Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → La Fortuna (Arenal)
Next: pick vehicle, date, passengers & pickup details
A private shuttle from Sámara to La Fortuna with Ruta Pacifico costs $369 per vehicle for 1–5 passengers, $430 per vehicle for 6–9 passengers and $530 per vehicle for 10–12 passengers, USD, 13% VAT included. The drive takes about 4 hours 30 minutes, door to door. Pickup is at the door of your hotel, villa or rental in Sámara, at the time you choose. The price is the same any day or hour of the year and includes the driver, fuel, tolls, WiFi, bottled water and child seats. Book online; nothing is paid at pickup.
Prices updated October 2026
Choose vehicle & trip details
Pick the vehicle for your group, the date and time, and tell us where to meet you.
Private shuttle vs. shared shuttle, taxi and rental car: Sámara to La Fortuna
How the four ways of making this trip compare. Only the private shuttle column is a price we publish and guarantee.
| Criterion | Private shuttle (this page) | Shared shuttle | Taxi / ride-hailing | Rental car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $369 per vehicle (1–5 passengers), fixed and published | Per seat: the total grows with every passenger | Metered or negotiated at the curb; not fixed | Daily rate plus insurance, fuel, deposit and parking |
| Departure time | Your time, 24/7, no night surcharge | Fixed timetable | On availability | Yours |
| Route | Direct, door to door | Several hotel stops or a change of van at a hub | Direct | Self-drive: navigation and road conditions are on you |
| Who is on board | Only your group | Other travellers | Only your group | Only your group |
| Flight tracking | Included | Not usually | No | Not applicable |
| Child seats | Free, installed before pickup | Varies | Rarely available | Daily surcharge |
Travel notes: La FortunaWhat to expect, the ride from Sámara, local tips and related routes
About La Fortuna
La Fortuna is the small town at the foot of Arenal Volcano, the near-perfect cone that anchors Costa Rica's most popular inland destination. Hot springs, hanging bridges, waterfall hikes, white-water rafting and wildlife night walks are all within 20 minutes of the town centre.
It pairs naturally with a Guanacaste beach week: the volcano first for adventure and rain-forest green, then the coast for sun. The road between the two follows the north shore of Lake Arenal, one of the most scenic drives in the country.
The ride from Sámara
From Liberia Airport the drive takes about 3 to 3.5 hours via Cañas, Tilarán and the lake road; from the Flamingo and Tamarindo coast add an hour. From San José it is roughly 3 hours through San Ramón. The last stretch winds around Lake Arenal with volcano views ahead. Your driver drops you at your hotel door, whether it is in town or at one of the lodges on the road to the national park.
Good to know before you arrive
- The volcano is clearest early in the morning; clouds usually build by 11 am.
- Book hot springs for the evening of your arrival day, a good way to shake off the drive.
- Rain gear is useful year-round; La Fortuna sits on the wet Caribbean side of the divide.
- Most tours include hotel pickup, so a car is not needed once you are there.
Related private shuttles
- Return trip: La Fortuna (Arenal) → Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste)from $369
- LIR - Liberia Int. Airport → La Fortuna (Arenal)from $209
- SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airport → La Fortuna (Arenal)from $209
- Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → LIR - Liberia Int. Airportfrom $210
- Samara / Playa Carrillo (Guanacaste) → SJO - Juan Santamaria Int. Airportfrom $360
- Manuel Antonio / Quepos → La Fortuna (Arenal)from $319
- Monteverde (Cloud Forest) → La Fortuna (Arenal)from $239
- Conchal (Guanacaste) → La Fortuna (Arenal)from $309
- Flamingo (Guanacaste) → La Fortuna (Arenal)from $309
Questions about Sámara to La FortunaDuration, price, meeting point, stops, child seats, delays and cancellations
- How long does the private shuttle from Sámara to La Fortuna take?
- About 4 hours 30 minutes door to door. That is a realistic figure for Costa Rican roads, not the fastest time a map app shows. The service is direct, with no other passengers, so there are no detours to drop anyone else off.
- How much does a private shuttle from Sámara to La Fortuna cost?
- $369 for 1 to 5 passengers, $430 for 6 to 9 passengers and $530 for 10 to 12 passengers, per vehicle. The price is per vehicle, not per person, and includes the driver, fuel, tolls and 13% VAT. There is nothing to pay at pickup.
- Do you have availability between December 20 and January 2?
- Yes, for groups of 1 to 5 passengers. Every vehicle for 6 or more passengers is already fully booked for travel dates between December 20 and January 2, on every route, and we never overbook: each confirmed booking has its own vehicle and driver assigned. Our 1 – 5 passenger vans still have dates open, but demand for those days is very high, so book as early as you can. Outside that window every vehicle size is available as usual.
- Where does the driver pick me up in Sámara?
- At the door of your hotel, villa or rental in Sámara, at the time you choose. Give us the property name or a map pin when you book and the driver comes to the entrance.
- Can we stop along the way from Sámara to La Fortuna?
- Yes. Short stops for food, a supermarket, an ATM or photos are part of the service. Longer detours, such as a waterfall or a second town, are quoted in advance so there are no surprises.
- Do you have child seats for the trip to La Fortuna?
- Yes, and they are free. Costa Rican law requires a car seat or booster for children under 12 or shorter than 1.45 m (4 ft 9 in), so tell us the ages when you book and the right seats are installed before pickup.
- Can I travel from Sámara to La Fortuna at night or very early?
- Yes. We run 24 hours a day, every day of the year, with no night surcharge. Early departures for morning flights and late arrivals are routine.
- What is the cancellation policy for this shuttle?
- Cancel more than 48 hours before pickup for a full refund minus the 13% tax. Within 48 hours the trip is non-refundable. Changes to date, time or address are free up to 48 hours before, subject to availability.