Transportation from SanJose, Costa Rica to La Fortuna?

Question

My wife and I are travelling from San Jose airport to La Fortuna. The hotel is willing to pick us up , but charges $60.00 per person. Is this an average rate or is there a better way to go, but above public transportation. By the way, some tours charge $100 PAX. What does PAX mean

Answer 1

The best way to go, in my opinion, is arranged transportation.  Look up Costa Rica transport on the internet and you will find companies who will pick you up and drop you off in different locations.  The cost is usually a flat rate, not per person, up to the capacity of the mini bus or van you are traveling in.  You can choose where they pick you up and drop you off from one location to the next.  It is cheaper than renting a car, more pleasant than public transport, and probably cheaper than your hotel transport.  My family is going in March and we will be picked up from the airport and taken to our hotel in La Fortuna, four of us, for about $60 total.  A few days later they are picking us up and taking us elsewhere.  The drivers usually know a little english and are very friendly.  Pick ups are early in the morning and you are at your next destination in the afternoon.   Oh, and if you are in La Fortuna, I strongly recommend Hotel Lavas Tacotal for food.  They have the best chicken in Mango sauce I have ever eaten and the prices are fantastic.

Pura Vida

Answer 2

$60/pp is insane and they're trying to gouge you.  La Fortuna is essentially right next to Arenal volcano, and can be used interchangeably when figuring out where to go.

We used "www.interbusonline.com."  $29/pp.

Public buses are much cheaper (like $5?), but my boyfriend and I were thrilled with the Interbus service.  We ended up hiring them to ferry us all over Costa Rica.  You may/may not have to share your mini-bus (it's basically a minivan) with other passengers, but when you don't have other passengers, it's *great*.  

You can email Interbus and arrange for them to drop you off at your hotel.  Good luck.

I believe "PAX" is used to refer to passengers.

Answer 3

I am a naturalized citizen to Costa Rica and own a real estate and property management business here and love it.  We have our own drivers and they charge anywhere from $80.00 - $100.00 for both of you, which is the going price this time of the year.  It's High Season - all of the touristas are here - hence "high $eason."  

Make sure you go to one of the two thermal springs in and around La Fortuna, it's well worth the visit and if your lucky you may get to see Arenal have on of it's many eruptions - hopefully at night - much more spectacular.