Looking for the best way to go from La Fortuna to Monteverde, without breaking the bank or spending a full day on the road?
Transportation from one city to another in Costa Rica can be hard to understand, that is why we want to share what we learned with you. Let’s say it right away: Costa Rica does not have a simple and comprehensive way to visit the whole country.
This is due to the country’s mountainous geography, which lengthens travel times. This is particularly true for towns such as La Fortuna and Monteverde, reputed to be home to some of the most incredible treehouse hotels in Costa Rica.
Therefore, you will have to do some research every time you need to get from one place to another. Let’s say after going from San Jose to Monteverde, you want to visit La Fortuna, or vice versa. What is the best way to do so?
After a big brainstorming when we were spending 10 days in Costa Rica, here are the 6 best ways to go from La Fortuna to Monteverde, all explained.
Is Monteverde worth visiting?
Absolutely! Monteverde is one of the most stunning places in Costa Rica and definitely worth visiting. Its lush tropical rainforests are a sight to behold, with over 100 species of mammals such as monkeys, deer and jaguars, plus 500 different types of birds.
In addition to its fascinating wildlife, Monteverde also offers a range of exciting activities like zip-lining, hiking, horseback riding and even night walk tours in the Cloud Forest of Monteverde.
With its unique natural beauty and range of activities available, Monteverde is an ideal destination for the adventurous traveler.
How far is Monteverde from Arenal?
On a map, Monteverde and the Arenal Volcano area look super close. La Fortuna and Monteverde are only 26 kilometers away (16 miles).
However, there is no direct road between those two cities due to the Arenal Lake and forest region. Whatever the way of transportation you choose, the road from Monteverde to La Fortuna will take at least 3 hours.
Be reassured, the scenic drive or boat tour between the two destinations is a wonderful way to explore the diverse landscapes of Costa Rica.
Getting from La Fortuna to Monteverde : 6 best ways of transportation
There are a few different ways to go from the Arenal Volcano to Monteverde, and the opposite way. Which one is best for you depends on if you would rather go fast, stay in one transport from beginning to end, have your own car or even explore nature from the back of a horse!
Here are the 6 best ways to reach Monteverde from La Fortuna.
Taxi Boat Taxi La Fortuna to Monteverde: the most common option
The Arenal lake is located exactly between La Fortuna and Monteverde. Therefore, one of the most common transport options is to take a van to Arenal Lake Dam, a pier in the north east of the lake.
The driver will pick you up at your hotel and the journey takes around 20 minutes. Then, they will tell you which boat you can board. The company that transfers passengers across the lake is called Adventuras El Lago.
The trip across Lake Arenal takes about half an hour. It provides stunning views of the lake and surrounding hillsides.
Passengers can expect a comfortable journey as the boat from La Fortuna to Monteverde is large enough for passengers to move around and take in the scenery as they cruise across the lake.
Once on the other side of the lake, you will get in a new van that will take you to Santa Elena, the main town of the Monteverde rainforest. It takes about one hour and a half and your driver will drop you off at your hotel.
Where to book the Van Boat Van La Fortuna to Monteverde?
Any hotel in La Fortuna should be able to book you a spot for this journey. If you want to buy your ticket in advance, just type “La Fortuna to Monteverde jeep boat jeep” in Google. Yes, this is not a jeep, but that’s how they call it!
You can check availability directly below.
⭐ Book your door-to-door transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde here.
What are the departure hours of the Van Boat Van journey?
Most tour companies leave La Fortuna between 8 AM and 8:30 AM, or 2 PM to 2:30 PM. However, times are subject to change and we advise you to check with the company or your hotel directly.
✔️ La Fortuna to Monteverde taxi boat taxi FAQs
- Duration: 2 hours and a half
- Price: $27 USD
- Adventurous: 6/10
- Pros: even if there are 3 different transports, this option is pretty easy and fun as you will always be guided from the car to the boat, and from the boat to the car.
- Cons: you need to switch transports twice
Drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde: your best bet for independence
If you have rented a car, you can easily do this journey with your car from start to finish! The journey from La Fortuna to Monteverde lasts around 3 hours. It will take you on paved and dirt roads, with beautiful views.
You will first need to drive from La Fortuna to Tilaran on road 142. This scenic road goes around Lake Arenal. It is paved, with loads of curves, but truly feels like driving in the jungle!
Once you reach Tiliran, turn left on road 145 towards Monteverde and until the Restaurante El Trapiche. This part of the journey will be on a gravel road and lasts for about 40 minutes.
Make a stop at Viento Fresco Waterfall, right after Tiliran. It is a magnificent set of 5 waterfalls, ranging in height from 49 to 312 feet (15 to 95 meters tall).
The third part of the journey happens on road 606. It’s only a 30-minute drive to reach Santa Elena, but a bumpy one due to the bad quality of this road.
How to rent a car in Costa Rica?
When renting a car abroad, we personally recommend booking on Discover Cars. It compares the local and international car rentals companies so you can get the best deal.
It also offers insurances that are less cheaper than any other car rental company.
🚗 You can see for yourself and check rates for car rentals in Costa Rica below.
✔️ La Fortuna to Monteverde drive FAQs
- Duration: 3 hours
- Price: $10 USD of gasoline
- Adventurous: 4/10
- Pros: marvelous view on the Arenal lake
- Cons: dirt roads
Shuttle from La Fortuna to Monteverde: one transport from start to finish
If you don’t want to drive a car, but don’t feel like changing transports twice either, we got you covered. There are shuttles, which are private or shared minibus, that go around the lake.
Those shuttles will take you straight from your hotel in La Fortuna to your hotel in Monteverde, in about 3 hours and a half.
The road in the surroundings of the lake is quite stunning as well. This option is quite nice, but be aware that shuttles need to have enough bookings for the journey to be worth it.
Therefore, it’s great if you are a group of travelers, but not ideal for solo travelers. If you booked a spot in a van but nobody else did, your journey will be canceled.
Where to book a shuttle from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
You can ask your hotel if there are shuttles planned on the day you want to leave La Fortuna. You can also check availability on Viator below.
⭐ Check availability for private transfers from Monteverde to La Fortuna here.
✔️ La Fortuna to Monteverde shuttle FAQs
- Duration: 3 hours and a half
- Price: from $40 to $200 USD depending on how many person are in the van
- Adventurous: 5/10
- Pros: one transport from start to finish, with a driver
- Cons: can be canceled if there are not enough bookings
La fortuna to Monteverde bus: cheap and budget friendly option
The cheapest way to go from La Fortuna to Monteverde Cloud Forest is to take public transportation. You will need to take two different buses, with a stop in Tilaran.
First, take a bus from La Fortuna to Tilaran. You can buy your ticket at La Fortuna bus station. It costs around $7 USD.
The bus only leaves twice a day, at 8 AM and 12:15 PM and 5:30 PM. You should check La Fortuna bus schedule to make sure the departing hours did not change.
If you want to make it to Monteverde in one day, you should take the first one, which arrives at 9:30 AM at Tilaran.
Then, hop on a bus to Monteverde. It costs around $1.50 USD per person. Check the departing hours with the station as they can change every year. You will arrive in Santa Elena 2 hours and a half later.
✔️ La fortuna to Monteverde bus FAQs
- Duration: 4 hours if there is no waiting time in Tilaran
- Price: $8.50 USD
- Adventurous: 7/10
Monteverde Tour from La Fortuna: day trip
If you wish to stay based in La Fortuna or Monteverde, you can easily go on day trips to explore the surroundings. Locals offer one-day or two-day trips between the two towns.
Ask your hotel reception if they can arrange a La Fortuna to Monteverde day trip for you!
If you like hiking, you can do a two-day hike between La Fortuna and Monteverde. You will spend a wonderful two days in the middle of nature, surrounded by rainforests, lakes and rivers.
This incredible hike is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will be surrounded by the beautiful nature of central Costa Rica and sleep in a mountain cabin with other like-minded travelers.
⭐ Book your two-day hike from La Fortuna to Monteverde here.
✔️ Arenal to Monteverde day trip FAQs
- Duration: one or two days
- Price: $160 USD (150€)
- Adventurous: 8/10
Horseback ride from La Fortuna to Monteverde: for adventurous ones
You were not expecting this one, did you?! Yes, horse riding is one of the ways of getting from Arenal to Monteverde. If you like horse riding, it’s the absolute best way as you combine a great activity with a trip between two cities.
However, do not expect to spend the whole trip on the back of the horse. Most companies split the journey in 2 or 3 parts.
You will take a 30-minute minivan ride to reach the shore of the Arenal lake. From there, you will meet the horses and start the 3-hour journey on their back.
It will take you through breathtaking mountains, where your guide will make several stops to show you around.
Depending on the tour, you will need to hop on a minivan again to reach your final destination, Monteverde Costa Rica!
✔️ Horseback ride from La Fortuna to Monteverde FAQs
- Duration: 5 hours
- Price: $85 USD
- Adventurous: 10/10
Arenal to Monteverde: all your questions answered
Now that you have chosen the ideal transportation from La Fortuna to Monteverde for you, here is useful information for your trip in these two towns.
🏨 Where to stay in Monteverde?
Cheap – Hostel La Suerte is a great and cheap hostel. It has an 8-bed dorm, is well graded and offers a nice view on the rainforest.
Middle – Cabinas Eddy B&B is truly magical – with spacious bedrooms boasting stunning forest views through huge windows. The home-made breakfast is included.
Luxury – staying at Koora Hotel-a Cloud Forest Resort feels like sleeping at the top of the tree, with the luxury of being inside. The views and architecture are absolutely mesmerizing.
🏨 Where to stay in La Fortuna?
Here are three great hotels we stayed in that we can 100% recommend.
Cheap – San Bosco Inn is ideally located and has perfectly furnished double rooms. The hotel has a pool, but also gives free access to the hot springs of Volcano Lodge!
Middle – Selina La Fortuna boasts stunning hippie decor, great double rooms or dorms and a refreshing pool.
Luxury – Volcano Lodge & Springs is one of the best hot springs resorts in La Fortuna. Relaxation and connection to nature are the watchwords of this hotel.
How to get around in Monteverde?
When visiting Monteverde, people usually stay in the town of Santa Elena. It’s quite small and only has 2,000 inhabitants. Restaurants, supermarkets and ATMs are within walking distance.
When you want to go outside of Santa Elena, to visit rainforests for instance, you will most likely need a car.
However, if you want to go ziplining or walk in the hanging bridges for instance, you can do it with a tour. All tours include transportation from and to your hotel, which make it very easy for travelers who did not rent a car.
How to get around in La Fortuna?
Unlike Monteverde, La Fortuna is bigger and more spread out. It has around 15 000 inhabitants.
If you stay near the main street of La Fortuna, you can walk to restaurants, supermarkets and shops. However, many wonderful hot spring hotels are in the middle of nature. To explore more of the surroundings, you have 4 options.
First, taxis are the quickest way to get around but watch out for the costs which can mount up, especially if you’re planning on seeing all the sights! We recommend asking for the price before starting your taxi tour.
Then, Uber runs in the area and has a similar service to taxis. It is not government-regulated. However, for short distances within La Fortuna, it can be a cost-effective option!
Third, just like in Monteverde, you can go to all the natural landmarks of the Arenal Volcano through tours. They all offer transportation from and to your accommodation.
🚗 To have the ultimate freedom to explore, you can rent a car with Discover Cars. It compares the prices of all the car rental companies of the country so you can get the best deal.
Best things to do in Monteverde
Whether you’re a nature buff, an adrenaline junkie, or just someone who loves to explore the outdoors, Monteverde is filled with amazing activities.
One of the most popular activities in Monteverde is zip lining. Make your way through the treetops and experience stunning views of the rainforest from above.
⚠️ Warning: when zip lining in Costa Rica, cover your legs, ankles and feet with clothes. Mosquitoes at the top of the trees are no joke. You will be covered in bites if you have a bit of skin out. Wear socks that completely cover your ankles!
Monteverde is known for its stunning trails which range from easy nature walks to challenging hikes with incredible views. Check out Senderos Quebrada Cuecha for an easy and fun hike, or the more adventurous Cerro Amigos trail.
Monteverde also boasts some of the world’s most diverse wildlife and ecosystems. Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the area.
Best things to do in La Fortuna
La Fortuna has a great concentration of exceptional activities that make the country touristy.
First, you can relax in the best hot springs in Costa Rica! La Fortuna has dozens of great hot springs, due to the geothermal activity of the Arenal Volcano. Take a dip in one of these healing hot springs and soak up all the minerals that they contain.
Another absolute must-do activity when in La Fortuna is to hike the Arenal Volcano. This active volcano is located in the middle of a rainforest. It is 1,600 meters high and the summit is famous for its conical shape.
The hike to Arenal Volcano stops at a good distance from the summit, but it offers a wonderful viewpoint if the sky is clear. It’s an easy hike with a very rewarding view!
That’s not it, La Fortuna is also home to an impressive waterfall of 75-meter high. The water rolls down rocks and is surrounded by a rainforest.
La Fortuna Waterfall is so worth-visiting, it looks like the tropical waterfall you see in every adventure movie. You can swim in the river coming from the waterfall.
Last but not least, you should take a day trip to Rio Celeste Waterfall, one hour north-west of La Fortuna. The vibrant blue pool created by this waterfall is like no other.
Is Costa Rica safe for solo travelers?
Costa Rica is the safest country in central America. You can travel from one place to another by yourself and you should be fine. To avoid any trouble, here are 25 tips about solo female travel in Costa Rica.
La Fortuna VS Monteverde
La Fortuna and Monteverde are both small towns in central Costa Rica, surrounded by rainforests. Monteverde might be a little less touristy than La Fortuna as it is a bit smaller. However, La Fortuna offers a wider range of activities.
La Fortuna to Monteverde: sum up
To go from Monteverde to Arenal, or the other way around, travelers have 6 options depending on budget and preference: taxi-boat-taxi, drive, shuttle, bus, day tour or horseback ride.
We recommend visiting both as La Fortuna and Monteverde offer unique views of the country’s landscape. To explore more of the country’s wonders, such as Costa Rica ancient ruins, you should also visit the south of San Jose.
Last but not least, this country has the advantage of having access to two different oceans. There are many opportunities for scuba diving in Costa Rica, as the underwater life is as vibrant as the land animal life.
