There are 5 ways to get from Arenal Volcano to San José by bus, taxi, shuttle, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Terminal Transpisa La Fortuna to Terminal San Carlosbus Ciudad Quesada / ...
- Take the bus from Costado Sur De La Terminal San Carlos to Escuela Juan Rafael Mora, Detrás De Torre Mercedesbus 515
3h 21m$49–61Drive 136.9 km
cheapest- Drive from Arenal Volcano to San Josécar 136.9 km
2h 40m$19–27Taxi, bus
- Take the taxi from Arenal Volcano to Costado Sur De La Terminal San Carlostaxi
- Take the bus from Costado Sur De La Terminal San Carlos to Escuela Juan Rafael Mora, Detrás De Torre Mercedesbus 515
2h 2m$142–170Taxi, shuttle
- Take the taxi from Arenal Volcano to La Fortunataxi
- Take a shuttle bus from La Fortuna to San JoséSan José / ...
1h 53m$108–315Bus via Terminal Atlántico Norte
- Take the bus from Terminal Transpisa La Fortuna to Terminal San Carlosbus Ciudad Quesada / ...
- Take the bus from Ciudad Quesada to Terminal Atlántico Nortebus 205
4h 35m$45–57
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Arenal Volcano to San José is to drive which costs $18 - $27 and takes 2h 40m.
The fastest way to get from Arenal Volcano to San José is to taxi and shuttle which takes 1h 53m and costs $100 - $320.
No, there is no direct bus from Arenal Volcano to San José. However, there are services departing from Terminal Transpisa La Fortuna and arriving at Escuela Juan Rafael Mora, Detrás De Torre Mercedes via Costado Sur De La Terminal San Carlos. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 3h 21m.
The distance between Arenal Volcano and San José is 155 km. The road distance is 136.9 km.
The best way to get from Arenal Volcano to San José without a car is to bus which takes 3h 21m and costs $45 - $65.
It takes approximately 3h 21m to get from Arenal Volcano to San José, including transfers.
Arenal Volcano to San José bus services, operated by Transpisa, depart from Terminal Transpisa La Fortuna station.
Arenal Volcano to San José bus services, operated by Transpisa, arrive at Terminal San Carlos station.
Yes, the driving distance between Arenal Volcano to San José is 137 km. It takes approximately 2h 40m to drive from Arenal Volcano to San José.
There are 750+ hotels available in San José.
What companies run services between Arenal Volcano, Provincia de Alajuela, Costa Rica and San José, Costa Rica?
You can take a vehicle from Arenal Volcano to Escuela Juan Rafael Mora, Detrás De Torre Mercedes via Terminal Transpisa La Fortuna, Terminal San Carlos, and Costado Sur De La Terminal San Carlos in around 3h 21m.
- Phone
- +506 2460 1012
- contraloriaserviciostranspisa@hotmail.com
- Website
- Transpisa
Bus from Terminal Transpisa La Fortuna to Terminal San Carlos
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–4
- Schedules at
- Transpisa
Bus from Terminal Transpisa La Fortuna to Terminal San Carlos
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $2–4
- Schedules at
- Transpisa
- Phone
- +506 2673 0612
- Website
- Transnorte de Upala
Bus from Costado Sur De La Terminal San Carlos to Escuela Juan Rafael Mora, Detrás De Torre Mercedes
- Ave. Duration
- 58 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $8–11
- Schedules at
- Transnorte de Upala
Bus from Costado Sur De La Terminal San Carlos to Escuela Juan Rafael Mora, Detrás De Torre Mercedes
- Ave. Duration
- 58 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $8–11
- Schedules at
- Transnorte de Upala
Shuttle from La Fortuna to San José
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $72
- Website
- Jungle Tom Safaris Shuttle
- Phone
- (+506) 4100 0888
- reservations@interbusonline.com
- Website
- Interbus Shuttles
Shuttle from La Fortuna to San José
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $240
- Schedules at
- Interbus Shuttles
- Phone
- 1 800 715 1370
- info@ridecr.com
- Website
- RIDE CR
Shuttle from La Fortuna to San José
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $268
- Website
- RIDE CR
Bus from Ciudad Quesada to Terminal Atlántico Norte
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- Estimated price
- $4–7
- Schedules at
- Transportes San Carlos
- Ave. Duration
- 43 min
- Estimated price
- $35–160
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including Travelling to the UK: What do I need to know?, Need to know: Greyhound, and How to get from Luton Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip.