Youll taste farm-fresh coffee and chocolate right where they are made. Whats great about hostels like this is youll meet other travelers from around the world. There are, Lounge around on secret beaches! Below are some of them. . A PayPal account is not required to make a donation; credit and debit cards are also accepted. Sample dishes include ceviche, mint mojitos, grilled pork loin with tropical chutney, and coconut flan with a caramel sauce. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. Also, unlike competing blogs, we never sell your personal information (for example, your email address). Kayaking is also really popular on Lake Arenal, andthis specific tourincludes all you need for a 2.5-hour paddle on the lake. The tour has it all! eh? Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. This is also where the volcano is, and this is where the majority of the best adventure tours you could possibly have are. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement. If so, get DIY Costa Rica access. Monteverde is accessed via a combination of paved and bumpy roads. Lake Arenal is at the base of the Arenal Volcano, and this lake is the largest in Costa Rica! The worst months to visit La Fortuna are from May to November, which is known as the rainy season. eh? Of course, you are not legally required to pay them, but its less than $2 USD, and they do direct traffic and make it safe to pull out. Arguably, La Fortuna / Arenal is the most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica. 10 BEST Restaurants in Montezuma, Costa Rica that youll love! The Sky Tram has a guide on board to help you spot animals and tell you more about the ecosystem around you. Monteverde on another hand is best for a day trip. Best Ziplines In Costa Rica: Comparing 6 In Arenal And Monteverde, Best Hanging Bridges In Costa Rica: Comparing 4 In Arenal And Monteverde. When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Best Hummingbird Garden La Fortuna / Arenal offers a range of more than 100 accommodations that vary in style, size, amenities, and price. Not to mention the town is big on accommodation, and a thriving restaurant and cafe scene. For us it was magnificent. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. It includes snacks and Costa Rican moonshine to sip as the sky changes colors in the evening. Birdwatching. Distance from La Fortuna. Most Dangerous Roadway Bridge Crossing 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. We spent a lot of time here when we lived in La Fortuna they have a great co-working space! Distance from La Fortuna. Then you could also add in the cloud forest. Do you know that your spam-free reading experience is most important to us? If you just want to explore Arenal as I did,this specific tour is a great option. Monteverde. The best time to visit La Fortuna is from December to April during the dry season. Take acanyoning and waterfall rappelling tourfor an adventurous day-trip in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. The tour includes a pitstop halfway through to have a snack and swim in the river. Best Intermediate Hike WebTravel easily between La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer crossing over Arenal Lake. The property is beautiful, with a large pool and four hot tubs surrounded by nature. Before we get into the details about Monteverde below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few of our Monteverde experiences. Another one of the best free things to do in La Fortuna is the free hot springs! Best View Of Volcano Lava Rocks Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , It also comes complete with a massive jacuzzi for up to 60 guests. Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , After it leaves the resort, visitors are free to enjoy the hot water without a charge. Best Coastal Tour The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. Its one of my favorite ways to get a taste of the local culture while enjoying a relaxing evening. Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition Weirdest Drink To Order While youve seen the volcano in the distance in La Fortuna, its worth getting closer to appreciate this landmark. Best Butterfly Garden The volcano blesses the area with mineral-rich thermal water and visits to hot springs attractions are common (see our related blog post Best Hot Springs In Arenal: We Compare All 12 La Fortuna Hot Springsfor information about each). There areso many different hot springs to visit in La Fortuna; you could visit a different one every day for weeks! You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. This walk takes some people much longer, so be prepared and take your time. During the wet/winter/green season, the area remains warm and mostly sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica beaches, including recommendations for beaches to visit in Costa Rica. Tours at Mistico Hanging Bridges can be done self-guided or on a tour. Best Place To See Caimans The tour is also much cheaper at $30 USD. It has a relaxed, reggae vibe, and the live music here is the main draw. Thanks! Tons of coatis, some monkeys. 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. But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. It also includes a visit to the Maleku Indian Cultural Rescue Center to learn about Costa Ricas Indigenous culture. We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. Driving To La Fortuna / Arenal: Photos, Road Conditions, Routes, Drive Times, And More! Its thrilling to fly high above the rainforest and take in views from a totally unique perspective and La Fortuna is one of the best places to go ziplining in Costa Rica (my other favorite is Monteverde!). Before then, Arenal was Costa Ricas most active volcano, which began with a major eruption in 1968. Thanks so much for sharing it. Monteverde offers more than 40 accommodation options that vary in style, size, amenities, and price. They know the property well and know exactly where to find wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, snakes, and more. I often spent my weekends here while I lived in La Fortuna! This natural attraction is one of the best things to do in Costa Rica. Exploring the park is an adventure that takes you to the volcanos base and slightly up its steep face. Best Place For Black Sand Hiking Arenal Volcano is illegal, so I will not be mentioning it in this blog. Birdwatching. These rapids are Class II and III, so still a challenge but more suited to beginners. Area temperatures average between 25-30 degrees Celsius, with the most sun hitting the area during the dry/summer season, as you might suspect. Get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the cloud forests of Monteverde as you travel by van and boat. 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. This natural phenomenon is caused by the mixing of two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue Im not joking! One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. I just scrolled through your blog (mainly the Costa Rica category) and couldnt find an article that I wouldnt be interested in reading. This is arguably the most luxurious hotel in La Fortuna and comes with fantastic views, luxury rooms, a resort-style pool, a fitness center, a swim-up bar, hot tubs, and a spa and wellness center. It has hot springs and a lush, tropical garden on the property where you can see lots of the beautiful birds of Costa Rica, including hummingbirds! One of the best is El Salto or the rope swing. This beautiful river is so much more than a rope swing and, instead of a hidden paradise just off the main highway, complete with waterfalls, beautiful trees, deep swimming holes, and of course, a fun rope swing. Come back to Costa Rica! The views of the volcano here are great, and youll feel completely emersed in the beauty of Costa Rica. 75 photos that will make you want to go to Costa Rica ASAP! The towns elevation is approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, though some attractions are located at higher elevations. The hanging bridges are located on a large property that a local family privately protects. 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 Place To Scuba Dive There are two ways to hike Chato Volcano, depending on how much adventure youre after. Best Slogan To Recite La Fortuna / Arenal truly has it all, which is part of the reason why the destination appeals to so many travelers. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. Because of this, its illegal to climb to the top of the Arenal Volcano. For hiking, maybe go to the Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see a quetzal. Monteverde is located approximately 2 hours from the LIR Airport via direct, ground transportation. 12 BEST Restaurants in San Jose, Costa Rica. However, the main draw to La Fortuna is the surrounding landscape and the many incredible things to do and see. Thank Nikki here. Be prepared to get wet and conquer a fear of heights if you have one! Luckily, our guide kept us safe! La Fortuna / Arenal is also home to the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall (see our related blog post Visiting The All-New La Fortuna Waterfall And Orchid Gardenfor more information), among other breathtaking cascades. Can/should I visit both La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde? Great experiences are all about service, and nothing beats local, authentic service encountered with the help of word-of-mouth recommendations. Dont be deceived by appearances, its a short distance as the crow flies, but a Spend an afternoon exploring a private nature preserve bordering Arenal Volcano and inside the Arenal Volcano National Park, only 30 minutes from La Fortuna. Day 3: Hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano hike. Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezumas Revenge, Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction For more in-depth info on the areas to stay in La Fortuna, check out our blog onwhere to stay in La Fortuna! 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. 15 BEST All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica (Our Unbiased Opinion! Hike to Hule Lagoon. I recommendstaying the nightso you can enjoy a few drinks and explore the property and not have to drive back that day. 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! Our company is inclusive. Keep an eye out for animals, including sloths, monkeys, and toucans. If you have a question or comment about our article above or Costa Rica travel in general, please post it in our Questions and Answers Forum on DIY Costa Rica, our sister website, where you can also access our private Costa Rica recommendations, our Costa Rica Destination Tool, and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map. Entrance to La Fortuna Waterfall is $18 USD, and you can purchase them at the gate orhere online in advance and skip the line(its the same price.). 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. Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could take longer. Best View Of The Continental Divide Any time of the year you can spot a huge variety of wildlife sometimes even right in town! I love your trendy tips at Reverse Commuter. Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket Love our blog? Best Place To Feed Pigeons Browse our Costa Rica blogs to discover other things about Costa Rica not included in other categories. Foggy, mysterious, bi, Get creative in Sarchi! WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. A friend who was in Costa Rica no less than 25 years ago swears that their is a short hike between Monteverdi an La Fortuna. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! Butterflies will land on you and swoop above your head, and you may even get the chance to watch one emerge from its chrysalis. The class is good for beginners as well as experienced cooks. (If you cannot see the PayPal button above, click here.) WebTravel easily between La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer crossing over Arenal Lake. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about starting to plan a Costa Rica vacation. Whenever Im traveling, I love trying the local craft beer of the region. Best Semana Santa (Easter Week) Tradition Great tip! 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. The trail is often really muddy, so you can rent boots at the entrance for 2,000 Colones. Best Luxury Hotel Bathroom 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. Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. 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. It would be irresponsible of us to label either Monteverde or La Fortuna / Arenal as being better or worse than the other, but we are happy to compare and contrast the two destinations so you can draw your own conclusions about which would be the best for you to visit. Hike to Hule Lagoon. 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. Read about the best restaurants in Monteverde before you go! This is one of the main Monteverde attractions, and its an incredible place to spend some time. I cannot think of a better sign that a blog is worth reading, so keep up the great work! However, those on a short trip might not have such luck. This is one of the main Monteverde attractions, and its an incredible place to spend some time. Overall its a pretty intense hike so come prepared and only book this tour if you consider yourself a hiker. Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. 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. Monteverde. Best Place To See Coatis Once in the park, you can wander the many different hiking trails, ranging in length. You can see all of the trails over an afternoon or just pick a few. This is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna especially if you want to relax! To start, browse through our article below. Day 2: Relax at the hotel or check out La Fortuna town. Its a really fun place to go as a group or to meet new people to share your Costa Rican adventure with. Theyre very knowledgeable about the area, and can help plan your whole trip. When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. Its a 2.5 hour guided walk that includes transport from La Fortuna, your entrance ticket, and an expert guide for only $45 USD. Unfortunately, given La Fortuna/Arenals location in the middle of the northern inlands, it requires at minimum a 3-hour drive to reach a beach. Best View Overlooking The Pacific Coast, Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys TheLake Arenal Hotel and Breweryis the perfect spot for this and a great day trip about 1.5 hours from La Fortuna. Unofficial parking inspectors charge you to park here and protect your vehicle. They usually try to charge 3,000 Colones but just tell them yesterday you paid 1,000 Colones. Get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the cloud forests of Monteverde as you travel by van and boat. Driving To Monteverde: Photos, Road Conditions, Routes, Drive Times, And More! 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. 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. 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. We support our comments with evidence, however we welcome opposing comments. If you decide to visit Monteverde, I highly recommend Hotel Las Orquideas. The tour is early at 6 am as thats the best time to see birds here. Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip 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. 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