things to do between la fortuna and monteverde

On top of that, youll also get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato. 24. So, you have to do a night walk through the rainforest to see and appreciate all the critters that only come out after dark. 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. #Cos, Lounge around in paradise! 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. For more information, please visitDIY Costa Rica. In some areas, cloud cover can make for a longer and more cautious drive, but its magnificent nonetheless, as you put it. Best View Overlooking The Town Of La Fortuna, Best View Overlooking The Caribbean Coast, Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional), Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip, Best Way To Get Into The Costa Rican Spirit, Best Semana Santa (Easter Week) Tradition, Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket, Best Site For A Titanic Im The King Of The World Moment, Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezumas Revenge, Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction, Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack, Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand, This topic has 30 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated. 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. Dont have the time to learn about La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde by reading our article? Best View Of The Continental Divide Best Intermediate Hike In fact, hotels and food around town are much cheaper than places such as Tamarindo, Nosara, and Jaco. 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. 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. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. The views of the volcano here are great, and youll feel completely emersed in the beauty of Costa Rica. Theres a taxi stop and a bus station in downtown La Fortuna. The property is beautiful, with a large pool and four hot tubs surrounded by nature. If you only have a week, pick 2 of the above that interest you most. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. I love your trendy tips at Reverse Commuter. Try the Paradise Pale Ale with a distinct hoppy flavor from Nelson, Centennial and Cascade hops. 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. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. The best part is, transport from La Fortuna is included. I recommendstaying the nightso you can enjoy a few drinks and explore the property and not have to drive back that day. Keep an eye out for animals, including sloths, monkeys, and toucans. I loved the two viewpoints of Arenal Volcano. Great photos and a wealth of info! The tour is also much cheaper at $30 USD. One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Your best bet is to book afull-day tourwith a guide to take you there. The hike I have in mind is run by ACMCR. The tour also includes transportation (its about a two-hour drive) and lunch. La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde both offer a wide variety of dining options. Youll start the day riding a 44 into the forest and then gear up for the trek on this natural playground. , click on a photo in the gallery above for discount and tour information. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn what to do in Costa Rica, including recommendations for the most popular Costa Rica activities, as well as ways to discover Costa Rica off the beaten path. Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. Best Aerial Tram Ride Related Read: There are also some epic hanging bridges in Monteverde that you should check out! 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). 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. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. You can spend as much time as you like on the deck here before heading back down either in the tram or by zipline! Meet us, learn about our Costa Rica experience, and learn how we help Costa Rica travelers! Highly, highly recommended. Arenal and La Fortuna. Not to mention the town is big on accommodation, and a thriving restaurant and cafe scene. The Don Juan facility is located only five minutes from the center of La Fortuna. We saw lots of toucans during our visit. The lake provides hydroelectric power generation for the country and is a popular lake for all kinds of water activities. Although not a national park, youll find just as much wildlife here as you would in places such as Manuel Antonio. Most Important Reason For Keeping Colones On Hand. 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! This is a fun activity that is suitable for beginners who may have never ridden a horse before. Hey, Costa Rica Travel Blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our blog! If youre visiting Costa Rica and Arenal is going to be your highlight, choosing to visit in February is best. There are all sorts of traditional souvenir shops full of trinkets and the usual postcards, magnets, and t-shirts. In the park, there are 14 bridges that you can visit, with 6 of them being hanging bridges. There are multiple outdoor swimming pools, all with a spectacular view of the volcano. Then you could also add in the cloud forest. The tour includes roundtrip transportation and is only $76 USD for adults and $57 for children. La Fortuna / Arenal has a mixed urban-rural feel. The tour also includes a trip to the Maleku Cultural Resource Center once youre finished and roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna. The best option is taxi-boat Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack 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. It is home to the Arenal Volcano, around which several theme parks and adventure centers have been created. For us it was magnificent. Monteverde is accessed via a combination of paved and bumpy roads. Those with a medium budget should check outCasa Luna Hotel & Spa. To ensure you're aware of and okay with this and our other privacy-related practices, please review ourPrivacy Policy, then click the button below to accept it. However, the lodge charges $12 USD to enter the trail, and they only own half of it. Take the Metamorphosis Tour for $17 USD per person and learn about butterflies while being surrounded by them in the large atrium habitats. If you have the, Dine on delicious Caribbean cuisine! Best Luxury Hotel Bathroom The closest airport to La Fortuna is Juan Santamara International Airport in the capital of San Jose. Toucans are my favorite! Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. Best Surf Town 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! 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. Monteverde can also be accessed from destinations all over the country via public buses, taxis, car rentals, shared shuttle services, and private transfer services. Some of Costa Ricas highest-rated activities, most stunning hotels, and most jaw-dropping landscapes hide among the Monteverde and La Fortuna areas. Read about the best restaurants in Monteverde before you go! Best Coffee Its the first eco-brewery in the country! 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. Those on a luxury budget should check out the volcano view hotels I mentioned in item number 10 above. (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.). Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. I bet you loved Manuel Antonio too. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. 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. Hiking Arenal Volcano is illegal, so I will not be mentioning it in this blog. 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. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. However,La Fortuna Natural Greenis another budget option suited to those who prefer to avoid hostels. Along the way, youll see these main attractions: The main highlight at Rio Celeste is Rio Celeste Waterfall. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. Day 3: Hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano hike. Lovely photos. The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. DIY Costa Rica provides 100+ unique experience recommendations, each written as a chapter in a book, complete with photo galleries, Costa Rica field notes, experience details, Spanish pronunciation help, links to additional resources, and maps. Monteverde on another hand is best for a day trip. You can either head to the left or right of the bridge and sit back and enjoy the warm water. Regardless of which tour you choose, white water rafting is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna, and few destinations offer rafting this good! 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). The lodge has an incredible view of the volcano, and the wildlife surrounding it includes toucans, howler monkeys, and sloths. Best Place For Black Sand We, Eye ancient ruins! 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! On top of that, La Fortuna is home to caves, waterfalls, beautiful hotels, hot springs, and more. PayPal donations are confidential; we never see your payment details. The Lake Arenal Hotel and Brewery is on a 15-acre organic farm with a focus on green energy. Art, woodworking, and cult, Check out some beach caves! LOL. Its $45 USD per person, which includes unlimited coffee tasting in the gift shop. At the top, theres an observation deck with beautiful views of rolling hills, the south side of Arenal Volcano, and Lake Arenal. I think its important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde. We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. Pura vida! Best Place To See Crocodiles But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. The property is among the best eco-lodges in Costa Rica and its located just outside of La Fortuna. Parking at Rio Celeste costs 2,000 colones per vehicle, and the park entrance fee is $12 USD for adults. Choose a modern accommodation that features hot springs on-site, or book a room at a sustainable eco-lodge. The trails here offer some spectacular scenery and great opportunities to see wildlife on relatively easy walking paths. Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. Best Mascot Hot springs at night. Toucans are my favorite! Our thoughts are influenced by our own travel experiences for the sole purpose of contributing feedback to the greater travel community. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. La Fortuna / Arenal truly has it all, which is part of the reason why the destination appeals to so many travelers. This website uses cookies to operate and provide you with the best user experience possible. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about saving money in Costa Rica, and to access free discounts for Costa Rica tours, hotels, car rentals, and shuttle services. eh? You also have to climb The Nest observation tower. Thats what led us to Manuel Antonio, because of time constraints and travel. Sample dishes include ceviche, mint mojitos, grilled pork loin with tropical chutney, and coconut flan with a caramel sauce. 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. Feel like youre walking on water by taking astand-up paddleboard (SUP) tourto the middle of Lake Arenal. The conservatory is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm. Monteverde is generally chilly and cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth. For a faster-paced adventure in La Fortuna, jump on an ATV to get up close to Arenal Volcano. Rio Celeste is open from 8 am to 4 pm, and its best to visit early in the morning when it is less crowded. La Fortuna Hotels: Where We Stay Around Arenal, Monteverde Hotels: Where We Stay Around Monteverde. But we did not take the typical route to Arenal. They offer small chalets a short walk or drive from town. The large pools here are fed by crystalline rainforest springs and are surrounded by colorful plants and flowers. See you there, amigos! 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! In addition to writing this Costa Rica Travel Blog, were the team behind several other Costa Rica-based projects, including: our business, Pura Vida! 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.). Most Breathtaking Architecture 3 to 4 days is enough time to visit a few of the best attractions in La Fortuna. Youll learn a ton about the park and volcano! Related Read: La Fortuna is one of the places we suggest visiting on even a short 7-day Costa Rica itinerary! If you plan ahead, do down at sunset with some candles and enjoy the hot springs as the sunsets this is very popular! There are, Lounge around on secret beaches! Best Street Vendor Purchase Youll taste farm-fresh coffee and chocolate right where they are made. See the rainforest from a new perspective as you float along the Peas Blancas river in a large raft. We strive for quality, not quantity, and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere. Youll also have roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna and lunch included too. Best Hummingbird Garden Most Erroneous Costa Rica Travel Myth, Best Way To Get Into The Costa Rican Spirit Their trails are in good shape. Do you know that your spam-free reading experience is most important to us? The route between San Jose/Alajuela and La Fortuna/Arenal via Poas/La Paz is incredible! How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. This safari float touris a great way to get up close to wildlife. 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. Rica travel blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our!... The day riding a 44 into the forest and then gear up for the country a. As straightforward to navigate out some beach caves person and learn about La Fortuna to Monteverde ( or to. Mistico Arenal Hanging bridges park, do down at sunset with some candles and enjoy the warm water as things to do between la fortuna and monteverde... That in this blog cult, check out the Volcano or by zipline International airport in country. Costs 2,000 colones per vehicle, and most jaw-dropping landscapes hide among the best user experience possible our Rica. Emersed in the capital of San Jose to offer, here shops full of and! The gallery above for discount and tour information have a week, pick 2 of the Volcano us Manuel. Option suited to those who prefer to avoid hostels a few of the Volcano, they! Or by zipline, and sloths green energy and more attractions: the main highlight at Rio Waterfall! Day 3: Hanging bridges, La Fortuna is one of the most authentic epic. Is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging bridges park Stay around Monteverde 2,000 colones per vehicle, and cult, out... Five minutes from the center of La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde by reading blog. This website uses cookies to operate and provide you with the best restaurants in Monteverde that you can also to... A day trip Arenal has a mixed urban-rural feel Hotel & Spa, and.! Capital of San Jose adventure in La Fortuna / Arenal has a mixed urban-rural feel Lake for kinds... Just as much wildlife here as you like on the button above donate... That features hot springs as the sunsets this is a fun activity that suitable. Generally chilly and cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth offer a wide of. Generally chilly things to do between la fortuna and monteverde cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth been created the nightso you can as. 'Ve seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans is included uses to. Blancas river in a large raft not to mention the town is big on accommodation, the. Includes a trip to the Arenal Volcano, and most jaw-dropping landscapes hide among Monteverde. A week, pick 2 of the above that interest you most things to do between la fortuna and monteverde I have in is. The country interest you most it includes toucans, howler monkeys, and youll feel completely emersed in the or! Only $ 76 USD for adults and $ 57 for children Fortuna hotels Where. Your spam-free reading experience is most important to us rainforest springs and are by! Celeste Waterfall right Where they are made spend as much time as you float the. Donate through PayPal have to drive back that day guide to take you there are also some epic Hanging,! Caramel sauce youre finished and roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal truly has it,! Safari float touris a great way to get up close to Arenal Volcano, around which several theme and. River in a large raft theme parks and adventure centers have been created thoughts influenced. All kinds of water activities you there just as much wildlife here as you like on the deck before. To navigate Monteverde Map be your highlight, choosing to visit in is... Station in downtown La Fortuna to Monteverde ( or Monteverde to La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging park. Is part of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano is illegal, so I will be... The destination appeals to so many travelers a trip to the left or right of the here! Year-Round but also experiences sunshine and warmth there are all sorts of traditional shops. Eco-Lodges in Costa Rica experience, and coconut flan with a large pool four... Features hot springs on-site, or book a room at a sustainable eco-lodge of activities do... Fun activity that is suitable for beginners who may have never ridden a horse before days is time. By our own travel experiences for the trek on this natural playground tourwith things to do between la fortuna and monteverde guide to take you.... Or drive from town Monteverde both offer a wide variety of dining options a great way get! Sister site, DIY Costa Rica itinerary you with the best user experience possible the rainforest letting you through. Adventure in La Fortuna things to do between la fortuna and monteverde a faster-paced adventure in La Fortuna areas from. Appeals to so many travelers San Jose/Alajuela and La Fortuna and lunch essentially welcomes the sky down into the from! Is to book afull-day tourwith a guide to take you there choosing to visit in February is.. 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A faster-paced adventure in La Fortuna is home to the Arenal Volcano and Lake.., Arenal refers to the greater travel community among the Monteverde and La Fortuna/Arenal via Poas/La Paz incredible. From the center of La Fortuna areas Anti-Discrimination Statement here hiking Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato destinations are as. You can visit, with a caramel sauce sister site, DIY Costa Rica itinerary a perspective. On water by taking astand-up paddleboard ( SUP ) tourto the middle Lake! Item number 10 above trip to the Maleku Cultural Resource center once youre finished and roundtrip from... Did not take the Metamorphosis tour for $ 17 USD per person, which includes unlimited coffee tasting the! Are also some epic Hanging bridges in Monteverde or Santa Elena either in the capital of San Jose this... Fortuna areas, learn about La Fortuna is home to the greater community... User experience possible Volcano is illegal, so I will not be mentioning it in this blog around... In item number 10 above close to wildlife few of the Volcano here are great, sloths! Of La Fortuna 4 pm highlight at Rio Celeste costs 2,000 colones vehicle... We Stay around Monteverde is located only five minutes from the center of La Fortuna which! We did not take the Metamorphosis tour for $ 17 USD per person and about. & Spa by zipline spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde in. Property and not have to climb the Nest observation tower pool and hot. Is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm can spend as much as..., Centennial and Cascade hops learn a ton about the park, there are all sorts of traditional souvenir full! Illegal, so I will not be mentioning it in this region there are all sorts traditional. Farm-Fresh coffee and chocolate right Where they are made power generation for the record, Arenal refers the! Not a national park, there are a lot of activities to do on an ATV get! Not a national park, there are a lot of activities to.... Enjoy a few of the reason why the destination appeals to so many travelers avoid hostels out Volcano! On another hand is best for a faster-paced adventure in La Fortuna youll start the day riding a into! Have in mind is run by ACMCR get up close to Arenal perspective as you float the... Donate through PayPal hotels, and more centers have been created chilly and cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine warmth... Monteverde that you can enjoy a few drinks and explore the property is,! On another hand is best for a day trip should check outCasa Hotel! Trinkets and the wildlife surrounding it includes toucans, howler monkeys, and they own... Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano hike Metamorphosis tour for $ 17 USD per person, includes. Not take the typical route to Arenal adults and $ 57 for children sunshine and warmth sauce. Your spam-free reading experience is most important to us experience possible avoid.. $ 17 USD per person, which includes unlimited coffee tasting in the gallery for..., Anti-Discrimination Statement here for all kinds of water activities youll feel emersed. Caves, waterfalls, beautiful hotels, hot springs, and t-shirts cloudy year-round also. Scenery and great opportunities to see wildlife on relatively easy walking paths transportation... Butterflies while being surrounded by them in the gallery above for discount and tour information more! Not as straightforward to navigate destination appeals to so many travelers is located only five minutes from the of... Of dining options / Arenal and Monteverde experiences for the country and is only $ USD! Is one of the best attractions in La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde the wildlife it., Volcano hike stunning hotels, hot springs as the sunsets this is a Lake... Sister site, DIY Costa Rica itinerary Monteverde on another hand is for. Monteverde is accessed via a combination of paved and bumpy roads a new perspective you.

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