Last updated on January 11th, 2023 at 04:15 pm
How To Get From Tortuguero to La Fortuna – You can go by bus, van, car and private transfer plus the boat. The distance from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is 163 kilometers. Click here to book online La Fortuna activities and day trips
The travel time from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is around 3 hours by car from La Pavona where you can get the boat coming from Tortuguero. Read here how to get from La Fortuna to Tortuguero
What Is The Cheapest Way From Tortuguero to La Fortuna?
The cheapest way from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is by bus plus boat $16 USD. If you go by bus and boat the travel time will be around 10 hours from Tortuguero to La Fortuna.
What Is The Best Way From Tortuguero to La Fortuna?
The best way from Tortuguero to La Fortuna by shared van for $45 USD per person and 4 hours travel time and you can book online.
If you go by taxi, Uber or private transportation prices will be around $180-200 USD. You can rent a cat at La Pavona too.
Read how to get from La Fortuna to Jaco Beach, Tortuguero to Monteverde, Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero to San Jose airport, San Jose airport to Tamarindo, San Jose airport to Puerto Viejo and San Jose airport to Santa Teresa
SIM CARD AT SAN JOSE COSTA RICA AIRPORT
I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at San Jose Costa Rica airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in San Jose Costa Rica. Read here Costa Rica eSim and best Costa Rica Sim card for tourist
You can find the cheapest Costa Rica eSim with Airalo Costa Rica eSim prepaid for $8 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%). for $8 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days. For $20 USD with 3 GB data and for $30 USD with 5 GB data. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%)
You can get an eSim for Costa Rica for €24 with 4 GB data valid for 14 days with MTX Connect eSim. Holafly Costa Rica eSim for $42 USD with 6 GB data in Costa Rica valid for 15 days and use our discount code GAMINTRAVELER.
WHERE TO STAY IN LA FORTUNA
There are dormitory rooms where you can rent the bed for as low as $8-10 USD a night if you want the cheapest option in La Fortuna. Double-room hostels can cost up to $30-40 USD a night while mid-range hotels cost more or less $80 USD a night.
Click here if you want to find the best deals with Booking in La Fortuna
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review
You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included
GET HEYMONDO QUOTE HERE plus A SPECIAL DISCOUNT
HOW TO GET FROM TORTUGUERO TO LA FORTUNA
BOAT PLUS BUS FROM TORTUGUERO TO LA FORTUNA (CHEAPEST WAY)
The cheapest way from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is by bus plus boat. First you will have to ride the boat from Tortuguero to La Pavona and later a few buses: La Pavona to Cariari and Cariari to San Jose and get a bus to Ciudad Quesada and La Fortuna.
BOAT SCHEDULE FROM TORTUGUERO TO LA PAVONA
The boat schedule from Tortuguero to La Pavona is starting at 5 30 am, 9 am, 11 am and 2 45 pm. The boat fare from La Pavona to Tortuguero is around $5 USD and it includes a suitcase/backpack.
The boat ride from Tortuguero to La Pavona will take around 1 hour (it can be less or more). Outside these boats schedules (estimated time not fixed). There are also private boats (more expensive) going from Tortuguero to La Pavona.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM LA PAVONA TO CARIARI
There are only 4 daily buses leaving from La Pavona to Cariari. The bus schedule from La Pavona to Cariari is starting at 7 30 am, 10 30 am, 1 pm and 4 30 pm. The bus from La Pavona to Cariari travel time is around 2 hours and the bus fare is around $2 USD.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM CARIARI TO SAN JOSE
Once in Cariari you will have to take a bus from Cariari to San Jose. The bus schedule from Cariari to San Jose is running every 15 minutes. The bus travel time from Cariari to San Jose is around 2 hours. The bus fare from Cariari to San Jose is around $4 USD.
BUS SAN JOSE COSTA RICA TO LA FORTUNA
The bus from San Jose to La Fortuna is leaving San Jose Transportes San Carlos. There is only one direct bus from San Jose Costa Rica to La Fortuna leaving at 6 15 am and getting to La Fortuna at 11 30 pm.
You will not be able to get a direct bus from San Jose to La Fortuna. So you will have to ride the bus from San Jose to Ciudad Quesada where you can transfer to La Fortuna.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM SAN JOSE TO CIUDAD QUESADA
The bus schedule from San Jose to Ciudad Quesada with San Jose Transportes San Carlos is starting at 5 am, 5 30 am, 6 15 am, 7 40 am, 8 40 am, 10 15 am, 11 30 am, 12 45 pm, 2 pm, 3 30 pm, 4 40 pm, 6 15 pm and 7 30 pm.
The bus travel time from San Jose to Ciudad Quesada is around 2 hours and 30 minutes and the bus fare San Jose to Ciudad Quesada is $4 USD.
BUS SCHEDULE FROM CIUDAD QUESADA TO LA FORTUNA
The bus schedule from Quesada to La Fortuna is leaving every hour. The bus fare from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna is $2 USD and the travel time Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna is around 1 hour.
The total travel time from Tortuguero to La Fortuna by boat plus buses is around 10 hours and the bus fare is around $16 USD including the boat from Tortuguero to La Pavona.
Click here to book your transportation with Bookaway in Costa Rica!
SHARED VAN FROM TORTUGUERO TO LA FORTUNA (BEST WAY)
The best way from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is by shared van direct to your hotel. The van travel time from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is 4 hours.
The van fare from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is $45 USD and you can book online.
TAXI FROM TORTUGUERO TO LA FORTUNA
If you go from Tortuguero to La Fortuna by taxi is the most comfortable, available 24/7 and fastest way. The travel time by taxi is around 3 hours from La Pavona where you are coming by boat from Tortuguero.
The taxi fare from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is around $180 USD. The prices and travel time aren’t fixed and it will depend on traffic and your final destination.
UBER FROM TORTUGUERO TO LA FORTUNA
Uber App can be useful for traveling around Costa Rica but they have similar fares to taxis. You can expect to go from Tortuguero to La Fortuna leaving La Pavona the fare is around $180-200 USD depending on the traffic or time of the day.
CAR RENTAL AT LA PAVONA
There are many options for renting a car in La Pavona. It’s the most convenient option if you have a place to park your car in La Fortuna or if you would love to move around. It will take you 3 hours to get from La Pavona where you will get with the boat coming from Tortuguero to La Fortuna with a private car plus the boat. There are a few agencies like Hertz, Avis, Centauro available for $30 USD per day.
Click here to get the best deals renting a car in Costa Rica!
PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION FROM TORTUGUERO TO LA FORTUNA
Hotel transfers are also very easy and convenient but can be a little bit pricey. The transfers are usually available 24 hours and is only ideal if you have the budget and you really want comfort. Prices are around $400 USD and you will be able to fit up to 4 people. It could be $100 USD per person.
Click here to book your transportation with Bookaway in Costa Rica!
BEST WAY FROM TORTUGUERO TO LA FORTUNA
BUS VS VAN PROS AND CONS
The best way from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is by bus plus boat if you go on a budget for a total of 12 hours travel time. You will pay around $16 USD including the bus coming from San Jose, Cariari, La Pavona to La Fortuna and the boat from Tortuguero.
The best way from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is by van for $45 USD and you can book online if you prefer comfort and get directly to your hotel in 4 hours at the beach without any other transfer.
If you wish more comfort taxi, Uber or private transportation from Tortuguero to La Fortuna is around $200 USD and 3 hours travel time to reach from La Pavona to La Fortuna.
ACCOMMODATION BUDGET TRAVEL IN LA FORTUNA
There are dormitory rooms that you can rent the bed for as low as $8 USD a night if you want the cheapest option. AirBnb is also available, mostly for about $20-25 USD a night. Double-room hostels can cost up to $30-40 USD a night while mid-range hotels cost more or less $80 USD a night.
Click here if you want to find the best deals with Booking in La Fortuna.
FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN COSTA RICA
Breakfast will be the cheapest meal of the day and you can load up on Gallo Pinto, tortillas, eggs, fried plantains and some fresh fruit too for around $3-4 USD per person. At lunch you might want a chicken sandwich for $8-10 USD salad, burger and pizza with a fresh fruit drink for $3 USD.
You can have a budget of $15-20 USD a day and it can already get you more than enough decent meals. Costa Rica is a little bit pricey compared to other countries like Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua in Central America.
BEST TIME TO VISIT COSTA RICA
In Costa Rica their summer (December to April), there are fewer rains than normal. In their winter (May to November), the rains are almost non-stop. For most tourists best time to visit Costa Rica is from December to April because of easier transport.
Click here to know more about the weather in Costa Rica!
CASH AND ATMS IN COSTA RICA
The currency of Costa Rica is called Colòn and as of now, $1 USD is worth 600 Colòn. Do not exchange your currency at the airport because you’ll get less than what you’ll get with the city’s exchange. Anyway if you are bringing USD you can use them while traveling around Costa Rica no need to exchange them.
Bank or debit cards in an ATM are the recommended way to access your funds while traveling in Costa Rica. Know real-time currency exchange here!
Feel free to use our links for discounts. By using our links, you will help us to continue with the maintenance of the website and it will not cost you anything. Thanks for the love guys.
Happy Travels!
Hanna
Wednesday 2nd of March 2022
Hallo, Ich möchte nur anmerken, dass die Zeiten der Busse überhaupt nicht stimmen. Letztendlich sind wir in San Jose gelandet und mussten von dort mot dem Taxi nach La Fortuna was unglaublich teuer war.
Hamza
Saturday 7th of January 2023
Update: The bus from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna doesn't leave every hour. Even if it's written La Fortuna on the bus, sometimes they don't stop at La Fortuna and they keep going to the next city. That's what the 4pm bus driver told me and he told me to wait for the 5pm bus which will go through La Fortuna. Hope this help anyone.
Hamza
Saturday 7th of January 2023
@Ruben Arribas,
Hello, I am doing this route today, and here are the updated changes: first, the boats from Tortuguero to La Pavona leave at 5am for the first one and at 6am for the second one. Second, when I got to La Pavona at 7:05 am, someone told me that the bus to Cariari already left and that the next one was at 10am. Fortunately, a man was driving his truck to Cariari and he agreed to give me a ride. Third, the buses from Cariari to San Jose don't leave every 15 min, they leave every two hours, the first one at 7:30 and the second at 9:30. Fourth, when I arrived to San Jose I had to go to another terminal called 7-10 where I catched a bus going to San Carlos but stopping at Ciudad Quesada, leaving at 12:45. I didn't arrive to destination yet, but I will give an update as soon as I reach La Fortuna.
Hamza
Tuesday 8th of November 2022
@Ruben Arribas,
Hello. First, thank you for the information it is very helpful. Second, did you have any update about the bus schedules? I would like to be as sure as possible about this. Thank you!
Ruben Arribas
Wednesday 2nd of March 2022
Hanna sorry to hear this! Which schedule was changed? I would love to update the blog post to provide the best information.
How To Get From Monteverde To Tortuguero - All Possible Ways - Gamintraveler
Sunday 6th of February 2022
[…] to city center, Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo, Tamarindo to Tortuguero, La Fortuna to Tortuguero, Tortuguero to La Fortuna, Monteverde to Puerto Viejo, Santa Teresa to Monteverde, Tortuguero to San Jose airport, Puerto […]
How To Get From Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca - All Possible Ways - Gamintraveler
Friday 28th of January 2022
[…] how to get from San Jose airport to Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero to La Fortuna, Tortuguero to Monteverde, La Fortuna to Tortuguero, La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo, Monteverde to […]
How To Get From Tortuguero To San Jose Airport - All Possible Ways - Gamintraveler
Friday 28th of January 2022
[…] USD. You can rent a cat at La Pavona too. Read here how to get from San Jose airport to Tortuguero, Tortuguero to La Fortuna and Monteverde to […]
How To Get From La Fortuna to Tortuguero - All Possible Ways - Gamintraveler
Wednesday 26th of January 2022
[…] The cheapest way from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is by bus plus boat $16 USD. If you go by taxi, Uber or private transportation prices will be around $180-200 USD. You can rent a cat at La Fortuna too. Read here how to get from Tortuguero to La Fortuna […]