ICT-certified tourist transport (#3205-2022), fully insured.
5.0 star rating
200+ reviews on Google & TripAdvisor.
24/7 flight tracking
We watch your flight and adjust the pickup — even at 2 AM.
Free child seats
Infant and booster seats on request, at no extra charge.
Modern private fleet
A/C, free WiFi and bottled water in every vehicle.
Local family business
Costa Rican owner-operated since 2022 — not a faceless agency.
What travelers say about La Fortuna (Arenal) → San Jose Airport
Rated 5.0 stars across 200+ Google and TripAdvisor reviews.
Exceptional, Professional, and Reliable Private Transfers Across Costa Rica!
Our experience with Private Travel Costa Rica was exceptional from start to finish. We used their service for multiple transfers, including from San Juan airport to La Fortuna, between locations in La Fortuna, and from Tamarindo to Liberia International Airport. Every driver was amazing—on time, flexible, and extremely professional. The responsiveness of the entire team made coordinating our travel seamless and stress-free. We highly recommend them for any transportation needs in Costa Rica.
Katherine J
TripAdvisor Reviewer · TripAdvisor · Dec 2025
Professional and Reliable
We used this company for transfers from La Fortuna to San Manuel Antonio and then from San Manuel Antonio to San Jose. I cannot say enough about the professionalism of the company and both the drivers, as well as the cleanliness of the vans. Communication was almost immediate. Our drivers Oscar and Carlos arrived a few minutes early, were highly professional, and super friendly and warm. There was wifi in the van which was much appreciated. All in all, both experiences were excellent. I cannot recommend this company enough. I will definitely use them again for transfers when we are back in CR.
RIDI0406
Madison, Wisconsin · TripAdvisor · Dec 2025
Excellent care and drive with Diego
I was so glad I booked our transfer from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio with Diego. He was communicative and professional from the time of booking, confirming everything and checking on our needs. He was friendly, kind, spoke great English, and made the long drive as pleasant as possible. I'd absolutely book again.
Orli B
Oakland, California · TripAdvisor · Jun 2024
What is the drive from La Fortuna (Arenal) to San Jose Airport like?
The reverse of the classic arrival route. From La Fortuna you cross the San Carlos plains and climb back into the Central Valley mountains before descending into San José and the airport. Approximately 3 hours. Most travelers do this on departure day, often with an early morning pickup to catch flights.
What can you see between La Fortuna (Arenal) and San Jose Airport?
Zarcero topiary garden
Sarchí (artisan town)
Starbucks Coffee Farm (Hacienda Alsacia)
Poás Volcano National Park
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Central Valley coffee plantations
What are the road conditions from La Fortuna (Arenal) to San Jose Airport?
Same paved highway as the inbound route. Generally easier driving in this direction.
Traveler Tip
For early flights (before 10am), book a 4am or 5am pickup. Most hotels in La Fortuna do early breakfast boxes — ask the night before. Bring layers, mountain sections get cool at sunrise.
Is the shuttle from La Fortuna (Arenal) to San Jose Airport family-friendly?
Approximately 3 hours to SJO. The mountain road has curves initially, then transitions to flat highway. For early flights, pre-dawn pickups are available — most children sleep through the drive. Child seats are included at no charge.
Budget breakdown
If your flight isn't until evening, this is a great day to upgrade to Discovery Transfer. Adds $80 and ~3 hours but lets you stop at La Paz Waterfalls or Poás Volcano on the way — turning a wasted travel day into one last adventure before flying out.
About travel times
Plan extra time if you have a flight. Google says 2h 45min but morning traffic entering San José metro area can add 30-45 minutes. Our drivers recommend leaving 4 hours before international flights.
Is the shuttle from La Fortuna (Arenal) to San Jose Airport available 24/7?
Our service operates around the clock with no night surcharges. Drivers are positioned for pickups at all hours, and the rate remains the same regardless of departure time.
Local insider tip
If you have flexibility, ask your driver to stop at the Doka Estate coffee tour (about 30 min from SJO) for breakfast and a quick coffee tasting. Costa Rican coffee straight from the source — better than anything you'll get at the airport.
Frequently asked about La Fortuna (Arenal) → San Jose Airport
How much does a private shuttle from La Fortuna (Arenal) to San Jose Airport cost?+
Private shuttle from La Fortuna (Arenal) to San Jose Airport starts at $220 USD per vehicle (1-5 passengers). The price is per vehicle, not per person — everyone in your group travels together for the same flat rate. Larger vehicles for 6-18 passengers are available at higher tiers.
How long does the drive from La Fortuna (Arenal) to San Jose Airport take?+
The drive from La Fortuna (Arenal) to San Jose Airport takes approximately 3 H. Travel times can vary slightly depending on traffic, weather, and road conditions. Our drivers monitor conditions in real time to choose the fastest safe route.
Is the shuttle from La Fortuna (Arenal) to San Jose Airport private?+
Yes. Every Private Travel CR shuttle is fully private — you ride only with your group, no shared seats with strangers. The price covers the entire vehicle door-to-door, including a professional bilingual driver, free WiFi, bottled water, free child seats on request, and full insurance.
Do you pick up at any address in La Fortuna (Arenal)?+
Yes, we offer door-to-door pickup anywhere in La Fortuna (Arenal) — hotels, Airbnbs, private villas, or any specific address you give us at booking. We confirm the exact pickup location 24 hours before your trip.
What happens if my flight at San Jose Airport is delayed or cancelled?+
Don't worry — when you book, we ask for your flight number and monitor it in real time. If your flight is delayed, we automatically adjust your pickup time at no extra cost. If it's cancelled, we reschedule your shuttle for the new date, free of charge.
Top hotels in San Jose Airport
We pick up at any of these properties. Click for shuttle pricing from San Jose Airport to anywhere in Costa Rica.
