Best Ways: How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde
Are you looking for the best ways to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde, Costa Rica? Monteverde is one of the most popular destinations, so don’t miss it on your Costa Rica Itinerary.
Getting to Monteverde may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are a few ways to get there. You can easily get to Monteverde by shared and private transfer, Jeep-Boat-Jeep tour, bus, or car.
On the way to Monteverde, you can easily take a detour to the stunning Tenorio Volcano National Park.
In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a bus ticket or taxi will cost.
Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through our link. This is a free way to support us and allow us to continue to create inspiring travel guides.
NO TIME TO READ NOW? PIN IT
How far is Monteverde from La Fortuna?
The distance between La Fortuna and Monteverde is about 115 km, which is 3-8 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
Getting from La Fortuna to Monteverde, Costa Rica
There are several ways to get to Monteverde from La Fortuna: by car (3-3.5 hours), by taxi-boat-taxi transfer (3.5-4 hours), and by bus (8 hours).
Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a Van-Boat-Taxi tour or bus ticket will cost.
Read our → Monteverde Guide
La Fortuna to Monteverde by Taxi, Private Transfer
One of the most comfortable and fastest ways to reach Monteverde is by taxi.
A taxi from La Fortuna to Monteverde starts from 270 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable!
The journey time is 3-3.5 hours, depending on traffic.
TIP
The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!
Alternatively, you can book a private transfer to Monteverde (any hotel) starting from 218 USD, and 6 pax allowed.
La Fortuna to Monteverde by Shuttle Minivan
One of the best and most popular ways to get to Monteverde is by air-conditioned minivan, which allows 20 kg of bag and hand luggage per passenger. It departs four times a day at 8 AM, 8:30 AM, 2 PM, and 2:30 PM.
A shuttle minivan to Monteverde starts from 35 USD. The journey time is 3.5 hours, depending on traffic.
La Fortuna to Monteverde by Van-Boat-Van Transfer
The most comfortable way to travel between Arenal and Monteverde is to take the Van-Boat-Van transfer. This service works in both directions, and you can enjoy the fantastic views during your journey.
Two daily transfers are available from La Fortuna to Monteverde at 8 AM and 2 PM. Total travel time is 3.5-4 hours and 29 USD per person for one way.
From your hotel in La Fortuna/Arenal, you can take a comfortable air-conditioned van to the Arenal Lake Dam dock (about 15-30 minutes). Afterward, enjoy the beautiful scenery on a 30-minute boat trip. Then, arrive at the Río Chiquito dock and continue by van to Monteverde (any hotel).
Book a Van+Ferry transfer via GetYourGuide or Bookaway.
How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde by Car
The easiest way to get to Monteverde is by car. Travel from La Fortuna to Monteverde, and make the most of your trip with a detour to the beautiful Rio Celeste Waterfall.
The best way to explore Costa Rica is by renting a car. Although public transport is cheap, travel time is long, and some places are not accessible by bus. Renting a car in Costa Rica provides the freedom to explore at your own pace and visit hidden gems or get off the beaten path.
Driving from La Fortuna to Monteverde
The drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde takes around 3-3.5 hours, depending on traffic. If you are driving to Monteverde from La Fortuna, the best roads are Route 142 to Tilaran and then Route 145 to Route 606.
It always gets dark early in Costa Rica (between 5:30 PM and 6 PM). So we don’t recommend driving at night!
You don’t need a 4×4, but a car with higher ground clearance from the ground is worth booking for your Costa Rica road trip! But if you plan to visit Costa Rica in the rainy season, especially the area around Monteverde, 4WD is recommended.
We did our 2-week Costa Rica Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace.
TIP
Waze is the best navigation app in Costa Rica. But you’ll also need an offline map if you don’t have an internet connection.
La Fortuna to Monteverde by Public Bus
If you don’t want to rent a car or cannot drive, you can take a bus from Arenal to Monteverde.
The cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde is by public bus, but the travel time is very long as there is no direct bus connection. You can purchase the bus tickets at the Parada de Autobuses (La Fortuna bus station).
First, you have to travel from La Fortuna to Tilaran and from there to Monteverde. The journey takes around 8 hours, and the bus fare costs 9 USD.
Buses depart daily from La Fortuna to Tilaran at 8 AM, 12:15 PM, and 5:30 PM. The bus ride from La Fortuna to Tilaran takes approximately 1.5-2 hours and costs 7 USD.
Take care of your valuables, as minor thefts or pickpockets may occur on public transport!
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
From Tilaran bus station, there are daily buses to Monteverde at 3:50 AM, 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM and 4 PM. The bus ride between Tilaran and Monteverde takes approximately 2.5 hours and costs 2 USD.
If you catch the 8 AM bus from La Fortuna to Tilaran, you can continue to Monteverde at 9:30 AM. However, buses are often delayed, so you won’t be able to catch the 9:30 AM bus and will have to wait at least 3 hours for the next connection.
If you miss the 9:30 AM bus, you can take the 12:30 PM bus from Tilaran to Monteverde, which arrives around 3 PM.
Recommended post → Things to Do in Monteverde
Where to Stay in Monteverde
We recommend staying in Santa Elena for at least 2-3 days to allow enough time to visit the best places in Monteverde.
If you don’t have a rental car or are looking for budget accommodation, you should stay in Santa Elena downtown. Because you’ll be close to the great restaurants and supermarkets and can easily book tours or shuttles to attractions.
Santa Elena and Monteverde have some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Monteverde
- Luxury: Hotel Belmar
- Mid-Range: Los Pinos Cabins & Reserve
- Budget: Selina Monteverde
We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Monteverde.
More Travel Guides about Costa Rica
- The Ultimate Costa Rica Itinerary for 14 Days
- How to Renting a Car in Costa Rica
- 9 Best Things to Do in La Fortuna
- Guide to Visiting Rio Celeste Waterfall
- Best Eco Lodges in Costa Rica
- Guide to Manuel Antonio National Park
We hope our post on how to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde will help you plan your next trip to Costa Rica. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
RECOMMENDED POSTS
The Ultimate Costa Rica Itinerary for 14 Days (2025)
How to Get from San Jose to Monteverde by Bus, Shuttle, Car
