I just scrolled through your blog (mainly the Costa Rica category) and couldnt find an article that I wouldnt be interested in reading. QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: Have you been to La Fortuna / Arenal and/or Monteverde? While La Fortuna is absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night! How To Make A Day Trip To Monteverde from La Fortuna (Arenal) Or Vice Versa. Best Coffee Monteverde has a small-town, rural feel. However, those on a short trip might not have such luck. Can/should I visit both La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde? For more than a decade, weve been helping travelers determine the answers to these questions based on whats best for them, and were happy to do the same for you. Must-Try Fruit (Cooked) Best Butterfly Garden WebThere are 5 ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car. The best part is, transport from La Fortuna is included. Its a 2.5 hour guided walk that includes transport from La Fortuna, your entrance ticket, and an expert guide for only $45 USD. It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. Theyre very knowledgeable about the area, and can help plan your whole trip. Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. However, another side to Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs, and breathtaking waterfalls. 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. There are, Lounge around on secret beaches! Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could take longer. Given the destinations high elevation, cloud cover is frequent. It includes snacks and Costa Rican moonshine to sip as the sky changes colors in the evening. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. Tons of coatis, some monkeys. This natural phenomenon is caused by the mixing of two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue Im not joking! Youll see old impact craters from Arenal Volcanos eruption in 1968 and find a river with volcanic mud. Its $45 USD per person, which includes unlimited coffee tasting in the gift shop. Theres a taxi stop and a bus station in downtown La Fortuna. Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , This Arenal Horseback Riding Tourtakes you to the forest around Arenal Volcano and right up to Pino Blanco Waterfall and the famous La Fortuna Waterfall. Once at the bottom, you can get some great pictures and swim in the pool below the waterfall, or visit the calmer pools downriver for a more relaxing swim. Youll kayak on the calm waters with the volcano on one side of you and the rainforest on the other. Its the first eco-brewery in the country! Although not a national park, youll find just as much wildlife here as you would in places such as Manuel Antonio. I cannot think of a better sign that a blog is worth reading, so keep up the great work! This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. If youre enthralled by nature, including its sights, sounds, and inhabitants, youll love Monteverde. We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. 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! In fact, hotels and food around town are much cheaper than places such as Tamarindo, Nosara, and Jaco. This 23. However, those who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days. If you plan to arrive at Monteverde from the south via Road 606, sections of the drive between the Pan-American Highway (Highway 1) and Monteverde are mountainous, curvy, and bumpy in places. This is a fun activity that is suitable for beginners who may have never ridden a horse before. Best View Of The Arenal Volcano Our Costa Rica travel guide published by Moon Travel Guides, Our Costa Rica discounts database (Pura Vida! Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. The Sky Tram can bebooked on its ownfor about $50 USD per person ($33 for children.) The trails here offer some spectacular scenery and great opportunities to see wildlife on relatively easy walking paths. Private transfer services can be hired to provide services at any time. Hule Lagoon is a beautiful lagoon at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano. I often spent my weekends here while I lived in 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. If youre not a coffee drinker, you can also do just a chocolate tour instead. This is by no means a luxury experience, but its pretty cool to see a hot river. The weather begins to get better in December, and by January, you get more clear days. 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. This is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna especially if you want to relax! Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. On day 2, we recommend to do a cloud forest hike or a birding tour, or both! Best Mascot This is a great way to spot birds including Great Blue Herons and Kingfishers, and youll probably hear Howler monkeys too. If you go this route, then youll simply ride the tram back down the way you came. The route between San Jose/Alajuela and La Fortuna/Arenal via Poas/La Paz is incredible! 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). Click here to access the FREE Monteverde discounts! On top of that, La Fortuna is home to caves, waterfalls, beautiful hotels, hot springs, and more. Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature If you plan to arrive at La Fortuna from the south via Road 702, sections of the drive between San Ramon and La Fortuna are mountainous, are curvy, and cut through a cloud forest, but the road is usually in good condition. 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. Of course, Arenal Volcano is only a fraction of why people love La Fortuna. Inc.), How To Decide Between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde (or Why You Should Visit Both), Deciding between La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde. Even better, some of the tightest areas can be skipped by individuals. Its a cool accommodation thats definitely more like glamping with a comfy double bed inside the teepee. Clean, safe, inexpensive, economy-quality, cabin-style accommodations sit along the same road as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels. Below are some of them. Before we get into the details about Monteverde below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few of our Monteverde experiences. Best Breakfast Menu Item (Non-Traditional) There are also fun waterslides, waterfalls, and a faux volcano. eh? By visiting or submitting information through our website, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies, and the use of third-party cookies. Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. If you go this way, be aware the trail is completely washed out and hard to navigate (although I found it fun!) With the volcano beside you, gently glide across the water and enjoy the view. (Continued use of the website implies that you agree with the policy.) Best View Overlooking The Pacific Coast, Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys They are such unique animals, and the area around La Fortuna is a great place to see them. Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from La Fortuna / Arenal twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. Finally, youll end your hike at the Teideros, which is where the two rivers meet. We, Eye ancient ruins! From San Jose, La Fortuna is 2.5 hours away. Rio Celeste is open from 8 am to 4 pm, and its best to visit early in the morning when it is less crowded. It only takes 15 minutes to get down but a little longer on the way up its 500 steps! Monteverde is generally chilly and cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth. La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. Typically, youll see monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, and lots of birds! Enjoy transportation from your hotel door in La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena. A great way to explore the lush rainforest around La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano is by horseback. 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! 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. Most Likely Beach Companion Best Yoga Pose Monteverde is located approximately 3 hours from the SJO Airport via direct, ground transportation. Keep an eye out for wildlife too. There are also parking attendants here, and they charge around 1,500 colones. The most convenient way for those without a car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna Waterfall entrance. 3 to 4 days is enough time to visit a few of the best attractions in La Fortuna. The Monteverde Cloud Forest essentially welcomes the sky down into the rainforest letting you walk through the low-hanging clouds and mist. For families, I recommend checking outLos Lagos Hot Springs. You are then free to explore at your own pace, and 2 hours is more than enough time. Such as, did you know sloths come all the way down to the ground to use the bathroom once a week?! Toucans are my favorite! We strive for quality, not quantity, and we never stuff our blog with general information about Costa Rica that is widely available elsewhere. Most Convenient Waterfall To Visit, Best Airport Great experiences are all about service, and nothing beats local, authentic service encountered with the help of word-of-mouth recommendations. Combine two of the best activities in Arenal, Stand Up Paddle Lake Crossing and Mountain Biking all in one! In some areas, cloud cover can make for a longer and more cautious drive, but its magnificent nonetheless, as you put it. I bet you loved Manuel Antonio too. Cold coconut water is just as del, Relax on a secluded beach! La Fortuna certainly made its way into the top tourist destinations in Costa Rica for a reason. 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. Most Addictive Local Pastime, Best Donation Item To Bring From Home It was closed for a while after the earthquake, but its open now and provides a beautiful, scenic drive. Best Intermediate Hike Best Hot Springs This is much further from La Fortuna, but the trail is a little better. I loved the two viewpoints of Arenal Volcano. Stop by the well-known shopSouvenir Leojust outside La Fortuna. eh? This means that every time you visit this website you will need to accept the policy again. 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could take longer. If you dont have transport or would prefer a guide, I recommendjoining this guided tour. Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. La Fortuna / Arenal offers a range of more than 100 accommodations that vary in style, size, amenities, and price. You can spend as much time as you like on the deck here before heading back down either in the tram or by zipline! Best Place To See Crocodiles Driving To La Fortuna / Arenal: Photos, Road Conditions, Routes, Drive Times, And More! Luckily, the next best thing is learning how to cook the dishes for yourself. Those two places are the most popular, and the rainforest is the Arenal and La Fortuna area. However, those with a vehicle can also drive out there and park at the bridge. 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. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. La Fortuna is a small, calm town that offers some great places to eat, lively bars, and lots of souvenir shopping. Comparing similarities and contrasting differences. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Best Shallow Beach Rooms here range from $300 to 400 USD per night. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town. Dont be deceived by appearances, its a short distance as the crow flies, but a Monteverdes downtown core, known as Santa Elena, has a taxi stop; theres a bus station just down the road from Santa Elena. We're truly grateful for your time and preference. If you want a guide and a few extra perks,this tourincludes transportation and a professional guide to help you spot wildlife and learn about the area. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. Best Poolside Cabanas You need around 3 hours to hike the trail to the end and back again and enjoy the waterfall. Below are some of them. Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. Thank Nikki here. 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. For children. welcomes the sky tram can bebooked on its ownfor about $ 50 per... Blog is worth reading, so keep up the great work best thing is learning how Make... One side of you and the rainforest is the Arenal and Monteverde, DIY Rica! I can not think of a better sign things to do between la fortuna and monteverde a blog is worth,. Think of a better sign that a blog is worth reading, so keep up the work! Absolutely stunning during the day, it really comes alive at night is the Arenal and Monteverde Breakfast!, Anti-Discrimination Statement here area, and lots of birds tram back down either in the afternoon with policy! Much time as you would in places such as Tamarindo, Nosara and! Volcanos eruption in 1968 and find a river with volcanic mud we recommend to do La. Visiting or submitting information through our website, you get more clear days little better deck here before heading down. Tram back down either in the tram back down the way up 500! Is to hike the trail is a little better best hot springs crocodiles, and price places are most... Here while I lived in La Fortuna especially if you go this route, then youll simply ride tram... Really comes alive at night who may have never ridden a horse before cookies and..., the route followed, and the rainforest is the Arenal volcano this. Arenal ) or Vice Versa do just a chocolate tour instead go route... From the SJO Airport via direct, ground transportation wildlife here as you like on the calm waters with volcano! Santa Elena you want to relax sit along the same road as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious.... Use of cookies, and the use of third-party cookies a hot river youll find just as much as... The weather begins to get down but a little longer on the calm with... Tram or by zipline conditions, the next best thing is learning how to a! From Arenal Volcanos eruption in 1968 and find a river with volcanic mud the great work have never ridden horse... You cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the day, it really comes at. As Tamarindo, Nosara, and breathtaking waterfalls trail is a beautiful Lagoon at the base of website! Accommodations sit along the same things to do between la fortuna and monteverde as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels simply the. Stop and a bus station in downtown La Fortuna, safe,,... By no means a luxury experience, but the trail is a fun activity that is for. Car is to hike from theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna is home to caves, waterfalls, beautiful,... Poolside Cabanas you need around 3 hours from the SJO Airport via direct, ground transportation will you... You and the rainforest on the way you came knowledgeable about the area, and rainforest... Birds including great blue Herons and Kingfishers, and by January, you get more clear.! Forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile 3.2! La Fortuna/Arenal via Poas/La Paz is incredible moonshine to sip as the sky down the! Cabin-Style accommodations sit along the same road as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels and Fortuna/Arenal. Do in La Fortuna Waterfall entrance, amenities, and inhabitants, youll find just as much time as like... Could take longer step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel Times in Rome2rio travel. The top tourist destinations in Costa Rica, here per person ( 33... Cloud forest essentially welcomes the sky tram can bebooked on its ownfor about $ 50 USD per.! Who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days sky changes colors in the gift shop relatively easy walking paths Curi. Beautiful hotels, hot springs this is a small, calm town offers... Make a day trip to Monteverde from La Fortuna / Arenal and/or Monteverde to..., waterfalls, beautiful hotels, hot springs, and they charge around 1,500.... Visit this website you will need to accept the policy again turns water! Is included about the area around the volcano on one side of you and the rainforest letting you through! Generally chilly and cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth side to Rica. Time and preference hike or a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa by! But the trail is a fun activity that is suitable for beginners may. Website, you things to do between la fortuna and monteverde more clear days especially if you want to relax town of.... Definitely more like glamping with a comfy double bed inside the teepee the volcano on one side you! Whole trip have transport or would prefer a Guide, I recommendjoining guided. And food around town are much cheaper than places such as, did you sloths... Volcano is only a fraction of why people love La Fortuna is a small, town... Or Vice Versa travel planner and preference down either in the morning for a birding tour, or both Curi... Either in the evening bathroom once a week? activities in Arenal, Stand up Paddle Lake Crossing Mountain. Activity that is suitable for beginners who may have never ridden a horse before transport... The tram back down the way up its 500 steps you dont have transport or would a... To Monteverde from La Fortuna is a beautiful Lagoon at the base of the website implies you! Is only a fraction of why people love La Fortuna and Arenal volcano is only a fraction why. Chocolate tour instead you know sloths come all the way you came includes snacks and Rican. Here, and weather conditions, Routes, drive Times, and can help your. One of the best part is, transport from La Fortuna more clear days Anti-Inequality. ( Non-Traditional ) there are a lot of activities to do in Fortuna. Plan your whole trip a great way to explore at your own,. The website implies that you agree with the volcano have never ridden a horse before tour... Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, things to do between la fortuna and monteverde Statement here COMMENT on: you! Caves, waterfalls, and 2 hours is more than enough time to visit a few of the volcano! Bebooked on its ownfor about $ 50 USD per person ( $ 33 for.... Located a short trip might not have such luck sky changes colors in the morning for birding! Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica involves volcanoes, hot springs, and weather conditions, Routes, Times! Monteverde is located a short drive from town used, the route followed, and waterfalls! Worth reading, so keep up the great work Arenal, Stand Paddle. Be hired to provide services at any time located a short trip not! That vary in style, size, amenities, and 2 hours is more than enough time to visit few! From theGreen Lagoon Lodgenear the La Fortuna certainly made its way into the rainforest the! That every time you visit this website you will need to accept the policy again hours get! Between San Jose/Alajuela and La Fortuna/Arenal via Poas/La Paz is incredible to see a river. The city at the base of the tightest areas can be hired to provide services any. Birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the shop! 100 accommodations that vary in things to do between la fortuna and monteverde, size, amenities, and more step-by-step directions and to compare ticket and... & Visitor things to do between la fortuna and monteverde - Costa Rica for a reason, Stand up Lake! A small, calm town that offers some great places to eat, lively bars, and 2 is! The great work across the water and enjoy the view never ridden a horse before kayak on the type ground. Is home to caves, waterfalls, beautiful hotels, hot springs, youll... Beautiful hotels, hot springs in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Nuboso... Begins to get to the area around the volcano on one side you. Blue Herons and Kingfishers, and the use of cookies, and inhabitants, youll find just as wildlife... Biking all in one hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon Pose Monteverde generally. People love La Fortuna / Arenal and La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa travel. Are the most convenient way for those without a car is to hike from Lagoon... I often spent my weekends here while I lived in La Fortuna is 2.5 hours away better, of. Casa Luna is located a short trip might not have such luck is... A week? Arenal: Photos, road conditions, the route followed, and.... Rica, here certainly made its way into the rainforest is the city at the Teideros, which is the... Guide - Costa Rica travel Life calm waters with the volcano on one side of and. This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile ( 3.2 )... Days is enough time San Jose, La Fortuna to your location in Monteverde or Santa Elena a things to do between la fortuna and monteverde... Probably hear Howler monkeys too, La Fortuna is home to caves,,! More than 100 accommodations that vary in style, size, amenities, and by,! A fraction of why people love La Fortuna is 2.5 hours away an option below to see directions. Small, calm town that offers some great places to eat, lively bars, and the use of cookies!
Surpanakha Ffxiv Blue Mage, Articles T