La Fortuna

Private car transfer
from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna

Door-to-door
in 2 h 40 min
From ...
per seat
Comfortable
car
One way
Cancel for free 24 hours before departure
Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice 2024
Excellent
trustpilot-stars

Trip Information

Pick-up

Your driver will meet you at your address in Liberia Airport.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage

Trip

You’ll travel in comfort for 2 h 40 min.

  • Optional sight-seeing
  • Clean, comfortable car
  • Professional driver
  • Bottled water
  • Child seats
  • Prepared for handicapped
  • Smoke-free
  • Pet friendly

Drop-off

Your driver will drop you off at your address in La Fortuna.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage
In total
  • 144 km
  • 2 h 40 min

Overview: transportation from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna

The drive from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes from door to door with a private transfer. On the way, you can choose to do some sightseeing to kick off your adventure in Costa Rica. Don’t worry, your driver will watch your bags!

You can experience the only African safari in Costa Rica at the Ponderosa Adventure Park, home to a diverse range of Indigenous wildlife that you can explore with forest treks and 4x4 safaris for closer interactions with the animals.

Or, immerse yourself in the jungle and bask in the Llanos de Cortez Waterfall, known for its “white curtain” effect created by the wide, wispy streams of water. You can even explore behind the pool under the rock cliff, or swim and sun yourself among the tranquil pool below.

Choosing a Daytrip private transfer for this route also gives you the option to go directly to La Fortuna, traveling in unmatched safety and comfort with a friendly local driver.

About La Fortuna

After your Liberia Airport to La Fortuna transfer, you’ll find yourself in a small town set against the jaw-dropping backdrop of the Arenal Volcano. In La Fortuna, you can look forward to exploring some of the country’s best natural attractions and engaging in the wellness-focused activities and outdoor-centric culture of the town.

The nearby Arenal Volcano provides undeniably majestic scenery to the town and its thermal waters are some of the most visited in the country, drawing visitors from around the world to the mineral-rich pools. The nearby Arenal Lagoon is a manmade thermal pool nestled in between mountains and lush rainforest, offering the perfect tranquil escape to unwind and relax amongst nature.

For a more adventurous experience, there are hiking trails of various difficulty throughout the Arenal Volcano National Park, many offering incredible viewpoints from which to observe the vibrant flora and fauna of the area.

La Fortuna is also popular for La Fortuna Waterfall, which makes up part of the environmental reserve in the Arenal National Park. The falls are 230 feet (70 meters) high and can be accessed by a 530-step path through a native tree forest. Visitors can also swim the Fortuna River to cool off after the hike.

La Fortuna itself is a quaint town with a leisurely vibe, and visitors can look forward to a peaceful trip in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle. In town, travelers can indulge in resort-style amenities such as spas and a range of restaurants that serve local dishes alongside plenty of blended Central American cuisine.

From Liberia Airport to La Fortuna: travel tips

As you plan ahead for your trip from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna, a few key considerations can elevate your travel experience and give you the best time possible in Costa Rica.

Plan sightseeing stops in advance

Daytrip has already found the best places to visit on the route, and you can add them to your itinerary with a click. Some stops will require minimum time allowances to ensure you get the full experience and others need advanced reservations, so all you need to do is make sure you schedule accordingly and get your tickets!

Pack for variable conditions

The weather in Costa Rica can be unpredictable regardless of the season, but this is particularly important when participating in volcanic hikes around the Arenal Volcano National Park. If you’re taking on any of the hikes, you’ll want to come prepared with lots of layers. Even in the hottest months, lightweight long layers you can take on and off will provide coverage from the high UV and bug bites.

You may be considering bringing along your favorite pair of hiking boots, but there are actually plenty of mountain boot rentals available at the base of the volcano - so save the space in your suitcase!

How to get from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna

There are a few options for your journey from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna, including bus, shuttle, and flight routes as well as private driving services.

Daytrip private car transfer from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna

A private car transfer is undoubtedly the best way to get from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna. It's the only door-to-door option, so you can get to your accommodation in just 2 hours and 40 minutes. Of course, if you're up for it, Daytrip lets you stop for sightseeing as well, so you can dive into Costa Rica's natural beauty right after you touch down!

This seamless, convenient transfer starts at only $33 per person, meaning it's cheaper than public transport, and will offer greater reliability than many public transit options.

Bus from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna

There is no direct bus from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna, but it is possible to first take the 513 bus to Liberia, and then the 524 bus to Canas before getting on a private shuttle into La Fortuna. This route will take at least 2.5 hours, and because of the varying prices of the shuttle, it can cost between $47-293!

Shuttle from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna

Several private shuttle companies travel along this route, but the prices can be fairly high. Expect prices of $179-250, depending on the exact route and the shuttle company.

Flight from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna

There are flights between Liberia Airport and the Arenal FON airport, though because it isn’t very far, you can expect to spend $263-348 on the short-distance flight. The travel time will end up being around 3-4 hours when accounting for the transfers to and from the airport in Liberia, as well as arriving early before your flight. It's slower, more inconvenient, and more hassle than a private car.

Things to do when you get to La Fortuna

However you navigate from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna, you will soon be in the adventure capital of Costa Rica with plenty of exciting outdoor adventures on your doorstep. From relaxing spa days spent unwinding in the mineral-rich hot springs to high-adventure jungle treks and volcanic exploration, La Fortuna has an adventure for every kind of traveler.

See the La Fortuna Waterfall

One of the most well-known attractions in the area is the La Fortuna Waterfall, cascading down from around 230 feet (70 meters) into tranquil pools below. You can swim, sunbathe, even climb behind the falls to peer through the watery “white curtain”, or hike to the top and enjoy the magnificent views from above.

Explore around Arenal Volcano National Park

The imposing beauty of the Arenal Volcano is central to all of the outdoor activities in La Fortuna, and while here you can explore various hikes through the jungle and among volcanic landscapes. There are opportunities to go white water rafting or zip-lining through the jungle to appreciate the landscape with a little bit more adrenaline.

You can also visit the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges and take either a self-guided or a group-directed tour across the suspended bridges in front of the majestic volcano. Some tours are specifically catered to bird watching or learning more about the geological significance of the area.

Unwind in the hot springs

La Fortuna has a number of both natural and man-made hot springs fed by the thermal waters of the Tabacon River. Visitors can look forward to a range of options including the Baldi Hot Springs Resort and the aptly named Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa. Both offer more luxurious hot spring experiences that are perfect for unwinding after a long day of high-adventure jungle exploration.

What is the best time to visit La Fortuna?

Leading up to your Liberia Airport to La Fortuna transfer, you will likely be researching the best time of year for your visit. As with most of Costa Rica, the dry season in La Fortuna is from December to April, offering the sunniest weather and the hottest temperatures.

To avoid the crowds of visitors, consider visiting from November to December or March to April when you’ll still avoid the worst of the wet season but might find good deals on flights and accommodation. Keep in mind that the weather can be unpredictable anytime you’re in a tropical environment, but these shoulder seasons give you the best balance of dry days and minimal crowds.

Questions & Answers about Traveling from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna

There is a direct flight from Liberia Airport to Arenal Airport, with a flight time of around 50 minutes. This route will still take as long as driving (if not longer) due to the early arrival times needed at the airport in Liberia, as well as the transfers to and from the airports in either city. It's also more expensive at an average of $300 per person.
The easiest way to get from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna is to take a private driving transfer, which grants you door-to-door service in just 2 hours and 40 minutes with none of the hassle of navigating public transportation. It's also cheaper than the bus or shuttle!
You can take a private car, bus, shuttle, or flight from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna. Your best option will be a private car transfer to save both time and money en route. Yes, that's right. A private car is the cheapest option.
With a Daytrip private car transfer, a ride from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna starts at just $33 per person. The public transportation alternatives can be much more expensive, with some flights costing hundreds of dollars.
The shuttle from Liberia to La Fortuna takes around 2.5 hours if going via. Liberia town center, though keep in mind you will also need to account for the time spent navigating to Liberia proper from the airport.
Daytrip's private car service is the fastest way to get from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna. It's the only direct option and can bring you door-to-door in around 2.5 hours.

Visit these sights on the way

Ponderosa Adventure Park

Ponderosa Adventure Park

Unlike anywhere else in Costa Rica, you can enjoy indigenous wildlife and an exotic African safari at this nature reserve. A Taste of Africa 

Llanos de Cortez Waterfall

Llanos de Cortez Waterfall

At one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful waterfalls offers, you can go behind the curtain. The White Curtain 

Centro de Rescate Las Pumas

Centro de Rescate Las Pumas

This rescue center rehabilitates wild cats and many other animals in large, natural enclosures. Pouncing for Protection 

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

Discover the plants and animals of Costa Rica’s lush rainforest as you move from floor to canopy. Suspended Scenes 

Arenal Volcano National Park

Arenal Volcano National Park

This still active volcano offers a taste of Costa Rica's diversity - from lush rainforest to lunar landscapes. The Cone 

La Fortuna Waterfall

La Fortuna Waterfall

One of Costa Rica’s most iconic waterfalls paints a postcard-perfect picture of jungle beauty. A Jungle Gem 

Why people love Daytrip

Tripadvisor logo
4,800+ reviews
  • 112 travelers took this route with us
Dec 4, 2024

Excellent service for transfers in Thailand

I was unsure about this company but a few good reviews on Trip Advisor made me take the chance. I am so happy that we did. We needed a ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Our driver Saksun was an excellent driver - it's not a long distance to drive (by Texas standards!) but the road is challenging and there are a lot of places where improvements to the road are being made. It took around 3 hours with a stop at a place with very clean bathrooms, very interesting hot springs and a place to get a snack and cold drinks. Saksun had a vehicle that was fantastic for this type of drive - a very comfortable ride indeed and was obviously well maintained and very clean. I highly recommend this company. I used to post on trip advisor as "lakekariba" but got out of the habit of doing so. This company was so easy to use and the result was so enjoyable that I felt that the company Daytrip and the driver Saksun had earned our trust and a glowing review. Gillian and Ted Pearsall Austin, Texas

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler lakekariba
Review author image

lakekariba

Dec 4, 2024
Dec 3, 2024

Excellent option to get to Vienna to Budapest!

We used Daytrip to travel between Budapest and Vienna with a 2 hour stop for lunch in Bratislava. Our driver Zsombor arrived on time at our hotel in Budapest and was very friendly and informative throughout our trip. His vehicle was roomy and clean and he was kind enough to provide us with some bottled water for the trip. Our quick visit stop in Bratislava was very nice as well. He gave us plenty of time to explore the city and have lunch before meeting him again when it was time to head for Vienna. Daytrip provided us with a happy and trouble free transfer between Budapest and Vienna. Many thanks to your team and especially to your driver Zsombor!

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler pgh1125
Review author image

pgh1125

Dec 3, 2024
Nov 9, 2024

Great communication with an actual person! They will take you ANYWHERE, No pre-set routes to choose from!

Last minute plan change and Daytrip was our last resort so I chatted with them and had an immediate response from a real person, best situation ever. Never used Daytrip before but the reviews were incredible so we took the chance and booked a driver at like 11-12pm and by 7am the next morning when we woke, they found us a driver and the driver had already texed us making contact! Very impressed and will definitely use them again. We went from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Tivat, Montenegro.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler James B
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James B

Nov 9, 2024
Nov 1, 2024

Perfect Transport

Andreas did a great job picking us up from Pireaus Cruise Port and taking us to our rental in Spata. The three of us had been on a long cruise and had 9 pieces of luggage. He arrived in an appropriate vehicle and loaded and unloaded all of it. We are very happy with out decision to book with Daytrip.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler LuckyTraveler01
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LuckyTraveler01

Nov 1, 2024

Vehicle options for this trip

Most popular

sedan

Sedan

Comparable to aVolkswagen Passat
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-3
  • 3x
  • 3x
  • Clean
  • Comfortable
  • Air conditioned
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Child seats
  • Pet friendly
  • Smoke-free
From ... per seatSelect

Best reviews

suv

SUV

Comparable to aToyota RAV 4
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-2
  • 2x
  • 2x
  • All standard sedan features
  • Upgrade to larger vehicle
  • Chauffeur-style service
  • Extra amenities
From ... per seatSelect

More options

mpv

Compact MPV

Comparable to aVolkswagen Touran
Passengers and luggage
  • 4
  • 4x
  • 4x
From ... per seatSelect
van

Van

Comparable to aMercedes Vito
Passengers and luggage
  • 5-7
  • 7x
  • 7x
From ... per seatSelect

The Daytrip driver advantage

Daytrip driver
  • Local knowledge about the route from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna
    Including available sights:
  • English speaking*

    All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.

  • Safety first!

    We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.

World-class customer support

  • Available 24/7
  • Close relationship with drivers
  • Experts on the route from Liberia Airport to La Fortuna

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Cancellations: 100% refund up to 24 hours before the trip!
  • Changes: Free up to 24 hours before the trip!

Good to know

Children

If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!

Pets

Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.

Tips

Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).

Luggage

  • Big luggage
  • 29x21x11 inches
  • 74x53x28 cm
  • Small luggage
  • 22x14x9 inches
  • 56x36x23 cm

Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.

Payment methods

Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.

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