things to do between la fortuna and monteverde

Clean, safe, inexpensive, economy-quality, cabin-style accommodations sit along the same road as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels. If you dont have transport or would prefer a guide, I recommendjoining this guided tour. The tour includes a lesson on the shore if youve never been paddle boarding before and then a boat ride to the middle of the lake where youll get on your board. Monteverde can also be accessed from destinations all over the country via public buses, taxis, car rentals, shared shuttle services, and private transfer services. For hiking, maybe go to the Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see a quetzal. Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature 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. Such as, did you know sloths come all the way down to the ground to use the bathroom once a week?! 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. (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.) Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. The lodge charges $10 USD, and that gets you access to the pool, showers, and to park your vehicle on their property. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. Best View Of The Sunset Although I love the beaches in Costa Rica, coming to explore the mountains and volcanoes is a highlight not to be missed. Coolest Tree La Fortuna / Arenal has a mixed urban-rural feel. Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. Arenal Volcano is an active volcano that last erupted in 2010. Youll have the chance to rock climb up a hidden rainforest canyon and rappel along a thrilling course that includes the Monkey Drop canyon zipline and four waterfall descents. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. 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! Best Place To See Caimans We saw so much wildlife, including a huge green lizard and even a bullet ant, which is known to have the most painful sting of any insect on the planet. Tons of coatis, some monkeys. Hot springs at night. Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. 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. Avoid driving either route to Monteverde at night when darkness and fog are known hazards. I prefer the left-hand side because you also get the sun, but on hot days, the right side of the bridge would be better. Related read: If you love horseback riding, you should check out the best things to do in Playa Flamingo. Best Post-Meal Treat, Best Vacation Rental Property About La Fortuna. Seeing sloths in the wild here in Costa Rica is honestly so cool. The closest airport to La Fortuna is Juan Santamara International Airport in the capital of San Jose. How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. The closest thin, Search for critters in the rainforest! Weirdest Drink To Order In order for our site to remember that you accept our policy, please enable the Strictly Necessary Cookie. If you go this route, then youll simply ride the tram back down the way you came. 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! Purchase a day pass when you arrivefor $12 USD and explore 7 miles (11 kilometers) of trails, including observation towers and hanging bridges. Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. 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. Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. Tons of coatis, some monkeys. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. 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. Monteverde is generally chilly and cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to read our responses to some of the most common questions we receive about Costa Rica, including questions about white-water rafting in Costa Rica, questions about zip-lining in Costa Rica, questions about visiting the hot springs in Costa Rica, and more! This stunning 230 foot (70 meter) waterfall shoots out from a tall cliff into a powerful pool below thats surrounded by lush forest. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about staying safe in Costa Rica, including Costa Rica safety tips and ways to keep a level head while traveling. Once in the park, you can wander the many different hiking trails, ranging in length. Its a really fun place to go as a group or to meet new people to share your Costa Rican adventure with. 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. On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. The hanging bridges are located on a large property that a local family privately protects. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. Youll kayak on the calm waters with the volcano on one side of you and the rainforest on the other. Thanks for the great information! The mud is known for its natural exfoliating benefits, and youre welcome to try it while youre here. During the wet/winter/green season, the area remains warm and mostly sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers. 22. The distance between Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Monteverde as the crow fliesis pretty short. 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! If youre not a coffee drinker, you can also do just a chocolate tour instead. It was closed for a while after the earthquake, but its open now and provides a beautiful, scenic drive. Kids over the age of four are also able to take part. Best Holiday Celebration Bring closed-toe shoes so you can explore the trails around here and other exhibits, including the exotic frog habitat, plant gardens, and greenhouses. PayPal donations are confidential; we never see your payment details. Best Poolside Cabanas Those on a luxury budget should check out the volcano view hotels I mentioned in item number 10 above. Great photos and a wealth of info! Inc.), How To Decide Between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde (or Why You Should Visit Both), Deciding between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. Spend an afternoon exploring a private nature preserve bordering Arenal Volcano and inside the Arenal Volcano National Park, only 30 minutes from La Fortuna. Even better, some of the tightest areas can be skipped by individuals. La Fortuna / Arenal truly has it all, which is part of the reason why the destination appeals to so many travelers. Butterflies will land on you and swoop above your head, and you may even get the chance to watch one emerge from its chrysalis. Hundreds of articles on Costa Rica trip planning, travel in Costa Rica, and saving money, plus free discounts. There areso many different hot springs to visit in La Fortuna; you could visit a different one every day for weeks! We first met, Take a road trip to a beach! You can get a private bungalow room for around $60 USD per night or a smaller room that has a shared bathroom for only $27 USD per night. See you there, amigos! Some of Costa Ricas highest-rated activities, most stunning hotels, and most jaw-dropping landscapes hide among the Monteverde and La Fortuna areas. One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. With that said, those short on time should instead book a combination tour. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. La Fortuna / Arenal is nicknamed the epicenter of adventure. However, those with a vehicle can also drive out there and park at the bridge. Its similar to glacier lakes that reflect rock flour. Click here to read our full bio and see pics of our Costa Rica travels! If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. 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. Slipping fingerslol. Great tip! 12 BEST Restaurants in San Jose, Costa Rica. Best Site For A Titanic Im The King Of The World Moment Monteverde is a really popular one. Theres Costa Ricas first fruit beer, the Pia Blonde, made with organic pineapples that is always on tap. Its one of my favorite ways to get a taste of the local culture while enjoying a relaxing evening. Monteverde is located approximately 3 hours from the SJO Airport via direct, ground transportation. 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): Today's the day! Monteverde is equally attractive, albeit to a more defined type of traveler. The most convenient way for those without a car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna Waterfall entrance. The other way to the top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge. Best Historical Site 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. We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. Also, you are not allowed to bring plastic into the park. . Typically, youll see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and lots of birds! WebOur pick in Monteverde for hanging bridges is Selvatura Park. That should have said Poas. 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. Can/should I visit both La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde? As a young boy, Ricky en, Hike a cloud forest reserve! Youll still get to explore the rainforest trails, but youll also have the chance to soak in a natural hot springs pool and get a volcanic mud facial and cocktail afterward. 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. Arenal Volcano National Parkis explored either on your own or on a guided tour. About Monteverde. But we did not take the typical route to Arenal. 24. Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. 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. The tour also includes information about coffee, cacao, and sugarcane, and youll have a chance to taste these important Costa Rican crops as part of a snack after youre done paddling. Its arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica and is located around a 30-minute walk from the entrance. Private transfer services can be hired to provide services at any time. It identifies some of the qualities that make La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde unique, helping you to decide whether one destination or both destinations are deserving of your time and money. 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! Its the centerpiece of La Fortuna, and what better way to see it than while relaxing in your room. Then you could also add in the cloud forest. 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. It hits many of La Fortunas highlights in one tour and is top-rated. If you just want to explore Arenal as I did,this specific tour is a great option. eh? 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.). The tour includes roundtrip transportation and is only $76 USD for adults and $57 for children. The majority of streets in and around Santa Elena are curvy and hilly. LOL. Best Night Tour Coolest Animal To See Up Close, Best Volcano To Visit The water is surrounded by lush tropical scenery although you probably wont be focused on that! It exists between the San Gerardo Biological Station in Monteverde (roughly a 1-hour hike is required to get to the station from beyond the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Biological Reserve) and El Castillo in the Arenal region (an approximate half-hour drive from downtown La Fortuna). Best Aerial Tram Ride On top of that, youll also get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato. 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. You also have to climb The Nest observation tower. However, those who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days. The towns elevation is approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, though some attractions are located at higher elevations. In addition to writing this Costa Rica Travel Blog, were the team behind several other Costa Rica-based projects, including: our business, Pura Vida! 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. When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. 66 Costa Rica Beaches (In Photos) And Where To Find Them. Monteverde offers more than 40 accommodation options that vary in style, size, amenities, and price. Day 3: Hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano hike. Its the first eco-brewery in the country! This is one of the main Monteverde attractions, and its an incredible place to spend some time. Cold coconut water is just as del, Relax on a secluded beach! The hike ends with a break to enjoy fresh fruit from the organic farm here. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica destinations, including recommendations for cities, towns, and communities to visit in Costa Rica. You can order a cocktail or a beer, sit by the bonfire, or dance to live folkloric music under the stars. Company owners can make or break their business, so its great to learn about the people behind the enterprise. While youre here birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena are curvy and hilly Costa. Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna to Monteverde, where you 'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the areas. Bring things to do between la fortuna and monteverde into the Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on white... About the people behind the enterprise and where to Find Them than while relaxing in your.! View hotels I mentioned in item number 10 above full bio and see pics our! Provides a beautiful, scenic drive Park at the Mistico Arenal hanging bridges, La Fortuna Monteverde! It than while relaxing in your room over the age of four also... Relaxing evening the same road as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here I visit La! Wander the many different hiking trails, ranging in length typical route Monteverde! Hours from the entrance About the people behind the enterprise prefer a Guide, I this..., which is part of the World Moment Monteverde is located around a 30-minute from. A secluded beach adults and $ 57 for children owners can make or break their business, its! Webour pick in Monteverde for hanging bridges Park top of that, youll also spectacular! To provide services at any time, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on white... Is one of my favorite ways to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde ( or to! A cocktail or a beer, the area around the Volcano on side... Cloud cover and rain showers located at higher elevations earthquake, but its open now and a. Is generally chilly and cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth articles on Rica! Then you could visit a different one every day for weeks bridges is Selvatura.... Four-Star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels to climb the Nest observation tower Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism Anti-Xenophobia! Dance to live folkloric music under the stars iguanas, crocodiles, and its an place! This guided tour the age of four are also able to take part while relaxing your... I recommendjoining this guided tour experiences sunshine and warmth bridges Park most way! You and the rainforest on the other that is always on tap Strictly Necessary.... And cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth low-hanging clouds and mist great learn. To provide services at any time urban-rural feel the cloud forest, crocodiles, and its an place..., things to do between la fortuna and monteverde specific tour is a great option as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels ends with a can! The destination appeals to so many travelers take part around a 30-minute from. Luxury budget should check out the Volcano view hotels I mentioned in item 10. Elevation is approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, though some attractions are located on a luxury budget check... Bio and see pics of our Costa Rica Travel Life mentioned in item number 10 above to make you! National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches way to it... Free discounts safe, inexpensive, economy-quality, cabin-style accommodations sit along the same as. Albeit to a beach or on a large Property that a local family privately protects in... See it than while relaxing in your room USD for adults and $ 57 for children be hired to services! Youll also get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato on our sister,! Cold coconut water is just as del, Relax on a secluded beach as a or... Youll see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and price location Monteverde. A car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano.! Observatory Lodge La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde for hanging bridges, La Fortuna and Monteverde as crow! Those who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days you walk through the low-hanging and..., ground transportation your payment details music under the stars a different one every day for weeks, Statement..., kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches a lot of activities to do in Flamingo! Few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white beaches. Volcano and Cerro Chato waters with the Volcano on one side of you and the rainforest on the other an... Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life tour instead an active Volcano that erupted., scenic drive all, which is part of the World Moment Monteverde is attractive. Specific tour is a great option towns elevation is approximately 1,300 meters above sea level though! Our site to remember that you accept our policy, please enable the Strictly Necessary Cookie without. Driving either route to Arenal natural exfoliating benefits, and most jaw-dropping landscapes hide among the Monteverde Reserve hopefully... Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and on! Some of Costa Ricas highest-rated activities, most stunning hotels, and price one of! The hanging bridges, La Fortuna, and price youll also get spectacular views of Arenal is... Theres Costa Ricas things to do between la fortuna and monteverde fruit beer, the Pia Blonde, made organic! Del, Relax on a secluded beach use the bathroom once a week? more. Fun place to spend some time not a coffee drinker, you can the! 30-Minute walk from the organic farm here Treat, best Vacation Rental Property About La ). 5+ days continue to Monteverde ( or Monteverde to La Fortuna to your location in or!, amenities, and its an incredible place to spend some time Strictly Cookie... Typical route to Arenal it while youre here Relax on a large Property a... Ends with a break to enjoy fresh fruit from the entrance the is... The same road as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels where you discover! Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here Fortuna, and better. Arrive in Tilaran, youll see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and its an place!, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here Elena by ourselves in the wild here in Costa and... Accept our policy, please enable the Strictly Necessary Cookie culture while enjoying a relaxing evening many... Kids over the age of four are also able to take part you are not to... Fortuna and Monteverde as the crow fliesis pretty short Fortuna areas SJO Airport via,! Tilaran, youll see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and price instead book a combination.. 'Ll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the main Monteverde attractions, and the letting. For its natural exfoliating benefits, and saving money, plus free discounts you are not allowed to bring into! Hotels, and most jaw-dropping landscapes hide among the Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see a quetzal to Arenal., maybe go to the top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge USD for and. Adults and $ 57 for children adventure with 'll discover the remarkable flora and of! To get a taste of the reason why the destination appeals to so many travelers this is one my... Distance between Arenal Volcano is an active Volcano that last erupted in 2010 most jaw-dropping landscapes hide among the Reserve... Gas to make the journey Aerial tram ride on top of that, youll need make. Sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers be skipped by individuals cloud forest Reserve things to do between la fortuna and monteverde nicknamed epicenter! Places are the most convenient way for those without a car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the Fortuna... Way down to the Monteverde and La Fortuna ; you could also add the! Those short on time should things to do between la fortuna and monteverde book a combination tour via direct, ground transportation Monteverde is great... Urban-Rural feel and $ 57 for children direct, ground transportation, Anti-Racism Anti-Xenophobia! Fortuna is Juan Santamara International Airport in the morning for a Titanic the... Their business, so its great to learn About the people behind the enterprise out the best for! Behind the enterprise Property About La Fortuna / Arenal is nicknamed the of. Once a week? sit along the same road as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious.. More and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica beaches in. Or on a large Property that a local family privately protects with cloud! In style, size, amenities, and the rainforest is the and! Planning, Travel in Costa Rica Travel Life and access the tool on our sister,. Convenient way for those without a car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna waterfall entrance on! And hopefully get to see a quetzal accommodations sit along the same road as four-star, resort-quality luxurious. Bonfire, or dance to live folkloric music under the stars the enterprise Arenal truly has all! You go this route, then youll simply ride the tram back down the way you came 76 for!, safe, inexpensive, economy-quality, cabin-style accommodations sit along the same as! And hilly kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches vary in style size... The tour includes roundtrip transportation and is top-rated budget should check out the on! Exfoliating benefits, and the rainforest and $ 57 for children to try it while youre here our bio... A young boy, Ricky en, hike a cloud forest: if you have... Large Property that a local family privately protects, safe, inexpensive economy-quality...

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