How To Get From La Fortuna to Tortuguero – All Possible Ways (Updated 2023)

Last updated on January 11th, 2023 at 04:03 pm

How To Get From La Fortuna to Tortuguero – You can go by bus, van, car and private transfer plus the boat. The distance from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is 163 kilometers. Click here to book online La Fortuna activities and day trips

The travel time from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is around 3 hours by car from La Pavona where you can get the boat coming from Tortuguero. Read here how to get from Tortuguero to La Fortuna the reverse way.

What Is The Cheapest Way From La Fortuna to Tortuguero?

The cheapest way from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is by bus plus boat $16 USD. If you go by bus and boat the travel time will be around 10 hours from La Fortuna to Tortuguero.

What Is The Best Way From La Fortuna to Tortuguero?

The best way from La Fortuna to Tortuguero by shared van for $45 USD per person and 4 hours travel time and you can book online.

The taxi fare from La Fortuna to Tortuguero, Uber or private transportation prices will be around $180-200 USD. You can rent a car at La Fortuna too.

Read how to get from La Fortuna to Jaco Beach, San Jose airport to city center, Tortuguero to Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero to San Jose airport, Puerto Viejo to Tortuguero, San Jose airport to La Fortuna and San Jose airport to Manuel Antonio

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 TORTUGUERO

There are dormitory rooms that you can rent the bed for as low as $8-10 USD a night if you want the cheapest option in Tortuguero. 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 Tortuguero

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 LA FORTUNA TO TORTUGUERO

BUS FROM LA FORTUNA TO TORTUGUERO (CHEAPEST WAY)

The cheapest way from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is by bus. First you will have to ride a local bus from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada, from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose Costa Rica, Cariari, La Pavona and the boat from La Pavona to Tortuguero.

BUS SCHEDULE FROM LA FORTUNA TO SAN JOSE COSTA RICA

The bus schedule from La Fortuna to San Jose with Transportes San Carlos is leaving once per day. There is only one direct bus from La Fortuna to San Jose Costa Rica leaving at 2 45 pm and getting to San Jose at 6 45 pm.

The best option is getting the bus going from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada and from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose.

BUS SCHEDULE FROM LA FORTUNA TO QUESADA

If you don’t get the direct bus from La Fortuna to San Jose (you will have to take two buses). First you will have to take a bus from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada.

The bus schedule from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada is running every hour are starting from 5 am until 9 30 pm. The bus travel time from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada Quesada is around 1 hour and the bus fare from La Fortuna to Quesada is $3 USD.

BUS SCHEDULE FROM QUESADA TO SAN JOSE

Once in Ciudad Quesada you will transfer a bus from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose. The bus schedule from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose is running from 4 30 am until 6 30 pm.

The bus travel time from Quesada to San Jose is around 3-4 hours. The bus fare from Ciudad Quesada to San Jose will be around $3 USD getting to Terminal 7-10.

BUS SCHEDULE FROM SAN JOSE TO CARIARI

Once in San Jose, you will have to get a bus going from San Jose to Cariari. The bus schedule from San Jose to Cariari with Grupo Caribeños (leaving from Grand Caribe Bus Terminal) is starting at 6 30 am, 9 am, 10 30 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, 4 30 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm.

The bus travel time from San Jose to Cariari is 2 hours and the bus fare from San Jose to Cariari is $3 USD.

BUS SCHEDULE FROM CARIARI TO LA PAVONA

The bus schedule from Cariari to La Pavona is starting at 5 am, 9 am, 11 30 am and 3 pm. The bus travel time from Cariari to La Pavona is around 1 hour and 30 minutes and the bus fare is $2 USD.

BOAT FROM LA PAVONA TO TORTUGUERO

Once in La Pavona you will have to get a boat. You can buy the tickets in the restaurant and it will be a shared boat up to 20 people going from La Pavona to Tortuguero. The boat fare from La Pavona to Tortuguero is around $5 USD and it includes a suitcase/backpack.

The boat departure schedule from La Pavona to Tortuguero is starting at 6 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm and last one at 4 30 pm (when the bus from Cariari to La Pavona is getting).

The boat ride from La Pavona to Tortuguero 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 La Pavona to Tortuguero.

The total travel time from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is around 12 hours by bus plus boat. The total bus and boat fare from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is $16 USD.

Click here to book your transportation with Bookaway in Costa Rica!

SHARED VAN FROM LA FORTUNA TO TORTUGUERO (BEST WAY)

The best way from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is by shared van direct to your hotel. The van travel time from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is 4 hours.

The van fare from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is $45 USD and you can book online.

TAXI FROM LA FORTUNA TO TORTUGUERO

If you go from La Fortuna to Tortuguero 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 getting the boat to Tortuguero.

The taxi fare from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is around $180 USD. The prices and travel time aren’t fixed and it will depend on traffic and your final destination.

UBER FROM LA FORTUNA TO TORTUGUERO

Uber App can be useful for traveling around Costa Rica but they have similar fares to taxis. You can expect to go from La Fortuna to Tortuguero to get to La Pavona the fare is around $180-200 USD depending on the traffic or time of the day.

CAR RENTAL AT LA FORTUNA

There are many options for renting a car in La Fortuna. It’s the most convenient option if you have a place to park your car in La Pavona or if you would love to move around.

It will take you 3 hours to get to La Pavona where you will get the boat getting to Tortuguero 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 LA FORTUNA TO TORTUGUERO

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 LA FORTUNA TO TORTUGUERO

BUS VS VAN PROS AND CONS

The best way from La Fortuna to Tortuguero 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 La Fortuna, San Jose, Cariari, La Pavona and the boat to Tortuguero.

The best way from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is by van for $45 USD and you can book online if you prefer comfort and get directly to your hotel in 4 hours without any other transfer.

If you wish more comfort taxi, Uber or private transportation from La Fortuna to Tortuguero is around $200 USD and 3 hours travel time to reach to La Pavona from La Fortuna.

ACCOMMODATION BUDGET TRAVEL IN TORTUGUERO

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 Tortuguero

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!