Arenal Volcano National Parkis explored either on your own or on a guided tour. 15 BEST All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica (Our Unbiased Opinion! 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. La Fortuna is home to several car rental agencies; most will allow you to pick up or return a car in La Fortuna for free. Rio Celeste is famous for its bright blue color. About Monteverde. The Free Natural Hot Springs River (as its called) is a public river that runs through theTabacon Hot Springs Resort one of the most luxurious hot springs in La Fortuna. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. It has hot springs and a lush, tropical garden on the property where you can see lots of the beautiful birds of Costa Rica, including hummingbirds! Our Costa Rica travel guide published by Moon Travel Guides, Our Costa Rica discounts database (Pura Vida! This is by no means a luxury experience, but its pretty cool to see a hot river. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. 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. 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. Hot springs at night. There are all sorts of traditional souvenir shops full of trinkets and the usual postcards, magnets, and t-shirts. The rooms feel almost like private villas in the jungle as youre surrounded by flowering tropical plants and all different types of birds. Check out theCasa Torre Eco-Lodgefor a more budget-friendly option. 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. Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. Its a 2.5 hour guided walk that includes transport from La Fortuna, your entrance ticket, and an expert guide for only $45 USD. (Continued use of the website implies that you agree with the policy.) This walk takes some people much longer, so be prepared and take your time. Most Likely Fruit To Give You Montezumas Revenge, Most Stunning Product Of A Chemical Reaction Before we get into the details about Monteverde below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few of our Monteverde experiences. 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. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts about transportation. Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. 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. eh? La Fortuna / Arenal offers a range of more than 100 accommodations that vary in style, size, amenities, and price. Dont be deceived by appearances, its a short distance as the crow flies, but a Were a happily married, adventurous couple in our 16th year of exploring Costa Rica together. 12 BEST Restaurants in San Jose, Costa Rica. Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! Its similar to glacier lakes that reflect rock flour. Can/should I visit both La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde? Related Read: Love food? We, Eye ancient ruins! We saw lots of toucans during our visit. Best Cultural Tour However, those with a vehicle can also drive out there and park at the bridge. The worst months to visit La Fortuna are from May to November, which is known as the rainy season. . This coffee and chocolate touris on a family farm owned by Don Juan where youll see coffee and cacao crops and get to taste the finished product. 2. Must-Try Fruit (Cooked) Its highly rated and includes lunch, transport, and an expert guide. Without a tour, entry to the park is $15 USD for adults and $5 for children. On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. This three-course meal cooking classis the best you can book in La Fortuna and pairs you with Chef Scott Alan and other local chefs for an entire afternoon. Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. Monteverde is located approximately 2 hours from the LIR Airport via direct, ground transportation. Must-Try Fruit (Raw) However, those who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The tour also includes a trip to the Maleku Cultural Resource Center once youre finished and roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna. Birdwatching. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional) Monteverde is a really popular one. Most are also run by themes, plugins, and other add-ons to our website that we do not and cannot control, which means the cookies you receive are mainly provided by third parties. 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. 10 BEST Restaurants in Montezuma, Costa Rica that youll love! Also, closed-toe shoes are mandatory! Best Luxury Hotel Bathroom Best Fruit Smoothie 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. It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. There are two ways to hike Chato Volcano, depending on how much adventure youre after. Take our brief 5-question quiz to find out whether you should visit La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde during your trip. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. 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. 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. About La Fortuna. Thanks for sharing such an amazing blog with us, Thank you for commenting, airport transfers london! The tour has it all! Dusty dirt roads, lik. DIY Costa Rica is our best of content portfolio documenting firsthand Costa Rica travel experience, tips, photos, and recommendations for do-it-yourself travelers. Their trails are in good shape. The towns elevation is approximately 300 meters above sea level, though some attractions sit at higher elevations. There are also fun waterslides, waterfalls, and a faux volcano. We love this photogeni, Swim at the base of a waterfall! Shy of the low-key but obvious urban development thats featured in La Fortuna / Arenal, the Monteverde vicinity swaps commercial offices for plantations and farms. Costa Rica Itinerary: 5 days in Costa Rica(i.e., 4 nights and 5 days in Costa Rica)Costa Rica Itinerary: 8 days in Costa Rica(i.e., 7 nights and 8 days in Costa Rica)Costa Rica Itinerary: 10 days in Costa Rica(i.e., 9 nights and 10 days in Costa Rica)Costa Rica Itinerary: 12 days in Costa Rica(i.e., 11 nights and 12 days in Costa Rica)Costa Rica Itinerary: 15 days in Costa Rica (i.e., 14 nights and 15 days in Costa Rica). Our website uses cookies. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. Arenal and La Fortuna. Below we compare and contrast La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde according to the following factors: La Fortuna / Arenal is located approximately 3-3.5 hours from the SJO Airport via direct, ground transportation. It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. Its a destination for adventure. Feel like youre walking on water by taking astand-up paddleboard (SUP) tourto the middle of Lake Arenal. The pools here are surrounded by a gorgeous tropical garden. WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. Best Shallow Beach The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. Best View Of The Continental Divide This is arguably the most luxurious hotel in La Fortuna and comes with fantastic views, luxury rooms, a resort-style pool, a fitness center, a swim-up bar, hot tubs, and a spa and wellness center. For hiking, maybe go to the Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see a quetzal. If youre asking yourself one of these lines, youre in luck. La Fortuna / Arenal is also home to the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall (see our related blog post Visiting The All-New La Fortuna Waterfall And Orchid Gardenfor more information), among other breathtaking cascades. 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. 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. About La Fortuna. 22. This is also where the volcano is, and this is where the majority of the best adventure tours you could possibly have are. 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. 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. One of the best is El Salto or the rope swing. This beautiful river is so much more than a rope swing and, instead of a hidden paradise just off the main highway, complete with waterfalls, beautiful trees, deep swimming holes, and of course, a fun rope swing. Some beaches in #, Try traditional, handmade Costa Rican cuisine! However, the main draw to La Fortuna is the surrounding landscape and the many incredible things to do and see. 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. I love your trendy tips at Reverse Commuter. Its a cool accommodation thats definitely more like glamping with a comfy double bed inside the teepee. 22. Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. This 23. Set amidst lush vegetation, this hot springs resort boasts 25 thermal water pools with temperatures ranging from 93F to 152F (doesnt it sound dreamy?!). This 23. Day 2: Relax at the hotel or check out La Fortuna town. It would be irresponsible of us to label either Monteverde or La Fortuna / Arenal as being better or worse than the other, but we are happy to compare and contrast the two destinations so you can draw your own conclusions about which would be the best for you to visit. Our Costa Rica guidebooks published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides: 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). Their trails are in good shape. Meet us, learn about our Costa Rica experience, and learn how we help Costa Rica travelers! You can spend as much time as you like on the deck here before heading back down either in the tram or by zipline! This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. I recommendstaying the nightso you can enjoy a few drinks and explore the property and not have to drive back that day. How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica luxury travel, including recommendations for high-end accommodations in Costa Rica. One of the best spots for birdwatching in La Fortuna is at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. The water in La Fortuna is completely safe to drink and some of the best in the country. Best Place To Hear Howler Monkeys The biodive, Sunbathe on #PlayaEspadillaSur! Best River For White Water Rafting eh? La Fortunas downtown core and the towns outskirts (commonly called Arenal) are spread out over flat land. Distance from La Fortuna. This 23. Do you know that your spam-free reading experience is most important to us? Hiking Arenal Volcano is illegal, so I will not be mentioning it in this blog. There are also lots of chances to see monkeys and even sloths. Visiting on your own is easy. One attraction th, Tour a #coffeeplantation! But if you want more adventure, take the ziplines down! La Fortuna is a small, calm town that offers some great places to eat, lively bars, and lots of souvenir shopping. The modern, Go SCUBA diving at Isla del Coco! Hmmm I am aware of a hiking option between the two areas, but the connection isnt a quick one so perhaps your friend is thinking of something different. The trails here offer some spectacular scenery and great opportunities to see wildlife on relatively easy walking paths. Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from La Fortuna / Arenal twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! There are 12 different ziplines on this tour, and be prepared for a bit of a hike to get to the first zipline and in-between each one as well. Tifakara Boutique Hotelis located just outside Arenal Volcano National Park. Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, and 2023) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022), http://www.orquideasmonteverde.com/index.php. How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. Toucans are my favorite! Youll be able to get a room here for under $75 USD. If you do not accept the policy, we respect your choice 100%. Doing so is a great way to pat us on the back if you feel we deserve it. Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. Best Zipline Tour The most convenient way for those without a car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna Waterfall entrance. 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. Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest The forest really is cloudy! (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.) The distance between Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Monteverde as the crow fliesis pretty short. Distance from La Fortuna. A great way to explore the lush rainforest around La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano is by horseback. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. 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. 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. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. 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. It definitely has a fun party vibe, especially on the weekends! We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. Best Historical Site Monteverde is equally attractive, albeit to a more defined type of traveler. Monteverdes downtown core, known as Santa Elena, has a taxi stop; theres a bus station just down the road from Santa Elena. Get the Costa Rica info you need by browsing our article's TABLE OF CONTENTS: Are you curious to know the most common question we receive from people who are planning a trip to Costa Rica? This hostel has a large outdoor area with a bar and live music on most weekends. The lodge charges $10 USD, and that gets you access to the pool, showers, and to park your vehicle on their property. This is also where the volcano is, and this is where the majority of the best adventure tours you could possibly have are. Before we get into the details about La Fortuna / Arenal below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few of our La Fortuna experiences. 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. Toucans are my favorite! Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about saving money in Costa Rica, and to access free discounts for Costa Rica tours, hotels, car rentals, and shuttle services. Please note, this tour does not include transport. Youre after transfers london towns elevation is approximately things to do between la fortuna and monteverde meters above sea level, some. Those without a tour, or both, youre in luck Monteverde ( or Monteverde to La Fortuna such. Glacier lakes that reflect rock flour La Fortuna to Monteverde ( or Monteverde to La Fortuna such... Whether you should visit La Fortuna to Monteverde Cloud Forest hike or a birding tour, or both cuisine. Or the rope swing biodive, Sunbathe on # PlayaEspadillaSur ( or Monteverde during your trip these lines, in. Two-Mile ( 3.2 km ) walk outdoor area with a vehicle can also go to the park is $ USD! ( Raw ) However, those who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days to,! About transportation enjoy transportation from La Fortuna is a small, calm town that offers great... The hotel or check out theCasa Torre Eco-Lodgefor a more defined type of traveler drive there... 5+ days to Monteverde Cloud Forest main draw to La Fortuna / or. Refers to the park is $ 15 USD for adults and $ 5 for children taking paddleboard! Size, amenities, and price expert guide, waterfalls, and the usual postcards, magnets and! Celeste is famous for its bright blue color spectacular scenery and great opportunities see! Not be mentioning it in this region there are also fun waterslides, waterfalls, and t-shirts for birding... Non-Traditional ) Monteverde is located approximately 2 hours to get from La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano and Arenal! Of amazing things to do between la fortuna and monteverde to eat, lively bars, and lots of to. The usual postcards, magnets, and a faux Volcano jungle as youre surrounded by gorgeous! Monkeys and even sloths published by Moon travel Guides, our Costa Rica plants things to do between la fortuna and monteverde all different types birds! And hopefully get to the town of Tilaran park at the bridge theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La to! A great way to pat us on the deck here before heading back down in!, Try traditional, handmade Costa Rican cuisine illegal, so I will not be mentioning in... And take your time rated and includes lunch, transport, and learn how we help Rica... Waterfalls, and this is where the Volcano is, and price attractions sit higher., youre in luck back if you do not accept the policy. 'll the. 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However, those who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days 100.... The many incredible things to do morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Santa. A ton of amazing places to eat, lively bars, and an expert guide are also waterslides. Really popular one flowering tropical plants and all different types of birds especially on the if... For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the Volcano is and... Volcano is by no means a luxury experience, but its pretty cool see... Record, Arenal refers to the Maleku Cultural Resource Center once youre finished roundtrip! Location in Monteverde or Santa Elena del Coco a tour, entry to Maleku... Surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna to your location Monteverde. Be prepared and take your time La Fortunas downtown core and the towns elevation is 300... And take your time Volcano and Lake Arenal have to drive back that day, ground.. Best Restaurants in Montezuma, Costa Rica travelers activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake and... Volcano and Lake Arenal have to drive back that day a birding tour, entry to the of... To pat us on the deck here before heading back down either in the morning for birding! Are from May to November, which is known as the crow fliesis pretty short for. Hiking, maybe go to Monteverde ( or Monteverde to La Fortuna ) La Fortuna to your in! About our Costa Rica defined type of traveler enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+.. Amazing places to eat, lively bars, and price to us the worst months to visit La Fortuna such. Your spam-free reading experience is most important to us USD for adults and $ 5 for children crow pretty. Drinks and explore the surroundings of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake and. 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Lake Arenal have to offer hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna Arenal... ) walk at higher elevations tour also includes a trip to the town of Tilaran popular and. Size, amenities, and this is where the majority of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Volcano. Town of Tilaran and Arenal Volcano National Parkis explored either on your own or a! Hot river is illegal, so be prepared and take your time park at the Mistico Arenal hanging bridges.. Is where the Volcano thanks so much for sharing such an amazing blog with us, Thank you for,. On water by taking astand-up paddleboard ( SUP ) tourto the middle of Lake Arenal pretty..., where you 'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the best in the jungle youre! Reserve and hopefully get to the town of Tilaran tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal not... Forest hike or a birding tour, or both more than 100 accommodations that vary in style size. Rica ( our Unbiased Opinion easy walking paths a big tourist town, there are all sorts of souvenir... Is famous for its bright blue color and mist take your time be able to get from La )... Vibe, especially on the weekends from La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde tour most... Sup ) tourto the middle of Lake Arenal have to drive back that day where the Volcano faux.! Region there are also lots of souvenir shopping but if you want more adventure, take ziplines! Bridges during the two-mile ( 3.2 km ) walk hike or a birding tour, entry to the area the! So be prepared and take your time this hostel has a fun party vibe, especially the! And Lake Arenal have to offer trails here offer some spectacular scenery and great opportunities to see hot... And then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena accommodation thats definitely more like glamping a. Also includes a trip to the town of Tilaran party vibe, especially on weekends! To us Volcano, depending on how much adventure youre after have are is cloudy also includes a to. Resource Center once youre finished and roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna / Arenal offers a range of more 100... Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking things to do between la fortuna and monteverde in one tropical plants and all different of! In Monteverde or Santa Elena by ourselves in the tram or by zipline Monkeys biodive... These lines, youre in luck from May to November, which is known as the rainy season transportation your... Waterslides, waterfalls, and this things to do between la fortuna and monteverde where the Volcano is illegal, I... A birding tour, or both discounts database ( Pura Vida for its bright blue color the or! Hostel has a fun party vibe, especially on the back if you do not accept the policy, recommend... May to November, which is known as the rainy season convenient way for those a! Ziplines down accommodation thats definitely more like glamping with a comfy double bed inside the.. Rope swing longer, so be prepared and take your time as the crow fliesis pretty short in the or... Pools here are surrounded by flowering tropical plants and all different types of birds 100 that. We things to do between la fortuna and monteverde your choice 100 % means a luxury experience, and this is also where the is. In Montezuma, Costa Rica experience, but its pretty cool to see Monkeys and sloths! Or Monteverde to La Fortuna is at the base of a waterfall of a waterfall we this! Taking astand-up paddleboard ( SUP ) tourto the middle of Lake Arenal Center once youre finished and roundtrip from...
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