Updated July 2026
Driving from La Fortuna to Playa Flamingo? Learn how to avoid Route 911, choose the paved route through Guanacaste and decide between driving or hiring a private transfer.
- The paved route avoids Route 911 and the Monkey Trail
- Drive through Cañas, Liberia, Belén, Huacas and Brasilito
- Plan about five hours from La Fortuna to Playa Flamingo
- Add intermediate stops in Waze to prevent rerouting
- Travel during daylight whenever possible
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Can You Drive From La Fortuna to Playa Flamingo Without Route 911?
Yes. You can drive from La Fortuna to Playa Flamingo without using Route 911, commonly called the Monkey Trail.
The usual paved route is longer than the shortcut suggested by some navigation applications, but it avoids the river crossings and narrow mountain section associated with the Monkey Trail.
From La Fortuna, follow Route 142 around Lake Arenal toward Nuevo Arenal, Tilarán and Cañas. From Cañas, join Route 1 and travel north toward Liberia. Continue onto Route 21, then turn toward Belén de Carrillo.
From Belén, take Route 155 toward Huacas. At Huacas, continue on Route 180 toward Brasilito and then follow the coastal road to Playa Flamingo.
The complete route can be summarized as:
La Fortuna → Route 142 → Tilarán → Cañas → Route 1 → Liberia → Route 21 → Belén → Route 155 → Huacas → Route 180 → Brasilito → Playa Flamingo.
How Do You Stop Waze From Choosing the Monkey Trail?
Waze may select Route 911 because it appears shorter. To guide the application toward the paved route, add several intermediate stops instead of entering only Playa Flamingo as the final destination.
Useful waypoints include Cañas, Liberia, Belén de Carrillo, Huacas and Brasilito. Before leaving, review the entire route and confirm that it does not turn from Sardinal toward Potrero on Route 911.
Do not follow a navigation application blindly when it suggests an unfamiliar shortcut. Costa Rican travel times depend on road curves, weather, traffic, construction and the condition of smaller roads.
Add Belén de Carrillo, Huacas and Brasilito as intermediate stops in Waze. Before starting the drive, zoom out and confirm that the route does not send you through Sardinal, Potrero or Route 911.
Why Do Some Travelers Avoid the Monkey Trail?
Route 911 connects the Sardinal area with Potrero and nearby beach communities. It can save time, but parts of the road are narrow, steep, winding and without shoulders, painted lines or streetlights.
The route is also known for river crossings. Water depth changes according to recent rainfall, and conditions can be less predictable during Costa Rica’s green season.
A private bridge on the Congo Trail property may allow drivers to bypass the main river crossing for a fee during its operating hours. However, travelers who do not want any part of the Route 911 experience should use the longer route through Belén, Huacas and Brasilito.
In July, we would not recommend choosing the river route simply because another vehicle appears to cross successfully. Rain upstream can change water levels, and rental-car insurance may not cover damage caused by driving through rivers.
How Long Does the Drive Take?
Plan approximately five hours from La Fortuna to Playa Flamingo when using the paved route, without including a long lunch or sightseeing stop.
The section around Lake Arenal is scenic but winding, so average speeds are slower than many international visitors expect. Traffic near Liberia, roadwork and heavy rain can also increase the total driving time.
Leave La Fortuna early enough to complete the trip during daylight. Driving unfamiliar mountain and rural roads after dark is more difficult because of limited lighting, pedestrians, cyclists, animals and changing road conditions.
Should You Keep Your Rental Car or Hire a Driver?
Keeping the same rental car is usually the simplest option for travelers spending two weeks in Costa Rica. It avoids coordinating another rental office, paying possible one-way fees and transferring luggage between vehicles.
Self-driving is reasonable when you are comfortable with winding roads, can leave early and are willing to follow the longer paved route.
A private driver is a better option when the road makes you anxious, you prefer to relax during the transfer, you are traveling with young children or you expect to leave La Fortuna later in the day.
Hiring a driver and renting another car in Playa Flamingo can work, but it usually adds another reservation, vehicle inspection and luggage transfer. Before choosing this option, compare the complete cost with keeping the original rental car.
Do You Need a Car in Playa Flamingo?
A car is useful if you plan to explore Brasilito, Playa Conchal, Potrero, Tamarindo and other Guanacaste beaches independently.
If you plan to remain mainly at your hotel, marina or beach and already have organized excursions, private transportation may be enough. Your decision should depend on how often you expect to leave Playa Flamingo rather than on the transfer day alone.
Our Recommendation
If you already have a rental car in La Fortuna and plan to use it during the rest of your two-week vacation, keep the vehicle and take the longer paved route.
Leave early, use Waze for traffic information and add Belén de Carrillo, Huacas and Brasilito as stops. This prevents the application from redirecting you toward the Monkey Trail simply because it appears faster.
Choose a private driver when avoiding the stress of navigation is more important than having the same vehicle throughout the trip. However, hiring a driver and collecting another rental car in Playa Flamingo is not necessary solely to avoid Route 911.
The paved route takes longer, but it provides the more predictable experience most first-time visitors are looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What route avoids the Monkey Trail?
Use Route 142 from La Fortuna toward Tilarán and Cañas, Route 1 toward Liberia, Route 21 to Belén, Route 155 to Huacas and Route 180 through Brasilito to Playa Flamingo.
Is the route through Belén and Huacas paved?
It is the standard paved alternative used to avoid the river crossings on Route 911. Temporary construction, potholes or maintenance can still occur, so check current conditions before departure.
Why does Waze recommend Route 911?
Navigation applications often prioritize the shortest estimated travel time. They may not fully reflect a traveler’s comfort with narrow roads, river crossings or driving conditions after rain.
Can I select avoid unpaved roads in Waze?
You can review navigation settings, but the safest method is to add Belén de Carrillo, Huacas and Brasilito as intermediate destinations and inspect the complete route before leaving.
Is Route 911 safe in July?
Conditions vary according to recent rainfall. July is part of the green season, so travelers who are uncomfortable with river crossings should use the paved route rather than depending on the water level that day.
Do I need a four-wheel-drive vehicle for the paved route?
A four-wheel-drive vehicle is not normally required for the standard route through Tilarán, Cañas, Liberia, Belén, Huacas and Brasilito. A higher vehicle can still be more comfortable on occasional rough sections.
Should we hire a private driver instead?
Choose a private driver when you do not feel comfortable with a long, winding drive or prefer not to navigate unfamiliar roads. Otherwise, keeping the same rental car is generally simpler for a two-week trip.
Should we drive this route at night?
We recommend completing the drive during daylight. The Lake Arenal section is winding, and some roads have limited lighting, shoulders and visibility after dark.
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