Taxi-Boat-Taxi Transport between Monteverde and Arenal Volcano

Scenic shortcut is the quickest route between Monteverde and Arenal Volcano...

This is a one-way transfer between Monteverde and Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna. Or vice versa. The two villages, by road, are about 136km apart as a direct route by road is not possible because of the mountain ranges. But we offer a beautiful shortcut. By taking a motorized, covered boat ride across the Arenal Lake you can save time driving or riding the bus.  This shuttle departs twice daily traveling from Monteverde to Arenal, or Arenal to Monteverde.  The trip lasts 3 hours and provides door to door service for most hotels.

The price of the collective service is $25 per person.  The private service is $160 in total, not per person (up to 6 people in your family/group).

 Please inquiry by email for more information, pick-up times from your hotel or a reservation form.

   As the name suggests, the trip consists of a taxi ride (we usually is minivans or micorbuses as they are FAR more comfortable than using a small jeep on these bumpy roads) to Arenal Lake, a boat across the Arenal Lake, and then another taxi on to your hotel. In total, this breaks down into about 2.5 hours by microbus and 30 mins by boat. The alternative route to La Fortuna involves going around Arenal Lake, via Tilaran and Nuevo Arenal, which takes almost 4.5 hours of solid driving (assuming you don't get lost or fall into a bus sized pot hole.)  The public bus can take almost 8 hours due to a lay over in Tilaran. This shortcut is a true time saver!  The service is sometimes called the Jeep Boat Jeep, but the name is misleading since the actual land transportation is generally by minivan (also called a microbus).

   The boat ride is pleasant with a chance for  birding on the edges of the lake where king fishers, flycatchers and other tropical birds abound.  The boats are coverd, medium-sized, include life jackets, and are fully inspected by the transportation department.

   There is a  similar route available via horseback.  Desafio Adventure Company  offers a ride along the lake,  safe year round.  Read more about this amazing trek here.

   We can arrange special Taxi - Boat - Taxi services at other departures times upon request.