Arenal Volcano National Park to San José
167 km (104 miles)
Arenal Volcano National Park
A near-perfect volcanic cone wrapped in rainforest, hot springs, and lava-trail hikes.
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San José
Costa Rica's capital and cultural hub — markets, museums, and the country's best food scene.
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Rental Car
From Arenal Volcano National Park, take Northern Lowlands Highway (Route 4) for 13 km, Northern Lowlands Highway (Route 4) for 82 km, then Braulio Carrillo Highway (Route 32) for the final 51 km into San José.
Highways used
- Rt 4 Northern Lowlands Highway 13 km · 14 min
- Rt 4 Northern Lowlands Highway 82 km · 1 hour 26 min
- Rt 32 Braulio Carrillo Highway 51 km · 1 hour 26 min
Note: Costa Rica traffic, weather and road conditions can greatly increase your drive time. It's always best to check with Waze before heading out. Read more on how to drive in Costa Rica.
Shuttle
Private and shared shuttle services available; check with operators for current schedules and pricing.
Note: Shuttles come in shared and private flavors with different costs and trade-offs. Read more on taking a shuttle in Costa Rica.
Book a Shuttle