Town in Alajuela, Costa Rica
Getting around La Fortuna
How to get around La Fortuna
Most people join tours with included pickup or take shuttles. The town is walkable; to reach the lake, volcano and hot springs you need a taxi, shuttle or rental car.
Ways to get around La Fortuna
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 3,000–10,000 CRC | Short rides in town; negotiate or ask for the meter for longer trips |
| Public bus (from San José) | About 5,000–6,000 CRC | Roughly 4 hours; depart Terminal 7-10, tickets at the window |
| Shuttle van | $50–65 | Door-to-door from San José or Liberia; book ahead |
Ride-hailing apps in La Fortuna
A 5 km ride costs about ₡3,000–6,000 ($6.6–13.1).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Limited drivers and not always available; check the app |
- Taxis run from the central park and are the easiest option. Agree a price first for trips outside town; apps are unreliable here.
Arriving in La Fortuna
Juan Santamaría International (SJO)
Shuttle $50–65, about 3–3.5 hours; public bus from the Terminal 7-10 in San José, about 4 hours, cheaper but with a transfer.
Liberia Daniel Oduber (LIR)
Shuttle $60–80, about 2.5–3 hours; no direct public bus.
Driving and onward travel
- Scooters: ATV and e-bike rentals are common; a car is more useful. Scooter rentals exist but roads are wet and rough.
- Driving: on the right. Foreign licences are valid for the length of your tourist stay; carry your original passport when driving.
- Onward travel in Costa Rica: Cheap public buses reach almost everywhere from San José but are slow. Shared shuttles, Sansa domestic flights and rental cars (4x4 in rainy season) are faster.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in La Fortuna?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber.
What's the best way to get around La Fortuna?
Most people join tours with included pickup or take shuttles. The town is walkable; to reach the lake, volcano and hot springs you need a taxi, shuttle or rental car.
How do I get from the airport to La Fortuna?
Shuttle $50–65, about 3–3.5 hours; public bus from the Terminal 7-10 in San José, about 4 hours, cheaper but with a transfer.
Is La Fortuna walkable?
Walkable center.
More about La Fortuna
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Sources
- Interbus (shared shuttles)
- Sansa (domestic flights)
- Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT)
- SINAC national parks
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.