Taking the San Jose to La Fortuna bus in Costa Rica.
Two hours to get out of the Costa Rican capital!
No wonder it takes so long to travel between San Jose and La Fortuna by bus.
It is cheap at least - so if time is on your side, then it is certainly comfortable enough!
Let me guess, you are considering your transport options in Costa Rica?
This blog has all the information you need to secure your place on the bus from San Jose to La Fortuna.
It is no secret that San Jose is a raw city, therefore, you are probably apprehensive about traversing the city to find bus stations etc.
I was feeling the same way, however, you will have no issues if you follow this advice.
The landscape of Costa Rica makes the road infrastructure less than ideal in the Central American country..
However, bus travel in Costa Rica is dirt cheap (about the only thing that is these days), so it can help your backpacker budget go further.
Let’s start with why you would choose bus travel in Costa Rica, other than just the costs!
Got my seat.
Why travel by bus in Costa Rica?
As I explored the popular destinations in Costa Rica, I found that travelling by bus in Costa Rica is one of the most popular and practical ways of doing so. I used this specific bus, but then opted for shuttle buses on my other trips as I was on a shorter trip.
Here are the reasons that you should consider booking your bus ticket though:
Budget Friendly:
Buses in Costa Rica are very economical, and used by locals and visitors (usually backpackers), and this San Jose to La Fortuna bus is full most days.
Even fares for regional routes like this one, cost just a few dollars, despite the long distance, therefore, they are highly affordable compared to private shuttles or car rentals.
Eco Friendly:
You will learn pretty fast when you land in Costa Rica that the locals are very big on sustainability and eco tourism, so taking the public bus is a way that you can contribute, if you wish. Reduced carbon emissions helps with the environmental sustainability of the Central American nation.
Extensive Coverage:
Every corner of Costa Rica is covered by the bus network, although some do require multiple changes and very long journeys. If you get stuck though, the buses will get you back to San Jose.
Authentic Local Experience:
Travelling like a local will give you an authentic experience of daily life in Costa Rica, which I found shuttles didn’t offer.
Arriving at the main bus terminal in San Jose.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.
How to travel to La Fortuna from San Jose by bus.
The beautiful nature of La Fortuna is a big draw for visitors of Costa Rica, so let’s find out how you can travel there on the daily bus from San Jose.
There are several major bus terminals in San José, going to different destinations in Costa Rica, so you should get to know which one is correct!
Terminal 7-10: Northern and Caribbean destinations (e.g., La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero).
Coca-Cola Bus Terminal: Pacific coast destinations (e.g., Puntarenas, Jaco, Manuel Antonio).
Terminal Gran Caribe: Caribbean destinations (e.g., Limón, Cahuita).
Tracopa Terminal: Southern destinations (e.g., Uvita, San Isidro, Golfito).
As you can see above Terminal 7/10 is the correct one for La Fortuna.
San Jose to La Fortuna brief overview:
Bus Company: Autotransportes San Carlos (Transpisa).
Terminal: Terminal 7-10 in San José.
Schedule: The direct buses from San Jose to La Fortuna typically run twice daily.
Morning: Around 8:40 AM
Afternoon: Around 11:50 AM
Travel Time: Approximately 4-6 hours.
Fare: Approximately £4–£8 GBP (4,000–6,000 CRC).
Getting to the 7/10 Bus Terminal in San Jose.
From Downtown San José (Central Avenue or Plaza de la Cultura)
Head east along Avenida Central or Avenida Segunda.
Turn left (north) onto Calle 8.
Walk 4–5 blocks until you reach Avenida 9. The terminal will be on your right.
Walking Distance: About 10–15 minutes from downtown.
By Taxi or Uber: Tell the driver "Terminal 7-10, por favor." Cost: ₡2,000–₡3,000 (£3–£5 GBP).
Be careful of scammers outside the station offering you a lift to any other station or destination, this is a known scam in San Jose!
They claim that the bus has already departed, and they can get you to the next station to catch it.
A friend who I met in La Fortuna got scammed in this way unfortunately.
Some important practicalities for the journey.
Here are a few things to consider for your bus travel in Costa Rica:
It gets hot and stuffy, even with air conditioning!
Bringing water and a portable fan will help make your journey more comfortable.
The rest stop isn’t for several hours.
We didn’t stop until about 4 hours into our journey, so make sure you are fed and watered, and have been to the toilet.
Very basic English spoken.
Throughout the whole experience of purchasing a ticket, asking for directions to the bus terminal, and speaking to the driver, English was very minimal, therefore, you should know basic Spanish, and have a translation app handy if you need assistance.
How to purchase your bus ticket in San Jose.
Costa Rica is still behind the times when it comes to bus travel, therefore you will have to purchase your tickets in person at Terminal 7-10 in San Jose.
You have two options:
Firstly, you can purchase on the day, directly from the driver in cash, but this is on a first come, first served basis, with a total bus capacity of 50 seated and 20 standing.
Secondly, you can visit the terminal in advance (especially during high season) to purchase your ticket. Some travellers usually purchase a day or two in advance just for peace of mind. You will still need to arrive early for your bus journey to secure a seat.
The queues can be long in the station.
Queuing for the bus.
After a while of sitting in the waiting area with minimal information available, and very little English spoken, a member of staff called us all to go and stand in a queue by the gate which leads to the car park.
Once queuing, the driver of our bus walked down the queue handing everyone a small laminated card with a number on.
I was number 48, which was lucky as only 50 people get a seat, with a further 20 being available for standing capacity.
Trust me when I say this, you don’t want to spend the full 5 hours standing, no matter how cheap it may cost, so make sure you head down the bus station at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Nearly at the front.
Ticket acquired.
After around 10 minutes of standing with our numbered tickets, we were let through the turnstiles to go and enter the bus, and we did have to show the numbered cards to get through.
At this point, if you have a large bag, then the driver will take it from you to store under the bus.
I walked straight on the bus as I only had a small backpack with me on my solo trip!
You can select any seat you desire that is free on the bus, so this is where arriving early has another advantage, as it is first come first served for choice of seats.
Once all bags are stored and all passengers are seated, the driver comes round and exchanges a ticket for your numbered card and a cash payment.
It was cash only on our trip, so make sure you carry some small denominations of Colones for your ticket.
About to board.
Boarding the bus.
On our specific journey, every traveller in the queue managed to acquire a ticket and a seat, however, we were told that some days the bus can be full, meaning that some people have to wait for the next bus.
The bus driver does fill the walkway with standing passengers, although we only experienced this for the last hour of our journey, after stopping for a break in a very small town, where more passengers embarked.
Leaving the capital.
I explored a fair chunk of the capital in my short time in San Jose, but as we left the city, I was observant and did manage to see other areas of the city that I had not visited.
This was mainly markets, some street art, and derelict buildings, which explains why many international tourists are wary of spending too much time in San Jose.
On our way.
Nearly two hours to leave San Jose due to traffic!
One thing which I did not expect was to be in stand still traffic for 90 minutes on the outskirts of San Jose.
As you can imagine this was very frustrating, as the cold air which was entering the inside of the bus as we drove, was now gone, and replaced by warm humid conditions.
I would strongly advise you to bring some water with you, and if possible, a portable fan!
Although these traffic conditions are not guaranteed daily, they are a regular occurrence.
Larger vehicles also struggle driving up the steep hills which are a common feature of the landscape of Costa Rica!
This causes slow traffic build up in regular spots.
Heavy traffic is common in San Jose, so leave some spare travel time.
Arriving into La Fortuna.
You will know when you are in close proximity to La Fortuna, as the Arenal Volcano will appear in the distance.
As one of the most picturesque spots in Costa Rica, the famous volcano towers over La Fortuna!
After around 5 hours the iconic backdrop came into view for all of us passengers on the bus.
When you pull up at the main bus station in la Fortuna, you will find that it is fairly central, and most accommodations are within walking distance.
Arenal Volcano.
Is bus travel in Costa Rica worth it?
Bus travel in Costa Rica is absolutely worth considering, especially if you're looking for a budget-friendly and culturally immersive way to explore the country.
My experience wasn’t ideal, due to traffic etc, however, if on a longer trip to the country, I would definitely use the service again.
La Fortuna bus station.
A full bus.
Alternative transport options in Costa Rica - shuttles and car rentals.
If you don’t fancy taking the public bus in Costa Rica, The main two other options are shuttle buses, which can be private or shared, depending on your group size, or car rental.
Both options are better if you are short of time, have a bigger budget, or are travelling in a larger group.
Shuttle buses.
Shuttle buses are a very popular mode of transport in Costa Rica, and are usually booked on a shared basis. The average cost is around £50 per person for most journeys, and they usually include a hotel pick up and drop off.
You can book shuttle buses in any tour office, many hotels, and online.
I preferred shuttles for most of my time in Costa Rica because they are direct and more efficient than the public buses.
Car rental.
If you are travelling in a larger group, then the most cost effective way of traversing Costa Rica is by car.
A car rental will also give you the flexibility to stop at some iconic spots in Costa Rica during your trip.
They can be rented for around £40 per day,with pick up and drop off locations throughout the Central American country.
You can rent a car in advance here.
There are also internal flights in Costa Rica, but these usually also require a bus or car rental to arrive at your final destination.
Arrived in La Fortuna.
Frequently Asked Questions about bus travel in Costa Rica.
Bus vs shuttle from San Jose to La Fortuna?
The bus wins on cost, but shuttles win on speed, comfort, and advance booking options.
Where to buy bus tickets for San Jose to La Fortuna?
Tickets are purchased from the bus driver on the day of travel and paid for in cash.
How long does it take to travel by bus from San Jose to La Fortuna?
Anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, depending on traffic, and weather conditions.
Is the bus from San Jose to La Fortuna safe?
Yes, the bus is an established route, on safe roads, and many passengers complete the journey daily.
Are the buses in Costa Rica reliable?
They are very punctual for departure times, but delays arise from time to time, so arrival time can differ significantly.
Is the bus the best option for solo travellers and backpackers?
It is the cheapest and very reliable, therefore a very good option.
The bus network covers the whole of Costa Rica.
If you are looking for things to do in La Fortuna.
You will find that La Fortuna is the Costa Rica that you had dreamed about, and it has a completely different vibe to San Jose.
La Fortuna itineraries are always filled with fun experiences in and around the natural beauty of Costa Rica, and these four activities are musts:
(Best Free Activity).
Mistico Park Hanging Bridges.
(Learn awesome facts about the biodiversity of La Fortuna, while observing forest life on the ground, and high up on Hanging Bridges).
Rio Celeste Waterfall Day Tour.
(Iconic sky blue waterfall and interesting hike through Tenorio National Park).
(Awesome Instagram spot, and can swim under the waterfall).
All of these popular tours in La Fortuna can be enjoyed anytime of year. I visited Costa Rica in the rainy months, and still had an awesome time at all of them.
Disclosure: I sometimes use affiliate marketing. This will not cost you anything, but helps with my travel costs. I only recommend companies I use myself.