Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Best Street Vendor Purchase Its about a 1.5-hour drive and then a 3-4 hour hike once you arrive. La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde both offer a wide variety of dining options. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica beaches, including recommendations for beaches to visit in Costa Rica. The large pools here are fed by crystalline rainforest springs and are surrounded by colorful plants and flowers. Sample dishes include ceviche, mint mojitos, grilled pork loin with tropical chutney, and coconut flan with a caramel sauce. If youre enthralled by nature, including its sights, sounds, and inhabitants, youll love Monteverde. If you dont have transport or would prefer a guide, I recommendjoining this guided tour. Getting your transportation worked out ahead of time seems to be one of the keys to success. Its a cool accommodation thats definitely more like glamping with a comfy double bed inside the teepee. It only takes 15 minutes to get down but a little longer on the way up its 500 steps! Its arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica and is located around a 30-minute walk from the entrance. However, if they arent luxurious enough, check outThe Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal. Great photos and a wealth of info! Depending on the type of ground transfer service used, the route followed, and weather conditions, the drive could take longer. Birdwatching. We saw lots of toucans during our visit. Spend an afternoon exploring a private nature preserve bordering Arenal Volcano and inside the Arenal Volcano National Park, only 30 minutes from La Fortuna. Best Equipment (Other Than A Camera) To Pack Best Way To Avoid A Parking Ticket Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. Company owners can make or break their business, so its great to learn about the people behind the enterprise. 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. If you do decide tospend a night at Selina, book a teepee! All content, concepts, and photos (unless credited otherwise) property of Ricky and Nikki Solano. This fun, and somewhat scary experience, takes you underground to explore the cave with an expert guide. Kids over the age of four are also able to take part. Best Post-Meal Treat, Best Vacation Rental Property Arenal and La Fortuna. Best Aerial Tram Ride 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. The bridges range from 170 feet (52 meters) to 560 feet (171 meters). However, a completely legal hike you can enjoy in La Fortuna is up Chato Volcano. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. There areso many different hot springs to visit in La Fortuna; you could visit a different one every day for weeks! If you have the, Dine on delicious Caribbean cuisine! We support our comments with evidence, however we welcome opposing comments. How To Make A Day Trip To Monteverde from La Fortuna (Arenal) Or Vice Versa. Best Adventure Tour Operator, Best View Of The Sunrise 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. Monteverde is a really popular one. Staple adventures, including aerial tram rides, hanging bridges tours, and canopy zip-line tours are run in the area, as are farm tours that offer a peek at the lifestyle of Costa Rican agricultural workers who process coffee, chocolate, and sugarcane. But there are many more possibilities depending on your interests. Below are some of them. Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. It identifies some of the qualities that make La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde unique, helping you to decide whether one destination or both destinations are deserving of your time and money. Get spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the cloud forests of Monteverde as you travel by van and boat. Hike the 1968 Arenal Trail. While you can stay at Selina, you dont have to be a guest to come party here! 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! 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. Do you have any tips on the pros and cons of some beaches that are reasonably close to Arenal? Most accommodations are small, family-run, boutique-style rustic cabins and lodges. The Sky Tram can bebooked on its ownfor about $50 USD per person ($33 for children.) Monteverde on another hand is best for a day trip. Whats great about hostels like this is youll meet other travelers from around the world. 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. Day 5 and 6: Monteverde. 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. 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. Take our La Fortuna / Arenal vs. Monteverde quiz below to quickly find out which destination is best for you. Whenever Im traveling, I love trying the local craft beer of the region. If you do not accept the policy, we respect your choice 100%. If you have only one full day in Monteverde, most people go to the parks to do ziplining, hanging bridges or horseback riding. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. This Rainforest Night Walk and Dinner touris the same tour I did in La Fortuna with Ecoterra. Dont be deceived by appearances, its a short distance as the crow flies, but a Once out of your car, theyll point you down to the river just below the bridge. You can see all of the trails over an afternoon or just pick a few. Read our Anti-Hate, Anti-Racism, Anti-Xenophobia, Anti-Inequality, Anti-Discrimination Statement. There are also parking attendants here, and they charge around 1,500 colones. 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!). You can easily walk to El Salto from town, and when I lived in La Fortuna, I did this at least once a week for a swim. Rio Celeste is explored by hiking theRio Celeste Trail, which is 3 kilometers/1.9 miles each way. La Fortuna / Arenal is a major hub of the northern inland area; it can easily be accessed from destinations all over the country via public buses, taxis, car rentals, shared shuttle services, private transfer services, and domestic flights. Its one of my favorite ways to get a taste of the local culture while enjoying a relaxing evening. WebThere are 5 ways to get from Monteverde to La Fortuna by taxi, bus, shuttle or car. Best Place To See Coatis Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates theCosta Rica Travel Blog, created the online communityDIY Costa Rica, built theCosta Rica Destination Tool, and designed theCosta Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. 22. Monteverde is generally chilly and cloudy year-round but also experiences sunshine and warmth. For more information, please visitDIY Costa Rica. Check out the absolute BEST restaurants in La Fortuna. The volcano blesses the area with mineral-rich thermal water and visits to hot springs attractions are common (see our related blog post Best Hot Springs In Arenal: We Compare All 12 La Fortuna Hot Springsfor information about each). 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! Best Hanging Bridge Most Underrated Hotel Amenities, Best Shortcut Regardless of which tour you choose, white water rafting is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna, and few destinations offer rafting this good! They are such unique animals, and the area around La Fortuna is a great place to see them. This area is well known for great hiking trails, with the main trail stretching 4 miles (6.5 kilometers). 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. How to Get from La Fortuna to Monteverde (or Monteverde to La Fortuna) La Fortuna to Monteverde Map. Best Historical Site 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. 30 Best Things to do in La Fortuna & Visitor Guide - Costa Rica Travel Life. Luckily, the next best thing is learning how to cook the dishes for yourself. To learn more about Costa Ricas many, many beaches, dont miss our blog post: 66 Costa Rica Beaches (In Photos) And Where To Find Them. We spent around 1 hour at the waterfall before enjoying the 30-minute walk back up. eh? Their trails are in good shape. Although not a national park, youll find just as much wildlife here as you would in places such as Manuel Antonio. This is one of the main Monteverde attractions, and its an incredible place to spend some time. Its the first eco-brewery in the country! La Fortunas weather can be unpredictable, and oftentimes, the volcano is completely covered in clouds. 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. If you just want to explore Arenal as I did,this specific tour is a great option. 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. 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. The trails here offer some spectacular scenery and great opportunities to see wildlife on relatively easy walking paths. 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.). Best Use Of An Extra Two Dollars In Your Pocket Thanks so much for sharing it. But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. Bring closed-toe shoes so you can explore the trails around here and other exhibits, including the exotic frog habitat, plant gardens, and greenhouses. Its a great chance to learn all about sloths and other animals. Unofficial parking inspectors charge you to park here and protect your vehicle. They usually try to charge 3,000 Colones but just tell them yesterday you paid 1,000 Colones. Reservations are requiredif you want to come here on your own. 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. I discovered that La Fortuna is an adventure-lovers paradise and a great place to see wildlife. Monteverde on another hand is best for a day trip. It was closed for a while after the earthquake, but its open now and provides a beautiful, scenic drive. 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. This blog may contain affiliate links. Evaluating destinations in Costa Rica is a subjective task that reflects greatly on the opinions, wants, and needs of the evaluator. Youll find everything from bright, colorful paintings to traditional Costa Rican masks, ceramics, and mirrors. Best In-Pool Hot Springs Feature Explore the surroundings of the most authentic and epic scenarios that the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal have to offer. Each Costa Rica Travel Blog article reflects our own work, travels, and lessons learned. For the record, Arenal refers to the area around the volcano. Arenal and La Fortuna. Best Item To Rent For A Day The Don Juan facility is located only five minutes from the center of La Fortuna. If you plan ahead, do down at sunset with some candles and enjoy the hot springs as the sunsets this is very popular! This is also where the volcano is, and this is where the majority of the best adventure tours you could possibly have are. 3 to 4 days is enough time to visit a few of the best attractions in La Fortuna. The towns elevation is approximately 1,300 meters above sea level, though some attractions are located at higher elevations. This part of the river is really hot, and youll smell the sulfur before you see it! 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. Learn more and access the tool on our sister site, DIY Costa Rica, here. The tour also includes a trip to the Maleku Cultural Resource Center once youre finished and roundtrip transportation from La Fortuna. From San Jose, La Fortuna is 2.5 hours away. The modern, Go SCUBA diving at Isla del Coco! Spread your wings and visit the small town of El Castillo, which is home to thelargest butterfly conservatoryin Costa Rica. The other way to the top is fromArenal Observatory Lodge. 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. After instructions from your guide, youll head out on the off-road trails. 15 BEST All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica (Our Unbiased Opinion! In the park, there are 14 bridges that you can visit, with 6 of them being hanging bridges. Best Shallow Beach What type of destination atmosphere would you prefer? Costa Rica is often a beach getaway for many visitors who come for the surf, sun, and relaxation in towns such as Jaco and Tamarindo. Monteverde Shared shuttle services typically arrive into and depart from Monteverde twice daily , Youll want to plan for an entire day for this from La Fortuna. The hotel only has 21 rooms overlooking the jungle and Lake Arenal, so it has a nice, private feel. In fact, the guides know the trees they love to hang out in, so fingers crossed! When you arrive in Tilaran, youll need to make sure you have sufficient gas to make the journey. Hey, Costa Rica Travel Blog reader, thank you for visiting and reading our blog! But the road and waterways between these destinations are not as straightforward to navigate. Pura vida, amigos! Their trails are in good shape. Monteverde isnt a luxury destination. For incredible views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, take to the sky! Best Coffee Youve identified 4 options Arenal volcano (La Fortuna is the closest town), Monteverde s cloudorests, Manual Antonios rainforests and Papagayo beaches. Finally, spend a few days in Manuel Antonio National Park, kayaking through turquoise waters and relaxing on pristine white sand beaches. However, those with a vehicle can also drive out there and park at the bridge. You can take a swim at the base of the falls! 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. 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. The route from Arenal / La Fortuna to Monteverde is easy and is as follows Take Route 142 to Lake Arenal and follow the road along the edge of the lake. 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. There are two ways to hike Chato Volcano, depending on how much adventure youre after. La Fortuna / Arenal or Monteverde? 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