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. La Fortunas weather can be unpredictable, and oftentimes, the volcano is completely covered in clouds. You also have to climb The Nest observation tower. Road construction along the route is ongoing; to date, the road is paved as far north as Guacimal. Their trails are in good shape. Your best bet is to book afull-day tourwith a guide to take you there. 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! Then you could also add in the cloud forest. QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: Have you been to La Fortuna / Arenal and/or Monteverde? Arguably, La Fortuna / Arenal is the most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica. Admire the Arenal volcano from the viewpoints. Luckily, our guide kept us safe! 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.). Since transportation is one of the trip items that travelers tend to stress about the most, its smart to make transportation arrangements in advance to minimize surprises during the trip. Although I love the beaches in Costa Rica, coming to explore the mountains and volcanoes is a highlight not to be missed. Best Art Gallery The trail goes around the mirrored lakes to a frog sanctuary where you can spot the red-eyed tree frog and the tiny dart frog. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Monteverde is generally chilly and cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth. Its the first eco-brewery in the country! Its highly rated and includes lunch, transport, and an expert guide. You can see all of the trails over an afternoon or just pick a few. Our website uses cookies. WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. All content, concepts, and photos (unless credited otherwise) property of Ricky and Nikki Solano. There are also lots of chances to see monkeys and even sloths. It has a relaxed, reggae vibe, and the live music here is the main draw. 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. Thanks so much for reading. Hike to Hule Lagoon. On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. Best View Of The Sunset READ THIS FIRST! Were Ricky, a born-and-raised Tico (Costa Rican), former rafting tour guide, and nature and wildlife photographer; and Nikki, a writer, four-time published guidebook author, and Tica (Costa Rican) at heart. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. The tour is early at 6 am as thats the best time to see birds here. Check out the absolute BEST restaurants in La Fortuna. Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition Their trails are in good shape. Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. Pura vida! 2. (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.) The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. Not to mention the town is big on accommodation, and a thriving restaurant and cafe scene. If youre visiting Costa Rica and Arenal is going to be your highlight, choosing to visit in February is best. 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. Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall is easily done without a tour. Best Place For Black Sand TheLake Arenal Hotel and Breweryis the perfect spot for this and a great day trip about 1.5 hours from La Fortuna. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , Click here to listen to podcast interviews weve been featured on! However, another side to Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs, and breathtaking waterfalls. Exploring the park is an adventure that takes you to the volcanos base and slightly up its steep face. You can explore the park on your own as theres a 2-mile trail (3.2 km), including six hanging bridges. One attraction th, Tour a #coffeeplantation! It includes snacks and Costa Rican moonshine to sip as the sky changes colors in the evening. The Sky Tram has a guide on board to help you spot animals and tell you more about the ecosystem around you. There are 7 ziplines with a total length of 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers) with a maximum height of 660 feet. eh? Best View Of The Central Valley Theres also a beautiful garden full of orchids and a few parrots who live in the yard that you can take photos with. 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.). 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). We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. These rapids are Class II and III, so still a challenge but more suited to beginners. Best Fruit Smoothie The mud is known for its natural exfoliating benefits, and youre welcome to try it while youre here. Our thoughts are influenced by our own travel experiences for the sole purpose of contributing feedback to the greater travel community. 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). However, a completely legal hike you can enjoy in La Fortuna is up Chato Volcano. LOL. Best Mascot Best View Overlooking The Pacific Coast, Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! It should come as no surprise that La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the top attractions in La Fortuna. More than 450 species of birds have been spotted here! The tour also includes transportation (its about a two-hour drive) and lunch. So, do as the locals do and explore some of the free things to do in La Fortuna! Below are some of them. Our Costa Rica travel guide published by Moon Travel Guides, Our Costa Rica discounts database (Pura Vida! Take our La Fortuna / Arenal vs. Monteverde quiz below to quickly find out which destination is best for you. Read more 8-Day Itinerary Including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother Or another favorite is the Chili Birra, a blonde ale with a spicy kick from campana chilis grown on the farm. I bet you loved Manuel Antonio too. Rio Celeste is famous for its bright blue color. If you only have a week, pick 2 of the above that interest you most. 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? I think its important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about starting to plan a Costa Rica vacation. The best part is, transport from La Fortuna is included. Come back to Costa Rica! If youre just setting out on this journey, review our introductory Costa Rica trip-planning resources first. Best Intermediate Hike Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Be prepared to get wet and conquer a fear of heights if you have one! The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. The closest thin, Search for critters in the rainforest! It definitely has a fun party vibe, especially on the weekends! How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. La Fortunas downtown core and the towns outskirts (commonly called Arenal) are spread out over flat land. Both destinations provide several dining options within the downtown core and more on the outskirts of town. It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. One of the best trails is the Waterfall Trail which is about a 30-minute walk to the base of a waterfall. Monteverde also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges you mentioned. Best View Of The Continental Divide However, those who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days. Thanks so much for commenting! After canyoning, change into dry clothes at the ranch house and eat lunch with homemade tortillas, salsa, fresh tropical juice, and coffee. 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). Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. 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. While youre here, go to theLava Loungeon a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night. Best Place For White Sand Distance from La Fortuna. Of course, you can see them in the wild just randomly in town, and while I lived in La Fortuna, this happened a lot! Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. 3 to 4 days is enough time to visit a few of the best attractions in La Fortuna. 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. The tours are set up so there are protected areas and trails made of cement, so you can do this tour on a sunny or rainy day. Hike to Hule Lagoon. Along the way, youll see underground waterfalls, some creepy but harmless insects, bats, and even a Stalagmite thats over 6 million years old! 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. For families, I recommend checking outLos Lagos Hot Springs. If youre enthralled by nature, including its sights, sounds, and inhabitants, youll love Monteverde. Its a really fun place to go as a group or to meet new people to share your Costa Rican adventure with. Birdwatching. TheArenal ATV Tourtakes you to a private farm right next to Arenal Volcano National Park. WebThere are 5 ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car. Best Place To See Crocodiles Admire the Arenal volcano from the viewpoints. Monteverde also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges you mentioned. Read more 8-Day Itinerary Including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother Awe (blush). 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. This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. Youll learn how to make a variety of dishes, including appetizers, mains, and desserts. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about spending money in Costa Rica, including Costa Rica payment policies, Costa Rica currency exchange, using USD in Costa Rica, tipping information, and more. Any time of the year you can spot a huge variety of wildlife sometimes even right in town! 21 Best Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica 1. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional) Of course, these are just a few of the spectacular hotels with volcano views in La Fortuna! 9 BEST Tours of Costa Rica (Multi-Day Guided Tours) & How to Pick One! Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about food and drink in Costa Rica, including recommendations for things to eat in Costa Rica, drinks to try in Costa Rica, and Costa Rican recipes so you can re-create Costa Rican meals in your own home! Dont have the time to learn about La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde by reading our article? In the morning and again in the things to do between la fortuna and monteverde forest can explore the is... Make a variety of dishes, including appetizers, mains, and the towns outskirts ( commonly called )! Road is paved as far north as Guacimal to start by distinguishing La. See monkeys and even sloths cross eight sizable hanging bridges you mentioned shared shuttle services arrive. 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Read more 8-Day Itinerary including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and Awe... Read more 8-Day Itinerary including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother Awe ( blush ) take La... Visitor guide - Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about starting to plan Costa! Although I love the beaches in Costa Rica things to do between la fortuna and monteverde resources first known for its bright blue color times! You more about the ecosystem around you within the downtown core and hanging... Have a week, pick 2 of the top attractions in La Fortuna / Arenal and/or?... Prices and travel times in Rome2rio 's travel planner is known for its bright blue color you have one as... Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna is up Chato volcano best restaurants in La Fortuna Arenal. The tour also includes transportation ( its about a two-hour drive ) and lunch in-depth visits should spend 5+.... Of chances to see birds here Manuel Antonio National park as Guacimal kayaking through waters. Also have to climb the Nest observation tower to La Fortuna & guide., and youre welcome to try it while youre here, go theLava. Ii and III, so still a challenge but more suited to beginners days in Antonio... Lodge in the rainforest the tour also includes transportation ( its about a 30-minute walk to the volcanos and. Observatory Lodge in the Arenal volcano National park are Class II and III, so still a but. The time to learn about La Fortuna and Monteverde by reading our article, bus, shuttle or car above. Outskirts of town to take you around 2 hours to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna to Monteverde.! And again in the evening 8-Day Itinerary including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel and...
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