How to Take the Public Bus to and from La Fortuna to Other Cities in Costa Rica

If you want to explore beyond La Fortuna, traveling by public bus is an affordable and convenient option. Costa Rica has a well-established bus system that connects La Fortuna with major cities and tourist hotspots across the country. Here’s everything you need to know about taking the public bus from La Fortuna to other cities.

Getting to the Bus Station in La Fortuna

The main bus station in La Fortuna is located near the town center, just a short walk from the central park. The buses to major cities leave from this station, and it is well-connected with routes to various destinations.

Bus Station Address:Av 317, 225 m south of the Plaza de Deportes, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

It's a good idea to arrive early to purchase your tickets and confirm departure times, as schedules can change.

Key Bus Routes from La Fortuna

1. La Fortuna to San José

• Direct Bus:There is a direct bus from La Fortuna to San José at 2:40 PM. The trip takes about 6 hours.Cost: C4700

• Via Ciudad Quesada:If you need to change buses in Ciudad Quesada, there are multiple departures throughout the day. The journey from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada takes approximately 1.5 hours. From there, you can catch another bus to San José, which takes about 4 hours.

  • La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada Departure Times (Mon-Sat):

    • 5:00 AM (Sunday only by El Tanque)

    • 6:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 7:15 AM (via Chachagua), 8:00 AM (via both routes on Mon-Sat), 9:15 AM (via Muelle), 12:15 PM, 2:15 PM, 5:15 PM, 7:30 PM

  • Ciudad Quesada to San José Departure Times:

    
    

    Buses from Ciudad Quesada to San José depart every 40 minutes starting at 5:00 AM until 7:20 PM.

    
    

    Cost: C2700

    
    

2. La Fortuna to San Ramón

• This route takes about 3 hours. Buses depart from La Fortuna in the morning and afternoon.

  • Departure Times:

    • 4:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM

  • Cost: C2700

• From San Ramón, you can catch frequent buses to San José, which takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

  • Cost: C2030

    
    

3. La Fortuna to Puntarenas

• Via San Ramón:

  
  

  To travel from La Fortuna to Puntarenas, you first take the bus to San Ramón (approx. 3 hours), then transfer to another bus to Puntarenas (buses depart every hour from San Ramón to Puntarenas).

  
  

  Total Duration: 5 hours

  Cost: C2500

  
  

  4. La Fortuna to Jacó

• Via San Ramón and Puntarenas:

  
  

  To reach Jacó, take the bus from La Fortuna to San Ramón, followed by a bus from San Ramón to Puntarenas (about 1 hour), and then from Puntarenas to Jacó (about 1.5 hours).

  
  

  Total Duration: 8 hours

  
  

5. La Fortuna to Quepos/Manuel Antonio

• Via San Ramón and Puntarenas:

  
  

  Similarly to the Jacó route, you’ll take the bus from La Fortuna to San Ramón, transfer to a bus to Puntarenas, and then take a final bus to Quepos.

  
  

  Total Duration: 10 hours

  
  

6. La Fortuna to Dominical

• To travel to Dominical, take a bus from La Fortuna to San Ramón, then transfer to a bus from San Ramón to San José, and finally take a bus from San José to Dominical.

  
  

  Cost: Varies

  
  

  Departure Times (San José to Dominical):

  • 6:30 AM, 8:30 AM, 10:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 4:30 PM

    
    

7. La Fortuna to Nicaragua (Peñas Blancas Border)

• To reach the border with Nicaragua, take the bus from La Fortuna to Ciudad Quesada, then switch buses at El Tanque to head to Peñas Blancas.Duration: 4-5 hoursDeparture Times: 6:30 AM from La Fortuna, connecting with buses to the border at 7:15 AM.

• For the reverse route (from Nicaragua to La Fortuna), take the bus from Peñas Blancas to El Tanque, and then transfer to a bus to La Fortuna at 2:00 PM.

  
  

8. La Fortuna to Tamarindo

• To get to Tamarindo, take the bus from La Fortuna to Tilarán (2.5 hours), then travel from Tilarán to Cañas (1 hour), and finally continue to Liberia and Tamarindo (1.5 hours).

  
  

  Total Duration: 7 hours

  
  

9. La Fortuna to Monteverde

• To reach Monteverde, take the bus from La Fortuna to Tilarán (about 2.5 hours), then transfer to a bus from Tilarán to Santa Elena (2 hours).

  
  

  Total Duration: 7 hours

  
  

10. La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo (Limon)

• Via San Ramón and San José:

  
  

  Take the bus from La Fortuna to San Ramón, then transfer to a bus to San José, followed by a bus to Puerto Viejo.

  
  

  Total Duration: 12 hours

  
  

  Cost: Varies

  
  

11. La Fortuna to Tortuguero

• To get to Tortuguero, take the bus from La Fortuna to San Ramón, then transfer to a bus to San José. From there, catch a bus to Cariari, followed by a bus to La Pavona, and a boat to Tortuguero.

  
  

  Total Duration: 12 hours

  
  

Tips for Traveling by Bus in Costa Rica

• Arrive Early: Buses can fill up quickly, so make sure to arrive at the bus terminal at least 30 minutes before your departure time.

• Buy Tickets in Advance: For popular routes, it’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance to secure your seat.

• Check Schedules: Bus schedules can change, so be sure to check for updates at the bus station or online before you travel.

• Pack Snacks and Water: Bus trips in Costa Rica can be long, so bringing snacks and a bottle of water will help keep you refreshed.

• Be Prepared for the Weather: Depending on your route, you might pass through different climate zones, so bring layers to be comfortable.

  
  

Traveling by public bus in Costa Rica offers an affordable and authentic way to explore the country. With many connections from La Fortuna to various destinations, you're sure to have an unforgettable adventure!