Leaving La Fortuna: Shuttles to Monteverde, Tortuguero & Beyond

Once you've had your fill of the volcano, La Fortuna is a great launchpad for the rest of Costa Rica. Here are the routes backpackers actually use, with real prices.

To Monteverde: the jeep-boat-jeep

This is the classic. Instead of grinding six hours around Lake Arenal by road, you take a van to the lakeshore, a boat straight across with the volcano behind you, and another van up to Monteverde on the far side — about three hours total and genuinely scenic. Book the morning jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde (from $33) or the afternoon departure (from $43). It's the rare "transfer" that's a highlight in itself.

To Tortuguero: canals and wildlife

Heading for the Caribbean canals? The La Fortuna to Tortuguero shuttle (from $64) bundles the road transfer with the boat into Tortuguero and lunch along the way — the only way in is by boat, so this takes the guesswork out of it.

To the Caribbean coast

Chasing beaches and reggae? There are direct shuttles to Puerto Viejo (from $65) and Cahuita (from $65), both around six hours. Going all the way to Panama? The La Fortuna to Bocas del Toro (from $85) run includes the border boat and lunch.

To the airports

Flying out? Shared shuttles run to both San José (SJO) (from $65, ~4 hrs) and Liberia (LIR) (from $65, ~3 hrs). Book the day before so the timing lines up with your flight.

How to book

Easiest move: tell our front desk where you're headed next and we'll sort the right shuttle — no agency markup, and we'll make sure the pickup matches your plans. Browse all transport options any time.

Just arriving?

If you're reading this on the way in rather than out, our guide on how to get to La Fortuna from San José has the inbound routes and costs.