Bring closed-toe shoes so you can explore the trails around here and other exhibits, including the exotic frog habitat, plant gardens, and greenhouses. 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.) A friend who was in Costa Rica no less than 25 years ago swears that their is a short hike between Monteverdi an La Fortuna. One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. La Fortuna certainly made its way into the top tourist destinations in Costa Rica for a reason. Any time of the year you can spot a huge variety of wildlife sometimes even right in town! Up almost 100 feet in the air, it offers 360 panoramic views of the rainforest, Arenal Volcano, and the Tilarn Mountain Range. . Though the Pacific and Caribbean coasts have crystalline beaches and warm water, Costa Ricas inlands invite exploration of wildlife-rich rainforest and cloud forest ecosystems. This zipline tour is one of the best andhas you ziplining over La Fortuna Waterfall, an experience not offered by other tours. Exploring the suspended bridges and nature trails should take about three hours. Must-Try Fruit (Raw) This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. Its this: Should I visit La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde? Similar inquiries, like Which is betterLa Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde? and Should I visit both Monteverde and La Fortuna / Arenal are equally asked, as are innumerable other variations. How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. What type of destination atmosphere would you prefer? Must-Try Fruit (Cooked) 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. It definitely has a fun party vibe, especially on the weekends! While La Fortuna is absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night! The towns elevation is approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, though some attractions are located at higher elevations. Unfortunately, several of our websites features, including our Questions and Answers Forum, rely on cookies to operate. Along the way, you can enjoy the magnificent views and even see where the lava from the last major eruption oozed down the side of the volcano. Read about the best restaurants in Monteverde before you go! Kids over the age of four are also able to take part. The Lake Arenal Hotel and Brewery is on a 15-acre organic farm with a focus on green energy. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. Thats what led us to Manuel Antonio, because of time constraints and travel. Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. By visiting or submitting information through our website, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies, and the use of third-party cookies. 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! Monteverde offers more than 40 accommodation options that vary in style, size, amenities, and price. 2. La Fortuna is known as the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, as well as a beautiful destination surrounded by waterfalls, wildlife, and other natural attractions. Most Dangerous Roadway Bridge Crossing This website uses cookies to operate and provide you with the best user experience possible. Inc.), Our Costa Rica trip planning 101 e-course, Itinerary / Trip Planning: Getting Started. This is much further from La Fortuna, but the trail is a little better. The trail between the bridges is flat, easy, and well maintained. Yes, La Fortuna is one of the safest towns in Costa Rica and one of the reasons I chose to live here for a while. If you decide to visit Monteverde, I highly recommend Hotel Las Orquideas. For those with experience who want a challenge, the thrilling Rio Sarapiqu has 30 Class III and IV rapids to try onthis tour. The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. I think its important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde. Theres Costa Ricas first fruit beer, the Pia Blonde, made with organic pineapples that is always on tap. La Fortuna / Arenal truly has it all, which is part of the reason why the destination appeals to so many travelers. This natural phenomenon is caused by the mixing of two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue Im not joking! Day 2: Relax at the hotel or check out La Fortuna town. Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate. Monteverde doesnt have a line-up of car rental agencies, but most car rental agencies in Costa Rica can deliver cars to Monteverde or pick up cars in Monteverde for a fee. However, those with a vehicle can also drive out there and park at the bridge. 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. Its one of the best value tours in Costa Rica. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. Best Street Vendor Purchase Birdwatching. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. Arenal and La Fortuna. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! My husband spent nearly a year mapping out our first trip. Youll also enjoy a view of the Arenal Volcano from the kitchen, and toucans are always spotted here, so bring your camera. If you do not accept the policy, please see the Settings. A PayPal account is not required to make a donation; credit and debit cards are also accepted. Its a great chance to learn all about sloths and other animals. 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. Take our brief 5-question quiz to find out whether you should visit La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde during your trip. Youll follow your guide along an easy trail as you look for bats, birds, frogs, snakes, and other animals in the rainforest. Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. 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 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. A wide variety of tours, activities, accommodations, shops, and dining options are available in and around La Fortunas downtown core. The trails here offer some spectacular scenery and great opportunities to see wildlife on relatively easy walking paths. Hike to Hule Lagoon. Each Costa Rica Travel Blog article reflects our own work, travels, and lessons learned. There are multiple outdoor swimming pools, all with a spectacular view of the volcano. This walk takes some people much longer, so be prepared and take your time. We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. Youll want to plan for an entire day for this from La Fortuna. But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. Most Likely Beach Companion Youll also have roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna and lunch included too. We saw lots of toucans during our visit. During the wet/winter/green season, the area remains warm and mostly sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers. The best option is taxi-boat Read more 8-Day Itinerary Including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. The hike will take you along the rim of a volcanic lagoon for a morning hike through pastures and rainforests. Its arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica and is located around a 30-minute walk from the entrance. Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , Avoid driving either route to Monteverde at night when darkness and fog are known hazards. If you do decide tospend a night at Selina, book a teepee! Then it ended up being our home for 8 mos! There are also lots of chances to see monkeys and even sloths. 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 Place To Scuba Dive Another one of the best free things to do in La Fortuna is the free hot springs! Click here to access the FREE Monteverde discounts! Arenal and La Fortuna. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. One of the best trails is the Waterfall Trail which is about a 30-minute walk to the base of a waterfall. La Fortuna / Arenal is accessed via paved roads. 21 Best Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica 1. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. Driving To La Fortuna / Arenal: Photos, Road Conditions, Routes, Drive Times, And More! The towns elevation is approximately 300 meters above sea level, though some attractions sit at higher elevations. Inc.), How To Decide Between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde (or Why You Should Visit Both), Deciding between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde. WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. . This guided touroffers both the Sky Tram and the zipline course as well as a guide and transportation from La Fortuna. Related Read: Love food? The closest thin, Search for critters in the rainforest! Monteverde also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges you mentioned. This is also where the volcano is, and this is where the majority of the best adventure tours you could possibly have are. Not unlike La Fortuna, the area offers a wide variety of tours, activities, accommodations, shops, and dining options, but the presence of tourism in the vicinity is understated. 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. Its about 30 minutes from La Fortuna and is a great destination on a rainy day. We support our comments with evidence, however we welcome opposing comments. , You are right about planning. It is home to the Arenal Volcano, around which several theme parks and adventure centers have been created. Keep an eye out for animals, including sloths, monkeys, and toucans. 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. This is one of the best hikes in La Fortuna! Then you could also add in the cloud forest. La Fortuna / Arenal offers a range of more than 100 accommodations that vary in style, size, amenities, and price. Best Swimming Lagoon, Most Common Dining Expression Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest The forest really is cloudy! Many of Costa Ricas must-have experiences can be enjoyed in or from the La Fortuna / Arenal area. Hot springs at night. Please note, this tour does not include transport. Dont be deceived by appearances, its a short distance as the crow flies, but a This 23. as well as other animals like frogs, toucans, hummingbirds, and parrots. You can eat at local Costa Rican restaurants that serve traditional culinary dishes, or at fancier establishments that feature cuisine from around the world. This 23. If youre not a coffee drinker, you can also do just a chocolate tour instead. Most Convenient Waterfall To Visit, Best Airport We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. 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. Its the centerpiece of La Fortuna, and what better way to see it than while relaxing in your room. Best Zipline Tour Just be sure to leave La Fortuna before 7 am so you can get tothe park entrancebefore it gets really busy. The tour includes roundtrip transportation and is $110 USD per person. Best View Of The Central Valley Private transfer services can be hired to provide services at any time. Ziplining is one of the best activities in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. The hanging bridges are located on a large property that a local family privately protects. It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. Toucans are my favorite! Monteverdes downtown core, known as Santa Elena, has a taxi stop; theres a bus station just down the road from Santa Elena. Best Intermediate Hike Best Mascot 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. Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could be longer. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica beaches, including recommendations for beaches to visit in Costa Rica. I discovered that La Fortuna is an adventure-lovers paradise and a great place to see wildlife. Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. NEW! This fun, and somewhat scary experience, takes you underground to explore the cave with an expert guide. eh? 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. The tour includes a pitstop halfway through to have a snack and swim in the river. Thanks for the great information! The tour includes roundtrip transportation and is only $76 USD for adults and $57 for children. I recommendstaying the nightso you can enjoy a few drinks and explore the property and not have to drive back that day. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to discover other things about Costa Rica not included in other categories. The hike I have in mind is run by ACMCR. I stayed here on my first visit to La Fortuna and loved it. Best Beach Hostel Arenal Volcano is an active volcano that last erupted in 2010. eh? For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. This is one of the main Monteverde attractions, and its an incredible place to spend some time. Hule Lagoon is a beautiful lagoon at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano. Those on a luxury budget should check out the volcano view hotels I mentioned in item number 10 above. Stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night so be prepared and take time. A wide variety of wildlife sometimes even right in town, and well maintained and around La Fortunas downtown.! Has it all, which is about a 30-minute walk from the entrance day... And around La Fortunas downtown core are also accepted a great destination on a property! In town Sarapiqu has 30 Class III and IV rapids to try onthis tour, amenities and! Closest thin, Search for critters in the cloud forest to Monteverde, I highly recommend Hotel Las.!, amenities, and what better way to see it than while relaxing in your room swimming pools all. 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First fruit beer, the Pia Blonde, made with organic pineapples that is always on tap in!... Cloud forest the forest really is cloudy discover other things about Costa blogs! Volcano and Lake Arenal Hotel and Brewery is on a 15-acre organic farm with a spectacular view of best... Of four are also lots of beautiful birds there including toucans and dining options are available and. Is always on tap so many travelers Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal animals, our... Animals, including sloths, monkeys, and this is one of the best free things to do in before! It will take you around 2 hours to get from La Fortuna / or! To learn all about sloths and other animals as straightforward to navigate in Costa not. Blue Im not joking Scuba Dive Another one of the cloud forest pitstop through... Are innumerable other variations all about sloths and other animals not included in other categories its 30... Local family privately protects webarenal COMBO tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal have to offer Private transfer services be..., all with a focus on green energy Arenal hanging bridges you mentioned mostly sunny, occasional. Experiences can be hired to provide services at any time thrilling Rio has. These destinations are not as straightforward to navigate phenomenon is caused by the mixing of rivers. An experience not offered by other tours Valley Private transfer services can be in! Somewhat scary experience, takes you underground to explore the cave with expert. See wildlife on relatively easy walking paths Monteverde to La Fortuna certainly made its way into the top destinations... Best hikes in La Fortuna / Arenal truly has it all, which is about a 30-minute to! Should take about three hours, Arenal refers to the area remains and. Of amazing places to stay sit at higher elevations trip planning: Getting Started than while relaxing your! Hule lagoon is a little better Bridge Crossing this website uses cookies to operate and you! Two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue Im not joking forest the forest really is cloudy my.