One of the most popular routes for tourists is from San Jose to La Fortuna. Many visitors go to La Fortuna as their first destination in their Costa Rica itinerary. If you plan to rent a car and drive to La Fortuna from San Jose, here is our guide to help you have a fun and safe drive and to make the most out of this road trip.
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How Far is La Fortuna from San Jose?
The distance between San Jose and La Fortuna is about 130 kilometers or 80 miles. The distance between San Jose International Airport and La Fortuna is about 115 kilometers or 72 miles.
The drive time from San Jose to La Fortuna is about 3 hours. The drive from San Jose International Airport to La Fortuna is about 2.5 hours.
These are times without any traffic or stops. We always recommend to estimate at least 1 hour more, to account for traffic, stops and delays.
Is a 4×4 Required?
No, a 4×4 is not required for La Fortuna. However, we recommend a high clearance SUV for the most comfort, as there may be some big pot holes and poor sections in the remote part of the drive.
Furthermore, if you take the routes to stop at Poas Volcano National Park , Catarata del Toro and/or La Paz Waterfall Gardens, it is extremely curvy and steep.
You will need to have a stronger engine, in case you are traveling with a fully loaded car with lots of luggage. In the rainy season, a 4wd will be the best option.
Even if you are only two or three adults, a high clearance SUV will be much better in case each person is bringing a full 50 lb check in, backpacks, purses and carry ons. If you are only one or two adults traveling light with just carry on, a sedan can work, in the drier months like February and March.
First time driving in Costa Rica? Click the link to get our tips for driving in Costa Rica to stay safe! Haven’t booked your rental car yet? Check our tips for renting a car in Costa Rica to make it easy!
San Jose to La Fortuna Routes
There are a few routes from San Jose to La Fortuna and there are many different places to stop at. Below are some of the most popular routes and stops.
Please click here to go to our map of the routes mentioned in this blog post, as well as places of interest, food, gas and more.
Most Common Direct Route: Route 1 and Route 702
This is the most common route that Google Maps and Waze will show you. Route 1 and Route 702 is the direct route from San Jose to La Fortuna.
If you do not want to make any long stops or detours and just want to get to La Fortuna right away, you should take this route. This route takes around 2.5 hours or 2 hours and 40 minutes, without traffic and stops.
**Sometimes Waze and Google Map will take you via Route 1, Route 702 and Route 141 through Santa Clara, depending on your final destination in La Fortuna, which you should enter as your hotel. This is pretty much the same as Route 1 and Route 702 as it takes the same time, give or take a few minutes. The road is in good condition and you will arrive La Fortuna from the east, as opposed to the south.**
There are a couple of toll booths you need to go through as you leave San Jose/San Jose International Airport. They are small amounts, like 200-800 Costa Rican colones (20 cents to $1.50 USD). You can pay in Costa Rican colones, credit card or small bills USD.
Road Conditions
The Route 1 and Route 702 San Jose to La Fortuna road conditions are in good shape. You’ll start off on the highway and then it goes through San Ramon and several small towns up in the cloud forest.
It is paved nearly the entire way, save for some pot holes here and there and a section up in the cloud forest that is in poor condition.
IMPORTANT. There is a section of this route after you exit San Ramon that is up the mountains, through cloud forest and goes through some tiny rural towns.
This is from around Angeles Sur to Bajo Rodriguez. It can get VERY foggy up here so please drive slowly, carefully and cautiously with low beam lights.
Along this section, there are some road side restaurants and mini markets. The views are beautiful here, and many of the restaurants have a nice view.
If you see a sign that says MIRADOR, that means there is a nice view and that establishment has a sort of lookout point.
This route has a lot of these small, one lane bridges. When you approach this, if you see the triangular sign that says CEDA el Paso on it, then that means yield. You are required to yield to oncoming traffic.
This drive is very beautiful and is not terribly difficult. It takes around 2 hours and 40 minutes, but if you include a couple of stops and run into a bit of traffic, plan for at least 3.5 hours, especially if you are driving during the day on a long weekend or holiday.
La Fortuna to San Jose Route Video
Here is a video of us driving from Arenal to San Jose on this route.
See what the road is like and some places we stopped.
Can I Drive to La Fortuna at Night?
Yes, but we say this with lots of caution. Even though the roads are paved, it is recommended not to drive from San Jose to La Fortuna late at night due to lack of street lights, no side walks, the curviness of the road and extreme fog in the section up by the cloud forest.
Furthermore, many restaurants on this route close by around 8-9 PM. Additionally, if you are arriving late at night, many hotels in La Fortuna do not have reception open that late. Sometimes reception is only open until 10 PM. You will have to contact your hotel to see if late check in is possible.
It gets dark at 6 PM every day in Costa Rica so if your flight gets in late, I recommend staying the night in San Jose and leaving early the next morning. You can make it a longer road trip and take your time to enjoy.
Check our post for recommended hotels near SJO Airport. We have a 10% discount for Adventure Inn which includes a free airport shuttle and hot breakfast.
It is much nicer and easier to drive in the day light, especially if you are visiting during the rainy season (May through December).
Typical rainy season weather are clear and dry mornings, and then it will start raining in the early afternoon.
Learn more about driving to La Fortuna after landing and read our recommendations for all different scenarios (time of visit, flight arrival time, etc.).
If you are landing in the morning, before noon or early afternoon, you can drive to La Fortuna right after landing.
Alternative Route to Stop at Poas Volcano National Park
If you leave the next morning, you have a full day to make this drive from San Jose to La Fortuna. You are able to stop at some places along the way if you wish. One popular stop is Poas Volcano National Park.
This national park is home to one of the world’s largest crater lakes. The park has an easy and a couple moderate hiking trails to view points of the crater lake, an inactive lake and through the cloud forest.
If you visit this national park, I would plan for at least 1 hour to the view point below. If you want to continue to Lake Botos, that would add another 45 minutes at least.
IMPORTANT. You must purchase park tickets on the SINAC website beforehand to visit Poas Volcano National Park. They do NOT sell tickets at the door. Each park ticket is valid for an allotted time slot. If you miss your entry time, they usually do not let you go in.
The extra time if you stop at Poas Volcano National Park brings the total drive time to around 3 hours and 15 minutes. If you stay around 1.5 hours at the park, your entire drive will take at least 4.5 hours depending on if you leave from downtown San Jose or the airport area.
Enter your route in Google Maps as “Poas Volcano Parking Lot” for the national park destination. The national park has a secure parking lot with a guard.
We still recommend to bring your valuables with you (passport/wallet/etc) and try to hide/cover as much of your stuff as possible in the car. Do not leave any valuables visible in the car.
Alternative Route to La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park
If you don’t want to stop at Poas Volcano National Park, another popular stop is the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park. This nature park has a large animal sanctuary and five waterfalls with a 3 kilometer trail and view points.
It is a gorgeous park with beautiful views of the forest. The waterfalls are absolutely spectacular to see!
The park has their own restaurant so you can get lunch there. If you stop at the park, we recommend at least 3 hours for the park if you get lunch included. Your entire drive with the visit to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park can take you around 6 hours.
We offer a small discount for La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park tickets. Click the link to get your entrance ticket with or without lunch included.
The park has their own parking lot and many tourism vans and tours stop here. Take your valuables with you and do not leave any valuables visible in the car.
On a budget? Then skip the park and stop by the free view point of La Paz Waterfall! It is called “La Paz Waterfall” on Google Maps. There is a pull out spot by the bridge and you can walk down to take photos and see this waterfall.
Poas Volcano National Park and La Paz in One Day?
It is possible to visit both places on your way to La Fortuna but you will need to leave early. We recommend to get to Poas Volcano National Park at 8 AM and arrive at La Paz Waterfall Gardens Nature Park by 11 AM.
That way, if you leave La Paz Waterfall Gardens around 2-3 PM, you can still make it to La Fortuna before it gets dark.
Alternative Route to Catarata del Toro
The third alternative route in this post will be a stop at Catarata del Toro in Bajos del Toro. This is one of the tallest waterfalls in Costa Rica, inside an extinct volcano crater. You can just stay by the view point or you can walk down a trail and some steps to the bottom of the waterfall. No swimming.
This is one of our favorite places in Costa Rica, this waterfall is truly impressive!
If you stop here, the entire drive will be around 3 hours. We recommend at least 1 hour at Catarata del Toro because the walk down is SO worth it!
You should rent a 4wd if you plan to visit Catarata del Toro, due to the roads in and around Bajos del Toro.
Driving from Guanacaste (Guanacaste Airport)
Driving from Guanacaste? (Liberia, Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, Flamingo, Brasilito) Check out our guide to driving to Arenal from Guanacaste!
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Steve says
Hello,
Thanks for all the helpful info. Our family of 4 lands SJO around 6pm on July 30. We would like to visit La Fortuna/Arenal, Tortuguero Nat’l Park, and Manuel Antonio National Park before flying back home on Aug 11 or 12. Thinking 3 nights in La Fortuna, 3 at Tortuguero, and the rest at/near Manuel Antonio NP (looking at the Hotel Villas Lirio). Can you offer any advice on the ideal sequence and also recommend a transportation plan (especially for the portion getting to/from Tortuguero)? We like the idea of taking a boat to Tortu and then a plan out of there (although I haven’t been able to see how much the flight out would cost)… Thanks much.
–Steve
Sammi says
Hello Steve! Just sent you an email
Deana says
We are flying into San Jose in a few days. Staying first night in San Jose the headed to The Treehouse Hotel in San Carlos. From there, we will spend a couple of days near La Fortuna. Is the drove to San Carlos all paved? Should we stop anywhere along the way?
Sammi says
The route from San Jose to La Fortuna is all paved, you an see the route in the video and read more about it in the post 🙂
Sammi says
Hi Cat,
Here are some links that will be helpful:
Customs and immigration in San Jose and Liberia AIrport
SJO Airport – San Jose: Private transfer is most comfortable for group of 7.
Poas Volcano National Park
Peace Lodge and La Paz waterfall gardens park
You can definitely stop by Poas/La Paz on your way from San Jose to La Fortuna.
You can take the boat across Lake Arenal to get to Monteverde but cars are not allowed, someone will have to drive.
Things to do in Arenal and La Fortuna
Cat says
Hi Sammi,
My group of 7 adults are traveling to Costa Rica the middle of March. We are arriving in San Jose about 7:30PM and have gotten a place to stay the first night. We have rented a large 4×4 for the trip and it will be delivered the next morning at 9am. We are staying 2 nights in La Fortuna and 2 nights in Monteverde before heading back to San Jose for the last night. So basically, we have 5 days on the ground. This will be the first trip for all but 1 of us.
My questions are:
a) What is a reasonable amount of time to allow for clearing customs when we arrive?
b) What will be the best/least expensive method for us to get from SJO to where we are spending the first night?
c) A friend from Costa Rica suggested stopping at Poas and La Paz Waterfall on the way north. Is this an advisable route to take in order to see more on our first day? Are there any other places you might suggest along the route?
d) I have heard that driving to Monteverde is quicker and prettier than taking the ferry. Which route do you suggest we take for getting to Monteverde?
e) One person in the group may be limited by recovery from an injury. We were thinking ATV riding for sure, but were also trying to find activities to include him on more. Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.
Thanks for ALL the great information and keep it coming!!!
Cat
vikas says
Hi, our flight is reaching at 4:05 PM at San Jose airport in Mid Feb and we have booked the car through your website. We want to drive to Arenal on the same day after renting the car. I understand it gets dark at 6 PM, will you advise us driving to Arenal that day? This is our first time to Costa Rica, We will be traveling from the US but grew up in India so very used to drive in small town and roads? Traveling with my family of 2 adults and 2 kids. Any other advise if we really need to drive to Arenal on that day.
Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Vikas, you could but make sure to use a GPS because signage on that route is not the best. Just drive slowly and carefully around the lake because by the time you get to the lake, it’ll be dark and that road is really narrow and windy. You can also get a free cell phone as one of our freebies which I recommend to get in case of emergencies.
Darlene Nolan says
Hi we will be in Costa Rica in April. I was wondering if route #702 is open to drive from San Jose to La Fortuna ? Thanks Darlene
Aliah says
I have a flight leaving SJO at 530pm on a Monday. I was hoping to stay in La Fortuna until the day of my flight, but I’m unsure of a good time to leave? Any advice? Thank you so much! Your blog has really helped me plan my trip to Costa Rica 🙂
Sammi says
Hi Aliah, to get to the airport by 330 PM, I would no leave later than 1030-11 AM. The drive from Fortuna to San Jose is around 3.5 hours but it depends on traffic, how fast you drive and how long it takes for you to return your car rental so I would give yourself more time just in case.
Christine says
Thanks for the tips. Two questions–following your car rental reservation link, does that total on Adobe’s website include all costs? I’ve heard about hidden fees in CR that can really get you. Also, we plan to drive to a BnB up a steep hill and then drive to visit the main sites in La Fortuna. Is a 4WD vehicle really necessary? Seems like that might be more for the rainy season? Thanks so much!
Sammi says
Hi Christine, yes the total on the Adobe reservation includes all taxes, fees and mandatory insurances, exactly what you see on the reservation is what you’ll pay. It’s one of the reasons why we partnered with Adobe is because they are 100% transparent about charges, whereas unfortunately some companies aren’t.
If your bnb is up a steep hill, I would get a 4wd if the road is unpaved and has potholes.
Christine says
Thanks! You guys are awesome. You definitely made the car rental option less intimidating.
Anjali T says
We are trying to come from Fortuna to San Jose and do La Paz waterfalls, Poas and Doka along the way. Is the road good ? (since this is not the San Ramon route)
Sammi says
For sure! This is a common route, the road up in La Paz/Poas is suuuuuper curvy and narrow though so do drive carefully but it is all paved.
Angie says
Hi – is there a bridge out on the 702? I thought that was in 2015. We will be traveling from San Jose to Fortuna.
Any route recommendations for Fortuna to Manuel Antonio?
Thank you!!
Sammi says
I don’t believe so as of now (bridge). For Fortuna to Manuel Antonio, you will need to go back out like you are going to San Jose, get on the highway 27 towards San Jose and exit at the Jaco exit. You can find it on Google maps/waze to use as GPS.
Rach D says
Hello Sammi,
Thank you for all the great information and for also being so responsive to questions! My husband and I along with our 1 yr old plan on flying into SJO mid Feb, and will be renting a 4×4. We arrive at night, and plan on staying for 2-3 days in San Jose before driving to La Fortuna. We will be in Costa Rica for 2.5 weeks in total. Based on the number of days, what is the itinerary that you would suggest? As we have a young child we would not be able to do many high engaging activities! Also To make travel easier I plan on arriving in San Jose a day prior to our departure.
Sammi says
Hi Rach, you can read this post for best places for 1st timers in CR: Best places in Costa Rica and we have some sample itineraries here: Costa Rica itinerary ideas that you can adapt to the number of days and things you’d like to do. I recommend not to stick too many destinations though, because most of the places are far apart and require a long drive so give yourself at least 3-4 nights in each place so you don’t get burnt out from driving.