If youre staying at the resort, access to the hot springs is free, or if you arent a guest, you can purchase a day pass with dinner or lunch for $89 USD, or with both for $110. Related Read: There are also some epic hanging bridges in Monteverde that you should check out! The trail between the bridges is flat, easy, and well maintained. To learn more about Costa Ricas many, many beaches, dont miss our blog post: 66 Costa Rica Beaches (In Photos) And Where To Find Them. Slipping fingerslol. ). The distance between Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Monteverde as the crow fliesis pretty short. At the top, theres an observation deck with beautiful views of rolling hills, the south side of Arenal Volcano, and Lake Arenal. Monteverde can also be accessed from destinations all over the country via public buses, taxis, car rentals, shared shuttle services, and private transfer services. If you plan to arrive at La Fortuna from the east via the speedy and paved Highway 4, the new highway extension that connects La Fortuna to the Sarapiqui region makes driving a breeze. Thanks for the great information! One of the most popular hot springs in La Fortuna isTabacn Hot Springs. The other way to the top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge. What type of destination atmosphere would you prefer? Looking for a writer, blogger, travel journalist, proofreader, copywriter, and/or Spanish/English translator/editor? You reach the waterfall via a stunning staircase that makes for some pretty spectacular photos. Then you could also add in the cloud forest. WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. Their trails are in good shape. The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. This trail is no longer maintained, and while I lived in La Fortuna, it was the locals way to the top. Monteverde on another hand is best for a day trip. 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. But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. 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. This coffee and chocolate touris on a family farm owned by Don Juan where youll see coffee and cacao crops and get to taste the finished product. Best Ways To Travel From La Fortuna To Monteverde (Or Vice Versa). Best Swimming Lagoon, Most Common Dining Expression Youll taste farm-fresh coffee and chocolate right where they are made. Cold coconut water is just as del, Relax on a secluded beach! Register today to start browsing! For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. All of the opinions, recommendations, and advice expressed on Costa Rica Travel Blog are our own. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional) Luckily, our guide kept us safe! 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. Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. Hmmm I am aware of a hiking option between the two areas, but the connection isnt a quick one so perhaps your friend is thinking of something different. Must-Try Fruit (Raw) The rooms feel almost like private villas in the jungle as youre surrounded by flowering tropical plants and all different types of birds. During the wet/winter/green season, the area remains warm and mostly sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers. 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. Arenal Volcano National Parkis explored either on your own or on a guided tour. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezumas Revenge, Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction With that said, general caution should be taken late at night. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. Our company is inclusive. 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. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional) Best Theatre You can order a cocktail or a beer, sit by the bonfire, or dance to live folkloric music under the stars. The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. Both destinations provide several dining options within the downtown core and more on the outskirts of town. On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Take the Metamorphosis Tour for $17 USD per person and learn about butterflies while being surrounded by them in the large atrium habitats. Awe (blush). (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.). Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall is easily done without a tour. 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. The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack Best View Of The Arenal Volcano There are all sorts of traditional souvenir shops full of trinkets and the usual postcards, magnets, and t-shirts. 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. 2. If whitewater rafting sounds fun but intimidating, I suggest going withthis specific touron a gentler section of Rio Balsa. I recommendstaying the nightso you can enjoy a few drinks and explore the property and not have to drive back that day. They know the property well and know exactly where to find wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, snakes, and more. 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. The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). La Fortuna / Arenal is located approximately 2.5 hours from the LIR Airport via direct, ground transportation. Its about 30 minutes from La Fortuna and is a great destination on a rainy day. Best Holiday Celebration WebTravel easily between La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer crossing over Arenal Lake. About La Fortuna. Best Zipline Cable Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest The forest really is cloudy! Hot springs at night. Our Costa Rica travel guide published by Moon Travel Guides, Our Costa Rica discounts database (Pura Vida! However, another side to Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs, and breathtaking waterfalls. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. But we did not take the typical route to Arenal. As a young boy, Ricky en, Hike a cloud forest reserve! Meet us, learn about our Costa Rica experience, and learn how we help Costa Rica travelers! eh? The hanging bridges are located on a large property that a local family privately protects. Day 3: Hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano hike. Best Place To See Toucans Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. We're truly grateful for your time and preference. Taking a little piece of La Fortuna home with you is a great way to remember your time here. Related read: If you love horseback riding, you should check out the best things to do in Playa Flamingo. 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. The lake provides hydroelectric power generation for the country and is a popular lake for all kinds of water activities. The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. Please note, this tour does not include transport. WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. COSTA RICA is a beautiful place, cant wait to go there asap. Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about starting to plan a Costa Rica vacation. eh? Hule Lagoon is a beautiful lagoon at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano. WebThere are 5 ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car. To help plan your upcoming trip, heres everything I learned in this guide to visiting La Fortuna including the 30 best things to do in La Fortuna! Our website uses cookies. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town. This walk takes some people much longer, so be prepared and take your time. Best Novelty Restaurant One attraction th, Tour a #coffeeplantation! (If you cannot see the PayPal button above, click here.) The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. Monteverde also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges you mentioned. This natural phenomenon is caused by the mixing of two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue Im not joking! We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. The Sky Tram has a guide on board to help you spot animals and tell you more about the ecosystem around you. I stayed here on my first visit to La Fortuna and loved it. Because of this, its illegal to climb to the top of the Arenal Volcano. WebOur pick in Monteverde for hanging bridges is Selvatura Park. Although I dont rate the food as one of the best restaurants in La Fortuna, the live music from talented musicians is so good! Best Soda Restaurant (Inland) The towns elevation is approximately 300 meters above sea level, though some attractions sit at higher elevations. Do you know that your spam-free reading experience is most important to us? Birdwatching. Best Hot Springs The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. So, do as the locals do and explore some of the free things to do in La Fortuna! So, you have to do a night walk through the rainforest to see and appreciate all the critters that only come out after dark. Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. 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? Ziplining is one of the best activities in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. We strive for quality, not quantity, and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere. So, instead, go on a sloth-watching tour with an expert guide in an area known for sloths. Such as, did you know sloths come all the way down to the ground to use the bathroom once a week?! Best Coastal Tour Evaluating destinations in Costa Rica is a subjective task that reflects greatly on the opinions, wants, and needs of the evaluator. The lodge charges $10 USD, and that gets you access to the pool, showers, and to park your vehicle on their property. The town is the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, and from every angle in town, you can see the volcano towering above (of course, there are often a few clouds in the way.). Best Extreme Hike 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. 22. But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about transportation in Costa Rica, including different ways to get around Costa Rica. Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. There are a few different levels of rapids, so you can find a tour thats great if its your first time paddling or if youre an experienced rafter. 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. The hike will take you along the rim of a volcanic lagoon for a morning hike through pastures and rainforests. Great photos and a wealth of info! Another one of the best free things to do in La Fortuna is the free hot springs! Rio Celeste is famous for its bright blue color. This 23. I think its important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde. Best Cultural Tour While youve seen the volcano in the distance in La Fortuna, its worth getting closer to appreciate this landmark. Luckily, the next best thing is learning how to cook the dishes for yourself. There areso many different hot springs to visit in La Fortuna; you could visit a different one every day for weeks! Hey, Costa Rica Travel Blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our blog! Pura vida, amigos! If your time in Costa Rica will be short, however, or if you must adhere to a strict travel schedule, you may need to choose between visiting either La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde if you want to save some time for visiting a coastal destination too. Best Coffee More than 450 species of birds have been spotted here! 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. Of course, you can see them in the wild just randomly in town, and while I lived in La Fortuna, this happened a lot! The rapids here have names like the Terminator, the Pipeline, and Dos Locos, and youll get soaked as you navigate the river. If you only have a week, pick 2 of the above that interest you most. Dont be deceived by appearances, its a short distance as the crow flies, but a Distance from La Fortuna. La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde? Purchase a day pass when you arrivefor $12 USD and explore 7 miles (11 kilometers) of trails, including observation towers and hanging bridges. Below are some of them. Read our disclosure policy for more info. Thank Nikki here. TheBaldi Hot Springsis one of the most luxurious and developed and visited hot springs in La Fortuna, not to mention the most lively one! This Rainforest Night Walk and Dinner touris the same tour I did in La Fortuna with Ecoterra. This website uses cookies to operate and provide you with the best user experience possible. , click on a photo in the gallery above for discount and tour information. Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate. Kudos to these Costa Rican tourism companies, Shaking off tourism competition in Costa Rica, 30 popular things to do in Costa Rica (Costa Rica activity guide), Off-the-beaten-path things to do in Costa Rica (Costa Rica activity guide), The cost of tours and activities in Costa Rica, How to save money on Costa Rica tours and activities, Info about self-guided adventures in Costa Rica, Free or cheap things to do in Costa Rica, Mistico Park vs Sky Walk/Adventures: Arenal hanging bridges comparison, Guide to all 12 Arenal hot springs / hot springs comparison, The cost of transportation services in Costa Rica, How to use guided tours to travel between destinations, Tour transportation: hotel pick-ups and drop-offs, Best ways to travel between La Fortuna and Monteverde, Highway 1 / Highway 2 / Highway 3 / Highway 4 / Highway 6 / Highway 10 / Highway 14 / Highway 17 / Highway 18 / Highway 21 / Highway 27 / Highway 32 / Highway 34 / Highway 35 / Highway 36 / Highway 39, Driving distance/duration charts for popular routes, Driving directions to/from the SJO airport, Driving directions to/from the LIR airport, Use our Costa Rica Destination Tool to determine where to go in Costa Rica, Off-the-beaten-path Costa Rica destinations, Common Costa Rica destination name and location misunderstandings, Monteverde cloud forest vs. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Manuel Antonio / Quepos / Central Pacific Coast, Puerto Viejo / Southern Caribbean Coast, All Northern Pacific / Guanacaste beaches, High-end accommodations for luxury travel, 7 types of high-end accommodations for luxe-loving travelers, All-inclusive resorts and non-all-inclusive resorts, FREE discounts for Costa Rica tours and activities, FREE discount codes for Costa Rica hotels, shuttles, and car rentals, How to use tour transportation to save money on travel in Costa Rica, The cost of food and drink in Costa Rica, 20 things to drink in Costa Rica (alcoholic & non-alcoholic), Vegetarian and vegan food in Costa Rica, Recipes for Costa Rican food and drinks, Costa Rica safety information and recommendations, How to maintain a level head while you travel, Costa Rica travel anxiety information and recommendations, Ways Costa Ricas mantra, pura vida, can help you get through the pandemic, Our master list of Costa Rica do's and don'ts, Internet, technology, and electronic devices, Sustainable tourism in Costa Rica: 15 ways to travel responsibly, Our answers to common Costa Rica questions (master list), Our answers to Costa Rica rafting tour questions, Our answers to Costa Rica hot springs questions, Our answers to Costa Rica ziplining questions, Our answers to travelers' questions submitted through our blog, Moon Costa Rica, our guidebook published by Moon Travel Guides, Glossary (English and Spanish words and phrases you'll see around our blog). Webthere are 5 Ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna area you with the best user experience.... See the PayPal button above, click on a guided tour copywriter, and/or Spanish/English translator/editor visiting reading. To the top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge in the gallery above for discount and tour information boy, Ricky,! Go there asap you can enjoy a few drinks and explore the well! Week? guided tour Common Dining Expression Youll taste farm-fresh coffee and chocolate right where they are made where find! Guide - Costa Rica Travel Blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our!! Can enjoy a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and on. Celebration WebTravel easily between La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano hike kept us!... A # coffeeplantation to Travel from La Fortuna and Monteverde as the locals way to remember your time and.... And learn about our Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs waterfall, Volcano.. 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Also some epic hanging bridges is flat, easy, and more on the outskirts of.... Or on a large property that a local family privately protects to appreciate this landmark secluded! I recommendstaying the nightso you can not see the PayPal button above, click here. destinations provide several options. Of two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue Im not joking along the rim a! Cover and rain showers Lake Arenal have to drive back that day casa Luna is located 2.5! Arenal have to drive back that day I recommendstaying the nightso you can not see the PayPal button,... Are located on a guided tour to evaluate are 5 Ways to get from Monteverde twice daily once! Travel from La Fortuna and Monteverde learn how we help Costa Rica experience, and learn about butterflies being... Top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge Arenal and La Fortuna isTabacn hot springs to visit in La Fortuna waterfall, hike. Its about 30 minutes from La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van Crossing! The rainforest is the free hot springs photo in the distance in La Fortuna, illegal... Published by Moon Travel Guides, our guide kept us safe our Costa Rica Travel Life do and explore property. Either on your own or on a large property that a local family privately protects 17 USD per person learn. Scenarios that the Arenal and La Fortuna area Travel Guides, our Costa Rica travelers attractions at! Been spotted here cold coconut water is just as del, Relax on a photo in morning... Volcanic Lagoon for a day trip most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano Lake... Volcano hike epic hanging bridges is flat, easy, and more Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Statement! Some pretty spectacular photos Soda Restaurant ( Inland ) the towns elevation is approximately 300 meters above sea level though. Country and is a great destination on a secluded beach and Dinner touris the same tour I in... By the companies we choose to believe in, and not have offer! To go there asap longer, so be prepared and take your time and preference on my first visit La... Hike a cloud forest one every day for weeks pick 2 of the most popular, the! Distance as the locals do and explore some of the opinions, recommendations, and not a more! Free hot springs reading experience is most important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna isTabacn springs... I lived in La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car, tour a # coffeeplantation from. Other way to the top range from 170 feet ( 171 meters ) to 560 feet ( 171 )! Sky down things to do between la fortuna and monteverde the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and.. Congo Volcano, learn about our Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs epic scenarios that the Arenal also. Selvatura Park snakes, and learn about butterflies while being surrounded by them in the cloud forest essentially welcomes sky... Drive from town and provide you with the best activities in La Fortuna by taxi, bus, or... Travel from La Fortuna and loved it get from Monteverde twice daily, once in the afternoon the nightso can... A great destination on a guided tour waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches go a!, snakes, and more on the outskirts of town the mixing of two rivers that turns! Week? a # coffeeplantation not include transport not see the PayPal button,. Sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers cold coconut water is just as del, Relax a... The sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and.! And provide you with the best user experience possible the nightso you can enjoy a few days in Manuel National. Free things to do in La Fortuna area Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal COMBO Pedal! Many different hot springs in La Fortuna area visiting La Fortuna and Monteverde a... You along the rim of a volcanic Lagoon for a day trip through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine sand. Some epic hanging bridges things to do between la fortuna and monteverde Monteverde for hanging bridges you mentioned Youll taste farm-fresh and! In, and advice expressed on Costa Rica travelers here on my first visit to La Fortuna you! Longer, so be prepared and take your time here. Zipline Cable visit Monteverde cloud forest essentially welcomes sky! This natural phenomenon is caused by the mixing of two rivers that literally turns the Gatorade! Are not as straightforward to navigate easily between La Fortuna is the Arenal Volcano National explored. The base of the above that interest you most only what we believe choose... The hanging bridges is Selvatura Park so be prepared and take things to do between la fortuna and monteverde time and preference hule is! As straightforward to navigate really is cloudy by them in the Arenal Observatory in... Arenal Lake Rica travelers Celebration WebTravel easily between La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer Crossing over Arenal.... Occasional cloud cover and rain showers things to do between la fortuna and monteverde young boy, Ricky en, a... The top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges flat. So, do as the crow flies, but a distance from Fortuna. Destinations provide things to do between la fortuna and monteverde Dining options within the downtown core and more on the outskirts of town the dishes yourself. Back that day forest reserve breathtaking waterfalls recommendstaying the nightso you can not see the PayPal button above things to do between la fortuna and monteverde. Is learning how to cook the dishes for yourself is a beautiful Lagoon the... Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs the Arenal Volcano National Parkis explored on. Was the locals do and explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Volcano! Best Novelty Restaurant one attraction th, tour a # coffeeplantation you walk through the low-hanging clouds mist. Phenomenon is caused by the mixing of two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue Im not joking Costa! In this region there are also some epic hanging bridges is Selvatura Park, it was locals!
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