One-Way Transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde through Arenal Lake
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
One-Way Transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde through Arenal Lake
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Sit back and relax with no worry about the logistics on this private transfer from La Fortuna to Monteverde via Lake Arenal. Once your guide collects you from your La Fortuna hotel, you’ll drive past the Arenal volcano to Lake Arenal, go on a boat ride across the lake, and continue driving to your hotel in Monteverde.
- La Fortuna to Monteverde transfer in a private vehicle
- Sightseeing boat tour of Lake Arenal
- Door-to-door private transfer with hotel pickup and drop-off
- Flexible departure times to suit your plans
What's Included
Meeting and Pickup
What To Expect
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.3
based on 38 reviews
Shayla_B, Feb 2026
Super convenient transport between Fortuna and Monteverde! The bus arrived within a timely fashion and took us to the boat for the Lake Arenal crossing. The lake crossing was the best part! They loaded all of the bags quickly and with precision and ease. We were able to sit and stand up front to get pictures, videos, and to simply take in the views. The ride through the lake was gorgeous and only took about 45 minutes or so to arrive to the second bus loading location. So, this is where it got a bit hectic and unorganized. Once we got to the second docking station, everyone’s bags were taken off of the boat (by both passengers and the boat staff), but nobody really knew which shuttle bus to get on. There was a lot of confusion and some people waiting to be called. Also, there were anxious people who were waiting to get on the boat to Arenal, and they were blocking the exit. This part was a bit of a mess, but it all got figured out in the end. Also, be aware that this docking station is very muddy. Don’t wear shoes and pants that you really care about, and be prepared for your luggage to get a bit muddy too. The ride from this docking station to Monteverde is not for the weak stomached! It’s located high up in the mountains between farmland and rolling hills along a bumpy, narrow, dirt road. Lots of bouncing around and one lane sections with some hairpin turns and steep dropoffs. Thank goodness that the drivers are experienced. We stopped along the way to take a break, and the little shop was so cute and had a stunning view of the valley and the hills in the background. Soon after, they dropped me off safely to my hotel in Monteverde. It was a very adventurous ride, especially the lake crossing. Would recommend if you’re looking for convenient transport between Fortuna and Monteverde!
Monika_P, Feb 2026
good service - all worked well . pick up on time. easy access to rain coat a plus in case it rains. would book again
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your comment, it was a pleasure having you as a customer
Heidi_C, Feb 2026
The transfer was easy and well organized. Loved the boat trip and arrived with zero issues to Monteverde from La Fortuna.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your comment. We're so glad you enjoyed the transfer
Neil_H, Feb 2026
The transfer by bus, boat & bus again was very well coordinated. The pick up was on time. Great door to door service.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your comment. We're so glad you enjoyed the transfer.
WEIHUA_Z, Dec 2025
The boat is spacious and stable. The road on and off boat was unpaved. Both drivers helped us to bring our luggages on and off the van. This is a big help for us.
Shannon_S, Dec 2025
Seamless and professional . Good combination with the ferry over water with sunshine. And appreciate the stop for bathroom and food.
Karen_S, Dec 2025
Beautiful day, shuttle arrived ontime. The sun was shining, wonderful experience crossing the lake, geat view of arenal volcano and wildlife. Shuttle transfer was smooth. I recommend.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for your comment. We're glad to have customers like you.
Helen_S, Dec 2025
Punctual pick up and lovely trip across the lake and up to Monteverde. I would definitely recommend this trip
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for your comment. We're glad to have customers like you.
Tracy_T, Dec 2025
What a transfer!!! or should I say a day trip! The bus was comfortable, the boat trip was beautiful and the trip the other side was stunning (a bit bumpy as its costa rica) but the scenery was incredible! So worth it!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your comment, it was a pleasure having you as a customer
Stephen_S, Aug 2025
Really fun scenic way to travel between the 2 popular destinations! The driver stopped about halfway to Monteverde for us to get a snack and use the restroom
dilipvyas, Mar 2025
We booked this transfer using Viator and it was easy.
We throughly enjoyed the transfer via Arenal lake which was great experience and enjoyed it. What breathtaking way to do transfer. Only part of transfer we did not enjoyed that much was from arenal lake to our hotel in Monteverde where lack of road which means journey was not good comfortable. Gravel road is not one wants to travel. Help ful boat staff at both end of transfer for your luggage etc. Beautiful lake journey short but worth it.
Andrew_A, Mar 2025
We scheduled a transfer for pick up at 8am. The driver never showed up. We tried to contact the company several times but just got an answering machine. We had to scramble and make other arrangements
Laura_M, Feb 2025
I believe this is the fastest way to travel between these two cities. But the operation itself was very slow, lots of waiting for your turn to get on/off shuttle then on/off boat then on/off shuttle again. I was also disappointed because it was marketed as “jeep boat jeep” but it was just a normal tourist shuttle, not a jeep.
Nambirajan_S, Jan 2025
This was a nice experience. Initially we were worried about the various transfers during this trip, but the shuttles picked us up on time and dropped off near the boat. There was some downpour, but the shuttle and the boat operators were very professional in making sure all the bags were loaded and everyone was comfortable. The ride to Monteverde on the shuttle is very bumpy, but the shuttle driver drove very cautiously. Overall highly efficient
Sudhakar_P, Dec 2024
Beautiful experience crossing lake Arenal. Amazing views. The staff were very organized. Even though the trip involved jeep to boat to jeep transfers, and crossing involved a few muddy tracks, the staff helped us with our bags. Will certainly go with this operator again.
Kimberly_D, Dec 2024
This was a nightmare leg of our visit. Picked up with a van full of people, dropped off on the banks of the lake, then having to maneuver in a muddy landing area on the opposite side, and getting on another full passenger van to ride in the worst road conditions ever to our hotel. The driver was good 😀
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Hello Kimberly, I am sorry for the inconvinience, but in this case yes we are in the peak season, sometime we need to pick all customers and don't leave no body back, however we consider everybody go in a confortable seat and with all luggage, about the roads yes the rain all these days back has been hard, so the road need to be repair in some frames but this goverment responsability, is something out of our control, we try to do the best for you have a good experiencie
Paige_A, Jul 2024
It was the best it could be. The boat ride was relaxing and quiet. The only part that was a bit of a nag was at the end of the boat ride you have to carry your luggage in a a dirt path and your not really sure which driver is your driver.
SHONAK_V, Jul 2024
We got picked up from hotel and five more stops to pick up people. The boat ride is very nice. Beautiful scenery along the way. You need drag your own luggage probably 100 meters both ways. It’s bit muddy road to drag the luggage. It’s again two hour drive after boat ride. It’s well worth it.
Aimee_C, Apr 2024
Relatively easy to navigate! The transfer across the lake is more of a tour and quite slow going but nice to see some wildlife from the water! It’s a busy transfer but easy enough to figure out what’s going on (if not! When you get picked up the driver gives you a number, this number is the ID for the bus you will get on after the boat.)
PHILOMENA_C, Feb 2024
Journey went smoothly, comfortable buses
Friendly staff
Stopped at a lovely cafe with butterflies for a break
Lisa_G, Feb 2024
Ride from La Fortuna to Lake Arenal and boat ride through lake were perfect. Pickup at the lake was extremely chaotic, with 12 buses and vans, and trying to figure out which one was ours. Instead of a 10 person van like the one we started on, we were crammed onto a 40 person bus, with so little leg room that my knees were deep into the seat in front of me. People were standing and shouting across the aisles throughout the 2 hour trip. Not an experience I'd like to repeat.
Anna_T, Dec 2023
It got us from A to B fine and was a scenic route, but it was solely just a shuttle transfer with a boat inbetween. The description implied a guide, private transfer and it to be more of an "experience". However it was buses full of people and the "guides" were just the drivers who didn't interact at all.
Michael_W, Dec 2023
Very efficient transfer with lovely boat ride in between. Pick up driver wasn’t the best but it’s only a short drive to the boat. The second leg from boat to Monteverde was much better. Overall a good transfer and much better and faster than driving all the way around the lake !
Jon_T, May 2023
Our vacation rental was “off the beaten path” and although we took effort to confirm our location, our driver had a difficult time finding us. That said, he did eventually arrive and our transport to the boat was safe and efficient. The boat ride across the lake was beautiful and the transfer to transportation on the other side was seamless. The drive to Monteverde was enjoyable in an air conditioned van with a stop for a snack along the way. I definitely recommend.
David_B, Apr 2023
Great service and the best way to travel between monteverde and La fortuna. No stress involved at all
Pria S, Feb 2017
Overall the transfer was great, the people doing the transfer were nice and punctual. The only thing that would have been helpful was to get the email of the transfer company- a phone number was provided but I was unable to reach them directly because I only had skype so ended up having to email through viatour who emailed them and then sent me a message through them. Slightly a bit complicated but it all worked out in the end.
Daniela_F, Mar 2026
Very practical and excellent view, we worked very well the route, recommended for anyone who wants to move.
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Response from Host, Mar 2026
Gracias por tu comentario, fue un placer tenerte como cliente
Ricardo_S, Oct 2025
Excellent transfer from door to door! Excellent and super friendly drivers! Excursion by Lake Arenal very nice with excellent opportunity for photos with the volcano Arenal.
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Response from Host, Oct 2025
Muchas gracias por tu comentario, nos alegra mucho saber que disfrutaron del tour.
Rosa_A, Feb 2023
Muy calmo el cruce del lago. El resto del trayecto según los caminos que no son los mejores pero el chofer de 10
Attractions in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- Arenal Volcano National Park Tours & Tickets
- Baldi Hot Springs Tours & Tickets
- La Fortuna Waterfall Tours & Tickets
- Lake Arenal Tours & Tickets
- Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park Tours & Tickets
- Venado Caves (Cavernas de Venado) Tours & Tickets
- Arenal Observatory Lodge and Spa Tours & Tickets
- Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center Tours & Tickets
- Tabacon Hot Springs Tours & Tickets
- Celeste River (Río Celeste) Tours & Tickets
- Sarapiqui Canopy Tours & Tickets
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