Road to La Fortuna with Arenal Volcano in the distance

How to Get to La Fortuna (from San José & Liberia)

Travel TipsBy Carlos Rodríguez · Founder & Lead Guide, Fortuna ExpeditionsPublished July 22, 2026· Updated July 23, 2026

La Fortuna is about 3 hours from San José (SJO) and 3-3.5 hours from Liberia (LIR). Your options are a shared shuttle, a private transfer, a rental car, or the scenic jeep-boat-jeep from Monteverde.

Here's what each option costs, how long it takes, and which we recommend.

From San José (SJO)

~3 hours on paved roads via the Central Valley. A private transfer is the most comfortable (door to door, your schedule); shared shuttles are cheaper but slower with pickups.

From Liberia (LIR)

~3-3.5 hours. Handy if you're combining Guanacaste beaches with Arenal. Private transfer or car rental both work well.

From Monteverde (Jeep-Boat-Jeep)

The scenic ~3-hour transfer across Lake Arenal — van to the lake, boat across, van to town. More fun than the long road drive. See La Fortuna vs Monteverde.

Boat crossing Lake Arenal toward La Fortuna

Which Should You Choose?

Option	Time	Best for
Private transfer	3 hrs	Comfort, families
Shared shuttle	3.5-4 hrs	Budget solo/couples
Rental car	3 hrs	Flexibility
Jeep-boat-jeep	3 hrs	Scenery from Monteverde

We run private transfers from both airports — tell us your route.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is La Fortuna from San José airport?

About 3 hours by road (roughly 120 km) on paved highways through the Central Valley.

How do you get from Liberia to La Fortuna?

It's a 3 to 3.5 hour drive. A private transfer or rental car is easiest, which makes it simple to combine Guanacaste beaches with Arenal.

What is the jeep-boat-jeep to La Fortuna?

It's a scenic ~3-hour transfer between Monteverde and La Fortuna: a van to Lake Arenal, a boat across the lake, and a van into town.