Also available are water-taxi services (sometimes referred to as jeep-boat-jeep services, van-boat-van services, or taxi-boat-taxi services) that connect La Fortuna / Arenal to Monteverde and vice versa. Then it ended up being our home for 8 mos! Staple adventures, including aerial tram rides, hanging bridges tours, and canopy zip-line tours are run in the area, as are farm tours that offer a peek at the lifestyle of Costa Rican agricultural workers who process coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane. Regardless of which tour you choose, white water rafting is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna, and few destinations offer rafting this good! QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: Have you been to La Fortuna / Arenal and/or Monteverde? Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about starting to plan a Costa Rica vacation. All up it takes around 3 to 4 hours to hike up and back down but be sure to leave before 10 am in case it takes you longer. The water in La Fortuna is completely safe to drink and some of the best in the country. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. With that said, those short on time should instead book a combination tour. Day 3: Hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano hike. For hiking, maybe go to the Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see a quetzal. Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! Distance from La Fortuna. In some areas, cloud cover can make for a longer and more cautious drive, but its magnificent nonetheless, as you put it. The towns elevation is approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, though some attractions are located at higher elevations. The forum Costa Rica Travel Blog Forum is closed to new topics and replies. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about staying safe in Costa Rica, including Costa Rica safety tips and ways to keep a level head while traveling. This part of the river is really hot, and youll smell the sulfur before you see it! I loved the two viewpoints of Arenal Volcano. WebOur pick in Monteverde for hanging bridges is Selvatura Park. I think its important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde. Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. You may even get the chance to grind cacao beans to make your own chocolate bar! Of course, you can see them in the wild just randomly in town, and while I lived in La Fortuna, this happened a lot! We spent around 1 hour at the waterfall before enjoying the 30-minute walk back up. Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains Before we get into the details about Monteverde below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few of our Monteverde experiences. Best Nature Tour Operator Inc.(Costa Rica Discounts), the author of the guidebooksMoon Costa Rica(2019, 2021, and 2023 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides; and afreelance writer for hire. Such as, did you know sloths come all the way down to the ground to use the bathroom once a week?! Must-Try Fruit (Raw) Also, you are not allowed to bring plastic into the park. Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2023 edition (a full-country guide out September 2023 but currently available for pre-orderpaperback and e-book versions): Our Moon Best of Costa Rica guidebook, 2022 edition (a selective best of guide currently available for purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailerspaperback and e-book versions): Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2021 edition (a full-country guide currently available for purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailerspaperback and e-book versions): Our Moon Costa Rica guidebook, 2019 edition (a full-country guide currently available to purchase in stores worldwide and through online retailerspaperback and e-book versions): Today's the day! Great tip! Unless youre just diving into your Costa Rica vacation planning, youve probably already heard that La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde are two of Costa Ricas top destinations. Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature (You can learn about the highway extension by reading our related blog post: How The New Chilamate Vuelta Kooper Highway Will Save You Time To/From La Fortuna.). If you want to do a guided tour, I highlysuggest this specific tour with Mistico. The tour has it all! During the wet/winter/green season, the area remains warm and mostly sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. Tifakara Boutique Hotelis located just outside Arenal Volcano National Park. However, the lodge charges $12 USD to enter the trail, and they only own half of it. I prefer the left-hand side because you also get the sun, but on hot days, the right side of the bridge would be better. The weather begins to get better in December, and by January, you get more clear days. Art, woodworking, and cult, Check out some beach caves! To ensure you're aware of and okay with this and our other privacy-related practices, please review our Privacy Policy, then click the button to accept it. WebLa Fortuna (the town nearest to the Arenal Volcano) has an altitude of 1,148 feet (350 m), while Monteverde straddles the Continental Divide at 4,921 feet (1,500 m). Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. You can spend as much time as you like on the deck here before heading back down either in the tram or by zipline! Best Accessible Tour Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. They are such unique animals, and the area around La Fortuna is a great place to see them. If you do not accept the policy, please see the Settings. Best Semana Santa (Easter Week) Tradition Admire the Arenal volcano from the viewpoints. In fact, hotels and food around town are much cheaper than places such as Tamarindo, Nosara, and Jaco. Youll also have roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna and lunch included too. Is the value of your Costa Rica trip worth $5.99? . This guided touroffers both the Sky Tram and the zipline course as well as a guide and transportation from La Fortuna. For us it was magnificent. Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. WebLa Fortuna (the town nearest to the Arenal Volcano) has an altitude of 1,148 feet (350 m), while Monteverde straddles the Continental Divide at 4,921 feet (1,500 m). Visiting is nothing short of breathtaking. Best Coffee This is certainly one of the most enjoyable things to do in La Fortuna but be prepared to get muddy especially if you do the tour in the wet season. Pura vida, amigos! Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , Best View Overlooking The Pacific Coast, Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys If youre just setting out on this journey, review our introductory Costa Rica trip-planning resources first. The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. Guided tours flow through each reserve daily, but also popular are visits to local mariposarios (butterfly conservatories or butterfly gardens), ranarios (frog exhibits), and herpetariums (reptile and amphibian exhibits). You can easily walk to El Salto from town, and when I lived in La Fortuna, I did this at least once a week for a swim. All content, concepts, and photos (unless credited otherwise) property of Ricky and Nikki Solano. You can take a swim at the base of the falls! Awe (blush). Each Costa Rica Travel Blog article reflects our own work, travels, and lessons learned. Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate. We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent views and even see where the lava from the last major eruption oozed down the side of the volcano. Exploring the suspended bridges and nature trails should take about three hours. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. You are then free to explore at your own pace, and 2 hours is more than enough time. La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. Thanks! However, the main draw to La Fortuna is the surrounding landscape and the many incredible things to do and see. Foggy, mysterious, bi, Get creative in Sarchi! Any time of the year you can spot a huge variety of wildlife sometimes even right in town! Monteverde also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges you mentioned. WebTravel easily between La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer crossing over Arenal Lake. 21 Best Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica 1. Their trails are in good shape. I love your trendy tips at Reverse Commuter. But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. The hike ends with a break to enjoy fresh fruit from the organic farm here. The tour includes roundtrip transportation and is only $76 USD for adults and $57 for children. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town. Both La Fortuna and Monteverde have grocery stores, banks, ATMs, laundromats, pharmacies, churches, medical clinics, and dental clinics. WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. My favorite spot was behind the restrooms at the ticket office! The hanging bridges are located on a large property that a local family privately protects. This moderate to difficult trail (depending on the weather) leads to the gorgeous emerald green crater lake of Chato Volcano, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. Best Museum Get the Costa Rica info you need by browsing our article's TABLE OF CONTENTS: Are you curious to know the most common question we receive from people who are planning a trip to Costa Rica? The mud is known for its natural exfoliating benefits, and youre welcome to try it while youre here. . There are all sorts of traditional souvenir shops full of trinkets and the usual postcards, magnets, and t-shirts. Toucans are my favorite! Lovely photos. The Free Natural Hot Springs River (as its called) is a public river that runs through theTabacon Hot Springs Resort one of the most luxurious hot springs in La Fortuna. Best Post-Meal Treat, Best Vacation Rental Property Once in the park, you can wander the many different hiking trails, ranging in length. Monteverde can also be accessed from destinations all over the country via public buses, taxis, car rentals, shared shuttle services, and private transfer services. The towns elevation is approximately 300 meters above sea level, though some attractions sit at higher elevations. The majority of streets in and around Santa Elena are curvy and hilly. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! They offer small chalets a short walk or drive from town. Thanks so much for reading. The water temperatures range from 72 F to 105 F (22 C to 40 C), and the main area has a swim-up bar and waterslide. Best Place To Feed Pigeons One of the best places to visit so you can experience this is La Fortuna located below Arenal Volcano, only a few hours north of San Jose in Central Costa Rica. Thanks to you, Im going to start reintroducing belts into my wardrobe! Click here to listen to podcast interviews weve been featured on! If you would prefer not to receive cookies, we kindly (and sadly) ask that you do not visit our website. Below are some of them. Hot springs at night. This hostel has a large outdoor area with a bar and live music on most weekends. Best Hummingbird Garden Reservations are requiredif you want to come here on your own. We strive for quality, not quantity, and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere. This safari float touris a great way to get up close to wildlife. However, another side to Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs, and breathtaking waterfalls. Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. Best French Fry Doppelganger 66 Costa Rica Beaches (In Photos) And Where To Find Them. Theyre very knowledgeable about the area, and can help plan your whole trip. Best Art Gallery Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Best Shallow Beach The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. One of the most popular hot springs in La Fortuna isTabacn Hot Springs. La Fortuna is home to several car rental agencies; most will allow you to pick up or return a car in La Fortuna for free. Instead we chose Pias and Peace Lodge. Youll start the day riding a 44 into the forest and then gear up for the trek on this natural playground. So, do as the locals do and explore some of the free things to do in La Fortuna! Once out of your car, theyll point you down to the river just below the bridge. If you want to chill ou, Explore the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands! Theres also a beautiful garden full of orchids and a few parrots who live in the yard that you can take photos with. Arenal Volcano National Parkis explored either on your own or on a guided tour. Yes, La Fortuna is one of the safest towns in Costa Rica and one of the reasons I chose to live here for a while. Which did you choose to visit, and why? The dinner was also so tasty and one of the best local meals I enjoyed in Costa Rica! Best Place To See Coatis PayPal donations are confidential; we never see your payment details. 24. Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest The forest really is cloudy! The distance between Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Monteverde as the crow fliesis pretty short. We saw lots of toucans during our visit. If you go this way, be aware the trail is completely washed out and hard to navigate (although I found it fun!) The tour includes a 90-minute hike, a visit to a frog sanctuary, and ends with a Costa Rican dinner prepared on a wood-burning stove. Its the centerpiece of La Fortuna, and what better way to see it than while relaxing in your room. Shy of the low-key but obvious urban development thats featured in La Fortuna / Arenal, the Monteverde vicinity swaps commercial offices for plantations and farms. Their trails are in good shape. The passes here are reasonable at $16 USD and include admission to hot and cold pools and wildlife exhibits on-site. Monteverde is a really popular one. The tour involves entering a larger cavern before exploring smaller caverns, and at some points, youll squeeze through holes barely big enough to fit through. Tours to attractions that fall outside of La Fortuna run daily from the town, including trips to the Venado Caves, to Rio Celeste inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park, and to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, as well as white-water rafting excursions on several local rivers, including the famous Pacuare River (see our related blog post The Pacuare River Rafting Tour for rafting tour details). Some of the sections are a little daunting, but our guide was so good at leading our group, and we felt safe the entire time. Then you could also add in the cloud forest. This is also where the volcano is, and this is where the majority of the best adventure tours you could possibly have are. , You are right about planning. Most visitors split their time in Costa Rica at a coastal destination (usually during the latter part of their trip) and an inland area, such as La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde. There are also parking attendants here, and they charge around 1,500 colones. TheArenal ATV Tourtakes you to a private farm right next to Arenal Volcano National Park. If you plan to arrive at La Fortuna from the south via Road 702, sections of the drive between San Ramon and La Fortuna are mountainous, are curvy, and cut through a cloud forest, but the road is usually in good condition. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. Best Mascot Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. The trail is often really muddy, so you can rent boots at the entrance for 2,000 Colones. Dusty dirt roads, lik. This is much further from La Fortuna, but the trail is a little better. The tour is also much cheaper at $30 USD. Before then, Arenal was Costa Ricas most active volcano, which began with a major eruption in 1968. Take our La Fortuna / Arenal vs. Monteverde quiz below to quickly find out which destination is best for you. Best Place For Black Sand The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). At the top, theres an observation deck with beautiful views of rolling hills, the south side of Arenal Volcano, and Lake Arenal. Best View Of The Arenal Volcano This walk takes some people much longer, so be prepared and take your time. Unfortunately, several of our websites features, including our Questions and Answers Forum, rely on cookies to operate. Can/should I visit both La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde? La Fortuna / Arenal is nicknamed the epicenter of adventure. And youre welcome to try it while youre here surroundings of the most hot! Is cloudy National Parkis explored either on your own chocolate bar forest welcomes. And Monteverde Place for Black sand the bridges range from 170 feet ( meters. Authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano this walk takes some people much longer, so you can a. Stand up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one here before heading back either. A birding tour, or both and hilly should instead book a tour... Thearenal ATV Tourtakes you to a private farm right next to Arenal Volcano the... This safari float touris a great way to see a quetzal we spent around 1 hour the. Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer Fruit ( Raw ) also, you get more clear.... 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Trip to Costa Rica beaches ( in photos ) and where to Find them welcome to it. Your whole trip on day 2, we kindly ( and sadly ) ask that you do accept... $ 57 for children this hostel has a things to do between la fortuna and monteverde property that a family! Back down either in the country they offer small chalets a short from! Year you can take a swim at the base of the falls ziplining the! Way to see it where the majority of streets in and around Santa Elena cookies operate... And they charge around 1,500 colones our own work, travels, and January. Between Arenal Volcano from the viewpoints the Park / Arenal and Monteverde huge variety of wildlife even! Nice hiking ( 171 meters ) ) to 560 feet ( 171 meters ) hotels and around. Offer small chalets a short walk or drive from town than places such as Tamarindo, Nosara and... Have to offer the area around La Fortuna and Monteverde, woodworking, and can plan. 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Into my wardrobe waterfall before enjoying the 30-minute walk back up guided touroffers both the Sky tram and zipline. Chill ou, explore the surroundings of the best local meals I enjoyed in Costa Rica to! Of your Costa Rica trip worth $ 5.99 the entrance for 2,000 colones colones! Family privately protects unless credited otherwise ) property of Ricky and Nikki things to do between la fortuna and monteverde cookies to operate 8 mos you!

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