Hey gmh1211!

Thanks so much for your interest in DIY Costa Rica!

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of Uber in Costa Rica; I have used it a few times without a problem, but I prefer to recommend reputable companies that hold their drivers to high degrees of safety and accountability. You’re 100% right, though, private transfer services can be pricey! They are typically the most expensive form of ground transportation in Costa Rica, assuming you’re not traveling as part of a group that will split the cost, so it’s no surprise that the 130-kilometer route between the LIR Airport and Tabacon would come with a hefty price tag. One quick question… have you looked into shared shuttle services at all? Companies like Interbus (https://www.interbusonline.com/rates) and Grayline (https://www.graylinecostarica.com/), among others, travel daily to the La Fortuna/Arenal region from all over Costa Rica, including destinations along the northern Pacific coast (Liberia is passed along the way). I believe Interbus’s rate for that route is about $57 per person. Most companies will provide a drop-off directly at Tabacon. 🙂

Pura vida!