Bus from Liberia to Arenal (La Fortuna)

We took the bus from Liberia in Guanacaste to La Fortuna near Arenal National Park.

This requires bus changes in Cañas and Tilaran and took us from 9 am to 4 pm. Then we waited 2.5 hours in La Fortuna for the shuttle to Essence Arenal in El Castillo, where we will spend a couple of days investigating the national park

Bus from Liberia to Cañas

The bus company Reina Del Campo does this stretch. We took the bus at 9 from the bus terminal in Liberia. Note that there are at least two different bus terminals (very close to each other), one for Pulmitan De Lliberia buses to San Jose and Playa Del Coco, and one terminal for other buses. That is the one you want for Cañas. The ride is on a large road (with lots of roadwork) and takes about an hour.

Bus from Cañas to Tilarán

Reina Del Campo is the company running the buses on this stretch too. We waited about 45 minutes at the bus station before the bus to Tilarán left. It was a beautiful route with a very steep incline for all of the 45 minutes. We are heading into the mountains!

Bus from Tilarán to La Fortuna

We could have taken a later bus, because just behind our bus to La Fortuna the next bus from Cañas rolls into the station. Instead we sat at the bus-station in Tilarán for about 1.5 hours and waited for the bus. The bus schedules everywhere said the bus was to leave at 12:30, but when we got there, bus drivers and friendly strangers told us the bus leaves at 13:00.

This route is absolutely beautiful. It is a 3 hour drive on a very winding jungle road next to lake Arenal with amazing views over the lake and the mountains. Just sitting and watching the landscape on the last stretch made the long trip worthwhile.