so you can drive or take a taxi here. La Fortuna waterfall is open from 7 am – 5 pm and costs 18 USD per person.
La Fortuna waterfall has a wonderful combination with hot springs and Arenal volcano, you can book that combo tour here.
- Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Walking across a network of high suspension bridges around the rainforest is one of the most iconic things in Costa Rica.
You can visit the Mistico Park, you will walk in the rainforest and cross 16 bridges (including 6 suspension bridges over the forest), canyoning. Here, you can see many species of wildlife. You should come here with a guide because they will lead you to see the habitat of the most special animals.
- Arenal Hot Springs
La Fortuna is famous for its many beautiful natural hot springs, there is nothing better than soaking in a hot spring after a long tiring day.
There are many hot springs in Arenal. One of the most luxurious options is the Tabacón hot springs belonging to the 5-star hotel of the same name, price from $70. If you are not a guest here then you can buy a ticket. You can also experience natural hot springs for free, there are many hot springs near Tabacon hotel.
- Rio Celeste
This is a beautiful turquoise waterfall located along a 5.4 km (3.4 mi) hiking trail in Tenorio Volcanoes National Park, about 1.5 hours northwest of La Fortuna. Although it is a bit far to move here, it is definitely worth the trip. The local legend behind this waterfall is very sweet – it is believed that when the god was painting the bright blue sky, he dipped his brush in the river, leaving an incredible color. Around this waterfall, there are also beautiful rainforest flora and rich wildlife. Come here to enjoy being in the wild!