How To Get To Arenal

Destinations - Cities and Towns

Air:

Local carrier Nature Air operates daily flights from San Jose to Arenal. The flight is approximately 30 minutes and departs from Nature Air's airport in Pavas (half-way between San Jose and Alajuela).

From Arenal, Nature Air flies to Liberia, Tamarindo, Tambor, Nosara, Quepos, San Jose and Punta Islita. The Nature Air office in La Fortuna is located on Avenida Central.

For current prices and schedules, contact Nature Air.
Telephone 506-2-299-6000

Bus:

All buses stop in La Fortuna's central park. There is no central bus terminal in town.

To La Fortuna:
Departures from San Jose (Calle 12, Avenida 7/9)
6:15, 8:40 and 11:30 a.m. 4 hour trip. Auto Transportes San Jose-San Carlos
(Tel. 506-2-256-8914)
Cost: ¢1,540 one-way ($3)

From La Fortuna:
To San Jose:
12:45 and 2:45 p.m. Departs from the bus stop in central park

To Ciudad Quesada:
5 a.m., 8 a.m., 12:15 and 3:30 p.m. One hour trip.
Cost: $1

Tilaran:
8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. 3.5 hour trip.
Cost: $1.40

Car:

From San Jose take Hwy 1 North. Follow signs to San Ramon and stay in the center lane— the road splits to the left goes to the airport and to the right to goes to Alajuela. Stay in the center lane. The road becomes two lanes again after merging with traffic coming from Alajuela, but quickly goes to one lane in 50’ or so for a narrow bridge crossing. After this, the road is two lanes for a while.

Take the San Ramon exit. Follow this highway for 19 miles and turn right into San Ramon. Continue straight and drive through the town, following signs to Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna. Turn left and continue to Los Angeles del Sur. At the green church there is a Y, turn left, following volcano signs. You will pass a cigar factory on your right where you can roll your own cigars.

A bit further there is a bar/restaurant called El Mirador; this is a great spot for a light snack. Next door is a souvenir shop that sells the usual and has clean bathrooms that are free for travelers. Continue on this curvy, mountainous road.

You will cross several bridges over Rio La Balsa and Rio Catarata. Continue through the town of Las Tunas. After this town, you'll see an old toll booth—veer left at the Y and follow volcano signs to La Tigra. Pass through La Tigra and go over the new La Tigra Bridge that spans the Peñas Blancas River. Only one car is allowed to cross at a time. Continue through the town of Chachagua and arrive in La Fortuna. The town is 64 miles from the Autopista turnoff and the trip takes approximately 3.5 hours from San Jose.

Combination Trips to / from Monteverde and Arenal:

Visitors can travel to La Fortuna via a jeep/boat/jeep, taxi/boat/taxi or by a horse/boat combo journey from the Santa Elena-Monteverde area. All of these trips transport your luggage separately and offer a scenic journey between the two towns. Trips to Monteverde from La Fortuna are popular as well and cost between $30-45 per person one-way. The transfer can be booked at several hotels and tour operators in La Fortuna.

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