How to get to La Fortuna
La Fortuna has no airport or train. You get there by bus, by car or on a private shuttle. Here are the fares set by ARESEP, the road distances and what to check before you leave.
Distances from La Fortuna
Driving estimates from La Fortuna's central park, calculated with OpenStreetMap, without traffic or stops. In practice it usually takes longer, especially in the rain.
| Destination | km | Time | Main roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| San José (centre) | 136.8 | 2 h 35 min | Rutas 142, 141, 4, 35, 141 y 1 (por Ciudad Quesada) |
| Juan Santamaría airport (SJO) | 123.7 | 2 h 22 min | Rutas 142, 141, 4, 35, 141 y 1 (por Ciudad Quesada) |
| Liberia airport (LIR)Via Tilarán and Cañas, around the lake. | 146.3 | 2 h 58 min | Ruta 142 → Interamericana (1) → 21 |
By bus
| Section | Route no. | Operator | Fare | Seniors (65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San José – Ciudad Quesada – La Fortuna | 214 | A.T.Z. Alfaro Ruiz S.A. | ₡3,920 | ₡2,940 |
| Ciudad Quesada – La Fortuna | 286 | Transpisa Ltda. | ₡1,640 | ₡820 |
| Ciudad Quesada – La Fortuna | 234 | Empresarios Unidos del Norte S.A. | ₡1,700 | ₡850 |
| San Ramón – La Fortuna | 272 | Carbachez e Hijos E.I.R.L. | ₡2,660 | ₡2,000 |
ARESEP – Datos abiertos, pliego tarifa…, ARESEP – Tarifas vigentes del servicio…
- ARESEP does not publish timetables, and the timetable section of Transpisa's website links to images that no longer load. Confirm times at the terminal or with the company before you travel.
ARESEP – Tarifas vigentes del servicio…, Transpisa – sitio de la empresa de bus…
- In San José, buses to Ciudad Quesada and San Carlos leave from the Atlántico Norte terminal, about 200 m west of the old 7-10 terminal, which closed in 2025. The news report does not name La Fortuna; a travel guide says the direct bus leaves from there. Confirm before you go.
Teletica – Tras cierre de terminal de …, Gecko Routes – San Jose to La Fortuna
- Seniors (65+): free on trips under 25 km, 50% of the fare between 25 and 50 km and 75% on routes over 50 km.
From the airports
- Juan Santamaría airport (SJO): we found no direct public bus to La Fortuna in official sources. Regulated buses leave from San José and San Ramón, and the ICT mini-guide warns that by bus the trip takes longer and may need one or two changes.
ICT — Mini guía La Fortuna (flipbook, …, ARESEP – Datos abiertos, pliego tarifa…
- Liberia airport (LIR): regulated city bus 520 (Pulmitan) runs from the airport to downtown Liberia for ₡580. From Liberia, regulated route 509 goes to Cañas and Upala, but the fare list includes no Upala–La Fortuna section. The airport's website only lists authorized private transport.
ARESEP – Datos abiertos, pliego tarifa…, Aeropuerto de Guanacaste (LIR) – Trans…
By car
- From San José there are two usual ways in, via San Ramón (the most used) or via Zarcero and Ciudad Quesada. The ICT mini-guide estimates about 2.5 hours either way.
- Route 141 between Zarcero and Ciudad Quesada sometimes closes because of landslides in the rainy season, as on 27 November 2024. Check road conditions before you set out.
- The new highway to San Carlos (Route 35) is still incomplete. In July 2026 the transport ministry (MOPT) announced that work on the 29 km central section, between Sifón de San Ramón and La Abundancia, would start in about two months. We found no confirmation that it has started.
- To continue to Monteverde, Guanacaste or Ciudad Quesada, see the regional routes.
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