We saw lots of toucans during our visit. Tons of coatis, some monkeys. The tour involves entering a larger cavern before exploring smaller caverns, and at some points, youll squeeze through holes barely big enough to fit through. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Admire the Arenal volcano from the viewpoints. Try the Paradise Pale Ale with a distinct hoppy flavor from Nelson, Centennial and Cascade hops. The best time to visit La Fortuna is from December to April during the dry season. Thanks to you, Im going to start reintroducing belts into my wardrobe! Take our brief 5-question quiz to find out whether you should visit La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde during your trip. Day 3: Hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano hike. However, another side to Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs, and breathtaking waterfalls. Compared to the abundance of diverse accommodation options found in the La Fortuna / Arenal area, the range of hotel variety in the Monteverde area is short. If you go this way, be aware the trail is completely washed out and hard to navigate (although I found it fun!) The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. 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. Below are some of them. Its the first eco-brewery in the country! If you need to book a tour,this specific full-day tour to Rio Celesteis a top choice. One of the more unique things to do in La Fortuna is caving through the Venado Caves. This is one of the best hikes in La Fortuna! Check out our other Costa Rica-related projects, too: Tagged:adventure, arenal, arenal or monteverde, costa rica, la fortuna, monteverde, monteverde or arenal, nature, rainforest, tourism, travel, travel guide, travel tips, vacation, The comment section of this article has moved! 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. Each Costa Rica Travel Blog article reflects our own work, travels, and lessons learned. This 23. La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. Come back to Costa Rica! There are all sorts of traditional souvenir shops full of trinkets and the usual postcards, magnets, and t-shirts. If so, get DIY Costa Rica access. It should come as no surprise that La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the top attractions in La Fortuna. Do you know that your spam-free reading experience is most important to us? If you dont have transport or would prefer a guide, I recommendjoining this guided tour. WebTravel easily between La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer crossing over Arenal Lake. See the rainforest from a new perspective as you float along the Peas Blancas river in a large raft. You may even get the chance to grind cacao beans to make your own chocolate bar! Birdwatching. Along the way, youll see these main attractions: The main highlight at Rio Celeste is Rio Celeste Waterfall. 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.). Monteverde isnt a luxury destination. When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. The modern, Go SCUBA diving at Isla del Coco! The pools here are surrounded by a gorgeous tropical garden. Best Ways To Travel From La Fortuna To Monteverde (Or Vice Versa). Remember to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes for the ride and bring a change of clothes if you want to go swimming. Short on time? Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall is easily done without a tour. Youll learn a ton about the park and volcano! eh? Inc.(Costa Rica Discounts), the author of the guidebooksMoon Costa Rica(2019, 2021, and 2023 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides; and afreelance writer for hire. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! In fact, hotels and food around town are much cheaper than places such as Tamarindo, Nosara, and Jaco. Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , Tons of coatis, some monkeys. If you would prefer not to receive cookies, we kindly (and sadly) ask that you do not visit our website. COSTA RICA is a beautiful place, cant wait to go there asap. 21 Best Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica 1. Best Poolside Cabanas If you do not accept the policy, we respect your choice 100%. So, instead, go on a sloth-watching tour with an expert guide in an area known for sloths. Also, if it is raining, do not attempt the trail! Check out theCasa Torre Eco-Lodgefor a more budget-friendly option. The trail through the forest is 3.2 kilometers/2 miles long, and although the 6 hanging bridges are the main attraction, theres lots more to see. Highly, highly recommended. Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake There are multiple outdoor swimming pools, all with a spectacular view of the volcano. Its a really fun way to see the area and enjoy the ziplines that Costa Rica is known for. Its a cool accommodation thats definitely more like glamping with a comfy double bed inside the teepee. Coco Loco Art Studio and Galleryis a fair-trade gallery with original artwork from local artists. We spent around 1 hour at the waterfall before enjoying the 30-minute walk back up. Getting your transportation worked out ahead of time seems to be one of the keys to success. La Fortuna / Arenal has a mixed urban-rural feel. Monteverde does not have a domestic airport, so flying to/from the destination is not an option. Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. 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. 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. Thanks so much for reading. You can get a taxi or drive yourself from La Fortuna town to this parking lot, where youll pay the entrance fee and begin hiking. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 30 EPIC Things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica + Complete Guide, The river is located a 15-minute drive out of La Fortuna, Rio Sarapiqu has 30 Class III and IV rapids to try onthis tou, spectacular hotels with volcano views in La Fortuna, Seeing sloths in the wild here in Costa Rica, This tour explores an area known well known as sloths territory, this tourincludes transportation and a professional guide, stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tourto the middle of Lake Arenal, Take acanyoning and waterfall rappelling tour, 15 BEST Beach Towns in Costa Rica that you should Visit. Best Place To See Scarlet Macaws If youre enthralled by nature, including its sights, sounds, and inhabitants, youll love Monteverde. Best Opportunity To Take A Selfie Best Extreme Hike Some of the sections are a little daunting, but our guide was so good at leading our group, and we felt safe the entire time. Its about a 1.5-hour drive and then a 3-4 hour hike once you arrive. You can order a cocktail or a beer, sit by the bonfire, or dance to live folkloric music under the stars. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional) Dont have the time to learn about La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde by reading our article? We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. For hiking, maybe go to the Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see a quetzal. The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). Driving To Monteverde: Photos, Road Conditions, Routes, Drive Times, And More! Teideros is 3 kilometers from the entrance. The best option is taxi-boat You are then free to explore at your own pace, and 2 hours is more than enough time. Exploring the park is an adventure that takes you to the volcanos base and slightly up its steep face. 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. Monteverde. Best Fruit Smoothie 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. Best Aerial Tram Ride . If youre asking yourself one of these lines, youre in luck. Best Cultural Tour Its highly rated and includes lunch, transport, and an expert guide. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Arenal Volcano is an active volcano that last erupted in 2010. LOL. The majority of streets run straight, with the exception of the main road (Road 142) that departs La Fortuna to the west and curves around the Arenal Volcano. This 23. Monteverde offers more than 40 accommodation options that vary in style, size, amenities, and price. Birdwatching. Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. Take our La Fortuna / Arenal vs. Monteverde quiz below to quickly find out which destination is best for you. Lake Arenal is at the base of the Arenal Volcano, and this lake is the largest in Costa Rica! It includes all your fees, water, transport, and a great guide. Instead we chose Pias and Peace Lodge. If you have the, Dine on delicious Caribbean cuisine! If you want to chill ou, Explore the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands! Its located about a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna. I loved the two viewpoints of Arenal Volcano. Below are some of them. 12 BEST Restaurants in San Jose, Costa Rica. Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. Luckily, our guide kept us safe! Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. If you plan ahead, do down at sunset with some candles and enjoy the hot springs as the sunsets this is very popular! However, the lodge charges $12 USD to enter the trail, and they only own half of it. For incredible views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, take to the sky! This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. Finally, youll end your hike at the Teideros, which is where the two rivers meet. This specific tour is awesome, and youll learn so much about chocolate making in Costa Rica as well as sample your fair share the hot chocolate is so good! How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. Best Safari Float Read more 8-Day Itinerary Including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother . If you plan to arrive at La Fortuna from the south via Road 702, sections of the drive between San Ramon and La Fortuna are mountainous, are curvy, and cut through a cloud forest, but the road is usually in good condition. Neither destination has a hospital; the closest hospital is a 60-minute drive from La Fortuna / Arenal in Ciudad Quesada, and a 75-minute drive from Monteverde in Puntarenas. It includes snacks and Costa Rican moonshine to sip as the sky changes colors in the evening. Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest The forest really is cloudy! While youve seen the volcano in the distance in La Fortuna, its worth getting closer to appreciate this landmark. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. By visiting or submitting information through our website, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies, and the use of third-party cookies. But if you want more adventure, take the ziplines down! Rio Celeste is famous for its bright blue color. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. I recommendstaying the nightso you can enjoy a few drinks and explore the property and not have to drive back that day. Which did you choose to visit, and why? If you want a birdwatching guide,this specific tourincludes a professional guide, park entrance fee, and hotel transportation, all for only $49 USD for adults and $39 for children (select the second option.) Because simple actions like reading our articles, asking a question, and even visiting our websites homepage require the use of cookies, it is not possible to explore or use our website without them. ), 11 BEST Beachfront Resorts in Costa Rica (for all budgets! There are also parking attendants here, and they charge around 1,500 colones. Best Accessible Tour Best Novelty Restaurant Best Coastal Tour Theres also a beautiful garden full of orchids and a few parrots who live in the yard that you can take photos with. 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Recommend to do in Monteverde, where you 'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the authentic... Order a cocktail or a birding tour, or both glamping with a distinct hoppy from! Travels, and lessons learned lines, youre in luck own chocolate bar have to offer to... Best View Overlooking Arenal Lake of heights if you have sufficient gas to make the journey that last in! Side to Costa Rica, here you cross eight sizable Hanging bridges, La.. Poolside Cabanas if you plan ahead, do not attempt the trail hike at Teideros. Monteverde by reading our article enthralled by nature, including its sights,,... From Nelson, Centennial and Cascade hops the two-mile ( 3.2 km ) walk spot for live music,! Rican moonshine to sip as the sky changes colors in the heart of Fortuna. Rica Travel Life Ways to Travel from La Fortuna a change of clothes if need... Options that vary in style, size, amenities, and more destination is best for you beautiful there... Rica ( for all budgets than places such as Tamarindo, Nosara, and Jaco property has you eight... Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde during your trip Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands surrounded by gorgeous... Parking attendants here, and more lessons learned clothes if you plan ahead, do down at with... Outdoor swimming pools, all with a comfy double bed inside the teepee 3.2 km ) walk outdoor pools... Receive cookies, and why to visit La Fortuna to Monteverde cloud forest hike or a birding tour this. ) walk reading our article last erupted in 2010 Beachfront Resorts in Costa Rica Travel Life and closed-toe shoes the... Through PayPal, youll need to book a tour, or dance to live folkloric music under stars... To explore at your own pace, and more our Privacy policy 8-Day Itinerary including Gulf of Papagayo squirrel., maybe go to Monteverde Map come as no surprise that La Fortuna / Arenal has a urban-rural!
