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Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️
As we mention in our related blog post Costa Rica Transportation: 15 Ways To Get Around Costa Rica, city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours (i.e., Costa Rica tour transportation) permit travelers to get to and from trip destinations the most time- and cost-efficient way possible. Specifically, the tours combine a day’s activity with a pick-up in one city and a drop-off in another, allowing you to not only save the cost of arranging separate transportation between destinations but also previous vacation time.
Travelers who participate in city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours don’t return to their departure location upon tour completion, so they must bring all of their luggage with them during the tour. This action begs the question: “What happens to my luggage while I participate in the tour?” If you’re wondering the same, here’s what you should know.
Depending on the type of tour you select and the operator who runs the activity, one of two things will happen the day of your tour: you’ll either be taken to a central office, an operation center, or another tour hub where your luggage will be stored for the day, or else your luggage will be stored in the tour operator’s tour bus. If you’re wondering if your luggage will be safe, know this: though anything can happen and 100% security can never be guaranteed, your luggage should be safe so long as you choose a reputable tour operator. When luggage is stored in tour vehicles, the vehicle is locked and the driver typically stays close by. When luggage is stored at central offices, operation centers, or other tour hubs, such as the one we describe in our related blog post Pacuare River Rafting Tour: Must-Know Info From A Former Rafting Guide, luggage is often stored in giant, suitcase-friendly lockers.
As an added precaution or for your own peace of mind, you’re welcome to bring luggage locks, a small padlock, or another type of bag lock with you to Costa Rica to prevent any individual from being able to access your things. Keep in mind, though, that tour operators assume a degree of liability and responsibility for your luggage while you participate in their tour, and they don’t want you to misplace items on their watch either. Though playing it safe by bringing your own locks is smart, not assuming that Costa Rican tour operators are out to steal your stuff is just as important.
Will the tour operator know where to take me? How will I know where to go?
All city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours require advance reservations. At the time of reservation, you’ll need to provide the tour operator with the name of your pick-up and drop-off destinations (e.g., San Jose and La Fortuna), as well as the names of your hotels in both areas (e.g., Hotel Presidente and La Pradera del Arenal). On the day of your tour, the tour operator will have a list of the number of travelers they need to pick up in each city and at each hotel, as well as the number of travelers who will require transport to a new city upon tour completion (this list is sometimes called the “tour roster”). When the tour finishes, your tour guide will tell you which bus is headed to your chosen destination. Simply grab your luggage, board that bus, and you’ll be on your way!
Can I change plans for tour transportation last-minute?
Sometimes, but not always. In most cases, and at the very least, a few days’ notice must be provided to the tour operator if you wish to make a change. (For example, if you wish to change a scheduled tour drop-off location from La Fortuna to San Jose.) Make sure you organize your vacation itinerary well in advance of your trip to avoid the need to make last-minute changes to your Costa Rica tour transportation. This is because, on the part of the tour operator, a large amount of work has gone into ensuring that a driver and a vehicle will be available to pick you up and drop you off in your desired cities on your chosen travel dates. When you request a change last-minute, if the tour operator cannot offer availability for a driver and vehicle to provide a pick-up or drop-off service in the city you wish to change your reservation to, your request may be difficult, if not impossible, to accommodate.
Can transportation be provided to/from rentals (e.g. Airbnbs) or only hotels?
Many tour operators offer pick-ups and drop-offs at hotels and hostels only, not vacation home rentals, Airbnbs, etc. Exceptions to this general rule may include rental properties that are popular (i.e., well-known to the tour driver) and located on streets that are easy to reach. In the event that the accommodations you have selected for your trip do not qualify for a tour operator’s complimentary tour pick-up and/or drop-off service, request to be picked up and dropped off at a qualifying location nearest to where you plan to stay, to minimize your walking distance and/or taxi fare.
Why is it important to pay attention to pick-up and drop-off zones?
When selecting your Costa Rica hotels, ensure that they fall within the pick-up and drop-off zones of any tour operators you plan to use for city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours. Requested pick-ups and drop-offs that fall outside of tour operators’ Costa Rica tour transportation zones may incur additional tour fees. For more information about tour operators’ pick-up and drop-off zones (as well as general information surrounding the importance of location when choosing a Costa Rica hotel), please see our related blog post:Costa Rica Tour Transportation: Hotel Pick-Ups And Drop-Offs
Costa Rica tours that provide transportation between two destinations
Through our work at Pura Vida! eh? Inc., we have had the pleasure of getting to know hundreds of great tour operators, some of which offer city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours (also referred to as “adventure connections”). The following is a list of Costa Rica tour transportation options that can be arranged to provide a pick-up and drop-off in different cities. If you’d like specific details regarding any of the particular tours listed below, please leave a comment for us in the open forum on the Pura Vida! eh? Inc. website here and we’ll get back to you asap with the tour-related information you need. 🙂
Want free discounts for several of the tours mentioned below?
You can find these on our sister site, Pura Vida! eh? Inc.
Tours that include transportation from San Jose to La Fortuna / Arenal
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
Sarapiqui River Rafting Tour (Class II/IV)
Balsa River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
Sarapiqui River Jungle Safari Float Tour
Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping Tour
Lost Canyon Canyoning Tour
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from San Jose to Guapiles
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from San Jose to Siquirres
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from San Jose to Turrialba
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tour departures from Liberia
Tours that include transportation from Liberia to La Fortuna / Arenal
Tenorio River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Tenorio River Safari Float Tour (Class II/III)
Rio Celeste Tour (Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour)
Tour departures from La Fortuna / Arenal
Tours that include transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal to San Jose
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
Sarapiqui River Rafting Tour (Class II/IV)
Balsa River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
Sarapiqui River Jungle Safari Float Tour
Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping Tour
Lost Canyon Canyoning Tour
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal to Liberia
Tenorio River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Tenorio River Safari Float Tour (Class II/III)
Rio Celeste Tour (Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour)
Tours that include transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal to the Guanacaste Beaches (including the Papagayo, Hermosa, Panama, Coco, Ocotal, Brasilito, Langosta, Tamarindo, Conchal, Flamingo, and Potrero regions)
Tenorio River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Tenorio River Safari Float Tour (Class II/III)
Rio Celeste Tour (Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour)
Tours that include transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal to Guapiles
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal to Siquirres
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal to Turrialba
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tour departures from Monteverde
Tours that include transportation from Monteverde to Liberia
Tenorio River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Tenorio River Safari Float Tour (Class II/III)
Tours that include transportation from Monteverde to the Guanacaste Beaches (including the Papagayo, Hermosa, Panama, Coco, Ocotal, Brasilito, Langosta, Tamarindo, Conchal, Flamingo, and Potrero regions)
Tenorio River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Tenorio River Safari Float Tour (Class II/III)
Tour departures from Guanacaste
Includes the Papagayo, Hermosa, Panama, Coco, Ocotal, Brasilito, Langosta, Tamarindo, Conchal, Flamingo, and Potrero regions.
Tours that include transportation from the Guanacaste Beaches (including the Papagayo, Hermosa, Panama, Coco, Ocotal, Brasilito, Langosta, Tamarindo, Conchal, Flamingo, and Potrero regions) to La Fortuna / Arenal
Tenorio River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Tenorio River Safari Float Tour (Class II/III)
Rio Celeste Tour (Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour)
Tours that include transportation from the Guanacaste Beaches (including the Papagayo, Hermosa, Panama, Coco, Ocotal, Brasilito, Langosta, Tamarindo, Conchal, Flamingo, and Potrero regions) to Monteverde
Tenorio River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Tenorio River Safari Float Tour (Class II/III)
Tour departures from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita to San Jose
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita to La Fortuna / Arenal
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita to Guapiles
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita to Siquirres
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita to Turrialba
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tour departures from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui to San Jose
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui to La Fortuna / Arenal
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui to Guapiles
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui to Siquirres
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui to Turrialba
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tour departures from Guapiles and Siquirres
Tours that include transportation from Guapiles and Siquirres to San Jose
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Guapiles and Siquirres to La Fortuna / Arenal
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Guapiles and Siquirres to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Guapiles and Siquirres to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Guapiles and Siquirres to Siquirres
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Guapiles and Siquirres to Turrialba
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tour departures from Turrialba
Tours that include transportation from Turrialba to San Jose
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Turrialba to La Fortuna / Arenal
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Turrialba to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Turrialba to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Turrialba to Guapiles
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Tours that include transportation from Turrialba to Siquirres
Pacuare River Rafting Tour (Class III/IV)
Reventazon River Rafting Tour (Class II/III)
2-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Tortuguero Tours
3-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting (Class III/IV) Tours
4-Day Combined Tortuguero and Pacuare River Rafting Overnight (Class III/IV) Tours
Are you curious about when you should book Costa Rica tour transportation and Costa Rica tours in general? If so, see our related blog post:
Want to learn about the cost of transportation services in Costa Rica, as well as other trip items, including hotels, tours, and food? If so, see our related blog post:
Do you have questions about city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours (i.e., adventure connections), how they work, and how you can incorporate them into your vacation to take advantage of free transportation services? No problem! When you’re ready, make an appointment here to communicate with me (Nikki) privately and we can discuss these and other topics to get your questions answered fast and your Costa Rica trip poised for success. Pura vida, amigos! 🙂
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Summary
Article Name
Costa Rica Tour Transportation: How To Use Tours To Travel Between Destinations
Description
Use Costa Rica tour transportation to save time and money! We list tours that provide transportation between two destinations, and offer discounts for them too!
The comment section of this article has moved! If you have a question or comment about our article above or Costa Rica travel in general, please post it in our Questions and Answers Forum on DIY Costa Rica, our sister website, where you can also access our private Costa Rica recommendations, our Costa Rica Destination Tool, and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map. See you there, amigos! 🙂
Hi! I hope to start transport at La Fortuna to go on the Pacuare River Rafting Tour and arrange transport to the San Jose airport afterwards. I see that transport goes to San Jose, but does that include the airport? And would that be included in the tour fee? Thank you!
Great question! For the Pacuare River Rafting Tour, pick-ups and drop-offs directly at the SJO Airport are not permitted by the tour operator, but they can leave you across the street at either the Rostipollo’s restaurant or Denny’s restaurant (these would be the closest locations). It’s important to note that although the restaurants are located across the street from the airport, there is a large, multi-lane highway that separates the establishments from the airport, so walking between the two destinations is not advised. The safest option would be to take a (very short and inexpensive) taxi ride between the restaurants and the airport.
Hello, I am planning a solo trip to Costa Rica. How far in advance would you say I have to book one of these tours? For example, if I want to take a tour from San Jose to La Fortuna but once I get to La Fortuna I realize I want to stay there longer than expected, is it feasible to book a tour from La Fortuna to my next destination within days of my departure?
Although we go into further detail in the above post, I can at last offer you some brief information to help provide a quick answer. To your question, “is it feasible to book a tour from La Fortuna to my next destination within days of my departure?”, the quick answer is: it will depend largely on the tour you have in mind, the tour operator who offers it, and the time of year you plan to visit. Here’s why…
Most (but not all) tour operators in Costa Rica require a minimum of two people to run tours. Since you mentioned that you are planning a solo trip to Costa Rica, if the particular tour you have your eye on requires a minimum of two people to run and you only plan to book it for yourself, the tour operator (assuming it is company that requires a minimum of two people) will not be able to confirm the tour reservation until at least one other person books the same tour as you for the same date. If the tour is a popular one and/or you plan to visit Costa Rica at a busy time of year, this wouldn’t create as big of an issue for you as if you were planning to participate in a less common activity at a slower time of year. This being said, if you do plan to participate in popular activities during a busy time of year, that also invites the issue of availability, since availability can be limited for some tours during certain travel periods.
The other issue you run into if you opt to wait until the last minute to book is that you may end up having to pay full price for the tour. As described in our related blog post How To Save Money On Costa Rica Tours, discounts are available for many tours, however since the reservation deadlines to be followed in order to access those discounts typically requires reservations to be placed a few days in advance of any tour date, waiting until the last minute to book may be too late to reserve the item at its lowest rate.
Hi again! Do you know of any service, shared or public, or tour that can get us to Parque Marino Ballena from the La Fortuna/Monteverde area, or do we have to go through San José?
Great question! We are not aware of a city-to-city transportation-inclusive tour that runs directly from La Fortuna (or Monteverde) to Uvita (where Marino Ballena is located). However, going through San Jose isn’t required; there are city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours that run from La Fortuna (and Monteverde) to Manuel Antonio, which will at least get you to the central Pacific coast while avoiding San Jose altogether. Uvita is another hour’s drive down the coast from Manuel Antonio, but you could always look into taking a local bus, a shared shuttle service, a private transfer service, or a taxi service from Manuel Antonio to Uvita to cover this stretch. 🙂
Yes! There are city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours that travel between La Fortuna / Arenal and Manuel Antonio, and since Jaco is passed on the way to Manuel Antonio, you can simply request a drop-off there.
I’d like to book a tour that includes transportation from La Fortuna to Tamarindo. I see you mention 3 three such tours I can choose from but when I click on the link it doesn’t appear that the discounted page it takes me to includes the transportation. Also, in these package deals I was assuming the activity would be in the La Fortuna area and then the transportation would take place to new area. Is that not the case?
I just checked all of the links in our article and they seem to be working fine. Which particular link was giving you trouble? With respect to where the tours take place, this varies from tour to tour. In most cases, the activity takes place at a destination that’s different than the departure and arrival destinations. For example, for the Rio Celeste Tour that departs from La Fortuna and arrives at Tamarindo, the tour takes place at the Tenorio Volcano National Park (where Rio Celeste exists), which is neither in La Fortuna nor Tamarindo. Is there a particular tour you’re considering? If so, feel free to let me know which one and I can confirm where the tour will take place along the route.
We would like information on a transfer tours from punta uva to The springs & Spa at Arenal the first week of June for 3 adults.
We would also like to know if there are any inclusive transportation tours from The springs &Spa to Playa Hermosa/ Playa Coco area that would include Monteverde ziplines.
For current city-to-city transportation-inclusive tour options between Punta Uva and Arenal, please see the “Tours that include transportation from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita to La Fortuna / Arenal” section in our article above. For current city-to-city transportation-inclusive tour options between Arenal and Playa Hermosa/Playas del Coco, please see the “Tours that include transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal to the Guanacaste Beaches (including the Papagayo, Hermosa, Panama, Coco, Ocotal, Brasilito, Langosta, Tamarindo, Conchal, Flamingo, and Potrero regions)” section in our article above. As a heads up, since the Springs Resort & Spa sits on the outskirts of La Fortuna and is not considered a “La Fortuna hotel” by area tour operators, the tour operator will charge you additional fees to provide a drop-off and/or a pick-up directly at the resort. For more information about these fees, please see our related blog post Costa Rica Tour Transportation: Hotel Pick-Ups And Drop-Offs.
Hi there, my husband and I are planning a Costa Rica vacation for this Dec 2021…we need to travel from La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio and I would like to book a tour for the transportantion (I am sooo glad I came across your blog!). Do you have a recommendation of a tour company for this?
Thanks!
We are headed there this week and will be arriving at the San Jose airport , our resort is in Guanacaste area, we arrive around noon and I am searching for a transportation to the resort with an activity on the way my biggest issue has been the size of the group, 11 people , is there a tour you could suggest for us that could get us from the airport to the resort within adventure on the way
I’m not familiar with any city-to-city transportation-inclusive tours that cover routes between San Jose and coastal towns in Guanacaste. That being said, anyone (including large groups like yours) can hire a private transfer service driver (there are vehicles large enough to accommodate your group) to drive them between two destinations, and you can also arrange to participate in a tour along the way. The challenging thing in your case will be the timing. Depending on where in Guanacaste your resort is, it will likely take you 4-5 hours to travel there from the SJO Airport. Since your flight doesn’t get in until noon (it may be closer to 1:00pm before you exit the airport), and you would probably prefer to reach your resort before dark, that doesn’t leave a ton of time for you to experience a tour on the same day. There are a few attractions that you could make a quick stop at along the way, but my recommendations here will depend on the route you take, which will be determined by the exact resort you plan to stay at. To which hotel are you headed?
Pura vida! 🙂
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