Arenal Blog

How To Get From Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal

Many people travel from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal annually. And you might be planning on going this route, but you’re probably not sure which means of transportation are available to make this trip, and that’s what brought you here.

Many people have come to me with this question, and I’ve helped them find the best ways to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal in the best way for them.

This article will discuss the four main ways to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal, from public buses to hiring a private car service. Let’s dive in and find out which option is best for you.

Transportation From Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal

1. Public Bus
2. Group Shuttles
3. Private Shuttles
4. Driving (Car Rental)

There are three ways to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal. You can use public transportation, take a group or a private shuttle, or drive a rental car. Generally, the first two options are more affordable, and the latter is more convenient.

Public transportation is the cheapest route from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal. On the other hand, hiring a private transportation service is the easiest and the fastest option, while driving a rental car gives you more flexibility and freedom. 

Keep scrolling to find out how each option ranks against each other based on its pros and cons so that you can make the best of your trip from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal. 

Let’s start by comparing the different ways to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal by how fast and how affordable each option is:

Fastest Ways to Get From Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal

Cheapest Ways to Get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal

Notes:

• These are estimations to give you an idea.
• The above rates do not include the 13% IVA tax.
• These prices assume there is a minimum of two travelers.
• Renting a car consists of the base rate, insurance, and fuel.
• Prices can fluctuate throughout the year based on market conditions and demand.

Keep reading more detailed information on each service and how they work.

Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal Bus

The cheapest way to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal is to use the public bus. However, the trip is not straightforward because no direct bus connects these destinations. And it’s not very comfortable because you may need to travel standing for a long time and the buses lack air conditioning.

There is no direct bus from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal. You must take a taxi from Rincon de la Vieja to Liberia, followed by a bus from Liberia to Cañas, another bus from Cañas to Tilaran, and the third bus from Tilaran to La Fortuna. And the whole trip will take between six and seven hours. 

Before you begin this adventure, you must research where you’re heading in Arenal. More specifically, if you’re heading to a Hotel or Airbnb, you should speak with your host in Arenal and tell them you plan to get there by bus from Rincon de la Vieja. Ask them for an iconic landmark you can use as a point of reference for the Tilaran – La Fortuna bus (the last bus you will need) so you can share it with the bus driver. If your host tells you that the bus does not pass by your lodging, you will need to travel to La Fortuna downtown and take a taxi from there to your destination in Arenal.

On your travel day, if you’re departing from a hotel or Airbnb at Rincon de la Vieja, you can ask your Rincon de la Vieja host to call a taxi. Your host will likely speak English, whereas a taxi driver will probably not. Therefore your host should call in and explain to the taxi driver that you’re heading to the Liberia Terminal. This taxi will take about an hour and cost between $35 and $45.

Once you arrive at the Liberia Terminal, you must take the bus to Cañas, which leaves Liberia multiple times a day and costs about $3. You can check the bus schedules here. This bus will take you to the Cañas Terminal.

Once you arrive at the Cañas Terminal, you must take the bus from Cañas to Tilaran for about $1. You can check the schedules here. This bus will take you to the Tilaran Terminal.

Once you arrive at the Tilaran Bus Terminal, you must take the bus from Tilaran to Ciudad Quesada, which stops in La Fortuna, and costs $5. You can check the schedules here. And before you get on the bus, you must let the driver know where you’re heading (the point of reference your host in Arenal gave you, assuming they confirm that the bus passes by that point).

The bus driver will likely not speak English, so if you don’t speak Spanish, I recommend you carry a note (ask your host to send you a short email with the instructions for the bus driver) and hand it to the driver. 

Some inns, such as Agua Inn in Nuevo Arenal or Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, are right along the bus route. However, even though the 142 route passes through where most lodgings are in Arenal, it does not go through El Castillo de Arenal, a sector between Arenal and La Fortuna. El Castillo is home to Arenal’s Volcano National Park and iconic lodges like Rancho Margot, Nepenthe B&B, and Essence Arenal Boutique Hostel. Therefore, if you’re heading to this area, you must wait to arrive at La Fortuna downtown and then take a taxi to El Castillo, which will cost about $20. 

If that’s your case, you will need to tell the bus driver that you’re heading to La Fortuna downtown as you get on the bus, so when he gets there, he will let you know or shout out “La Fortuna.” Otherwise, he might not make the stop, or he might make it, and you will not know about it, and you miss it. And if this happens, you will need to get off at Ciudad Quesada and take a one-hour, $70-$100 taxi from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna.

There you have the instructions to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal by public bus. If you prepare beforehand by following the above tips and education, you should be able to make it without a problem. Otherwise, it can become significantly challenging, especially if you don’t speak fluent Spanish.

Now that we know how to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal using public transportation let’s talk about how to make this trip much faster using other means of transportation, such as driving or hiring a group or private shuttle.

Drive From Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal

Generally, driving is the fastest way from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal, except if you lack experience driving in Costa Rica. Otherwise, a Private Car Service (a.k.a. a Private Shuttle or Private Transfer) will be faster. However, it would be best to consider other factors and caveats before renting a car to make this trip. Let’s explore them. 

Aspects to Consider Before Driving From from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal

Driving from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal is simple, but it’s not necessarily easy. There are crazy local drivers, unpredictable and harsh weather conditions, and narrow roads in bad shape. 

Costa Ricans drive significantly faster than foreigners. In addition to this, since we know the roads, as locals, we can make risky moves that might scare someone who has never driven in our country. For example, it’s common to see local drivers going full speed, passing multiple vehicles on a relatively narrow road.

If you live in Costa Rica and have been through that route thousands of times, you will not see anything particularly wrong with this. But if you come from a developed country where the roads are much broader, and there are usually multiple lines on all the highways, you might see such a move as imprudent. 

On the other hand, you have the unpredictable weather conditions of Costa Rica. You might be driving with a clear sky when suddenly a cloud forms ahead, pouring rain all over the place. Driving under changing weather conditions might not be such a big problem during the summertime from December through April, but it can get extremely challenging during the rainy season. 

In Costa Rica, the rainy season is not so bad from May through August. However, it can get scary sometimes during September and October, especially if you stumble upon a storm while driving. These are the top 2 rainy months and the top months for accidents on the road. 

The rain also causes a lot of damage to the roads, which worsens during the rainy season. Many potholes come to life during this time of the year, and it takes a couple of months for the government to repair the cracks. 

A tourist’s main problem with potholes is that they can make a vehicle’s tire explode. Exploding tires do not usually cause many accidents in Costa Rica. However, they can easily create a trip very stressful for a tourist, who will need to phone in the car rental to get another vehicle and then file the insurance paperwork. It’s not dramatic, but it can ruin a few hours of your dream vacation time. 

Costa Rica Rental Car Comparison Tool

Now that you have the ins and outs of driving from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal, it may be time to find a reasonable Rental Car. If this is your case, I recommend using the Rental Car Comparison Tool. You can find the best car rental deals in one place. Choose the city or airport where you plan to pick up a rental car, and the tool will instantly show you the best deals across the major rental car companies in Costa Rica. 

Private Shuttle From Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal

We have already explored how complicated it is to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal using public transportation. We also covered how driving can be problematic, so what’s the easiest way to make this trip? 

Booking a private car service is arguably the easiest way to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal.

Hiring a Private Transportation Service, or a “Private Shuttle,” as locals call it, is the easiest way to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal. You can arrange a specific time and place with a private shuttle, and a transportation company will pick you up and take you to your lodge in Arenal. 

Here at Arenal Tours, we offer a private door-to-door service, so you don’t need to worry about carrying your luggage or walking around the public roads, compromising your safety and belongings. 

You also don’t need to worry about driving in a foreign country with roads that might differ significantly from the streets you’re used to riding back home. 

Instead, you arrange the pickup time and place. Then, one of our local professional drivers will pick you up with a modern vehicle to take you from your departure place in Rincon de la Vieja to your destination in Arenal. 

The only disadvantage of hiring this type of transportation service is the price. Going on a private transfer is the most comfortable, convenient, and straightforward option but also pricey. 

Depending on the pickup and dropoff places, a private transfer will usually cost $220 for 1 to 6 passengers. The pickup time can also influence your pricing. For example, this service might get $20+ higher if you want to travel at night. And prices for private transfers are also subject to increase as demand rises, especially during the busiest days, so I recommend booking ahead of time. 

Book a Private Car Service from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal here. 

Group Shuttle From Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal

Getting a group shuttle from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal is an excellent choice for solo travelers and couples. A group shuttle is a shared transportation service from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal. A modern Van with A / C will pick you up at your Rincon de la Vieja lodge and take you to La Fortuna.

Generally, taking a group shuttle, or a “shared shuttle,” as the locals call it, is the most recommended door-to-door way to get from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal for most travelers. Group shuttles are convenient and provide the best balance, saving time and money for travelers in most cases.

Here at Arenal Tours, we offer group shuttles, where you share the shuttle service with fellow travelers and the cost, making it an excellent option for solo travelers and couples. Using our group shuttle to get to Arenal will be far more convenient than riding the public bus and significantly less expensive than hiring a private transfer. 

Using our group shuttle is also more manageable and less stressful than renting and driving. The price can change depending on the seasonality and demand, but it’s usually around $115 per person. 

Book a Group Shuttle from Rincon de la Vieja to Arenal here. 

Here’s the end of this article. Thank you for reading this far, and feel free to share this info with fellow travelers as you deem appropriate. Happy travels and ¡Pura Vida, amigos!

Related Articles: 

• Going From Jaco to Arenal
• Going From Liberia to Arenal
• Going From Guapiles to Arenal
• Going From San Jose to Arenal
• Going From Sarapiqui to Arenal
• Going From Tamarindo to Arenal
• Going From Monteverde to Arenal
• Going From Santa Teresa to Arenal
• Going From Manuel Antonio to Arenal
• Going From Santa Tortuguero to Arenal

About the Author

Daniel Lalinde

I am the founder of Arenal Tours. I lived in Arenal and La Fortuna before I moved to Monteverde, and I often travel to Arenal and La Fortuna to visit my loved ones. I love nature, adventure, and mountain biking. My partner and I love spending time outdoors and dining out. And we have more than 30 years of combined experience traveling around Costa Rica.

We love helping visitors have a memorable experience in our country. If you need help planning your perfect trip to Costa Rica, send us a message, and we will happily assist you!