. This trail is suitable for all levels of hikers. This is mostly attributed to their abundance of hot springs. It is such an incredible place! La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano National Park & Mistico Hanging Bridges Tour, Final Thoughts on 3 Days in La Fortuna, Costa Rica Itinerary, Tabacn Thermal Resort & Spa Review: Arenal, Costa Rica, tour that runs from La Fortuna to Mistico Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano National Park & Mistico Hanging Bridges Tour, this tour that includes entrance fees to each park, a guide, lunch & transportation, Costa Rica Travel Guide: Know Before You Go, The Best Restaurant Guide: La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Within Arenal, theres a wide variety of things to do, ranging from zip lining to hiking to relaxing in hot springs. So maybe the rule is, if it's a volcano, I'll visit it. The guided tours cost a bit more, upwards of $40.00 USD per adult. The Selina La Fortuna provides a range of different room types; private suites, treehouses, dormitories and more! . See average monthly temperatures below. Additionally, this hostel offers spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and is centrally located, making this an easy spot to visit all that La Fortuna & Arenal have to offer. From there, you can either take a tourist shuttle (~$50+ or 31,000 colones) or a public bus (~$4.58 or 2,600 colones). The mist rises off the water's surface, taking away your worries and stress. Yes, it is safe to drive in Costa Rica if youre careful and drive with caution. If you read anything from this blog post, make sure its my below note. Day 1-4: Arenal. I am here to tell you, it is possible! During dry season (December to April), the temperature is around low 80s F (26 C) during the day and cools off at night. Then take the bus to Canas (one every thirty minutes from 8:30 AM to 3PM), then to Tilaran (one every hour from 5AM to 10AM, 11:30AM, 13:00,15:30 and 17:00) and then to Fortuna (one at 7 AM and 12:30PM). These seem like perfect destinations for people who love to be outdoors. I look forward to sharing my journey with all of you. Tabacon is world renowned for its exceptional hot springs and luxurious accommodations. This cone-shaped dormant volcano and the surrounding 29,000+ acre Arenal National Park are some of the main highlights of any trip to Costa Rica. Ive never been to Costa Rica, but its on my list. 7 Days in Costa Rica: Our Recommended Itineraries | Bookmundi You can also visit El Salto, which is the local spot downriver of the Fortuna River. Did u guys need to get insurance? Did you know you can make this tour private? La Fortuna and the region of Arenal have many gorgeous resorts and hotels. (It is a fairly easy hike.) With dorm beds available starting at ~$17 USD, theres a pool, ensuite bathrooms, and lounging areas to meet other travelers and hang out with friends. Costa Ricas dry season occurs from December to April, but it is a beautiful destination to visit any time of year if you dont mind the occasional downpour. 10 days in Costa Rica Itinerary - Map Made Memories I am excited to show you all how Costa Ricans live the Pure Life in this 3-day guide to La Fortuna and Arenal. Thank you Tanya! Wow! La Fortuna, Costa Rica is a small town famous for its fantastic outdoor adventures, beautiful scenery, natural hot springs and stunning Arenal Volcano views. Their paths are quite easy and there are a few lookout spots, a tower and toilets along the way to Lake Arenal. Next, youll descend down into the crater of this dormant volcano. This 200-foot waterfall is located just outside of the town of La Fortuna and it costs $18 USD to enter. The park is open from 7:00 AM 5:00 PM. How many days in Arenal? Each overnight guest automatically receives complimentary access to all of the thermal pools. per adult (price varies by group size) All-inclusive deluxe package for 7 nights 8 days in Costa Rica. We both tried all of the different pools throughout our day at Tabacns thermal springs. Have you ever dreamt of kayaking under a volcano? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17171695', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Costa Rica. For those that want a tranquil spa and hot spring experience for a lower budget, Los Lagos Spa & Resort is for you! Oh wow I'm thinking of going to CR for a month this year and thanks for bringing Arenal to my attention! You can book a private shuttle to La Fortuna from San Jose and Liberia for around $200 USD one way. The latter has been inactive for nearly 3,500 years and has a collapsed crater that contains a picture-perfect lagoon. i saved this blog & will be passing it on to any friends who will be beading to CR (since ive been! You will feel as though you are touring the country while staying at your accommodation. Shared shuttles from San Jose and Liberia to La Fortuna cost around $59 USD per adult one way with Interbus, Ride CR, Easy Ride and Caribe Shuttle. As a more convenient option, theInterbus tourist shuttle is air conditioned, but also likely costs more than your hotel stay and isntthatmuch faster, ~4 hours one way. Its time to get in your car and drive 30 minutes west of town to the Mistico Hanging Bridges. Click here to discover more hotels for different budgets in the La Fortuna and Arenal area. If you are looking for a more uniquely Costa Rican experience, opt for Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge & Wildlife Refuge. On your second full day in Arenal, you have a bunch of options, but I recommend trying to do at least three: a zip line tour, hiking to La Fortuna Waterfall, and visiting the Hanging Bridges. It was admittedly out of our way, but worth it!). Purchase dinner with your day pass and you wont have to worry about where to eat! One of the main reasons why Tenorio Volcano National Park is so popular amongst travelers is because it is where the beautiful bright blue waterfall, Rio Celeste, is located! For budget-friendly accommodations, stay at Arenal Backpackers Resort. We saw a toucan! Caitlin enjoyed the grilled tuna. The price point changes between most places and I do a deeper dive into this in the above mentioned post. This famous saying means Pure Life in Spanish. Your blog was very informative! You can also enjoy cold cut meats and cheeses, smoked salmon, different breads such as chocolate matcha bread, fried plantains and more! The weather could be unpredictable in Costa Rica no matter if youre traveling during dry or rainy season.). Once you arrive, you will be greeted at the entrance. Adventure Tours. Of course we did go in April, during many spring breaks. La Fortuna waterfall was my favourite part of Costa Rica, HANDS DOWN. Arenal Backpackers Resort 2. Prices listed as "with . Enjoy dinner at Restaurante Caf Mediterrneo. Hot Springs will add a perfect add-on to unwind those muscles tired from travel and adventure activities. Pin it for Later! Our 3 days in La Fortuna and Arenal consisted of Caitlin and I savoring breakfast at Tabacns Tucanes restaurant. That mountain, whoa!! You can find cheap hostels from $20 USD a night per bed in a dorm to $850 USD a night luxury resort. Costa Rica is full of gorgeous greenery and stunning scenery, and Arenal Volcano is no exception. This Costa Rica 6-day itinerary is perfect for kids and adults alike! While we were pulled over, the staff at the entrance let us know that it was not full at the park and we were able to purchase a same day ticket. The walk takes a couple of hours, is 3.2km in length, and you can go at any pace youd like. 1. Insider travel tips and guides. How to Spend 3 Days in La Fortuna, Costa Rica - LIKE THE DRUM Once you arrive, you must walk down the 500 steps to the base of the waterfall. I want to make this stop on our drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde but we will have out luggage with us and I have heard it is not always safe to leave it in your vehicle. However, if doing this day (Waterfall, Volcano & Hanging Bridges) in a tour is preferable, check out this tour that includes entrance to all three attractions, transportation, lunch, tour guides & more. We had an hour couples massage for $80.00 USD, and it was one of the most relaxing massages I have had. During our evening at Don Rufino Restaurant, Caitlin and I both savored fish. Other fantastic ones are the Springs Resort & Spa, Baldi Hot Springs Hotel, Ecotermales and Paradise. We had one of the most relaxing days and I hope you will too! If you are coming from Monteverde, you can take the taxi-boat-taxi across Lake Arenal. Depending on when you are looking to go, there are a variety of different passes to choose from. Other awesome patches of water to see at Tenorio Volcano National Park are Laguna Azul and El Teidero. Since it is the tropical rainforest, this area is very humid and it can rain during dry season. Information is divided across five pages: Costa Rica Itinerary: 5 days in Costa Rica (4 nights) Costa Rica Itinerary: 8 days in Costa Rica (7 nights) Costa Rica Itinerary: 10 days in Costa Rica (9 nights) Costa Rica Itinerary: 12 days in Costa Rica (11 nights) Costa Rica Itinerary: 15 days in Costa Rica (14 nights) If you have extra time in the Arenal region, I recommend doing a sloth walk. Its especially easy for Americans and Canadians to make their way here for a few days or a long weekend. Read our. Hanging bridges hike There is a very nice private reserve called Mistico Hanging Bridges near Lake Arenal that has several hanging bridges. Check out this list of restaurants in La Fortuna for some inspiration! One of the best destinations to visit in this lush country is the area surrounding Arenal Volcano, a gorgeous, towering volcano located in northern Costa Rica. We did the lava trail in the afternoon. Arenal Volcano is an active stratovolcano that includes luscious rainforests, breathtaking waterfalls, relaxing thermal springs, amazing hiking trails, memorable adventures and incredible wildlife all around. Other great things to do in the area are to wander into the Venando Caves; visit Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge, ride ATVs and have fun white-water rafting, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and even mountain biking! Overall, it was one of the best shrimp taco dishes Ive ever had and I loved the fun vibe of this cantina. If youre wanting a different outdoor adventure, explore Lake Arenal by boat or check out the underground world at Venado Caves. If you're doing 7 days between the two locations, I would do 4 in Arenal and 3 in Manuel Antonio Lots to do in Arenal, more than Manuel Antonio, but Manuel Antonio is beautiful and should not be missed. Heliconias & Las Coladas Trail & ABC trail (El Ceibo): 3. Weather. There are plenty of banks with 24 hour ATMs. From wherever you are in La Fortuna, you can get a view of Arenal Volcano. The typical day in rainy season will be sunny in the morning, off and on rains during the day and rainy at night/evening. There is a Bac San Jose and Banco Nacional by the gas station. Day 2: Go for a safari float in the morning to see wildlife. Book by July 28, 2023 to get the best price. They provide a bird watching tour, a twilight walk, a night walk and combo tickets. There are so many great lookout spots and scenic views all around. We really enjoyed our time flying through the forest, screaming on the Tarzan swing, and more. Where to stay - La Fortuna or Arenal? This park offers a few different tours and entry tickets. Remember, you can perfectly visit La Fortuna without a car and book tours with roundtrip transportation. It is conically shaped with a crater 140 metres (460 ft) in diameter. (I also had a mojito and Caitlin had a margarita.). Stunning Beaches in Costa Rica You Have to Visit, Small restaurant meal: 3,000-5,000 CRC ($5-7), Trip to the hot springs: 15,000 CRC (~$26 USD). There are also a plethora of hostels, Airbnbs and Vrbo options. It features two volcanoes Arenal Volcano and Chato Volcano. At first glance I thought it looked a bit like Bali's Mt Batur, but seeing more photos in your post, wow, that's really a towering volcano! We were immensely satisfied with our time spent there, and it is my sincere hope that you will find this itinerary helpful in planning your own adventure! Shoes: We recommend a good pair of running/walking shoes if you are hiking and water shoes if you are going to go rafting/tubing/water activities. Spa and wellness are of utmost importance at Tabacn Thermal Resort & Spa; offering volcanic mud wraps, massages and facials to name a few. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, indulge in local cuisine, and embrace the warmth of the kind people. Down the 500 stairs to La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica. We spent a few hours here, exploring, swimming under the falls and relaxing. One interesting fact about this town is that majority of the businesses are owned by local Costa Ricans which is a rare occurrence in the touristic areas of Costa Rica. Tourists are unlikely to visit Arenal Volcano Region in September. Its also a fantastic budget destination that wont break the bank, and its got some of the best activities in Costa Rica to try and explore. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. ContactCrawford Concierge! We completely forgot this fact, showed up to the entrance and were turned away. Its time to relax! I recommend this option if you want a well taken care of day! Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge & Wildlife Refuge La Fortuna Budget Hotels / Hostels 1. With plush beds and beautiful garden paths, this is a relaxing respite from the daily grind of office life. Can I do that in one day. Wow I didn't know Costa Rica was so affordable! It is absolutely fascinating to see this waterfall in person! The stairs are well kept and we had no issues. This hostel is centrally located and a fabulous choice for those travelling on a smaller budget or for those ready to meet some new friends! La Fortuna has its own local airport just 5 minutes away from town. Dollars and I recommend having cash on you. For these reasons, La Fortuna is one of the best destinations in Costa Rica for first time visitors and even repeat visitors. I have nothing but praises for this thermal resort. Arenal Volcano is actually part of this National Park and the park is part of the Arenal Tilaran Conservation Area. That really looks like a very special place! An idea for activities can be like this: Day 1: Canyoning in the morning, safari float in the . The day ends with a quick stop at a lookout point of the Observatory Lodge, where you can watch the sun set over the volcano. What is the difference between Arenal and La Fortuna? Afternoon relax and go to the natural hot springs in the evening. If youre on a budget, head to the free natural river. The main bus station is in downtown next to the Mega Super and you buy bus tickets at the Red Lava stand next to it. This tree is over 400 years old and its size is out of this world. It is SO yummy and the coffee is fab! . Great post Taylor! If youre hoping to avoid the crowds, try visiting just before or just after the dry season, when the weather is still mild but the masses of visitors subside. Day 1 - Arrive in Guanacaste via Liberia International Airport Day 2 - Guanacaste (Optional stop at Rincon De La Vieja National Park) Day 3 - Tenorio Volcano National Park (Optional stop at Monteverde Cloud Forest) Day 4 - Arrive in La Fortuna Day 5 - Spend a day in La Fortuna Day 6 - Arrive in San Jose. Nevertheless, I managed to maximize my visit and am here to share this 3 days in Arenal, Costa Rica itinerary with all of you! In MA the park is gorgeous. Its so beautiful and the food just GOT me. Mytanfeet LLC Copyright 2013 - 2023 - Thank you for supporting our Travel Blog! This activity is perfect for adventure seekers! 10 Things to Do in Arenal Costa Rica You Won't Believe If youre lucky and its not cloudy you will have an unobstructed view of Arenal Volcano. I would schedule for you at least two nights in each location, leaving on the morning of the third day so you take advantage of the visit. 5 Days in Costa Rica | Guanacaste, Arenal, La Fortuna My husband and I are planing our anniversary trip this May 2023 and I think I just narrowed it down to my location ! Zip lining is usually a half-day affair, where youll zip through the forest canopy on 10+ different lines. Its such a special place. La Fortuna, Costa Rica Guide: How to Plan Your Perfect Trip - MytanFeet Loved reading this post, although it did make me rather envious as we didnt get to visit this part of Costa Rica when we were there. I wore sandals and Arujan wore running shoes. Although Fortuna is a popular tourist destination, you still get a good local vibe. It has been producing lava and pyroclastic flows almost continuously since 1968; this activity has been both a hazard to people living near the volcano and a draw for thousands of tourists over the years. You can easily walk around La Fortuna downtown. 848. Even though it doesnt seem like much, most of these La Fortuna Arenal excursions will either take a few hours up to an entire day! They have amazing, crafted cocktails! There is a very nice private reserve called Mistico Hanging Bridges near Lake Arenal that has several hanging bridges. If youre flying from an international location, youll likely arrive in Costa Ricas capital, San Jose. When we visited we stayed in a gorgeous guest house that was surrounded by beautiful farms and gardens, with a stunning view of the volcano. Tickets for general admission are $15.00 USD for entry for adult & children. . 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Read our guide to visiting La Fortuna waterfall here. We arrived at about 7:30 AM and it was literally perfect. Arenal is a destination that will leave you with cherished memories and a deep appreciation for Costa Rica. Hotel pickup and drop-off included. This awesome restaurant is known for its fish and seafood pasta dishes. . This environment is sure to help you meet friends and like minded individuals ready to explore. It is up to you on which you would like to enjoy. Youll end your night with a soak in the hot springs river, which at first glance looks like a river under the bridge, but is actually pretty relaxing. Day 1 Where to fly into Costa Rica - San Jose or Liberia? You can find plenty of red taxis in La Fortuna. The guided tours cost about $50.00 $60.00 USD per adult and $25.00 $40.00 USD per child. Scientists discovered that the blue water is actually an optical illusion versus a chemical reaction. At this early hour, we were some of the only few people under the waterfall for about an hour. Read our other top picks for things to do in Fortuna and get our tours discount here! At first, we got ceviche as an appetizer because we were starving! This restaurant has fabulous pizza & sangria! Also located at Tabacn springs is Ave Restaurant that features traditional Costa Rican dishes along with international meals. Hello all!! Since then, it has stopped. Costa Rica Top Adventure 8D/7N Vacation Package. Click here for Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge & Wildlife Refuge pricing and booking information. Please note that it costs $15 USD to hike the Arenal 1968 lava trail. We parked our car on the side and debated what to do. The La Fortuna area features renowned restaurants, stunning eco-friendly hotels and resorts and I could go on! Below are the top 5 things to do in the Arenal area. This trail takes you through forested areas and up steep slopes, where youll see incredible views of Arenal Volcano. HOW MANY DAYS IN ARENAL. 5 Day Arenal and Monteverde Itinerary - MytanFeet . Arenal/La Fortuna, & Monteverde: Best Itinerary Ideas | kimkim The hot springs are icing on the cake. I wrote this La Fortuna & Arenal itinerary to reflect our remarkable trip. You can soak up the sun, snorkel and swim without . I loved all the food I had there. The average temperature is low 80s F (27 C) during the day and gets down to the high 60s F (20 C) at night. Then visit the Springs hot springs again that afternoon for the rest of the day. It is great for downloading specific trails and following them offline. Arenal Volcano - Wikipedia To our luck they were available! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-17172326', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Costa Rica Genie. I did not put this in our jam packed three day itinerary as it was not as important as the above mentioned, however, it is still worth it! The Discoveries Of is a member of the Amazon associates program. Driving to Fortuna from Liberia and San Jose takes around 3.5 hours one way in a rental car. You will not be disappointed! IF YOU DECIDE NOT TO DO THIS TOUR: I recommend skipping ahead to the If You Have More Time section and choosing a few activities from there, or simply split up the Day 2 itinerary into 2 separate days. Here, you can swim in the cold waters of the crater lagoon and snack beneath the shade of the trees. Here are some sample itineraries for your full days. When you first start this hike, you will ascend into the tropical rainforest. Costa Rica Itineraries: Sample Ideas for 4 days to 1 Month - MytanFeet You could also savor a lunch and/or dinner with whatever pass you decide to purchase. I personally was OK with just doing the walk on our own. At the waterfall, you can sit along the rocks and admire the natural beauty and you can also go swimming! Most travelers spend 4-5 days in Arenal/La Fortuna Visiting Arenal/La Fortuna in 3 days is possible, but will feel rushed With 6 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip The most common extensions are Manuel Antonio, Gulf of Papagayo, and Monteverde How Many Days Should You Spend in Arenal? It seems like a lot, however, we were able to fit in all of these trails in an afternoon. We found this company Serenity in town and just walked in to see if they had any availability. Hello, save the earth people!! From town, this is about a 30 minute drive. As a hotel guest, you can enjoy the thermal springs before 10am each morning. I highly recommend bringing water with you because the trek up the stairs can be tiring, especially if you are out of shape. Check out some of their shops and make sure to stop into a fruit/veggie stand to get a smoothie. The total is about 5.6km in length and you can complete this in a couple of hours, if going at a slower pace! We were both impressed with this local restaurant and understand why it is iconic. Arenal Volcano: Introduction. If youre coming from Guanacaste, you can stop by Rio Celeste on the way to see the sky blue river. How many days in Arenal? - Costa Rica Forum - Tripadvisor La Fortuna is located in the Alajuela province, 140 (87 miles) kilometers from San Jose International Airport and 143 kilometers (89.1 miles) from Liberia International Airport. I'm a 22F taking my first solo trip to Costa Rica for one week in August. Starting in the morning, this tour will take you on a day-long adventure through volcanoes, rainforests, sunset lookouts, and more. Traveling to Costa Rica was special for me because it is a very sacred country that lives off of the Pura Vida mindset. During the summer months, Costa Rica is on Mountain Standard Time and then it is on Central Standard Time during the winter months. How Many Days to Spend in Monteverde | kimkim Some of the best things to do at Arenal Volcano National Park are to admire the views, go on a hike, zipline, enjoy horseback riding, learn about wildlife and more. Our Costa Rica family vacation was composed of 6 days and 5 nights exploring Guanacaste, Arenal, and La Fortuna. I love how many waterfalls there are to choose from, and there are hiking trails too which is fantastic. Straight to your inbox. Here are some of our recommended activities in La Fortuna. I highly recommend you download the FREE app Alltrails. Tabacn is a luxury resort and it just so happened when we booked, it was one of the few that had an opening. While youre downtown, if youre looking for an adventurous first full day, book the two volcanoes tour (~$50 USD). Check out their website here for more tours and tickets. May, June, September, October and November are in the low season with less tourists. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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