If you booked transportation with I Love Travel Costa Rica (ILT / iltcostarica.com) and just found out they're no longer operating, you're not alone — and you're not stuck. This guide explains what happened, what to do about your reservation and any refund, and how to rebook a licensed private shuttle in time for your trip.
We're Private Travel CR, a locally owned, ICT-licensed transportation company based in Costa Rica. We've been getting messages all week from travelers whose ILT transfers were cancelled, and we're prioritizing them so nobody misses a pickup. More on that below.
What happened to I Love Travel Costa Rica?
As of August 2026, ILT posted a notice on their own website stating that "due to unforeseen operational circumstances, I Love Travel Costa Rica has ceased operations and is no longer accepting new bookings." Existing customers are being contacted by email and told to arrange alternative transportation.
The closure appears to have been sudden. If you had an upcoming transfer booked with them, the safest assumption is that it will not operate — don't wait at the curb hoping a van shows up.
What to do if you had a reservation with ILT
Take these steps now, in order:
- Verify every upcoming transfer. Check your email (including spam) for any cancellation notice from ILT. Assume unconfirmed transfers are not happening.
- Save all your documentation. Booking confirmations, receipts, payment records, and any email or WhatsApp messages. You'll need these for a refund.
- Request a refund through your payment provider. If you paid by credit card and the service won't be delivered, contact your card issuer about a chargeback / dispute for services not rendered. This is usually the most reliable path when a company has closed. PayPal and similar processors have comparable buyer-protection claims.
- Rebook your transportation as soon as possible. Peak dates fill up fast, especially airport transfers and popular routes like La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. The earlier you rebook, the more vehicle options you'll have.
Lost a transfer? We'll get you there.
We know a cancelled transfer three days before your trip is stressful. Here's what we're doing for travelers affected by the ILT closure:
- Priority scheduling. Tell us you were an ILT customer and we'll fast-track your request so your dates are locked in first.
- Fast confirmation. Send us your route and dates and we'll come back with a firm quote and availability quickly — no waiting days for a reply.
- Fair, fixed prices. We do not raise prices to take advantage of the situation. You pay our normal published rate — one flat price per vehicle, all taxes and tolls included, no surge pricing.
- A guaranteed, licensed vehicle. ICT-licensed, fully insured through INS, professional bilingual drivers, free child seats, and real flight tracking on airport pickups.
Get a fast shuttle quote → · Message us directly
Routes ILT used to run — we cover all of them
If ILT was taking you between any of these destinations, we run the same routes with private door-to-door service:
- SJO Airport → La Fortuna / Arenal — from $220 per vehicle
- SJO Airport → Manuel Antonio
- SJO Airport → Monteverde
- Liberia (LIR) Airport → La Fortuna
- La Fortuna → Manuel Antonio
Flying in and not sure which transfer you need? Start with our Costa Rica airport transfers guide, or browse all our routes — we serve 100+ pickup and drop-off points across the country, the same coverage ILT offered.
Why book with a licensed local operator
When you're rebooking after a closure, it's worth knowing who you're paying. A few things to check with any company:
- Are they ICT-licensed? Costa Rica's tourism institute (ICT) licenses legal tourist transport. We are.
- Is the vehicle insured? Ours are, through INS (the national insurer).
- Is the price all-inclusive and fixed? Watch out for quotes that add tolls, taxes, or "airport fees" later. Ours don't.
- Can you reach a real person? You'll deal directly with our local team — the same people who run the vehicles.
We're a small, owner-run Costa Rican company with a ⭐ 5.0 Google rating from 200+ travelers. We're not a booking middleman reselling other people's vans — we operate our own fleet.
Frequently asked questions
Is I Love Travel Costa Rica still operating? No. Their own website states they have ceased operations and are no longer accepting bookings as of August 2026.
Can I get a refund from ILT? Contact ILT directly first, but if you paid by credit card and the service won't be provided, your most reliable option is usually a chargeback/dispute through your card issuer for services not rendered. Keep all your booking and payment documentation.
What's a good alternative to ILT in Costa Rica? Any ICT-licensed private shuttle operator can cover the same routes. We (Private Travel CR) run door-to-door private transfers nationwide and are prioritizing travelers affected by the closure.
How fast can you confirm a booking? Quickly — send us your route and dates through our quote form or contact page and we'll come back with availability and a firm price. For last-minute or same-week trips, message us directly so we can flag it as urgent.
Do you charge more because ILT closed? No. You pay our normal published rate. One flat price per vehicle, taxes and tolls included, no surge pricing.
Cancelled plans are frustrating, but they don't have to derail your trip. Send us your route and travel dates and we'll take care of the rest.