After more than five decades of waiting, residents of El Castillo, La Fortuna, San Carlos, and nearby communities are about to see one of the most eagerly awaited projects in the area come to fruition: the new bridge over the Caño Negro River, which will allow safer travel to Monteverde via National Route 936.

Residents of nearby communities will no longer have to risk crossing the Caño Negro river, especially during the rainy season. Currently, the project is 80% complete and promises to significantly transform mobility between two of Costa Rica’s most important tourist destinations.

The metal infrastructure has a total length of 108 meters and consists of two Bailey bridges, each measuring 54 meters. It has bastions and a central pier that guarantee its stability and durability. It will also be suitable for light vehicles, buses, and delivery trucks, allowing safe and continuous traffic between communities.

Road safety and well-being for local communities

This project took one year to complete and had a total investment of ₡280 million colones. The La Fortuna Integral Development Association (ADIFORT) made a key contribution with a donation of ₡100 million, while the remaining funding came from the El Castillo Development Association (Adieca), municipalities, nearby communities, and other institutions.

This bridge symbolizes well-being, connection, opportunities, health, and an economic boost for towns such as La Fortuna, all of San Carlos, El Castillo, Arenal, Tronadora, Río Chiquito, and Monteverde.

Alejandro Weintz Aguilar, member of Adieca

These types of contributions help strengthen La Fortuna’s growth and fulfill the association’s main objective: to improve the quality of life for both residents and tourists.

Bridge between La Fortuna and Monteverde
Bridge between La Fortuna and Monteverde
Bridge between La Fortuna and Monteverde

Shorter distances, more tourism, and access challenges

One of the main benefits of the new bridge will be a significant reduction in travel time. The journey between La Fortuna and Monteverde will take approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, compared to the 3.5 hours it currently takes via National Route 142 through Nuevo Arenal.

This time saving is particularly important considering that, despite its international fame, the roads leading to Monteverde are not completely paved. While this condition has helped to preserve the environment, it also means that during the rainy season it is highly recommended to have a 4×4 vehicle and to plan your journey with extra time.

Also, the infrastructure will serve as a connection between well-known tourist areas such as La Fortuna, Monteverde, and the province of Guanacaste. But it also connects other emerging communities in the industry to the ecosystem, such as El Castillo, located on the shores of Lake Arenal.

Options for accessing Monteverde

The creation of the bridge between La Fortuna and Monteverde would have a direct impact on the provinces of Alajuela, Puntarenas, and Guanacaste, modifying a key connection between the northern and Pacific regions of the country. This new infrastructure would redistribute the flow of traffic, tourism, and interprovincial trade, generating economic, social, and environmental effects that would extend beyond the immediate area of the project, due to its role as a strategic corridor for regional mobility.

  • Route 145 (via Tilarán)
    This route takes you through the upper part of the region and connects with Monteverde from the north.
    Route: starts in Las Juntas de Abangares, in the province of Guanacaste, with a detour from Route 1.
    Road conditions: the initial section is relatively flat, straight, and well paved; in the final section, starting at Juntas, the road becomes more remote, winding, and with a more demanding climb.
  • Route 605 (Lagarto River)
    Turn right before the bridge over the Lagarto River, on the border between Puntarenas and Guanacaste.
    Route: connects with Route 1 at Guacimal, in the province of Puntarenas.
    Road conditions: The ascent from Guacimal to Santa Elena de Monteverde is mostly gravel.
    Advantages: It offers an alternative access route from the south.
    Disadvantages: The route can be steep, and its conditions depend on maintenance and rainfall, so caution is advised during the wet season.

Distances to Monteverde by car

  • San José: 87 miles. The trip takes between 3 and 4 hours, depending on traffic and weather conditions.
  • La Fortuna: 75 miles. The trip takes about 4 hours following Route 142 to Tilarán and connecting with Route 145 and Route 606. A more comfortable alternative is to continue on Route 142 until it connects with Route 1, and then take Route 606 to Monteverde.
  • Tortuguero: approximately 150 miles. The total journey takes between 6 and 8 hours and requires passing through San José before continuing on to Monteverde.
  • Manuel Antonio: 190 kilometers. The estimated travel time is about 4 hours, using routes 34, 27, 1, and finally 606.
  • Nicoya Peninsula: It is recommended to take the ferry from Paquera to Puntarenas, which allows you to travel with your vehicle and avoids the detour via the Friendship Bridge. During high season and on holidays, it is advisable to book in advance and consider the ferry schedules when planning your trip.

Con su pronta inauguración, el nuevo puente se consolida como una obra clave para la integración territorial, la seguridad vial y el fortalecimiento del turismo sostenible entre La Fortuna y Monteverde.

Sensorial Sunsets