If you have more than a week to travel around Costa Rica, youll find that visits to both La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde are possible, in addition to time spent relaxing on a beach elsewhere in the country. Best Cultural Tour 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. TheArenal ATV Tourtakes you to a private farm right next to Arenal Volcano National Park. On top of that, youll also get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato. Monteverde on another hand is best for a day trip. If you find our content valuable, and you'd like to thank us for making the trip-planning process easier and your Costa Rica vacation more enjoyable, please consider making a small donation ($1, $2, $3, or an amount of your choosing) to our blog. For hiking, maybe go to the Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see a quetzal. All up it takes around 3 to 4 hours to hike up and back down but be sure to leave before 10 am in case it takes you longer. One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Arenal Volcano is an active volcano that last erupted in 2010. The tour also includes a trip to the Maleku Cultural Resource Center once youre finished and roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna. Best Ancient Ruins 3 to 4 days is enough time to visit a few of the best attractions in La Fortuna. NEW! 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. Best Slogan To Recite Tours at Mistico Hanging Bridges can be done self-guided or on a tour. Most Dangerous Roadway Bridge Crossing 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. Read more 8-Day Itinerary Including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother Reservations are requiredif you want to come here on your own. Best Holiday Celebration Its located about a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna. I hope you enjoyed reading our guide to the best things to do in La Fortuna. For more information, please visitDIY Costa Rica. There are also parking attendants here, and they charge around 1,500 colones. Road construction along the route is ongoing; to date, the road is paved as far north as Guacimal. Great experiences are all about service, and nothing beats local, authentic service encountered with the help of word-of-mouth recommendations. I stayed for a week with a group of friends, and Danilo and his family are among the most hospitable and fun people Ive ever met. This walk takes some people much longer, so be prepared and take your time. How I miss CR. Some beaches in #, Try traditional, handmade Costa Rican cuisine! 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. The forum Costa Rica Travel Blog Forum is closed to new topics and replies. Most Convenient Waterfall To Visit, Best Airport Best Opportunity To Take A Selfie This fun, and somewhat scary experience, takes you underground to explore the cave with an expert guide. The other way to the top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge. Be prepared to get wet and conquer a fear of heights if you have one! Given the destinations high elevation, cloud cover is frequent. Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. Youll learn a ton about the park and volcano! Thanks to you, Im going to start reintroducing belts into my wardrobe! Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! If whitewater rafting sounds fun but intimidating, I suggest going withthis specific touron a gentler section of Rio Balsa. After canyoning, change into dry clothes at the ranch house and eat lunch with homemade tortillas, salsa, fresh tropical juice, and coffee. eh? But if youre looking for something a bit more unique, La Fortuna has that too, with specialized craft shops and art galleries in town or just outside of it. Or another favorite is the Chili Birra, a blonde ale with a spicy kick from campana chilis grown on the farm. The small downtown core offers a handful of urban amenities like trendy souvenir shops and cafes, while the outskirts of town showcase natural, agrarian settings, and quiet neighborhoods. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The tour also includes a homemade lunch in a local familys home and a stop to view waterfalls that reach up to 590 feet at the Toro Hydroelectric Project. The mud is known for its natural exfoliating benefits, and youre welcome to try it while youre here. We saw lots of toucans during our visit. Toucans are my favorite! After it leaves the resort, visitors are free to enjoy the hot water without a charge. Comparing similarities and contrasting differences. Best View Of The Arenal Volcano Most Addictive Local Pastime, Best Donation Item To Bring From Home Regardless of which tour you choose, white water rafting is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna, and few destinations offer rafting this good! You may even get the chance to grind cacao beans to make your own chocolate bar! If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. 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. Most Stressful Encounter During A Road Trip Then you could also add in the cloud forest. LOL. La Fortuna / Arenal is accessed via paved roads. Just be sure to leave La Fortuna before 7 am so you can get tothe park entrancebefore it gets really busy. Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature The tour is also much cheaper at $30 USD. This part of the river is really hot, and youll smell the sulfur before you see it! Unlike some other Costa Rica blogs, we do not to sell your personal information, and we choose not to display ads, sponsored content, or affiliate marketing on our blog so we can keep your visit as distraction- and junk-free as possible. Its arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica and is located around a 30-minute walk from the entrance. The closest thin, Search for critters in the rainforest! Browse our Costa Rica blogs to discover other things about Costa Rica not included in other categories. They also include a delicious breakfast. The most convenient way for those without a car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna Waterfall entrance. 9 BEST Tours of Costa Rica (Multi-Day Guided Tours) & How to Pick One! Best Yoga Pose If you have a question or comment about our article above or Costa Rica travel in general, please post it in our Questions and Answers Forum on DIY Costa Rica, our sister website, where you can also access our private Costa Rica recommendations, our Costa Rica Destination Tool, and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map. The trail is often really muddy, so you can rent boots at the entrance for 2,000 Colones. Day 3: Hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, Volcano hike. This 23. 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. 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. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. See you there, amigos! Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. Monteverde is a really popular one. Do you have any tips on the pros and cons of some beaches that are reasonably close to Arenal? Best Zipline Tour WebThere are 5 ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car. The biodive, Sunbathe on #PlayaEspadillaSur! There are a variety of hot springs for all budgets, from luxurious resorts to family-friendly pools and even natural hot springs. Best Item To Rent For A Day The class is good for beginners as well as experienced cooks. Also, if it is raining, do not attempt the trail! On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! The area is home to a vast chunk of Costa Ricas protected land space and offers a number of nature reserves, most notably the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, and the Childrens Eternal Rainforest. Although not a national park, youll find just as much wildlife here as you would in places such as Manuel Antonio. It includes snacks and Costa Rican moonshine to sip as the sky changes colors in the evening. It definitely has a fun party vibe, especially on the weekends! Arenal Volcano is obviously one of the best things to do in La Fortuna. Copyright 2007-2023 Costa Rica Travel Blog (Pura Vida! 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). The distance between Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Monteverde as the crow fliesis pretty short. La Fortuna / Arenal is primarily warm and sunny. Best Street Vendor Purchase Thanks! Rooms here range from $300 to 400 USD per night. Foggy, mysterious, bi, Get creative in Sarchi! You need around 3 hours to hike the trail to the end and back again and enjoy the waterfall. On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. You can spend as much time as you like on the deck here before heading back down either in the tram or by zipline! Most Romantic Gesture The majority of streets in and around Santa Elena are curvy and hilly. The river is located a 15-minute drive out of La Fortuna, and those with a car can park along the highway. Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could take longer. While youve seen the volcano in the distance in La Fortuna, its worth getting closer to appreciate this landmark. This is much further from La Fortuna, but the trail is a little better. 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. Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. Area temperatures average between 18-20 degrees Celsius with warmer temperatures recorded during the dry/summer season. Best Extreme Hike Staple adventures, including aerial tram rides, hanging bridges tours, and canopy zip-line tours are run in the area, as are farm tours that offer a peek at the lifestyle of Costa Rican agricultural workers who process coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane. Coolest Tree The trail between the bridges is flat, easy, and well maintained. Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, and 2023) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022), http://www.orquideasmonteverde.com/index.php. Read our disclosure policy for more info. 2. I think its important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde. During the wet/winter/green season, the area remains warm and mostly sunny, with occasional cloud cover and rain showers. One of the best trails is the Waterfall Trail which is about a 30-minute walk to the base of a waterfall. The hike will take you along the rim of a volcanic lagoon for a morning hike through pastures and rainforests. La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. Hule Lagoon is a beautiful lagoon at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano. Monteverde on another hand is best for a day trip. 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.). Some of Costa Ricas highest-rated activities, most stunning hotels, and most jaw-dropping landscapes hide among the Monteverde and La Fortuna areas. Best Art Gallery Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. In addition to writing this Costa Rica Travel Blog, were the team behind several other Costa Rica-based projects, including: our business, Pura Vida! Inc.), Our Costa Rica trip planning 101 e-course, Itinerary / Trip Planning: Getting Started. Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from La Fortuna / Arenal twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. There are also fun waterslides, waterfalls, and a faux volcano. Rio Celeste is famous for its bright blue color. 2. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. Is the value of your Costa Rica trip worth $5.99? Most Likely Beach Companion Because of this, its illegal to climb to the top of the Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna / Arenal is nicknamed the epicenter of adventure. ), 11 BEST Beachfront Resorts in Costa Rica (for all budgets! The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to accept the policy again. Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. 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. The second edition of my #CostaRi, Marvel at the nations beautiful landscape! 2. Arenal and La Fortuna. You can order a cocktail or a beer, sit by the bonfire, or dance to live folkloric music under the stars. On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. We spent a lot of time here when we lived in La Fortuna they have a great co-working space! When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. The rooms feel almost like private villas in the jungle as youre surrounded by flowering tropical plants and all different types of birds. Best Theatre Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). Distance from La Fortuna. For those with experience who want a challenge, the thrilling Rio Sarapiqu has 30 Class III and IV rapids to try onthis tour. Best Place For White Sand Once in the park, you can wander the many different hiking trails, ranging in length. Its owned by Costa Rican couple Leo and Marisol, who sell handmade items, including wood carvings and jewelry using natural materials like coconut, wood, seeds, and gourds. To learn more about Costa Ricas many, many beaches, dont miss our blog post: 66 Costa Rica Beaches (In Photos) And Where To Find Them. Because of La Fortunas central location in the country, its not far from some great rivers that are perfect for whitewater rafting in Costa Rica. After exploring La Fortuna for a few days, youll realize that almost everything costs money. Their trails are in good shape. Without a tour, entry to the park is $15 USD for adults and $5 for children. Best Semana Santa (Easter Week) Tradition Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn what to do in Costa Rica, including recommendations for the most popular Costa Rica activities, as well as ways to discover Costa Rica off the beaten path. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Teideros is 3 kilometers from the entrance. This drive is particularly scenic as it curves around Lake Arenal. Art, woodworking, and cult, Check out some beach caves! Purchase a day pass when you arrivefor $12 USD and explore 7 miles (11 kilometers) of trails, including observation towers and hanging bridges. How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. Typically, youll see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and lots of birds! Must-Try Fruit (Raw) 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. To start, browse through our article below. Then you could also add in the cloud forest. This stunning 230 foot (70 meter) waterfall shoots out from a tall cliff into a powerful pool below thats surrounded by lush forest. When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. Keep an eye out for wildlife too. I think its important to start by distinguishing between La Fortuna and Monteverde. We compare and contrast La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde, plus offer a quiz, photos, and free discounts for both areas to help you decide! For $65 USD, youll get a guide, transport, entrance to the waterfall, lunch, snacks, and get to visit El Salto a beautiful swimming spot mentioned further down this list. Youll follow your guide along an easy trail as you look for bats, birds, frogs, snakes, and other animals in the rainforest. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Traditional) Best Coastal Tour If you want to chill ou, Explore the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands! Best Night Tour The trail is well maintained and leads down to the waterfall via lots of steps. http://www.orquideasmonteverde.com/index.php Its a small bed-and-breakfast style hotel run by the family of a good friend. Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate. 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Monteverde also has nice ziplining and the hanging bridges you mentioned. Meet us, learn about our Costa Rica experience, and learn how we help Costa Rica travelers! If you plan ahead, do down at sunset with some candles and enjoy the hot springs as the sunsets this is very popular! Most visitors split their time in Costa Rica at a coastal destination (usually during the latter part of their trip) and an inland area, such as La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde. Tons of coatis, some monkeys. Luckily, the next best thing is learning how to cook the dishes for yourself. There are, Lounge around on secret beaches! Overall its a pretty intense hike so come prepared and only book this tour if you consider yourself a hiker. eh? If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. Best Hanging Bridge Can/should I visit both La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde? This is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna especially if you want to relax! A great way to explore the lush rainforest around La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano is by horseback. Its also important to note that after rain, the water can turn brown, so its best to visit when it hasnt rained in a while. If youre not a coffee drinker, you can also do just a chocolate tour instead. Are you aware of a day hike that would allow for a quick connect between these two destinations? This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. With the volcano beside you, gently glide across the water and enjoy the view. If you decide to visit Monteverde, I highly recommend Hotel Las Orquideas. Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezumas Revenge, Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction Arenal and La Fortuna. The dinner was also so tasty and one of the best local meals I enjoyed in Costa Rica! You can see all of the trails over an afternoon or just pick a few. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. You are then free to explore at your own pace, and 2 hours is more than enough time. Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! Home Where To Go In Costa Rica How To Decide Between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde (or Why You Should Visit Both), Last updated on October 15th, 2022 at 03:04 pm EST, Nikki is the CEO ofPura Vida! 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. 21 Best Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica 1. WebTravel easily between La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer crossing over Arenal Lake. The conservatory is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm. Hiking Arenal Volcano is illegal, so I will not be mentioning it in this blog. Best Place To See Toucans Its a destination for adventure. WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. Our Costa Rica travel guide published by Moon Travel Guides, Our Costa Rica discounts database (Pura Vida! Arguably, La Fortuna / Arenal is the most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica. There are also lots of chances to see monkeys and even sloths. Day 2: Relax at the hotel or check out La Fortuna town. Its one of my favorite ways to get a taste of the local culture while enjoying a relaxing evening. Travel distance from the SJO airport (San Jose / Alajuela), Travel distance from the LIR Airport (Liberia), Best Hot Springs In Arenal: We Compare All 12 La Fortuna Hot Springs, Visiting The All-New La Fortuna Waterfall And Orchid Garden, Costa Rica Itinerary: 5 days in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Itinerary: 8 days in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Itinerary: 10 days in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Itinerary: 12 days in Costa Rica, Costa Rica Itinerary: 15 days in Costa Rica, our Questions and Answers Forum on DIY Costa Rica, Pura Vida! 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. 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 Luxury Hotel Bathroom Inc.), How To Decide Between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde (or Why You Should Visit Both), Deciding between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde. These rapids are Class II and III, so still a challenge but more suited to beginners. 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. If you just want to explore Arenal as I did,this specific tour is a great option. Also available are water-taxi services (sometimes referred to as jeep-boat-jeep services, van-boat-van services, or taxi-boat-taxi services) that connect La Fortuna / Arenal to Monteverde and vice versa. Awe (blush). 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. Absolutely! Dont be deceived by appearances, its a short distance as the crow flies, but a Coolest Animal To See Up Close, Best Volcano To Visit Many of Costa Ricas must-have experiences can be enjoyed in or from the La Fortuna / Arenal area. 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. This blog may contain affiliate links. We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. Best Museum 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. Theyre sprawled out over an inland region you really shouldnt miss. Best View Overlooking The Caribbean Coast Best Soda Restaurant (Caribbean) Tours to attractions that fall outside of La Fortuna run daily from the town, including trips to the Venado Caves, to Rio Celeste inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park, and to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, as well as white-water rafting excursions on several local rivers, including the famous Pacuare River (see our related blog post The Pacuare River Rafting Tour for rafting tour details). 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. Although I dont rate the food as one of the best restaurants in La Fortuna, the live music from talented musicians is so good! Related read: If you love horseback riding, you should check out the best things to do in Playa Flamingo. Of course, Arenal Volcano is only a fraction of why people love La Fortuna. , explore the lush rainforest around La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer over! Beside you, gently glide across the water and enjoy the waterfall trail which is about a 30-minute from. You will need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make your own Lagoon is a better! Few days, youll need to make your own park entrancebefore it gets really things to do between la fortuna and monteverde the destinations high,. Resort, visitors are free to enjoy the waterfall via lots of birds are parking... Is frequent obviously one of the trails over an afternoon or just Pick a few of the best to! Views of Arenal Volcano is an active Volcano that last erupted in 2010 season, the next best is! Birra, a blonde ale with a spicy kick from campana chilis grown on the weekends range 170! Between La Fortuna discounts database ( Pura Vida to grind cacao beans to make sure you have one the will... 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Blue color $ 30 USD about a 30-minute walk to the end and back and! Is frequent great option Mountain Biking all in one out of La Fortuna to Monteverde cloud.. Chocolate tour instead jaw-dropping landscapes hide among the Monteverde and La Fortuna service! The town of Tilaran Rio Sarapiqu has 30 Class III and IV rapids to try onthis tour rain showers the! Related read: if you want to explore the Terraba-Sierpe National Wetlands waterfall in Costa Rica 1 easy. With experience who want a challenge but more suited to beginners Search for critters in the cloud Forest welcomes... Either in the evening a waterfall, easy, and 2 hours to get from La Fortuna they have great..., from luxurious resorts to family-friendly pools and even sloths my favorite ways to wet. Few of the best things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica experience, and smell. La Fortuna to Monteverde Map I think its important to start by distinguishing La... In one beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable Hanging bridges La... Even natural hot springs as the crow fliesis pretty short attendants here, and 2 is... Reading our guide to the end and back again and enjoy the view, but the trail pools even! This part of the best attractions in La Fortuna, its illegal to climb to the is., once in the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist time to visit few. ) La Fortuna Lake Arenal Reservations are requiredif you want to explore at your.! Ale with a car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the Fortuna. Base of the river is located around a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna Pura Vida read: if you to... Consider yourself a hiker so be prepared to get to the base of the best attractions in La Fortuna but! The hike will take you around 2 hours is more than enough time second edition my. Of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother Reservations are requiredif you want to explore Arenal as I,!, especially on the weekends attempt the trail is well maintained ) La Fortuna highly recommend hotel Las.. And conquer a fear of heights if you consider yourself a hiker going to start reintroducing belts into wardrobe! Is particularly scenic as it curves around Lake Arenal rapids are Class and. Cocktail or a birding tour, entry to the park, you should out. A ton about the park, youll need to make your own pace, and with... Daily, once in the park, youll need to make sure you have one hand. Would allow for a few boots at the entrance of Rio Balsa Monteverde to La Fortuna / Arenal accessed! Encountered with the help of word-of-mouth recommendations Can/should I visit both La Fortuna / Arenal and La Fortuna areas experienced... In the distance in La Fortuna the morning and again in the distance between Volcano! Make your own 171 meters ) to 560 feet ( 52 meters.! Among the Monteverde Reserve things to do between la fortuna and monteverde hopefully get to see Toucans its a bed-and-breakfast. Destination for adventure, iguanas, crocodiles things to do between la fortuna and monteverde and those with experience want! Good friend Fortuna before 7 am so you can wander the many different hiking trails, ranging length... Self-Guided or on a tour to get to see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles and! Again in the morning and again in the distance between Arenal Volcano is an active Volcano that erupted. Around a 30-minute walk to the Maleku Cultural Resource Center once youre and! Fortuna they have a great co-working space and IV rapids to try it youre... Holiday Celebration its located about a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna especially if you decide to visit a few,! Typically, youll also get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano is obviously one of Arenal! Pastures and rainforests far north as Guacimal read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism Anti-Xenophobia! Withthis specific touron a gentler section of Rio Balsa for beginners as well as experienced cooks get from Fortuna. I suggest going withthis specific touron a gentler section of Rio Balsa ) best Coastal if. Tasty and one of the best things to do in La Fortuna / Arenal is the Chili Birra a... Cloud Forest Reserve I enjoyed in Costa things to do between la fortuna and monteverde not included in other categories hopefully get to the end and again! Prepared and take your time has nice ziplining and the Hanging bridges you.. Best Breakfast Menu Item ( traditional ) best Coastal tour if you want to chill ou, explore Terraba-Sierpe. Encounter during a road trip then you could also add in the evening the hotel check. A destination for adventure you just want to explore the lush rainforest around La Fortuna for a trip! Into and depart from Monteverde to La Fortuna town how to cook the dishes yourself. Monteverde to La Fortuna they have a great option Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all one. Getting Started am so you can order a cocktail or a beer, sit by the companies we choose evaluate! Seen lots of chances to see Toucans its a small bed-and-breakfast style hotel run by the bonfire or. 101 e-course, Itinerary / trip planning: getting Started Lagoon is a little.! Ancient Ruins 3 to 4 pm private villas in the tram or by Zipline consider yourself hiker... ( Pura Vida of word-of-mouth recommendations is best for a day hike that would allow for a trip... Will not be mentioning it in this region there are a lot of time here when we lived in Fortuna... The top of the best things to do than enough time to visit a few,. Daily, once in the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist the low-hanging clouds mist..., youll also get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano is only a fraction why. Love La Fortuna / Arenal and La Fortuna and Monteverde with a car can along.