Transportation to Arenal and La Fortuna
There are many ways to get to Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa at Arenal Volcano, by the town of La Fortuna. Here are other options besides driving in your own vehicle or rental car.
If you do not have your own vehicle at our Arenal hotel, there are taxi services, a local Shared Shuttle from/to La Fortuna, and many tour companies provide transportation.
Private Car & Driver
Private Transfers provide you with comfortable, private transportation service between destinations in Costa Rica. The service is more expensive than shared vans or public buses, but the difference is that you will have a bilingual driver, only you (and your group) in the vehicle, and no time limitation; you can stop anywhere, anytime. Please contact us to coordinate your Private Car & Driver Service.
Shared Shuttles
Shared Shuttles to Arenal are a good way to save money. This is a door-to-door transportation service from or to San José and Liberia international airports, and from main Costa Rica destinations connecting to Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna. Once you arrive in La Fortuna, you can take a taxi to Arenal Observatory Lodge – all the taxis know where our lodge is located.
Approx Shared Shuttles to La Fortuna departure times. It may vary according to your hotel location.
| From | To | Departures | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose downtown | Arenal – La Fortuna | 8:15 am | 2:30 pm | 4 hours |
| SJO Airport | Arenal – La Fortuna | 8:40 am | 2:30 pm | 4 hours |
| Liberia Airport | Arenal – La Fortuna | 3:00 pm | 5 hours |
| Playa del Coco | Arenal – La Fortuna | 3:00 pm | 5 hours |
| Guapiles | Arenal – La Fortuna | 2:45 pm | 3 hours |
| Jaco Beach | Arenal – La Fortuna | 8:30 am | 3:30 pm | 4 hours |
| Manuel Antonio | Arenal – La Fortuna | 7:30 am | 2:30 pm | 5 hours |
| Monteverde | Arenal – La Fortuna | 3:30 pm | 3 hours |
| Papagayo Gulf | Arenal – La Fortuna | 2:30 pm | 5 hours |
| Potrero Beach | Arenal – La Fortuna | 7:30 pm| 1:40 pm | 5 hours |
| Puerto Viejo & Cahuita | Arenal – La Fortuna | 11:00 am | 5.5 hours |
| Samara & Carrillo | Arenal – La Fortuna | 9:00 am | 5.5 hours |
| Sarapiqui | Arenal – La Fortuna | 3:30 pm | 3 hours |
| Tamarindo | Arenal – La Fortuna | 7:00 am| 2:00 pm | 5.5 hours |
| Conchal | Arenal – La Fortuna | 7:00 am| 2:00 pm | 5.5 hours |
| Flamingo | Arenal – La Fortuna | 7:00 am| 2:00 pm | 5.5 hours |
Public Buses between San Jose and La Fortuna
Costa Rica offers good, convenient public bus service all over the country. There is regular bus service daily from San José to La Fortuna. Once you arrive in La Fortuna, you can take a taxi to Arenal Observatory Lodge – directions to the hotel are not even necessary as all the taxis are familiar with our lodge.
Autotransportes Venecia is the official bus company between San Jose and La Fortuna (2255-0567, 2255-4318 or 2255-4300). We recommend calling our hotel Reception to find out the most current and accurate bus schedule and information.
| From | To | Departure Times | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose downtown | Arenal & La Fortuna | 06:15 am
08:40 am 11:30 am |
4 hours |
The bus station is located in downtown San Jose. Please click here to see the address
Domestic flights between La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano and San Jose, Costa Rica
Domestic flights in Costa Rica are a great inexpensive way to save time traveling between destinations. Costa Rican airline Nature Air offers one daily flight to La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano from San Jose. Costa Rican airline Sansa Airlines offers one flight four times per week from San Jose to La Fortuna / Arenal Volcano. To get to Arenal Observatory Lodge after landing at the Arenal airstrip, we can coordinate your transportation for $50.00 USD per trip, maximum 6 persons.
SANSA AIRLINES Tue, Thurs, Sat, Sun
| From | To | Stops | Departure Time | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose
|
Arenal
|
None
|
4:20 p.m.
|
4:50 p.m.
|
| Arenal | San Jose | None | 5:00 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |