You can get from Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa by bus, shared shuttle, private transfer, or rental car.
The cheapest option to travel from Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa is by bus, which costs USD 18. The journey takes about 10 hours.
The most popular option is also the shared shuttle + ferry, offering convenience at a very affordable price. I
The fastest way to travel to Santa Teresa from San Jose is by flight, which takes about 1 hour.
From my many trips through Costa Rica, I’ve learned the ins and outs of this route. Dive into this guide, and I’ll share the best travel secrets to make your trip from Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa unforgettable and smooth!
Below are some of the best options for getting from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa! Here, you can find more information about transportation in Costa Rica.
Transportation Options from Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa
The following table outlines all transportation options from Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa:
| Method | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bus from Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa | ~10 hrs | $18 |
| Shuttle from Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa | 5-6 hrs | $65 to 77 |
| SUV from Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa | 5 hrs | $412+ |
| Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa Private Minivan | 5.5 hrs | $210 to 345 |
| Rental Car | 5 hrs | – |
How far is Santa Teresa from Arenal La Fortuna?
Using Route 142, the shortest route between La Fortuna and Santa Teresa is 173.5 miles or 279.2 kilometers.
The trip will take around five hours, depending on your transportation.
Getting to Santa Teresa from La Fortuna
1. Bus from Arenal La Fortuna to Santa Teresa
Journey Duration: 9 hours 50 minutes
The cheapest option to Santa Teresa might be taking a bus, but there isn’t a direct bus, so you must switch between buses at various locations for almost 10 hours.
Nonetheless, it is a viable option. If you like to venture out and don’t mind having a longer ride, the bus is always an option without breaking the bank!
The journey only costs USD 18!
2. Shared Shuttle from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa
Journey Duration: 5-6 hours
A regular shared shuttle will never disappoint if you want the most convenient and affordable option.
Even though the journey takes a bit longer, it is worth the price since shared shuttles are not too expensive.
There is no better option than the standard minivan regarding comfort. Book your tickets with Montezuma Expeditions company to reserve your seats and have a worry-free trip!
In addition, the trip is cheap and relatively faster than a regular indirect bus!
Additionally, these minivans provide luggage space for up to 20 kilogram bags plus 7 kilograms of handle bags per passenger.
There is only one departure daily, so arrive early and catch it on time!
La Fortuna to Santa Teresa Shared Van Shuttle Schedule:
The table below displays the shared shuttle timetable for trips from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa, detailing departure times, journey lengths, and fares.
| DEP | ETA | DUR | PX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08:00am | 2:00pm | 6h | $67 |  |
3. Relaxury SUV Car from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa
Journey Duration: 5 hours
Relaxury offers another type of private transport via SUV Car for 2-4 passengers starting at USD 412.
So, if you are a small group willing to splurge on a comfortable and fast journey, we recommend this option.
This is a direct car ride that takes five hours. There are early departures at 05:00 AM and late departures at 02:00 PM from La Fortuna – Any hotel.
Arrival time at station Santa Teresa Beach – is 10:00 AM, and the latest arrival is 07:00 PM. You can enjoy many different amenities in this car, from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa Beach.
Upon boarding, you can access air conditioning, food, drinks, English-speaking staff, and wifi.
It is important to note that a ferry ride is required between Paquera and Punta Arenas. Unfortunately, no ferry ticket is included, but tickets are available at the dock.
SUV Car from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa Departure Details
- La Fortuna – Punta Arenas Ferry Terminal: 2 hours 30 minutes (Car)
- Punta Arenas Ferry Terminal – Paquera Ferry Terminal: 1 hour 30 minutes (Ferry Boat)
- Paquera Ferry Terminal – Santa Teresa Beach: 1 hour 30 minutes (Car)
4. Private Minivan from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa
Journey Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
Besides the standard minivan, Montezuma Expeditions offers more privacy when traveling to Santa Teresa.
Take their standard minivan but with limited passenger seats. Gather a group and take this private transfer option that offers departure time flexibility, according to your preference.
The earliest departure from La Fortuna is at 00:00, and the latest departure is at 23:00. The earliest arrival at Santa Teresa station is 05:30, and the latest arrival is at 04:30.
Since this is a private ride, you can select any time you want in 30-minute intervals, starting at 00:00.
Montezuma Expeditions Standard Minivan from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa
- Up to 4 passengers: USD 210
- Up to 8 passengers: USD 345
6. Driving with a Rental Car from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa
Journey Duration: 5 hours
It is also possible to drive to Santa Teresa by renting a car since the distance between La Fortuna and Santa Teresa is 173.5 miles or 279.2 kilometers.
You can stop for lunch, visit places along the way, and not worry about luggage restrictions when renting a car.
Luckily, La Fortuna offers many rental companies inexpensive options worth the price!
Best day tours in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Get Your Guide helps you find the best tours wherever you are heading. It’s usually the first website I check when I plan a trip to a new place.
Here, you can find some of the best tours in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to get from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa?
Santa Teresa can be reached by bus for $18 and takes nine hours 50m, which is the cheapest option.
How do I get from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa the fastest?
Getting from La Fortuna to Santa Teresa by car is the quickest way. It will cost you $22 – $35 and take four hours 53 minutes.
Is Santa Teresa Costa Rica safe?
There is no threat to public safety in Santa Teresa. Costa Rica is the safest country in the entire region. It is a friendly place, and as long as you use common sense, you should have an enjoyable vacation.
More Routes from La Fortuna, Costa Rica
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AnaMaria is a dedicated SEO specialist and content strategist with profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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Jean Nájera is the CEO of GuateGo, an online marketplace to buy transportation tickets in more than 200 cities. He has profound expertise in Transport in Costa Rica, Transportation in Mexico, Transport in Guatemala, Transport in Peru, and Transport in Thailand.
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