things to do between la fortuna and monteverde

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. The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. Cold coconut water is just as del, Relax on a secluded beach! Short on time? Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! Their trails are in good shape. Both destinations provide several dining options within the downtown core and more on the outskirts of town. Although I dont rate the food as one of the best restaurants in La Fortuna, the live music from talented musicians is so good! About Monteverde. Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest The forest really is cloudy! Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. 22. Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. Best Adventure Tour All the craft beer here is made with pure spring water and brewed with 100% solar electricity and bio-diesel. 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. 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. How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. More than 450 species of birds have been spotted here! ), 11 BEST Beachfront Resorts in Costa Rica (for all budgets! One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip Spend an afternoon exploring a private nature preserve bordering Arenal Volcano and inside the Arenal Volcano National Park, only 30 minutes from La Fortuna. Thats what led us to Manuel Antonio, because of time constraints and travel. Given the destinations high elevation, cloud cover is frequent. During the wet/winter/green season, the area remains warm and mostly sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers. They offer small chalets a short walk or drive from town. Not to mention the town is big on accommodation, and a thriving restaurant and cafe scene. Take acanyoning and waterfall rappelling tourfor an adventurous day-trip in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. The closest airport to La Fortuna is Juan Santamara International Airport in the capital of San Jose. This natural phenomenon is caused by the mixing of two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue Im not joking! The forum Costa Rica Travel Blog Forum is closed to new topics and replies. This drive is particularly scenic as it curves around Lake Arenal. Choose a modern accommodation that features hot springs on-site, or book a room at a sustainable eco-lodge. Hike to Hule Lagoon. It was closed for a while after the earthquake, but its open now and provides a beautiful, scenic drive. Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. They also include a delicious breakfast. We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. While youre here, go to theLava Loungeon a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night. Our website uses cookies. How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. I often spent my weekends here while I lived in La Fortuna! Distance from La Fortuna. Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. WebTravel easily between La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer crossing over Arenal Lake. The tour is also much cheaper at $30 USD. About La Fortuna. 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. Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. 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 7 ziplines with a total length of 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) with a maximum height of 660 feet. Seeing sloths in the wild here in Costa Rica is honestly so cool. The modern, Go SCUBA diving at Isla del Coco! However, those on a short trip might not have such luck. The rapids here have names like the Terminator, the Pipeline, and Dos Locos, and youll get soaked as you navigate the river. Then you could also add in the cloud forest. This Arenal Horseback Riding Tourtakes you to the forest around Arenal Volcano and right up to Pino Blanco Waterfall and the famous La Fortuna Waterfall. 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. They know the property well and know exactly where to find wildlife such as sloths, monkeys, snakes, and more. While La Fortuna is absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night! Ziplining is one of the best activities in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Because of this, its illegal to climb to the top of the Arenal Volcano. There are 12 different ziplines on this tour, and be prepared for a bit of a hike to get to the first zipline and in-between each one as well. Youll want to get out on this lake while youre here! 2 Full Days in 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. Driving To Monteverde: Photos, Road Conditions, Routes, Drive Times, And More! 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. Luckily, the next best thing is learning how to cook the dishes for yourself. 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. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. That should have said Poas. La Fortuna / Arenal is nicknamed the epicenter of adventure. Its located about a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna. Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall is easily done without a tour. Read about the best restaurants in Monteverde before you go! There are a variety of hot springs for all budgets, from luxurious resorts to family-friendly pools and even natural hot springs. The best time to visit La Fortuna is from December to April during the dry season. There are, Lounge around on secret beaches! They are such unique animals, and the area around La Fortuna is a great place to see them. Its about 30 minutes from La Fortuna and is a great destination on a rainy day. Best Mascot Such as, did you know sloths come all the way down to the ground to use the bathroom once a week?! Youll see old impact craters from Arenal Volcanos eruption in 1968 and find a river with volcanic mud. 2. Home Where To Go In Costa Rica How To Decide Between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde (or Why You Should Visit Both), Last updated on October 15th, 2022 at 03:04 pm EST, Nikki is the CEO ofPura Vida! 2. 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! Because we prioritize your privacy, we don't earn money when you visit us, when you sign up for our e-course, or when you click on our links, which means the time and work we put into this blogincluding its 300+ articlesis entirely voluntary! You can order a cocktail or a beer, sit by the bonfire, or dance to live folkloric music under the stars. The lodge charges $10 USD, and that gets you access to the pool, showers, and to park your vehicle on their property. Finally, youll end your hike at the Teideros, which is where the two rivers meet. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica accommodations, including recommendations for where to stay in Costa Rica. It should come as no surprise that La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the top attractions in La Fortuna. Their trails are in good shape. 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. If you have the, Dine on delicious Caribbean cuisine! eh? LOL. Once at the bottom, you can get some great pictures and swim in the pool below the waterfall, or visit the calmer pools downriver for a more relaxing swim. There are not many places in the world where you can zipline right over a waterfall, but this is one of them! I found the tour very informative and left with an abundance of knowledge. Stop by the well-known shopSouvenir Leojust outside La Fortuna. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! Click here to access the FREE Monteverde discounts! We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. WebOur pick in Monteverde for hanging bridges is Selvatura Park. Best Late Night Restaurant Best Ziplines In Costa Rica: Comparing 6 In Arenal And Monteverde, Best Hanging Bridges In Costa Rica: Comparing 4 In Arenal And Monteverde. If you only have a week, pick 2 of the above that interest you most. 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 Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. Best Adventure Tour Operator, Best View Of The Sunrise 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. 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. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. Comparing similarities and contrasting differences. 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. You can see all of the trails over an afternoon or just pick a few. The hike will take you along the rim of a volcanic lagoon for a morning hike through pastures and rainforests. See the rainforest from a new perspective as you float along the Peas Blancas river in a large raft. Without a tour, entry to the park is $15 USD for adults and $5 for children. Hot springs at night. Most Addictive Local Pastime, Best Donation Item To Bring From Home 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. Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. This area is well known for great hiking trails, with the main trail stretching 4 miles (6.5 kilometers). 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. 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. We're truly grateful for your time and preference. Best Place To Scuba Dive Feel like youre walking on water by taking astand-up paddleboard (SUP) tourto the middle of Lake Arenal. Love our blog? Thanks so much for reading. Monteverde isnt a luxury destination. Want to show your appreciation for the free article below? Area temperatures average between 25-30 degrees Celsius, with the most sun hitting the area during the dry/summer season, as you might suspect. This happens because acidic and neutral waters combine, and they create enough particle concentration to reflect light. Planning a trip to Costa Rica? Pura vida, amigos! Then you could also add in the cloud forest. Best Ancient Ruins 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! Toucans are my favorite! The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. The distance between Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Monteverde as the crow fliesis pretty short. Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could take longer. Thanks so much for commenting! Best View Of The Continental Divide Best Swimming Lagoon, Most Common Dining Expression 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). Best Item To Rent For A Day Birdwatching. About La Fortuna. 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! Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica luxury travel, including recommendations for high-end accommodations in Costa Rica. Best Soda Restaurant (Caribbean) For more than a decade, weve been helping travelers determine the answers to these questions based on whats best for them, and were happy to do the same for you. Youll have the chance to see two and three-toed sloths (and if youre lucky baby sloths!) 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. Monteverde is equally attractive, albeit to a more defined type of traveler. Remember to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes for the ride and bring a change of clothes if you want to go swimming. This 23. We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. Related Read: There are also some epic hanging bridges in Monteverde that you should check out! Arenal and La Fortuna. 24. . The weather begins to get better in December, and by January, you get more clear days. Take our brief 5-question quiz to find out whether you should visit La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde during your trip. Below are some of them. 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. The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. Our Costa Rica guidebooks published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides: 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). Best Zipline Cable Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about coming and going from Costa Rica, including Costa Rica packing information, Costa Rica souvenir information, and tips for practicing responsible, sustainable tourism. 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. 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! 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. Best Holiday Celebration Best View Of The Central Valley This tour explores an area known well known as sloths territory, which is a private reserve run by a local family about 10 minutes away from downtown La Fortuna. The property is beautiful, with a large pool and four hot tubs surrounded by nature. Yes! Theres a taxi stop and a bus station in downtown La Fortuna. And the best part is that youll get to eat what you create! If you want to get out of town and amongst the treetops, I highly suggest visiting hanging bridges in La Fortuna. The biodive, Sunbathe on #PlayaEspadillaSur! Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand. Is the value of your Costa Rica trip worth $5.99? Whats great about hostels like this is youll meet other travelers from around the world. The tour includes roundtrip transportation and is $110 USD per person. We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack If you dont have transport or would prefer a guide, I recommendjoining this guided tour. Driving To La Fortuna / Arenal: Photos, Road Conditions, Routes, Drive Times, And More! This is one of the main Monteverde attractions, and its an incredible place to spend some time. La Fortuna / Arenal is primarily warm and sunny. Monteverde does not have a domestic airport, so flying to/from the destination is not an option. Best Butterfly Garden Read our disclosure policy for more info. You are then free to explore at your own pace, and 2 hours is more than enough time. Most are also run by themes, plugins, and other add-ons to our website that we do not and cannot control, which means the cookies you receive are mainly provided by third parties. The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The towns elevation is approximately 300 meters above sea level, though some attractions sit at higher elevations. The views of the volcano here are great, and youll feel completely emersed in the beauty of Costa Rica. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! However, the main draw to La Fortuna is the surrounding landscape and the many incredible things to do and see. Itemized by category, the following is a breakdown of the recommendations documented on DIY Costa Rica. Along the way, youll see underground waterfalls, some creepy but harmless insects, bats, and even a Stalagmite thats over 6 million years old! I loved the two viewpoints of Arenal Volcano. Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains However, another side to Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs, and breathtaking waterfalls. If you do not accept the policy, we respect your choice 100%. The route between San Jose/Alajuela and La Fortuna/Arenal via Poas/La Paz is incredible! Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket While you can stay at Selina, you dont have to be a guest to come party here! TheArenal ATV Tourtakes you to a private farm right next to Arenal Volcano National Park. Register today to start browsing! My husband spent nearly a year mapping out our first trip. Monteverde also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges you mentioned. We agree 100%. 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. Arguably, La Fortuna / Arenal is the most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica. This blog may contain affiliate links. We love this photogeni, Swim at the base of a waterfall! When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. The best option is taxi-boat 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. La Fortuna is a small, calm town that offers some great places to eat, lively bars, and lots of souvenir shopping. Below are some of them. On top of that, youll also get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato. But if youre looking for something a bit more unique, La Fortuna has that too, with specialized craft shops and art galleries in town or just outside of it. 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! (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.) Thanks to you, Im going to start reintroducing belts into my wardrobe! La Fortunas weather can be unpredictable, and oftentimes, the volcano is completely covered in clouds. Day 2: Relax at the hotel or check out La Fortuna town. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. Admire the Arenal volcano from the viewpoints. There are all sorts of traditional souvenir shops full of trinkets and the usual postcards, magnets, and t-shirts. Exploring the park is an adventure that takes you to the volcanos base and slightly up its steep face. Youll also enjoy a view of the Arenal Volcano from the kitchen, and toucans are always spotted here, so bring your camera. 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. Some beaches in #, Try traditional, handmade Costa Rican cuisine! Monteverde, including the vicinitys downtown core (called Santa Elena), is built atop Costa Ricas Tilaran Mountain Range. Most Likely Beach Companion For families, I recommend checking outLos Lagos Hot Springs. After instructions from your guide, youll head out on the off-road trails. The trail is well maintained and leads down to the waterfall via lots of steps. Hike to Hule Lagoon. Many of Costa Ricas must-have experiences can be enjoyed in or from the La Fortuna / Arenal area. A sign at the @BananaBe, Drink pipa fria! as well as other animals like frogs, toucans, hummingbirds, and parrots. It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. If you only have a week, pick 2 of the above that interest you most. Arenal Volcano is an active volcano that last erupted in 2010. Kids over the age of four are also able to take part. Coco Loco Art Studio and Galleryis a fair-trade gallery with original artwork from local artists. Arenal and La Fortuna. Reservations are requiredif you want to come here on your own. How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. Theres also a beautiful garden full of orchids and a few parrots who live in the yard that you can take photos with. But if you want more adventure, take the ziplines down! Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could be longer. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. 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. Tons of coatis, some monkeys. At the top, theres an observation deck with beautiful views of rolling hills, the south side of Arenal Volcano, and Lake Arenal. 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). I cannot think of a better sign that a blog is worth reading, so keep up the great work! Best Fruit Smoothie Best Cultural Tour But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Arenal Volcano is obviously one of the best things to do in La Fortuna. This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. 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.

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