There are 6 ways to get from San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal by plane, shuttle, bus, rideshare, 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.
Fly
best- Fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON)plane SJO - FON
1h 6m$207–289Bus via Entrada Fatima
cheapest- Take the bus from Terminal Atlántico Norte to Ciudad Quesadabus 1508 San José / ...
- Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos to El Castillobus Ciudad Quesada
7h 44m$4–13Shuttle, bus
- Take a shuttle bus from Alajuela to La FortunaPrivate / ...
- Take the bus from Terminal Transpisa La Fortuna to El Castillobus Ciudad Quesada
4h 5m$260–264Airport Transfer
- Take the rideshare from San Jose-SJO to El Arenal125.8 km
2h 32m$45–65Drive 125.8 km
- Drive from San-Jose-Airport-SJO to El Arenalcar 125.8 km
2h 32m$17–25Bus
- Take the bus from Terminal Atlántico Norte to Ciudad Quesadabus 205
- Take the bus from Terminal San Carlos to El Castillobus Ciudad Quesada
7h 22m$10–14
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal is to bus via Entrada Fatima which costs $4 - $13 and takes 7h 44m.
The fastest way to get from San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal is to fly which takes 1h 6m and costs $200 - $290.
No, there is no direct bus from San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal. However, there are services departing from Entrada Fatima and arriving at El Castillo via Terminal Atlántico Norte and Terminal San Carlos. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 22m.
The distance between San Jose Airport (SJO) and El Arenal is 96 km. The road distance is 125.8 km.
The best way to get from San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal without a car is to shuttle and bus which takes 4h 5m and costs $260 - $264.
It takes approximately 1h 6m to get from San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal, including transfers.
San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal bus services, operated by Transportes Queros Puntarenas S.A., depart from Terminal Atlántico Norte station.
The best way to get from San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal is to fly which takes 1h 6m and costs $200 - $290. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $10 - $14 and takes 7h 22m.
San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal bus services, operated by Transportes Queros Puntarenas S.A., arrive at Ciudad Quesada station.
Yes, the driving distance between San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal is 126 km. It takes approximately 2h 32m to drive from San Jose Airport (SJO) to El Arenal.
What companies run services between San Jose Airport (SJO), Costa Rica and El Arenal, Costa Rica?
SANSA and World Ticket fly from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) to La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON) twice daily. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Entrada Fatima to El Arenal via Terminal San Carlos, Terminal Atlántico Norte, Terminal San Carlos, and El Castillo in around 7h 22m.
- Website
- flysansa.com
Flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport to La Fortuna Arenal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 30 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–220
- Website
- worldticket.com
Flights from Juan Santamaría International Airport to La Fortuna Arenal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 30 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–220
- Phone
- 1 800 715 1370
- [email protected]
- Website
- RIDE CR
Shuttle from Alajuela to La Fortuna
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $258
- Website
- RIDE CR
- Phone
- +506 2460 1012
- [email protected]
- Website
- Transpisa
Bus from Terminal Transpisa La Fortuna to El Castillo
- Ave. Duration
- 30 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $1–4
- Schedules at
- Transpisa
Bus from Terminal San Carlos to El Castillo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $2–5
- Schedules at
- Transpisa
Bus from Terminal San Carlos to El Castillo
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 40m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $2–5
- Schedules at
- Transpisa
- Phone
- 2661-1345
- Website
- Transportes Queros Puntarenas S.A.
Bus from Terminal Atlántico Norte to Ciudad Quesada
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $7
- Schedules at
- Transportes Queros Puntarenas S.A.
Bus from Terminal Atlántico Norte to Ciudad Quesada
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 40m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Schedules at
- Autotransportes San José a Venecia de San Carlos S.A.
- Phone
- +506 8356 1555
- [email protected]
- Website
- Transportes San Carlos
Bus from Terminal Atlántico Norte to Ciudad Quesada
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $1–6
- Schedules at
- Transportes San Carlos
- Website
- https://www.mozio.com
Rideshare from San Jose-SJO to El Arenal
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 32m
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $45–65
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 US: What do I need to know?, The London Underground: Essential tips to navigate the Tube, and Travel Insider: Top Japan travel tips by Beatrix Holland - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
More Questions & Answers
There are 968+ hotels available in El Arenal.
Check out Blablacar's carpooling service for rideshare options between San Jose Airport (SJO) and El Arenal. A great option if you don't have a driver's licence or want to avoid public transport.



