Taxi-Boat-Taxi Monteverde to Arenal

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Prices of the shared service are from $28 per person (2023).  Note that you do have to carry your own luggage to and from the boat (and there is a bit of a hill). You can ask the driver for assistance.

*note some hotels are way out of the transport zone and there is an extra charge, please inquire.

As the name suggests, the trip consists of a taxi ride (in the form of minivans or coasters as they are FAR more comfortable than using a small jeep on the 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 3 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 pothole.)  The public bus can take almost 8 hours due to a layover 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 the chance of a spot of birding watching, as there are often kingfishers, flycatchers, and other tropical birds on the edges of the lake.  The boats are covered, medium-sized, include life jackets, and are fully inspected by the transportation department.  We can arrange special private Taxi - Boat - Taxi services at other departures times upon request.