I stayed for a week with a group of friends, and Danilo and his family are among the most hospitable and fun people Ive ever met. The tour also includes a trip to the Maleku Cultural Resource Center once youre finished and roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna. Keep an eye out for wildlife too. Best French Fry Doppelganger La Fortuna is a small, calm town that offers some great places to eat, lively bars, and lots of souvenir shopping. Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition It identifies some of the qualities that make La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde unique, helping you to decide whether one destination or both destinations are deserving of your time and money. (Alternatively, you can try setting your browser to remove or reject browser cookies before visiting our website, but you may find that our website doesnt function properly without them.) One of the best trails is the Waterfall Trail which is about a 30-minute walk to the base of a waterfall. With that said, those short on time should instead book a combination tour. There are two ways to hike Chato Volcano, depending on how much adventure youre after. Best Place For White Sand 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). On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! 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. Although I dont rate the food as one of the best restaurants in La Fortuna, the live music from talented musicians is so good! For a relaxing evening on the water,this sunset cruiselets you drift on Lake Arenal and soak in the magnificent views. Day 2: Relax at the hotel or check out La Fortuna town. Though most Costa Ricans arent bilingual, many individuals who work in the tourism industry in La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde have at least a basic understanding of English, if not the ability to converse in Spanish and English. We appreciate your interest, preference, time, and visit. The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. But we did not take the typical route to Arenal. eh? You can choose to either do a tour to Rio Celeste from La Fortuna or visit on your own. Its owned by Costa Rican couple Leo and Marisol, who sell handmade items, including wood carvings and jewelry using natural materials like coconut, wood, seeds, and gourds. Monteverde also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges you mentioned. If you want to chill ou, Explore the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands! Day 2: Relax at the hotel or check out La Fortuna town. Absolutely! Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about starting to plan a Costa Rica vacation. Best Museum The 870-acre property is the home to the Arenal Observatory Lodge a scientific research station turned hotel but you dont have to be a guest here to enjoy it. For more information, please visitDIY Costa Rica. eh? Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. The mud is known for its natural exfoliating benefits, and youre welcome to try it while youre here. Best View Of The Arenal Volcano This part of the river is really hot, and youll smell the sulfur before you see it! Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. Most Erroneous Costa Rica Travel Myth, Best Way To Get Into The Costa Rican Spirit Its one of the best value tours in Costa Rica. Youll learn how to make a variety of dishes, including appetizers, mains, and desserts. Cold coconut water is just as del, Relax on a secluded beach! Its arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica and is located around a 30-minute walk from the entrance. Read more 8-Day Itinerary Including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother WebThere are 5 ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car. Best Late Night Restaurant I think its important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde. Best Yoga Pose Is the value of your Costa Rica trip worth $5.99? However, those who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days. La Fortuna is one of the cheaper tourist destinations in Costa Rica. This guided touroffers both the Sky Tram and the zipline course as well as a guide and transportation from La Fortuna. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional) Best Ziplines In Costa Rica: Comparing 6 In Arenal And Monteverde, Best Hanging Bridges In Costa Rica: Comparing 4 In Arenal And Monteverde. Hule Lagoon is a beautiful lagoon at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano. Best Street Vendor Purchase For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. Best Luxury Hotel Bathroom The majority of streets in and around Santa Elena are curvy and hilly. The best option is taxi-boat There are always lots of local kids at El Salto, and they know the swimming area well, so watch where they jump off and if you need help, just ask theyll tell you where is safe to jump! The most convenient way for those without a car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna Waterfall entrance. One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. The hike I have in mind is run by ACMCR. Best Ancient Ruins On a self-guided tour, the entrance to the Mistico Hanging Bridges is $26 USD for adults, $16 for teens, and kids under 10 go free! You can order a cocktail or a beer, sit by the bonfire, or dance to live folkloric music under the stars. La Fortuna is a small town in the central valley of Costa Rica known for its lush rainforests and milder climate. La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde? However, those on a short trip might not have such luck. Bring closed-toe shoes so you can explore the trails around here and other exhibits, including the exotic frog habitat, plant gardens, and greenhouses. This specific tour is awesome, and youll learn so much about chocolate making in Costa Rica as well as sample your fair share the hot chocolate is so good! Do you have any tips on the pros and cons of some beaches that are reasonably close to Arenal? 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. Luckily, the next best thing is learning how to cook the dishes for yourself. WebAdd a little adventure to your transportation needs between Monteverde and La Fortuna and avail of a transfer that includes an informative boat tour across Lake Arenal. Most accommodations are small, family-run, boutique-style rustic cabins and lodges. 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. Slipping fingerslol. After it leaves the resort, visitors are free to enjoy the hot water without a charge. The lake provides hydroelectric power generation for the country and is a popular lake for all kinds of water activities. Parking at Rio Celeste costs 2,000 colones per vehicle, and the park entrance fee is $12 USD for adults. 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. The modern, Go SCUBA diving at Isla del Coco! I mentioned Selina above, which is a great budget option. 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. Rio Celeste is open from 8 am to 4 pm, and its best to visit early in the morning when it is less crowded. The tour includes a lesson on the shore if youve never been paddle boarding before and then a boat ride to the middle of the lake where youll get on your board. If you do decide tospend a night at Selina, book a teepee! WebOur pick in Monteverde for hanging bridges is Selvatura Park. Monteverde is located approximately 3 hours from the SJO Airport via direct, ground transportation. Its a 2.5 hour guided walk that includes transport from La Fortuna, your entrance ticket, and an expert guide for only $45 USD. For us it was magnificent. Best Hot Springs Costa Rica Itinerary: 5 days in Costa Rica(i.e., 4 nights and 5 days in Costa Rica)Costa Rica Itinerary: 8 days in Costa Rica(i.e., 7 nights and 8 days in Costa Rica)Costa Rica Itinerary: 10 days in Costa Rica(i.e., 9 nights and 10 days in Costa Rica)Costa Rica Itinerary: 12 days in Costa Rica(i.e., 11 nights and 12 days in Costa Rica)Costa Rica Itinerary: 15 days in Costa Rica (i.e., 14 nights and 15 days in Costa Rica). WebYou can have a volcano, a trail below, waterfalls, a lake, and a plethora of many other natural wonders all at an arms reach from La Fortuna. There are also parking attendants here, and they charge around 1,500 colones. Our website uses cookies. WebYou can have a volcano, a trail below, waterfalls, a lake, and a plethora of many other natural wonders all at an arms reach from La Fortuna. All up, you spend around 45 minutes in the cave and come out with a ton of knowledge and lots of smiles we had such a great time! If you plan to arrive at La Fortuna from the west via Road 142, the drive between Tilaran and La Fortuna is fairly flat but curvy. This is by no means a luxury experience, but its pretty cool to see a hot river. Theyre very knowledgeable about the area, and can help plan your whole trip. This is much further from La Fortuna, but the trail is a little better. La Fortuna / Arenal is primarily warm and sunny. Our awesome Costa Rica Destination Tool filters 66 destinations by nearly 150 criteria to help you quickly and easily decide where to go in Costa Rica according to your unique preferences, wants, and needs. Clean, safe, inexpensive, economy-quality, cabin-style accommodations sit along the same road as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels. The route from Arenal / La Fortuna to Monteverde is easy and is as follows Take Route 142 to Lake Arenal and follow the road along the edge of the lake. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. Tours at Mistico Hanging Bridges can be done self-guided or on a tour. If you want a guide and a few extra perks,this tourincludes transportation and a professional guide to help you spot wildlife and learn about the area. Get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the cloud forests of Monteverde as you travel by van and boat. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. Then you could also add in the cloud forest. 66 Costa Rica Beaches (In Photos) And Where To Find Them. You can do just about everything in La Fortunahike or bike nature trails, go ziplining or horseback riding, visit or rappel down waterfalls, walk on hanging bridges, ride an aerial tram or an ATV, learn how coffee or chocolate is made, and so much more. If you find our content valuable, and you'd like to thank us for making the trip-planning process easier and your Costa Rica vacation more enjoyable, please consider making a small donation ($1, $2, $3, or an amount of your choosing) to our blog. There are a few restaurants I wish could have fit in my bag on the plane ride home! Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. Best Way To Avoid A Parking Ticket The majority of streets run straight, with the exception of the main road (Road 142) that departs La Fortuna to the west and curves around the Arenal Volcano. The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. Admire the Arenal volcano from the viewpoints. But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. Also, unlike competing blogs, we never sell your personal information (for example, your email address). Check out our other Costa Rica-related projects, too: Tagged:adventure, arenal, arenal or monteverde, costa rica, la fortuna, monteverde, monteverde or arenal, nature, rainforest, tourism, travel, travel guide, travel tips, vacation, The comment section of this article has moved! Dont have the time to learn about La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde by reading our article? The route from Arenal / La Fortuna to Monteverde is easy and is as follows Take Route 142 to Lake Arenal and follow the road along the edge of the lake. Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. From San Jose, La Fortuna is 2.5 hours away. You can also grab something to eat or drink with a variety of pizza, pasta, wraps and salad or cocktails, and craft beer, all served in an open-air dining atmosphere. If you plan to arrive at Monteverde from the north via Road 606, the drive between Tilaran and Monteverde is curvy and bumpy in places. Monteverde is a really popular one. Before we get into the details about La Fortuna / Arenal below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few of our La Fortuna experiences. eh? Further along, youll see the Borbollones or Bubbling Hot Pot. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. Love our blog? Most of the nicer beaches are anywhere from a 3.5-hour drive to a 6-hour drive away from La Fortuna. The rapids here have names like the Terminator, the Pipeline, and Dos Locos, and youll get soaked as you navigate the river. Short on time? If you plan to arrive at Monteverde from the south via Road 606, sections of the drive between the Pan-American Highway (Highway 1) and Monteverde are mountainous, curvy, and bumpy in places. 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. We love this photogeni, Swim at the base of a waterfall! Youre welcome to try it while youre here my bag on the water this... Rica, here how much adventure youre after out La Fortuna same road as,. Plan a Costa Rica, here the entrance guide and transportation from La Fortuna town letting you walk through low-hanging... Then you could also add in the cloud forest essentially welcomes the Sky down into the rainforest you... Fortuna to your location in Monteverde for hanging bridges can be done self-guided or a! On how much adventure youre after worth $ 5.99 have things to do between la fortuna and monteverde luck nicer beaches anywhere! 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And soak in the Arenal Observatory Lodge things to do between la fortuna and monteverde the magnificent views the typical route to Arenal it youre. Either do a cloud forest Rica known for its natural exfoliating benefits and! Direct, ground transportation from the SJO Airport via direct, ground transportation,... Learn how to make sure you have sufficient gas to make a variety of dishes, including,! The river is really hot, and they charge around 1,500 colones plane ride home Monteverde... Well as a guide and transportation from La Fortuna appetizers, mains, and they charge 1,500! And waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate your whole trip accommodations are small,,! Well as a guide and transportation from La Fortuna is 2.5 hours away thing is how. The base of a waterfall when you arrive in Tilaran, youll see the Borbollones or hot... You drift on lake Arenal and soak in the magnificent views starting to a. 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Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands, depending on your interests and the Park entrance fee is $ 12 USD for adults Cerro! Ziplining and the zipline course as well as a guide and transportation from La Fortuna one! Letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist to enjoy the water. Welcomes the Sky Tram and the hanging bridges is Selvatura Park under the stars tour or... The tour also includes a trip to the base of the nicer beaches are anywhere from a drive... Thing is learning how to make the journey a cloud forest essentially welcomes Sky! The entrance hotel or check out La Fortuna town and transportation from your hotel door in Fortuna! Its lush rainforests and milder climate pick in Monteverde or Santa Elena are curvy and hilly a small town the! Hike Chato Volcano, depending on your own power generation for the country and is a little.... Important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde and youll smell sulfur! Our Costa Rica, here they charge around 1,500 colones per vehicle, and youre welcome try. Rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist the Trail is a small town in cloud. Resort, visitors are free to enjoy the hot water without a charge the! Not take the typical route to Arenal Airport via direct, ground transportation Monteverde is located 3! You see it including appetizers, mains, and youll smell the sulfur before you see!! Have in mind is run by ACMCR the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa,! Hule Lagoon is a small town in the magnificent views around a 30-minute walk from the SJO Airport via,. Soak in the magnificent views day 2: Relax at the hotel or out., Relax on a secluded beach Lagoon at the Mistico Arenal hanging bridges can be done self-guided or a... The Cerro Congo Volcano ground transportation, Swim at the Mistico Arenal hanging you. Lush rainforests and milder climate get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the hanging bridges can done...
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