I’ve found that some times the bus schedules here can be a bit confusing or difficult to find. So here is some information that will be helpful for traveling to and from the La Fortuna area. Schedules to change from time to time, but I do my best to keep the schedules updated as much as possible.
Once you get here why not check out the various attractions the area has to offer. Contact us and we can help you get special discounts on tours. Even if you don’t want to book a tour check out the restaurant discounts listed on the sidebar.
Departing La Fortuna by Bus
The bus station is one block south of the Park/Church in La Fortuna (if you stand at the edge of the park facing the church, go left one block). From La Fortuna to San José there are four direct buses each day. They depart at 9:10 AM, 12:45 PM, 2:45 PM, and 4:10 PM. This bus requires buying tickets in advance at the Red Lava Tour Office.
La Fortuna Bus Terminal
The “direct” bus actually makes a 20 minute stop in the county seat of Ciudad Quesada where you will want to stay on the bus (the majority of the locals will get off here). While only four “direct” buses go to San José there are various ways to get there only changing buses once in either Ciudad Quesada or San Ramón. The buses that go to Ciudad Quesada through Chachagua take a bit longer, but it is also more scenic. [Schedule Updated June 2017]
| CQ por Chachagua | CQ por El Tanque | To San Ramon | To Tilaran |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:15 AM | 6:00 AM | 5:30 AM | 7:30 AM |
| 7:15 AM | 6:10 AM | 9:00 AM | 12:30 PM |
| 8:00 AM | 6:30 AM | 1:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| 9:45 AM | 7:40 AM | 4:00 PM | |
| 11:30 AM | 8:00 AM | ||
| 12:15 PM | 10:10 AM | ||
| 3:15 PM | 12:45 PM | ||
| 5:30 PM | 2:00 PM | ||
| 7:30 PM | 2:30 PM | ||
| 4:40 PM | |||
| 4:50 PM | |||
| 6:30 PM |
If you go to San Ramón the bus will end on a corner near the hospital. Just ask for the bus to San José and you will get directions (even if you don’t speak Spanish just say “bus San José dondé” and someone will help you find it). The bus station is only two or three blocks away.
If you go to Ciudad Quesada there is a ticket office where all the buses pull in that lists the times for the San José buses (which run about every 45 minutes until late afternoon), and you can get your ticket there.
Also included in this schedule are buses for Tilarán which will help you get to the North Pacific Coast.
Arriving to La Fortuna
If you are in San José itself or coming by bus to San José you will want to go to the “Terminal San Carlos” to get the buses to La Fortuna. If you are coming from the airport you will want the bus station in Alajuela.To clear up a misconception, San José airport is not actually in San José. It is actually about 20 km outside the city in the city of Alajuela. However, the buses going to La Fortuna from the airport pass very nearby the airport.
If you are arriving at the airport you have a few options to get to the bus station. Even though it’s only a mile I’d not recommend walking as there is no sidewalk and you have to cross some major roads. When you depart the airport there are all kinds of Orange Airport Taxis. They usually speak English and have stricter standards of operation, but that also means they’re more expensive. They’re the only taxis than can enter the airport as well. If you walk out the airport and walk fifty meters to the main road you can flag down a red taxi. They’re also safe and well maintained, just not as touristy as the airport taxis. This is the option I usually go with.
Make sure you ask for the bus station in Alajuela, not San José unless you want a needlessly long and expensive taxi ride. It’s only about a two minute drive, you should get on and immediately off the highway and drive past the Walmart.
There are most likely many ways to get to La Fortuna by getting buses going to various points along the highway, but these are the ones that actually go to the Zona Norte where La Fortuna is located. All the buses below go to Ciudad Quesada, those that continue direct to La Fortuna are marked as such. [Updated February 2017]
| Depart San José | Depart Alajuela | CQ-Fortuna por Chachagua | CQ-Fortuna por El Tanque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | 5:30 AM | 9:30 or 10:00 AM | |
| 5:30 AM | 6:00 AM | 10:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| 6:15 AM (Direct) | 6:45 AM (Direct) | Direct | Direct |
| 7:15 AM | 7:45 AM | 11:40 AM | |
| 7:45 AM | 8:15 AM | 11:40 AM | |
| 8:40 AM (Direct) | 9:10 AM (Direct) | Direct | Direct |
| 10:00 AM | 10:30 AM | 3:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
| 11:00 AM | 11:30 PM (Direct) | 3:30 PM | 3:30 PM |
| 11:50 AM (Direct) | 12:20 PM (Direct) | Direct | Direct |
| 12:50 PM | 1:20 PM | 6:00 PM | |
| 2:00 PM | 2:30 PM | 6:00 PM | |
| 3:00 PM | 3:30 PM | 8:00 PM | |
| 3:15 PM | (Direct to CQ no Stops) | ||
| 4:40 PM | 5:10 PM | 9:30 PM | |
| 6:15 PM | 6:45 PM | 9:30 PM or next day | |
| 7:30 PM | 8:00 PM | Next day 6:00 AM | Next day 5:30 AM |
Note: The bus typically arrives from Alajuela to Ciudad Quesada in about 3 hours, but this varies depending on traffic. The suggested bus to take is based off a 3 hour estimate. Additionally some buses are filled up before their departure time and so arriving “just in time” may mean waiting for another bus. Below is the full table of Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna Buses. [Updated February 2016]
| Por Chachagua | Por El Tanque | Other Options |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | 4:20 AM | 6:30 AM (Tilarán) |
| 6:00 AM | 5:30 AM | 2:30 PM (El Abanico) |
| 8:00 AM | 7:30 AM | 3:55 PM (Tilarán) |
| 10:30 AM | 9:00 AM | |
| 12:20 pm | 1:00 PM | |
| 3:30 PM | 3:30 PM | |
| 5:15 pm | 5:00 PM | |
| 8:00 pm | 6:00 PM | |
| 7:30 PM | ||
| 9:30 PM | ||
How much in dollars is it for the transportation from Alejala to la fortuna?
On Public Bus about $5, shuttle is about $45.
Hi, what is the name of the bus company? And do I buy a ticket on the bus or before at the Alajuela bus station?
There are several bus companies; Transpisa, Transportes San Carlos, Transportes Upala, etc. Just get a ticket at the station or even just pay as you board the bus depending on which bus it is.
Hi
Is there a bus leaving from Liberia going to arenal?
You’d need to go from Liberia to Cañas, Cañas to Tilarán, and Tilarán to Fortuna.
hello, is there a bus that can take me from jaco to la fortuna? and how much it is?
You’d probably have to go Jaco to San José, then San José to Jaco. There are also shuttle buses for like $50, I can help set you up with one of those if need be.
How much is the bus from CQ to La Fortuna?
1000 colones, a little less than $2.
Does the bus from San Jose depart from the 7-10 Terminal, or do you have to catch it from a different area?
Sorry I’m not very familiar with the San José area terminals, only on the Fortuna end.
yes, the 7-10 terminal. buy your ticket on the 3rd floor and catch the bus on the main level.
Leaving from Alajuela to la Fortuna on that direct bus ride at 6:45am, how long would the ride be ? and how much would the bus ride be.
About 4 hours, about $5.
Could you tell me the name of the bus station in Alajuela that takes passengers to La Fortuna, and where is it located? Thanks so much in advance. I may be able to change my plans to go from Alajuela to San Jose just for the bus terminal because of your post. I appreciate it!
I believe it says “Transportes del Norte” or something like that.
Where is it located in Alajuela?
Its on the map in the article. Straight up the road from the airport into Alajuela.
Hi!
Im leaving from San Jose to go to La Fortuna and i dont know which bus to take and where to take it?
How much it is (the cheapest way)?
Thank you
About $5, any of the buses that say Fortuna or San CArlos.
Hello, How much is a bus form arenal to san jose? Thank you
About $5 from La Fortuna.
Hi. I am trying to catch a bus from San Jose to La Fortuna after 4 PM. I am not clear on the connection, as none of them are direct at this time. Where is the connection? And how do I make sure I catch the second bus (and not wait for another).
Please advise.
Thanks
In Ciudad Quesada, the buses run until like 9:30 PM from there to Fortuna. Look for the buses that say to San Carlos. The bus terminal is pretty small and well marked, plus plenty of people there to tell you where yo go if you can’t figure it out.
Where exactly is the terminal station in La Fortuna for the buses that go directly to La Fortuna? Also is there a bus that can take me from the terminal in La Fortuna to Arenal, or from San Jose to Arenal?
It’s 100 meters south of the park. There are a few buses to Nuevo Arenal (there is no such thing as Arenal, it is an extinct town now under the lake). If you’re referring to La Fortuna the buses leave and arrive at that terminal; from San José I believe the terminal is called Terminal San Carlos.
The San Jose bus terminal terminal is the 7-10. There is also a bus leaving from there to La Fortuna at 1150am which you will not need to change busses.
Hi! Thanks for all the helpful info! About how long is the ride from La Fortuna to San Jose (the direct bus at 12:45 and 2:45 PM)? Thank you 🙂
Approximately 4 hours.
I arrive in SJO at 1pm and want to get to La Fortuna; what is my best and cheapest option?
Take the public bus, the schedule I have listed shows what times, you should be out of the airport by 2 pm and its less than 5 minutes to the bus stop.
Is there a bus that leaves after 12:30pm from San Jose to La Fortuna?
Yes. There are buses up until about 3 that will get you to Fortuna.
Where abouts is the bus station in alajuela? Which bus company should we use? And are the bus times up to date?
Bus times are up to date as of February so pretty accurate still. Name of the bus terminal is Terminal de Buses del Norte.
Is there a bus from La Fortuna to Tamarindo?
Not directly via public bus, via shuttle bus yes.
hey Tyler.
Thanks for that awesome overview !
Are you also experienced in how to come from Santa Teresa / Mal Pais / Cobano to La Fortuna ?
No sorry.
Hi, I am just wondering where in La Fortuna does the bus stop? My son in law will be meeting us in La Fortuna, but were not sure where the bus stop is located.
Also, do you think this schedule will be the same in December?
Thanks
Unless you’re traveling on Xmas or New Years it should be. The bus stop is on the map at the bottom of the page. It is one block south of the church, next to Mega Super and Red Lava Tourist Service Center.
Thank you for the valuable information you provided here Tyler. I’m a bit nervous traveling
by myself for the first time. Can I pay by American dollars? Or do I need to exchange? Where’s the best place to exchange? Thank you in advance
You might not always get the most favorable exchange rate, but dollars are almost universally accepted. A bank is where you’ll get a good rate.
Once I clear customs at the airport (SJ) Where do I go to purchase the bus ticket for La Fortuna? Thank you
Hi there!
Looking to travel from La Fortuna to Puerto Jimenez on Christmas Day. Want to confirm buses operating that day, and that we should go La Fortuna-San Jose-Pierre Jimenez. There seems to be an option to go toward the coast rather than through San Jose. Would like to take the fastest, least complicated route.
Thanks!
The bus schedule is more limited. Never been to Puerto Jimenez so not really sure of the best route.
Does the 11:50 am direct bus from La fortuna to San Jose stop near the Airport (Alajuela)? Thank you for the wonderful information you have provided here. Extremely helpful!
Sorry, I meant the 12:45 pm direct bus. I confused the timings.
Yes
Hello! Thanks for your great post and all your responses. They’ve been very helpful.
My sister and brother and I are trying to get from San Jose to La Fortuna on the 26th! We will not be in SJ until that day though and so will not be able to purchase tickets ahead of time and are worried that we will not have seats because it is such a busy time. Is there a way to purchase tickets or reserve seats online?
We also looked at shuttle services but noticed they are expensive, around $50 per person. Is there a shuttle service that is $50 per shuttle instead and then we can all split the price?
Or is there a reliable ride-share site that you have used? Thank you for any help!!
I believe bus service is back on a normal schedule on the 26th; as long as you’re at the bus station not too late in the day you should be able to get to La Fortuna without too much hassle. Especially if you’re starting from the station in San Jose instead of trying to get one in route.
$50 is about the normal price for a shuttle; the shared private shuttles are about $150 so pretty much the same price if all three of you go (but at least you’d have a private shuttle which will stop where and when you want to).
I need to get to SJO from La Fortuna for a 2:18 pm flight. Will the direct bus at 9:10am leave me enough time? How long is the ride?
Probably not, it is about 4 hours.
Hi,
How and where do we get the shared shuttle from SJO to La Fortuna?
Thank you.
From the Denny’s across the street from the airport. You must book it in advance. Send me an email and I can help set it up for you.