Related Read: There are also some epic hanging bridges in Monteverde that you should check out! WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. There are also parking attendants here, and they charge around 1,500 colones. 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. There are multiple outdoor swimming pools, all with a spectacular view of the volcano. 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. Company owners can make or break their business, so its great to learn about the people behind the enterprise. On top of that, youll also get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato. When to reserve Costa Rica tours and activities, When to reserve Costa Rica hotels, transfers, rental cars, and restaurant visits, How to plan a trip to Costa Rica for free, step by step, Best time to visit / Costa Rica's seasons. Monteverde can also be accessed from destinations all over the country via public buses, taxis, car rentals, shared shuttle services, and private transfer services. Copyright 2007-2023 Costa Rica Travel Blog (Pura Vida! But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip Most Likely Beach Companion Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate. If you want to chill ou, Explore the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands! 10 BEST Restaurants in Montezuma, Costa Rica that youll love! Its a really fun way to see the area and enjoy the ziplines that Costa Rica is known for. Looking for a writer, blogger, travel journalist, proofreader, copywriter, and/or Spanish/English translator/editor? 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. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. 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. Best Mascot 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. Best Item To Rent For A Day If youre just setting out on this journey, review our introductory Costa Rica trip-planning resources first. Most Romantic Gesture WebThere are 5 ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car. The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. Evaluating destinations in Costa Rica is a subjective task that reflects greatly on the opinions, wants, and needs of the evaluator. If you do not accept the policy, please see the Settings. Monteverde is a really popular one. 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. 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. We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. If you decide to visit Monteverde, I highly recommend Hotel Las Orquideas. 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. From San Jose, La Fortuna is 2.5 hours away. The tour is early at 6 am as thats the best time to see birds here. In order for our site to remember that you accept our policy, please enable the Strictly Necessary Cookie. It has a relaxed, reggae vibe, and the live music here is the main draw. Area temperatures average between 18-20 degrees Celsius with warmer temperatures recorded during the dry/summer season. On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Coolest Tree 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. The towns elevation is approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, though some attractions are located at higher elevations. Given the destinations high elevation, cloud cover is frequent. 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. I found the tour very informative and left with an abundance of knowledge. Another one of the best free things to do in La Fortuna is the free hot springs! Because of this, its illegal to climb to the top of the Arenal Volcano. Luckily, our guide kept us safe! Day 2: Relax at the hotel or check out La Fortuna town. Hike to Hule Lagoon. Best Aerial Tram Ride Admission is $26 USD per adult, $16 USD for youth, and free for kids 10 and under. ), 11 BEST Beachfront Resorts in Costa Rica (for all budgets! Toucans are my favorite! Monteverde, including the vicinitys downtown core (called Santa Elena), is built atop Costa Ricas Tilaran Mountain Range. A great way to explore the lush rainforest around La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano is by horseback. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. If you do decide tospend a night at Selina, book a teepee! After canyoning, change into dry clothes at the ranch house and eat lunch with homemade tortillas, salsa, fresh tropical juice, and coffee. Arenal and La Fortuna. You can explore the park on your own as theres a 2-mile trail (3.2 km), including six hanging bridges. Monteverde also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges you mentioned. If you just want to explore Arenal as I did,this specific tour is a great option. Take the Metamorphosis Tour for $17 USD per person and learn about butterflies while being surrounded by them in the large atrium habitats. You do not want to get stuck on this trail in the dark! The route between San Jose/Alajuela and La Fortuna/Arenal via Poas/La Paz is incredible! Waking up to a view of the Arenal Volcano is an amazing way to start the day. 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). You can choose to either do a tour to Rio Celeste from La Fortuna or visit on your own. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. Hiking Arenal Volcano is illegal, so I will not be mentioning it in this blog. Best Adventure Tour Of course, you can see them in the wild just randomly in town, and while I lived in La Fortuna, this happened a lot! Best Place To See Scarlet Macaws Pura vida! Thats what led us to Manuel Antonio, because of time constraints and travel. 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. Every post intrigues me! Before we get into the details about Monteverde below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few of our Monteverde experiences. 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 ahead, do down at sunset with some candles and enjoy the hot springs as the sunsets this is very popular! Best French Fry Doppelganger Pura vida, amigos! Inc.), How To Decide Between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde (or Why You Should Visit Both), Deciding between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde. Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde both offer a wide variety of dining options. Exploring the suspended bridges and nature trails should take about three hours. Youll learn how to make a variety of dishes, including appetizers, mains, and desserts. Although not a national park, youll find just as much wildlife here as you would in places such as Manuel Antonio. This is one of the main Monteverde attractions, and its an incredible place to spend some time. Great experiences are all about service, and nothing beats local, authentic service encountered with the help of word-of-mouth recommendations. Given that Monteverde and La Fortuna are unique destinations both worthy of a visit, deciding whether you should visit La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde during your vacation may be one of the toughest and most stressful trip-planning decisions youll make. Admire the Arenal volcano from the viewpoints. Doing so is a great way to pat us on the back if you feel we deserve it. Best Place To Feed Pigeons 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 View Of The Guanacaste Plains 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. 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. Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. Toucans are my favorite! Best View Of Volcano Lava Rocks Also, if it is raining, do not attempt the trail! Our Costa Rica travel guide published by Moon Travel Guides, Our Costa Rica discounts database (Pura Vida! This safari float touris a great way to get up close to wildlife. Even better, some of the tightest areas can be skipped by individuals. Costa Rica is often a beach getaway for many visitors who come for the surf, sun, and relaxation in towns such as Jaco and Tamarindo. The best option is taxi-boat Below are some of them. Read our disclosure policy for more info. La Fortuna / Arenal is accessed via paved roads. The trail is well maintained and leads down to the waterfall via lots of steps. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement. The tour we did was fantastic, and I highly recommend it to those who want to challenge themselves and see a side to La Fortuna almost none do! 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. The property is beautiful, with a large pool and four hot tubs surrounded by nature. Monteverde grows in popularity with each passing year. The trail between the bridges is flat, easy, and well maintained. Best Novelty Restaurant Of course, Arenal Volcano is only a fraction of why people love La Fortuna. About Monteverde. WebOur pick in Monteverde for hanging bridges is Selvatura Park. 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