However, the main draw to La Fortuna is the surrounding landscape and the many incredible things to do and see. 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. The best time to visit La Fortuna is from December to April during the dry season. The worst months to visit La Fortuna are from May to November, which is known as the rainy season. (Continued use of the website implies that you agree with the policy.) If whitewater rafting sounds fun but intimidating, I suggest going withthis specific touron a gentler section of Rio Balsa. It is home to the Arenal Volcano, around which several theme parks and adventure centers have been created. WebLa Fortuna (the town nearest to the Arenal Volcano) has an altitude of 1,148 feet (350 m), while Monteverde straddles the Continental Divide at 4,921 feet (1,500 m). On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. By visiting or submitting information through our website, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies, and the use of third-party cookies. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. 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. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. You can either head to the left or right of the bridge and sit back and enjoy the warm water. Best Street Vendor Purchase La Fortuna is the city at the base of the Arenal volcano. as well as other animals like frogs, toucans, hummingbirds, and parrots. I myself love that version more! Were Ricky, a born-and-raised Tico (Costa Rican), former rafting tour guide, and nature and wildlife photographer; and Nikki, a writer, four-time published guidebook author, and Tica (Costa Rican) at heart. Best Museum The lake provides hydroelectric power generation for the country and is a popular lake for all kinds of water activities. This is much further from La Fortuna, but the trail is a little better. Its one of my favorite ways to get a taste of the local culture while enjoying a relaxing evening. Distance from La Fortuna. If you only have a week, pick 2 of the above that interest you most. Be sure to get to the park when they open at 8 am so you have plenty of time to explore (they close at 4 pm.). You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Most Addictive Local Pastime, Best Donation Item To Bring From Home For a faster-paced adventure in La Fortuna, jump on an ATV to get up close to Arenal Volcano. For families, I recommend checking outLos Lagos Hot Springs. The Lake Arenal Hotel and Brewery is on a 15-acre organic farm with a focus on green energy. Admire the Arenal volcano from the viewpoints. Of course, you can see them in the wild just randomly in town, and while I lived in La Fortuna, this happened a lot! 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. Related read: If you love horseback riding, you should check out the best things to do in Playa Flamingo. For a relaxing evening on the water,this sunset cruiselets you drift on Lake Arenal and soak in the magnificent views. The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). Rio Celeste is explored by hiking theRio Celeste Trail, which is 3 kilometers/1.9 miles each way. It will take you around 2 hours to get to the town of Tilaran. About La Fortuna. The weather begins to get better in December, and by January, you get more clear days. The tour also includes transportation (its about a two-hour drive) and lunch. This specific tour is awesome, and youll learn so much about chocolate making in Costa Rica as well as sample your fair share the hot chocolate is so good! You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Thank Nikki here. However, a completely legal hike you can enjoy in La Fortuna is up Chato Volcano. Our awesome Costa Rica Destination Tool filters 66 destinations by nearly 150 criteria to help you quickly and easily decide where to go in Costa Rica according to your unique preferences, wants, and needs. So, do as the locals do and explore some of the free things to do in La Fortuna! Private transfer services can be hired to provide services at any time. 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. Some beaches in #, Try traditional, handmade Costa Rican cuisine! Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. Of course, these are just a few of the spectacular hotels with volcano views in La Fortuna! Pura vida! But if you want more adventure, take the ziplines down! This 23. One of the most popular hot springs in La Fortuna isTabacn Hot Springs. That should have said Poas. Best Hummingbird Garden The river is located a 15-minute drive out of La Fortuna, and those with a car can park along the highway. Hiking Arenal Volcano is illegal, so I will not be mentioning it in this blog. Whenever Im traveling, I love trying the local craft beer of the region. Instead we chose Pias and Peace Lodge. We write only what we believe or choose to believe in, and not a word more. Its thrilling to fly high above the rainforest and take in views from a totally unique perspective and La Fortuna is one of the best places to go ziplining in Costa Rica (my other favorite is Monteverde!). Choose a modern accommodation that features hot springs on-site, or book a room at a sustainable eco-lodge. Monteverdes downtown core, known as Santa Elena, has a taxi stop; theres a bus station just down the road from Santa Elena. The 870-acre property is the home to the Arenal Observatory Lodge a scientific research station turned hotel but you dont have to be a guest here to enjoy it. How I miss CR. Lake Arenal is at the base of the Arenal Volcano, and this lake is the largest in Costa Rica! 10 BEST Restaurants in Montezuma, Costa Rica that youll love! Keep an eye out for wildlife too. Hundreds of articles on Costa Rica trip planning, travel in Costa Rica, and saving money, plus free discounts. COSTA RICA is a beautiful place, cant wait to go there asap. I love the incredible view of the Arenal Volcano from the secluded pools in the lower section. This natural phenomenon is caused by the mixing of two rivers that literally turns the water Gatorade blue Im not joking! The town is the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, and from every angle in town, you can see the volcano towering above (of course, there are often a few clouds in the way.). The class is good for beginners as well as experienced cooks. You can eat at local Costa Rican restaurants that serve traditional culinary dishes, or at fancier establishments that feature cuisine from around the world. Avoid the drive at night when darkness and fog are common hazards. Monteverde. Monteverde, including the vicinitys downtown core (called Santa Elena), is built atop Costa Ricas Tilaran Mountain Range. Given the destinations high elevation, cloud cover is frequent. Rega, Witness a rainforest phenomenon! Related Read: Heading to Monteverde? Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement here. La Fortuna / Arenal truly has it all, which is part of the reason why the destination appeals to so many travelers. We agree 100%. 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. . Most Dangerous Roadway Bridge Crossing Best Place To Feed Pigeons 21 Best Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica 1. This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. The trails here offer some spectacular scenery and great opportunities to see wildlife on relatively easy walking paths. Best Place To See Caimans Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains To help plan your upcoming trip, heres everything I learned in this guide to visiting La Fortuna including the 30 best things to do in La Fortuna! La Fortuna / Arenal is accessed via paved roads. 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. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. It exists between the San Gerardo Biological Station in Monteverde (roughly a 1-hour hike is required to get to the station from beyond the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Biological Reserve) and El Castillo in the Arenal region (an approximate half-hour drive from downtown La Fortuna). Best Place To See Toucans Those on a luxury budget should check out the volcano view hotels I mentioned in item number 10 above. Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. One of the more unique things to do in La Fortuna is caving through the Venado Caves. We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest The forest really is cloudy! Weirdest Drink To Order Unfortunately, given La Fortuna/Arenals location in the middle of the northern inlands, it requires at minimum a 3-hour drive to reach a beach. Try the Paradise Pale Ale with a distinct hoppy flavor from Nelson, Centennial and Cascade hops. Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. It includes all your fees, water, transport, and a great guide. Toucans are my favorite! Stop by the well-known shopSouvenir Leojust outside La Fortuna. The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). It includes snacks and Costa Rican moonshine to sip as the sky changes colors in the evening. 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. 9 BEST Tours of Costa Rica (Multi-Day Guided Tours) & How to Pick One! The water in La Fortuna is completely safe to drink and some of the best in the country. 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). Authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano, around which several theme parks and adventure centers been. 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