What is the drive from Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) to La Fortuna (Arenal) like?
Connect the Nicoya Peninsula surf beaches to the Arenal Volcano. A scenic full-day journey across multiple regions.
What can you see between Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) and La Fortuna (Arenal)?
Santa Teresa
Montezuma waterfalls nearby
Paquera
Puntarenas
Arenal Volcano
What are the road conditions from Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) to La Fortuna (Arenal)?
Mix of roads including ferry crossing. Long but scenic route.
Traveler Tip
This epic journey shows you beach, ocean, and volcano - the full Costa Rica experience in one day.
Is the shuttle from Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) to La Fortuna (Arenal) family-friendly?
Child seats included at no extra cost. Private vehicle with A/C, door-to-door service, and stops on request.
Budget breakdown
The Surf & Volcano combo: Santa Teresa → La Fortuna, then La Fortuna → SJO. Total transport around $600-$850 for up to 6 passengers. Or do the reverse if coming from SJO through La Fortuna. Unique itinerary that most tourists don't do. Want to extend the drive into a memorable day? Upgrade to our VIP transfer for $80 more — flexible stops along the way (scenic viewpoints, coffee farm, lunch in a local town — your call).
About travel times
Google says 5.5-6 hours. Plan for 6.5-7. This is probably our most adventurous route. Unpaved roads out of Santa Teresa, then by land through the Nicoya Peninsula, across to the Interamericana, and up through the mountains to La Fortuna. It's a full day journey but the scenery is unreal.
Is the shuttle from Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) to La Fortuna (Arenal) 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
This is a big day of driving, no sugar-coating it. But it's also one of the most scenic routes in the whole country. The drive through the Nicoya Peninsula is beautiful countryside, and once you start climbing into the mountains and Lake Arenal appears, it all feels worth it. Leave at dawn, arrive at La Fortuna for sunset hot springs. That's the move.
Frequently asked about Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) → La Fortuna (Arenal)
How much does a private shuttle from Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) to La Fortuna (Arenal) cost?+
Private shuttle from Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) to La Fortuna (Arenal) starts at $390 USD per vehicle (1-6 passengers). The price is per vehicle, not per person — everyone in your group travels together for the same flat rate. Larger vehicles for 7-18 passengers are available at higher tiers.
How long does the drive from Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) to La Fortuna (Arenal) take?+
The drive from Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) to La Fortuna (Arenal) takes approximately 5,5 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 Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) to La Fortuna (Arenal) 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 Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula)?+
Yes, we offer door-to-door pickup anywhere in Santa Teresa (Nicoya Peninsula) — hotels, Airbnbs, private villas, or any specific address you give us at booking. We confirm the exact pickup location 24 hours before your trip.
Top hotels in La Fortuna (Arenal)
We pick up at any of these properties. Click for shuttle pricing from La Fortuna (Arenal) to anywhere in Costa Rica.