We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. Register today to start browsing! Get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the cloud forests of Monteverde as you travel by van and boat. It has a relaxed, reggae vibe, and the live music here is the main draw. Our thoughts are influenced by our own travel experiences for the sole purpose of contributing feedback to the greater travel community. 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. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. Get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the cloud forests of Monteverde as you travel by van and boat. After instructions from your guide, youll head out on the off-road trails. Monteverde. The tour also includes a trip to the Maleku Cultural Resource Center once youre finished and roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna. There are also lots of chances to see monkeys and even sloths. Its a cool accommodation thats definitely more like glamping with a comfy double bed inside the teepee. Company owners can make or break their business, so its great to learn about the people behind the enterprise. See you there, amigos! 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. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town. About La Fortuna. The tour includes roundtrip transportation and is only $76 USD for adults and $57 for children. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! . Its a great chance to learn all about sloths and other animals. We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. You reach the waterfall via a stunning staircase that makes for some pretty spectacular photos. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. The hanging bridges are located on a large property that a local family privately protects. (Continued use of the website implies that you agree with the policy.) We, Eye ancient ruins! Its about a 1.5-hour drive and then a 3-4 hour hike once you arrive. Best View Of The Sunset The owner here, Ruth, also has her personal art studio here, so you may even see the creativity in action! Bring closed-toe shoes so you can explore the trails around here and other exhibits, including the exotic frog habitat, plant gardens, and greenhouses. eh? Monteverde is accessed via a combination of paved and bumpy roads. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates theCosta Rica Travel Blog, created the online communityDIY Costa Rica, built theCosta Rica Destination Tool, and designed theCosta Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. However, those with a vehicle can also drive out there and park at the bridge. eh? Wind and rain are common, especially during the wet/winter/green season. You can see all of the trails over an afternoon or just pick a few. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to read our responses to some of the most common questions we receive about Costa Rica, including questions about white-water rafting in Costa Rica, questions about zip-lining in Costa Rica, questions about visiting the hot springs in Costa Rica, and more! Related Read: Heading to Monteverde? There are a few other trails that lead from one area (Monteverde) to the other (La Fortuna/Arenal) but they are longer in length, hike duration, and require an overnight stay, so I doubt these are what your friend had in mind. Best Place To Scuba Dive There are also parking attendants here, and they charge around 1,500 colones. We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. In fact, hotels and food around town are much cheaper than places such as Tamarindo, Nosara, and Jaco. Area temperatures average between 18-20 degrees Celsius with warmer temperatures recorded during the dry/summer season. As a young boy, Ricky en, Hike a cloud forest reserve! The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. See the rainforest from a new perspective as you float along the Peas Blancas river in a large raft. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. Best Zipline Cable Best Place For Black Sand 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! La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. I cannot think of a better sign that a blog is worth reading, so keep up the great work! The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. Its the first eco-brewery in the country! Weirdest Drink To Order 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. Its similar to glacier lakes that reflect rock flour. Best Poolside Cabanas Because simple actions like reading our articles, asking a question, and even visiting our websites homepage require the use of cookies, it is not possible to explore or use our website without them. Area temperatures average between 25-30 degrees Celsius, with the most sun hitting the area during the dry/summer season, as you might suspect. Once out of your car, theyll point you down to the river just below the bridge. For a faster-paced adventure in La Fortuna, jump on an ATV to get up close to Arenal Volcano. Its a 2.5 hour guided walk that includes transport from La Fortuna, your entrance ticket, and an expert guide for only $45 USD. Although not a national park, youll find just as much wildlife here as you would in places such as Manuel Antonio. This is also where the volcano is, and this is where the majority of the best adventure tours you could possibly have are. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. For more in-depth info on the areas to stay in La Fortuna, check out our blog onwhere to stay in La Fortuna! 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! Thank Nikki here. However, a completely legal hike you can enjoy in La Fortuna is up Chato Volcano. Monteverde has a small-town, rural feel. I think its important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde. Take the Metamorphosis Tour for $17 USD per person and learn about butterflies while being surrounded by them in the large atrium habitats. Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , Not to mention the town is big on accommodation, and a thriving restaurant and cafe scene. Read about the best restaurants in Monteverde before you go! Toucans are my favorite! Youll also have roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna and lunch included too. For hiking, maybe go to the Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see a quetzal. The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. They are such unique animals, and the area around La Fortuna is a great place to see them. We love this photogeni, Swim at the base of a waterfall! A PayPal account is not required to make a donation; credit and debit cards are also accepted. This blog may contain affiliate links. There are two ways to hike Chato Volcano, depending on how much adventure youre after. Best Accessible Tour Best Novelty Restaurant This guided touroffers both the Sky Tram and the zipline course as well as a guide and transportation from La Fortuna. If you do decide tospend a night at Selina, book a teepee! I found the tour very informative and left with an abundance of knowledge. Hot springs at night. You need around 3 hours to hike the trail to the end and back again and enjoy the waterfall. Hey, Costa Rica Travel Blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our blog! Getting your transportation worked out ahead of time seems to be one of the keys to success. Birdwatching. Monteverde grows in popularity with each passing year. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. Youll still get to explore the rainforest trails, but youll also have the chance to soak in a natural hot springs pool and get a volcanic mud facial and cocktail afterward. Art, woodworking, and cult, Check out some beach caves! 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. Thats what led us to Manuel Antonio, because of time constraints and travel. Driving To La Fortuna / Arenal: Photos, Road Conditions, Routes, Drive Times, And More! If you just want to explore Arenal as I did,this specific tour is a great option. Not unlike La Fortuna, the area offers a wide variety of tours, activities, accommodations, shops, and dining options, but the presence of tourism in the vicinity is understated. There areso many different hot springs to visit in La Fortuna; you could visit a different one every day for weeks! Best Soda Restaurant (Inland) Tifakara Boutique Hotelis located just outside Arenal Volcano National Park. Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. Itemized by category, the following is a breakdown of the recommendations documented on DIY Costa Rica. Overall its a pretty intense hike so come prepared and only book this tour if you consider yourself a hiker. It exists between the San Gerardo Biological Station in Monteverde (roughly a 1-hour hike is required to get to the station from beyond the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Biological Reserve) and El Castillo in the Arenal region (an approximate half-hour drive from downtown La Fortuna). Best Place To See Caimans For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. 10 BEST Restaurants in Montezuma, Costa Rica that youll love! Best View Overlooking The Pacific Coast, Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys Its also important to note that after rain, the water can turn brown, so its best to visit when it hasnt rained in a while. La Fortuna / Arenal truly has it all, which is part of the reason why the destination appeals to so many travelers. The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. In order for our site to remember that you accept our policy, please enable the Strictly Necessary Cookie. It is home to the Arenal Volcano, around which several theme parks and adventure centers have been created. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. Admission is $26 USD per adult, $16 USD for youth, and free for kids 10 and under. During the wet/winter/green season, the area remains warm and mostly sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers. For more information, please visitDIY Costa Rica. Rio Celeste is famous for its bright blue color. Thanks so much for reading. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. The trail between the bridges is flat, easy, and well maintained. Meet us, learn about our Costa Rica experience, and learn how we help Costa Rica travelers! 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. The majority of streets in and around Santa Elena are curvy and hilly. Most Likely Beach Companion Tours at Mistico Hanging Bridges can be done self-guided or on a tour. Youll kayak on the calm waters with the volcano on one side of you and the rainforest on the other. Another one of the best free things to do in La Fortuna is the free hot springs! Best View Overlooking The Town Of La Fortuna 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). 75 photos that will make you want to go to Costa Rica ASAP! 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. READ THIS FIRST! Of course, Arenal Volcano is only a fraction of why people love La Fortuna. Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. Inc., home to hundreds of discounts for Costa Rica day tours, our best of Costa Rica compilation DIY Costa Rica, which includes our Costa Rica Destination Tool and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map, our free Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course, and our awesome Costa Rica travel guidebooksMoon Best of Costa Rica, 2022 edition (a selective best of guide; available now), Moon Costa Rica, 2023 edition (a full-country guide; out September 2023 but currently available to pre-order), Moon Costa Rica, 2021 edition (a full-country guide; available now), and Moon Costa Rica, 2019 edition (a full-country guide; available now)published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides. Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate. Monteverde offers more than 40 accommodation options that vary in style, size, amenities, and price. One attraction th, Tour a #coffeeplantation! 2. La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde both offer a wide variety of dining options. If youre just setting out on this journey, review our introductory Costa Rica trip-planning resources first. Thanks! Pura vida, amigos! Looking for a writer, blogger, travel journalist, proofreader, copywriter, and/or Spanish/English translator/editor? Hike to Hule Lagoon. Best Surf Town Youll find everything from bright, colorful paintings to traditional Costa Rican masks, ceramics, and mirrors. The food in Costa Rica is amazing! Read our disclosure policy for more info. When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. Dont be deceived by appearances, its a short distance as the crow flies, but a . Many of Costa Ricas must-have experiences can be enjoyed in or from the La Fortuna / Arenal area. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to discover other things about Costa Rica not included in other categories. Unlike some other Costa Rica blogs, we do not to sell your personal information, and we choose not to display ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing on our blog so we can keep your visit as distraction- and junk-free as possible. WebThere are 5 ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car. However, those on a short trip might not have such luck. Best Hanging Bridge Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. The trail goes around the mirrored lakes to a frog sanctuary where you can spot the red-eyed tree frog and the tiny dart frog. You do not want to get stuck on this trail in the dark! It should come as no surprise that La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the top attractions in La Fortuna. If whitewater rafting sounds fun but intimidating, I suggest going withthis specific touron a gentler section of Rio Balsa. 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. Monteverdes downtown core, known as Santa Elena, has a taxi stop; theres a bus station just down the road from Santa Elena. Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains Best Mascot This is one of the main Monteverde attractions, and its an incredible place to spend some time. Before then, Arenal was Costa Ricas most active volcano, which began with a major eruption in 1968. as well as other animals like frogs, toucans, hummingbirds, and parrots. The worst months to visit La Fortuna are from May to November, which is known as the rainy season. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about transportation. If youre not a coffee drinker, you can also do just a chocolate tour instead. Located around 1.5 hours north of La Fortuna. Best View Of Volcano Lava Rocks Monteverde is a really popular one. This three-course meal cooking classis the best you can book in La Fortuna and pairs you with Chef Scott Alan and other local chefs for an entire afternoon. 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. You are then free to explore at your own pace, and 2 hours is more than enough time. 22. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. Their trails are in good shape. Read more 8-Day Itinerary Including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother Their trails are in good shape. Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake 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. 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