Best Extreme Hike Copyright 2007-2023 Costa Rica Travel Blog (Pura Vida! Before we get into the details about Monteverde below, browse through our photo gallery that features a few of our Monteverde experiences. Waking up to a view of the Arenal Volcano is an amazing way to start the day. WebThere are 5 ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement. For a relaxing evening on the water,this sunset cruiselets you drift on Lake Arenal and soak in the magnificent views. You can also go to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. 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. 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. The Lake Arenal Hotel and Brewery is on a 15-acre organic farm with a focus on green energy. We did Curi Cancha Reserve in the morning for a birding tour and then hiked Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena by ourselves in the afternoon. 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. If youre enthralled by nature, including its sights, sounds, and inhabitants, youll love Monteverde. Click on the button above to donate through PayPal. Area temperatures average between 18-20 degrees Celsius with warmer temperatures recorded during the dry/summer season. You can eat at local Costa Rican restaurants that serve traditional culinary dishes, or at fancier establishments that feature cuisine from around the world. Monteverde. The towns elevation is approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, though some attractions are located at higher elevations. By visiting or submitting information through our website, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies, and the use of third-party cookies. On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. 2 Full Days in Monteverde. The water is cold but super refreshing, and the entire area is gorgeous. With that said, many still complete the 10 to 11-hour hike. Before then, Arenal was Costa Ricas most active volcano, which began with a major eruption in 1968. But if you want more adventure, take the ziplines down! 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. You can get a taxi or drive yourself from La Fortuna town to this parking lot, where youll pay the entrance fee and begin hiking. as well as other animals like frogs, toucans, hummingbirds, and parrots. Best Navidad (Christmas) Tradition Bring closed-toe shoes so you can explore the trails around here and other exhibits, including the exotic frog habitat, plant gardens, and greenhouses. The lodge charges $10 USD, and that gets you access to the pool, showers, and to park your vehicle on their property. At the top, theres an observation deck with beautiful views of rolling hills, the south side of Arenal Volcano, and Lake Arenal. Both La Fortuna and Monteverde have grocery stores, banks, ATMs, laundromats, pharmacies, churches, medical clinics, and dental clinics. Slipping fingerslol. Can/should I visit both La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde? The other way to the top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge. Related Read: Another popular place for a river safari is near Jaco at the Crocodile Bridge, where you will see, you guessed it, crocodiles! The tour also includes information about coffee, cacao, and sugarcane, and youll have a chance to taste these important Costa Rican crops as part of a snack after youre done paddling. Coco Loco Art Studio and Galleryis a fair-trade gallery with original artwork from local artists. 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): Today's the day! The trail is well maintained and leads down to the waterfall via lots of steps. Thanks so much for sharing it. Birdwatching. The tour has it all! 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. Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest The forest really is cloudy! If you plan ahead, do down at sunset with some candles and enjoy the hot springs as the sunsets this is very popular! Along the way, youll see underground waterfalls, some creepy but harmless insects, bats, and even a Stalagmite thats over 6 million years old! Visit Monteverde Cloud Forest The forest really is cloudy! WebArenal COMBO Tour Pedal and Paddle Crossing Lake Arenal. 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). The rapids here have names like the Terminator, the Pipeline, and Dos Locos, and youll get soaked as you navigate the river. Company owners can make or break their business, so its great to learn about the people behind the enterprise. Those on a luxury budget should check out the volcano view hotels I mentioned in item number 10 above. This hostel has a large outdoor area with a bar and live music on most weekends. This walk takes some people much longer, so be prepared and take your time. Thanks! It hits many of La Fortunas highlights in one tour and is top-rated. 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). 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. You do not want to get stuck on this trail in the dark! 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. After it leaves the resort, visitors are free to enjoy the hot water without a charge. 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! My favorite spot was behind the restrooms at the ticket office! This area is well known for great hiking trails, with the main trail stretching 4 miles (6.5 kilometers). Also, unlike competing blogs, we never sell your personal information (for example, your email address). Lovely photos. One of the best places to visit so you can experience this is La Fortuna located below Arenal Volcano, only a few hours north of San Jose in Central Costa Rica. 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. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. . Another one of the best free things to do in La Fortuna is the free hot springs! 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. Best Historical Site 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. Best View Overlooking The Pacific Coast, Best Place To See Capuchin Monkeys The Mistico Hanging Bridges are some of the best! Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. Best View Of The Guanacaste Plains If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. The lake provides hydroelectric power generation for the country and is a popular lake for all kinds of water activities. The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). Also, closed-toe shoes are mandatory! The Arenal Observatory Lodge in the Arenal area also has nice hiking. La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde both offer a wide variety of dining options. Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack WebOur pick in Monteverde for hanging bridges is Selvatura Park. Were a happily married, adventurous couple in our 16th year of exploring Costa Rica together. Wind and rain are common, especially during the wet/winter/green season. Please note that our reviews are not financially supported by the companies we choose to evaluate. We compare and contrast La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde, plus offer a quiz, photos, and free discounts for both areas to help you decide! Hike to Hule Lagoon. Yes! Best Novelty Restaurant While youre here, go to theLava Loungeon a Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday night. Kayaking is also really popular on Lake Arenal, andthis specific tourincludes all you need for a 2.5-hour paddle on the lake. After instructions from your guide, youll head out on the off-road trails. La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde? Art, woodworking, and cult, Check out some beach caves! , You are right about planning. Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. Highly, highly recommended. Most Likely Beach Companion Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall is easily done without a tour. 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. The La Fortuna / Arenal Airport (FON) is located a 10-minute drive east of La Fortuna / Arenal, near the community of El Tanque. Read more 8-Day Itinerary Including Gulf of Papagayo Baby squirrel monkey and mother This part of the river is really hot, and youll smell the sulfur before you see it! On the fastest route between the two towns, you'll experience the beauty of the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. I personally visited Arenal Volcano National Park on a tour simply because I love having a guide to learn all about the volcano. You should know that in this region there are a lot of activities to do. Best Zipline Tour 24. Best Item To Rent For A Day Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica accommodations, including recommendations for where to stay in Costa Rica. 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. 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. Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from La Fortuna / Arenal twice daily, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. The water is surrounded by lush tropical scenery although you probably wont be focused on that! However, those who enjoy in-depth visits should spend 5+ days. Clean, safe, inexpensive, economy-quality, cabin-style accommodations sit along the same road as four-star, resort-quality, luxurious hotels. The distance between Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna and Monteverde as the crow fliesis pretty short. You can take a swim at the base of the falls! Best Swimming Lagoon, Most Common Dining Expression Monteverde is a really popular one. This beautiful, forested property has you cross eight sizable hanging bridges during the two-mile (3.2 km) walk. You may even get the chance to grind cacao beans to make your own chocolate bar! Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could take longer. http://www.orquideasmonteverde.com/index.php Its a small bed-and-breakfast style hotel run by the family of a good friend. They are such unique animals, and the area around La Fortuna is a great place to see them. As well as other animals like frogs, toucans, hummingbirds, and the area! 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