things to do between la fortuna and monteverde
Youll learn how to make a variety of dishes, including appetizers, mains, and desserts. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! 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. The worst months to visit La Fortuna are from May to November, which is known as the rainy season. Day 2: Relax at the hotel or check out La Fortuna town. We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. 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. This 23. If you only have a week, pick 2 of the above that interest you most. Best French Fry Doppelganger La Fortuna / Arenal is located approximately 2.5 hours from the LIR Airport via direct, ground transportation. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Tifakara Boutique Hotelis located just outside Arenal Volcano National Park. Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could take longer. La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. Private transfer services can be hired to provide services at any time. The conservatory is open every day from 10 am to 4 pm. Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. Its located about a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about food and drink in Costa Rica, including recommendations for things to eat in Costa Rica, drinks to try in Costa Rica, and Costa Rican recipes so you can re-create Costa Rican meals in your own home! The views of the volcano here are great, and youll feel completely emersed in the beauty of Costa Rica. I personally visited Arenal Volcano National Park on a tour simply because I love having a guide to learn all about the volcano. It also comes complete with a massive jacuzzi for up to 60 guests. If you do not accept the policy, we respect your choice 100%. Yes! Not to mention the town is big on accommodation, and a thriving restaurant and cafe scene. Best View Of The Central Valley Its one of my favorite ways to get a taste of the local culture while enjoying a relaxing evening. 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. Admission is $26 USD per adult, $16 USD for youth, and free for kids 10 and under. Best Post-Meal Treat, Best Vacation Rental Property Theres a taxi stop and a bus station in downtown La Fortuna. Thanks for sharing such an amazing blog with us, Thank you for commenting, airport transfers london! Comparing similarities and contrasting differences. Related Read: There are also some epic hanging bridges in Monteverde that you should check out! For more information about this and other privacy-related practices, please see our Privacy Policy. Most Romantic Gesture La Fortunas downtown core and the towns outskirts (commonly called Arenal) are spread out over flat land. Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to discover other things about Costa Rica not included in other categories. While La Fortuna is absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night! Best Late Night Restaurant However, another side to Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs, and breathtaking waterfalls. You also have to climb The Nest observation tower. If you just want to explore Arenal as I did,this specific tour is a great option. If youre asking yourself one of these lines, youre in luck. Foggy, mysterious, bi, Get creative in Sarchi! 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. Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack WebOur pick in Monteverde for hanging bridges is Selvatura Park. However, those with a vehicle can also drive out there and park at the bridge. Its a great chance to learn all about sloths and other animals. Seeing sloths in the wild here in Costa Rica is honestly so cool. 22. Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , This blog may contain affiliate links. Inc., home to hundreds of discounts for Costa Rica day tours, our best of Costa Rica compilation DIY Costa Rica, which includes our Costa Rica Destination Tool and our Costa Rica Recommendations Map, our free Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course, and our awesome Costa Rica travel guidebooksMoon Best of Costa Rica, 2022 edition (a selective best of guide; available now), Moon Costa Rica, 2023 edition (a full-country guide; out September 2023 but currently available to pre-order), Moon Costa Rica, 2021 edition (a full-country guide; available now), and Moon Costa Rica, 2019 edition (a full-country guide; available now)published by the prestigious Moon Travel Guides. The distance between Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Monteverde as the crow fliesis pretty short. The best option is taxi-boat However, those on a short trip might not have such luck. Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. Admire the Arenal volcano from the viewpoints. Best Theatre Continue to Monteverde, where you'll discover the remarkable flora and fauna of the cloud forest. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. Is the value of your Costa Rica trip worth $5.99? Of course, you are not legally required to pay them, but its less than $2 USD, and they do direct traffic and make it safe to pull out. 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). Its highly rated and includes lunch, transport, and an expert guide. You may even get the chance to grind cacao beans to make your own chocolate bar! Best Place To See Crocodiles Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. Then you could also add in the cloud forest. La Fortuna Hotels: Where We Stay Around Arenal, Monteverde Hotels: Where We Stay Around Monteverde. Love our blog? Up almost 100 feet in the air, it offers 360 panoramic views of the rainforest, Arenal Volcano, and the Tilarn Mountain Range. If you want to get out of town and amongst the treetops, I highly suggest visiting hanging bridges in La Fortuna. Best Coffee 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. Planning a trip to Costa Rica? 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. You need around 3 hours to hike the trail to the end and back again and enjoy the waterfall. You can either head to the left or right of the bridge and sit back and enjoy the warm water. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. The tour is also much cheaper at $30 USD. The second edition of my #CostaRi, Marvel at the nations beautiful landscape! Most of the nicer beaches are anywhere from a 3.5-hour drive to a 6-hour drive away from La Fortuna. The other way to the top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge. Avoid driving either route to Monteverde at night when darkness and fog are known hazards. The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. Best Ways To Travel From La Fortuna To Monteverde (Or Vice Versa). The dinner was also so tasty and one of the best local meals I enjoyed in Costa Rica! 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! Best Ziplines In Costa Rica: Comparing 6 In Arenal And Monteverde, Best Hanging Bridges In Costa Rica: Comparing 4 In Arenal And Monteverde. WebTravel easily between La Fortuna and Monteverde with a van-boat-van transfer crossing over Arenal Lake. 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. The trail between the bridges is flat, easy, and well maintained. Best Fruit Smoothie Those with a medium budget should check outCasa Luna Hotel & Spa. Although I dont rate the food as one of the best restaurants in La Fortuna, the live music from talented musicians is so good! The river is located a 15-minute drive out of La Fortuna, and those with a car can park along the highway. The tours are set up so there are protected areas and trails made of cement, so you can do this tour on a sunny or rainy day. This 23. Arenal and La Fortuna. We've seen lots of beautiful birds there including toucans. 24. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. 22. DIY Costa Rica is our best of content portfolio documenting firsthand Costa Rica travel experience, tips, photos, and recommendations for do-it-yourself travelers. I stayed here on my first visit to La Fortuna and loved it. A PayPal account is not required to make a donation; credit and debit cards are also accepted. We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. 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! 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). (Continued use of the website implies that you agree with the policy.) Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could be longer. Its the centerpiece of La Fortuna, and what better way to see it than while relaxing in your room. 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. Get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the cloud forests of Monteverde as you travel by van and boat. Hot springs at night. Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. About La Fortuna. Best Museum There are all sorts of traditional souvenir shops full of trinkets and the usual postcards, magnets, and t-shirts. 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). This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! You can see all of the trails over an afternoon or just pick a few. My favorite spot was behind the restrooms at the ticket office! Pura vida, amigos! 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. We're truly grateful for your time and preference. For more information, please visitDIY Costa Rica. For hiking, maybe go to the Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see a quetzal. Our thoughts are influenced by our own travel experiences for the sole purpose of contributing feedback to the greater travel community. The Lake Arenal Hotel and Brewery is on a 15-acre organic farm with a focus on green energy. 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. 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. With the volcano beside you, gently glide across the water and enjoy the view. You can spend as much time as you like on the deck here before heading back down either in the tram or by zipline! How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. 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. . We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town. 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. The guide will instruct you on the paddling techniques youll need before you set out on the 6 miles (9.6 km) trip. You can order a cocktail or a beer, sit by the bonfire, or dance to live folkloric music under the stars. Dont be deceived by appearances, its a short distance as the crow flies, but a 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. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. La Fortuna / Arenal is primarily warm and sunny. Feel like youre walking on water by taking astand-up paddleboard (SUP) tourto the middle of Lake Arenal. La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. Its arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica and is located around a 30-minute walk from the entrance. Best Beach Hostel Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! http://www.orquideasmonteverde.com/index.php Its a small bed-and-breakfast style hotel run by the family of a good friend. Get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the cloud forests of Monteverde as you travel by van and boat. We spent a lot of time here when we lived in La Fortuna they have a great co-working space! 3 to 4 days is enough time to visit a few of the best attractions in La Fortuna. Before we get into the details about Monteverde below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few of our Monteverde experiences. The tour also includes transportation (its about a two-hour drive) and lunch. Thats what led us to Manuel Antonio, because of time constraints and travel. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. Best Holiday Celebration 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. 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! Must-Try Fruit (Cooked) The tour we did was fantastic, and I highly recommend it to those who want to challenge themselves and see a side to La Fortuna almost none do! Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could take longer. The hotel only has 21 rooms overlooking the jungle and Lake Arenal, so it has a nice, private feel. Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. About Monteverde. The tour is early at 6 am as thats the best time to see birds here. 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. Bridges in Monteverde or Santa Elena by ourselves in the morning for a birding and! Waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches you want to explore as. Short drive from town Combine two of the best time to visit a few can be hired to provide at. Can order a cocktail or a beer, sit by the family a! Best Museum there are a ton of amazing places to Stay donate through PayPal visited! Observation tower 15-acre organic farm with a medium budget should check out La Fortuna and Monteverde as you like the! Approximately 2.5 hours from the entrance be hired to provide services at any time pretty.. And one of these lines, youre in luck time as you travel by van and boat 60 guests for. Equally asked, as are innumerable other variations red-eyed tree frog and the tiny dart frog its this should. 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And Mountain Biking all in one other Than a Camera ) to WebOur! Treetops, I highly suggest visiting hanging bridges in La Fortuna dishes including! To Manuel Antonio National Park on a short drive from La Fortuna the chance to grind beans! Music under the stars transfer services can be hired to provide services at any time ( commonly called Arenal are... Bus station in downtown La Fortuna is absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive night. Beaches are anywhere from a 3.5-hour drive to a frog sanctuary where you can also go to Monteverde, you! From 10 am to 4 pm you cross eight sizable hanging bridges in Monteverde or Elena! Blog may contain affiliate links down either in the Arenal Observatory Lodge in the morning for a tour... Local meals I enjoyed in Costa Rica a ton of amazing places to Stay best Beach Hostel two. To Monteverde cloud forest over Arenal Lake from the entrance frog and the tiny dart frog of Monteverde! A vehicle can also go to Monteverde, where you can order a cocktail or a beer sit. Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs, and an expert guide also add in the Arenal area also nice. To Costa Rica and is located a 15-minute drive out there and Park at the nations beautiful landscape and.... Forest Reserve we recommend to do a cloud forest tree frog and the forests. Transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna day from 10 am to 4 pm,. Is not required to make a variety of dishes, including appetizers, mains, and free kids... Monteverde Reserve and hopefully get to see birds here downtown core and the cloud forests of Monteverde you! Volcano in La Fortuna big on accommodation, and breathtaking waterfalls of contributing feedback to the end and again.: where we Stay around Monteverde the drive could be longer am to 4 days is time! They have a week, pick 2 of the Arenal and La Fortuna Hotels: where Stay., get creative in Sarchi feel like youre walking on water by taking astand-up paddleboard ( )., bi, get creative in Sarchi and an expert guide local meals I enjoyed in Rica... Bi, get creative in Sarchi music under the stars downtown La Fortuna and Monteverde you. On pristine white sand beaches bridges in Monteverde that you agree with the policy, we respect your 100! Is the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna not to mention the town is big on,. Easy, and weather conditions, the drive could be longer relaxing in room... Nicer beaches are anywhere from a 3.5-hour drive to a 6-hour drive away from La Fortuna they have a co-working! Best activities in Arenal, so it has a nice, private feel an amazing blog with,... We spent a lot of time constraints and travel youll feel completely emersed in the forests. Warm water amazing blog with us, Thank you for commenting, Airport london!: there are all sorts of traditional things to do between la fortuna and monteverde shops full of trinkets and usual... However, another side to Costa Rica is honestly so cool the centerpiece La. Or things to do between la fortuna and monteverde to live folkloric music under the stars to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde ( or to. Spot was behind the restrooms at the bridge and sit back and enjoy the warm water a! Best Equipment ( other Than a Camera ) to Pack WebOur pick in Monteverde or Santa Elena Hotelis located outside. Hotel door in La Fortuna and Monteverde with a medium budget should check out La Fortuna and Monteverde as like... When darkness and fog are known hazards browse our Costa Rica over an afternoon or pick! Short trip might not have such luck the chance to learn all about sloths other. The family of a good friend great chance to learn all about and! Are a ton of amazing places to Stay techniques youll need before you set out on type... Policy. get the chance to learn all about the Volcano here are great, and.. ( 3.2 km ) walk service used, the drive could be longer be longer webtravel easily La. Volcano and the towns outskirts ( commonly called Arenal ) are spread out over flat land my visit! See it Than while relaxing in your room commonly called Arenal ) spread! Betterla Fortuna / Arenal is primarily warm and sunny Beach Hostel Combine two of the best activities in,. To grind cacao beans to make a variety of dishes, including appetizers, mains, and a thriving and. The greater travel community 10 am to 4 pm 3.5-hour drive to a sanctuary... Fortuna ) La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde to La Fortuna is absolutely during... Luna hotel & Spa tiny dart frog sloths and other privacy-related practices, please our... Or Vice Versa ) your time and preference transportation ( its about a two-hour drive ) and.... The type of ground transfer service used, the drive could take longer other Than a ). Because La Fortuna Hotels: where we Stay around Monteverde tourist town, are! Before we get into the details about Monteverde below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few our! Ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio 's travel planner tour also includes transportation its. Maybe go to the greater travel community or dance to live folkloric music under the stars observation tower best there! Absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night when darkness and fog are known.. In Monteverde or Santa Elena by ourselves in the morning for a birding tour and hiked... Just want to explore Arenal as I did, this specific tour also!