San José Airport to La Fortuna / Arenal Private Shuttle
$219 per van · up to 4 · taxes included
- 🪧 Your name on the sign
- ↩️ Full refund up to 24h before pickup
- 🔁 Round trip $413 · save $25 · taxes included
A private, certified door-to-door shuttle from San José Airport (SJO) to La Fortuna / Arenal, for your group only. The town at the foot of Arenal Volcano — hot springs, rainforest trails and a jungle waterfall, inland in Costa Rica's northern lowlands. You relax, we pick you up.
Drive time
~2h 30m
Distance
~116 km
Fixed price
$219
taxes included
Fixed price for the whole vehicle, up to 4 passengers, taxes included. You pay by card when you book, so there is no cash to carry and nothing to settle with the driver.
New to La Fortuna / Arenal? Read our travel guide →
- 5.0on Google
- 🛡️ Certified & insured drivers (ICT)
- 🔒 Secure online payment
- ↩️ Free cancellation up to 24h
- 🎫 Instant digital ticket
Book your San José Airport → La Fortuna / Arenal shuttle
Why book your La Fortuna / Arenal transfer with us
Certified & insured
Only ICT / CTP-permitted tourist-transport providers, and Costa Rican locals who speak conversational English.
Booked and paid in 60 seconds
No app, no account. Your QR ticket shows up on screen and in your email — and a real person answers on WhatsApp if you need one.
Zero stress
Door-to-door, on time, with room for luggage and surfboards. You just enjoy La Fortuna / Arenal.
Why San José Airport is the closer gateway to La Fortuna / Arenal
Of the two airports we pick up from, San José Airport (SJO) is the nearer one for La Fortuna / Arenal: about 2h 30m and 116 km on the road. From Liberia Airport (LIR) the same trip is about 2h 50m — roughly 20m more in the van, and $30 more for the private transfer. If you are still choosing flights, landing in San José gets you to La Fortuna / Arenal sooner.
| To La Fortuna / Arenal from | Drive time | Private transfer |
|---|---|---|
| San José Airport (SJO) · this route | ~2h 30m · 116 km | $219 USDtaxes included |
| Liberia Airport (LIR) | ~2h 50m · 144 km | $249 USDtaxes included |
Arriving in La Fortuna / Arenal
A small inland town at the foot of Arenal Volcano, ringed by rainforest, hot springs and rivers — Costa Rica's adventure base away from the beach.
Best for: Nature lovers, families and adventure travelers
What to do once your San José Airport transfer drops you off
- Hike the old lava-flow trails in Arenal Volcano National Park
- Soak in the volcano-heated hot springs around town
- Walk the stairs down to the La Fortuna Waterfall and swim at its base
- Cross the hanging bridges through the rainforest canopy
- Kayak or paddleboard on Lake Arenal
Local tip: Arenal's cone is often hidden in cloud, so don't save your volcano photos for one afternoon — check the sky each morning. Many hotels sit a few kilometers outside town, so add your hotel's exact name when you book.
San José Airport → La Fortuna / Arenal: common questions
How long is the drive from San José Airport (SJO) to La Fortuna / Arenal?
About 2h 30m — roughly 116 km. Allow extra during peak holiday traffic; your driver tracks your flight, so a delay doesn't cost you the ride.
How much is a transfer from San José Airport to La Fortuna / Arenal?
$219 USD one-way for the vehicle, not per person — private and door-to-door, for up to 4 passengers. That is the exact amount you pay online when you book, so there is nothing to settle with the driver.
Is this a private shuttle with my own driver, or a shared one?
Private — your own private driver and vehicle, just for your group. Nobody else joins the ride: the van leaves when you land and goes straight to your door in La Fortuna / Arenal, with no stops at other hotels. The $219 fare covers the whole vehicle for up to 4 passengers — about $55 each with 4 of you — so a family or group often pays about what separate shuttle seats would cost, without the extra stops.
Why book this La Fortuna / Arenal transfer with Pick Me Up?
It takes about 60 seconds online: you pick the date, pay the $219 fare by card and your QR ticket arrives right away, with no waiting for a reply to confirm. A certified local driver takes your trip ahead of time, tracks your flight, and on pickup day is already waiting at San José Airport arrivals with a sign with your name — then straight to your door in La Fortuna / Arenal. Full refund up to 24 hours before pickup.
Are the drivers on this route certified and insured?
Yes. We only work with certified tourist-transport providers holding the required ICT and CTP permits, so every La Fortuna / Arenal ride is legal and insured.
Can you handle groups and luggage to La Fortuna / Arenal?
Absolutely — private air-conditioned vans for families and groups, with room for surfboards and luggage. Tell us your group size and we match the right vehicle.