Private car transfer from San Jose to La Fortuna

Overview: Car Trip from San Jose to La Fortuna

You might have just arrived at the airport in San Jose or might be leaving the capital after enjoying it for some time. In either case, traveling from San Jose to La Fortuna will be a refreshing journey into the thick green of Costa Rica from the modern capital. The distance from La Fortuna from San Jose is 80 miles (130 km) and both private car and shared shuttle rides take around three hours without stopping.

Aside from the comfort and convenience of riding door to door, one of the benefits of taking a private car from San Jose to La Fortuna is sightseeing! There's the delectable Britt Coffee Tour, where you can learn about the history of Costa Rica’s delicious coffee, how it is made, and even how to prepare it at home through a guided tasting. From this delightful experience, you can move on to a nice trip into the jungle. Los Chorros Waterfalls are located in the heart of a lush park and are reachable on a walk along a jungle trail. Or wander among tropical plants from around the world at the Else Kientzler Garden.

And in between these stops, be prepared to be amazed by the fantastic scenery the roads of Costa Rica offer before your driver drops you off at your accommodation in La Fortuna.

About La Fortuna

Located in Costa Rica's Northern Highlands, La Fortuna is one the best destinations to enjoy Costa Rica's natural beauty. The lush rainforest climbing the slopes of Arenal Volcano feels worlds away from the bustle of San Jose, even though it's just a 2.5-hour trip.

The heart of La Fortuna is a vibrant park with colorful gardens with a white church in the center. In these streets around the central plaza, there are local restaurants where you can try Costa Rican food, tour operators in case you’d like to set out into the jungle, and many shops.

From San Jose to La Fortuna: Travel Tips

Traveling from San Jose to La Fortuna is a dream trip for many. Follow these travel tips to make sure yours doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

Be ready for rain

Because of its tropical climate, La Fortuna sees a lot of rain. Bring good shoes that can stand against the mud, water, and puddles. We also recommend having a lightweight rain jacket or poncho for sudden showers. Packing a waterproof sunscreen is a lifesaver when you are enjoying the hot springs of La Fortuna as the sun can get strong during the day despite the rains.

How to Get from San Jose to La Fortuna

There are several ways to get from San Jose to La Fortuna including taking a bus, driving, booking a private door-to-door car, or a shuttle transfer. Which one is best for you depends on your preferences.

San Jose to La Fortuna by bus

Taking a public bus from San Jose to La Fortuna is the cheapest option. The tickets can be purchased for 2,600 colones which is around $5 US. However, the bus does have several drawbacks. The bus is slower, taking around 4 hours to get to La Fortuna. Also, tickets are not available online so you'll need to buy them at the station. The bus departs only once a day at 8:40 AM, so you should be at the station an hour early to make sure you secure a ticket. Finally, the ride can be a bit uncomfortable considering the bus can be filled with up to 70 people and goes through hot and humid conditions.

Things to Do When You Get to La Fortuna

After smoothly traveling from San Jose, there is a tropical town filled with things to do when you get to La Fortuna. La Fortuna offers countless activities, hikes, walks, and nature excursions that will make you consider becoming a tropical hermit.

Explore the Arenal Volcano

Although Arenal Volcano will watch over you throughout your stay in La Fortuna, you cannot miss exploring the volcano closer. Hike the Arenal Volcano National Park or Arenal 1968 Trail, each of which will take you over decades-old lava flows to get closer to the volcano. Another trail to take is called Mirador El Silencio which will take you to an almost eye level with the volcano’s peak. If you’d like to see the volcano from another perspective, you can also visit the Arenal Observatory. The observation deck offers some fantastic views for anyone with limited mobility.

When’s the best time to visit La Fortuna?

Thanks to its location, Costa Rica has a tropical climate all year round and experiences only two seasons; the dry season and the wet season. The dry season, from December to April, gets the most sunshine. But it's also the high season and is when most people visit. The wet season is also called the rainy or the green season and lasts from May to November. Both seasons are great for discovering La Fortuna if you plan accordingly.