| Distance | 26 km (16.3 miles) |
| Price range | $30-$680 |
| Ride Duration Range | 2h 30m-4h |
| Earliest Departure | 06:00 |
| Latest Departure | 23:00 |
| Most Popular Operator | Maple Tico Tours |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Fastest minivan: 2h 30m
Cheapest minivan: $35
La Fortuna is considered the adventure capital of Costa Rica with its white water rafting, volcanoes and hiking escapades.
If you're chasing adrenaline, Monteverde is the perfect next destination in Costa Rica. It's home to hanging bridges that test your fear of heights, mystical cloud forests and the highest bungee jump in Central America.
It's not all about getting the heart pumping in Monteverde, though. This small town nestled in the mountains feels like a laidback ski town, just without the snow. Immerse yourself in the stunning nature, grab a cup of delicious coffee and embrace the slow pace of mountain life.
There are three ways to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde in Costa Rica:
Minivan
Van + ferry
Car
This memorable journey through the mountains takes 2.5-4 hours, depending on the transport you choose. It couldn't be any more convenient with all transportation offering a door-to-door service.
All you have to do is book your ticket, be ready on time, and enjoy the ride from La Fortuna to Monteverde.
Monteverde is a brilliant destination that blends nature, wildlife, and adventure. Made famous for its cloud forests, this small town has become a top destination in Costa Rica due to its diverse range of activities.
Here are some unique and adventurous things to do in Monteverde:
Santa Elena and Monteverde Cloud Forest: The cloud forests are the star of the show in town. Cloud forests are rare, only found in tropical and subtropical mountainous environments where the conditions create a magical and consistent cloud coverage. Both cloud forests offer multiple hiking trails, epic views (when the clouds take a break) and hundreds of species to spot.
Pro tip: Monteverde Cloud Forest is the most popular of the two, so if you want a more peaceful experience with fewer people, head to Santa Elena Cloud Forest.
Ziplining: Hiking is fun, but it requires quite a bit of effort and gives you a limited view. A much more effortless way to explore the nature of Monteverde is to take to the skies and get a bird's eye view of the lush jungle. There are several adventure parks to choose from.
Bungee jump: If ziplining isn't adrenaline-inducing enough, take on the highest bungee jump in Central America. Sitting at an impressive 143 meters (470 feet) high, this challenge isn't for the faint-hearted.
Hanging bridges: If you didn't take on the hanging bridges in La Fortuna, you haven't missed your opportunity. Head to Selvatura Hanging Bridges, where you'll wander across bridges between 50 and 170 meters (164-558 ft) high, surrounded by nothing but jungle teeming with an orchestra of animal sounds.
Night walk: A lot of Costa Rica's wildlife is nocturnal, meaning they come to life at night. Once the sun has set, a night walk is an ideal way to see a whole other world. Keep an eye out for frogs, snakes, spiders and sloths.
There are three ways to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde: minivan, combined van and ferry, and car.
When you look at a map, La Fortuna and Monteverde don't look too far from each other. It's true, they're not. But there isn't a direct road linking these two destinations.
Instead, you have to take a winding mountainous road that makes the journey much longer than you would expect. The trip by minivan takes 3-4 hours.
The minivans offer hotel pick-up/drop-off, so you don't have to think about a thing! They're comfortable, have air conditioning, and allow passengers one large piece of luggage and hand luggage.
You have the option of shared and private minivans. Shared vans start from $32 per person.
If you want to skip picking up and dropping off other passengers or there's already a group of you traveling, opt for a private van. They can fit a max of 10 passengers, depending on which company you go with, and prices start from $220 per minivan (minimum of 2 people).
Taking a van and a ferry may sound like more effort than taking just the minivan, but this is often the fastest way to get between La Fortuna and Monteverde, taking around three hours.
Plus, you get an incredibly scenic boat ride across Lake Arenal to break up the journey!
The travel agency will pick you up from your hotel in La Fortuna, manage all the connections and drop you off at your hotel in Monteverde. It's a seamless and fun trip. Prices start from $32 per person.
If you want the ultimate convenience and comfort, book a private SUV car from La Fortuna to Monteverde.
These vehicles make the mountain roads on the way to Monteverde look easy!
The cars can fit 3-4 people, perfect if you're traveling in a small group or as a family and want to leave at your chosen time. Prices for a private car start at $291.
You'll find air conditioning, comfortable seats, and free water onboard.
The trip from La Fortuna to Monteverde might be one of the most beautiful journeys in Costa Rica.
You'll be leaving the volcanoes of La Fortuna, passing through lush green countryside alongside Lake Arenal. Those who opt for the van and ferry combination may even forget it's a travel day, as the boat trip feels like an activity in itself.
Towards the end of the journey, you'll begin your ascent into the mountains of Monteverde. If the clouds are taking a break, the views of the treetops and villages below are magnificent.
Heavy cloud coverage can also be a unique and fun experience as you feel like you're driving up to the heavens.
Expect to make a stop along the way, where you can buy some snacks, grab a drink and go to the toilet.
Generally, the best time to visit Monteverde in Costa Rica is during the dry season, between December and May. Expect sunny days with minimal rainfall, which are ideal for hiking, exploring the cloud forests, and enjoying outdoor activities.
The wet season, from the end of May to November, brings heavier rainfall and more humidity. While this can make hiking trails more challenging and increase the likelihood of encountering rain, it's also a magical time to visit for those interested in lush green landscapes and fewer crowds.
An added bonus of the wet season is that you may see more wildlife, as many animals are more active during this time.
We recommend a minimum of two days in Monteverde, but depending on what activities you want to do, it's easy to spend four or even five days in this mountain town.
All the hiking, ziplining, searching for animals and crossing hanging bridges can get tiring, so it can be nice to give yourself a day to relax. There are plenty of coffee shops and restaurants to relax in.
If you're craving more of Costa Rica's incredible nature, head to Manual Antonio, a beach town home to one of the country's most popular national parks.
Manuel Antonio National Park offers an array of spectacular wildlife and idyllic beaches. Work up a sweat hiking and spotting animals before going for a refreshing dip in the ocean.
The journey from Monteverde to Manuel Antonio takes around four hours.
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