Costa Rica – Arenal
Day 6 in Costa Rica
Monteverde to Arenal
By Taxi / Boat / Taxi
The road between Monteverde and Arenal is a bumpy road with pot holes and not in good condition. Due to the mountainous terrain, there is no direct route. Drive on this road needs a 4×4 vehicle and It takes more than 5 hours to reach if you go via Tiloran. We took the option of Taxi/Boat/Taxi between Monteverde and La Fortuna. This mode of transportation involves taking two taxi rides and one boat trip across Lake Arenal. This is a quick and scenic three-hour trip that can go either way between the destinations.
The first leg of the journey — from Monteverde to Lake Arenal — is a 1.5-hour drive. Then board a comfortably equipped boat and cross the lake in 40 minutes. Finally, will be taxied to La Fortuna, which takes about 30 minutes.
There are kids that help carry your bags to the boat for small tips. If you want to carry your self, it is a down hill muddy walk to the boat and then up hill to the road near La Fortuna.
One of the top hot springs resort that I heard good is “Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort”. Most crowd seems to go to Baldi Hot Springs as well.
We booked our stay at Los Lagos in La Fortuna. Los Lagos Hotel spa and resort has Natural Hot springs, Horse riding, Zip lining lot of birds, hike to Arenal Volcano vantage point (observatory) , Crocodile farm and view to Arenal Volcano. You can book the food inclusive option as well here. But we went to down town one evening and we picked up some sand witches one day and explored out side food.
I am in love with heliconia in Costa Rica. So colorful and attractive.
There is Crocodile farm, Rainforest Ants, Frog farm, and Butterfly Garden right next to our room.
We at least order one Casado on every meal..
Hike to Arenal Volcano vantage point (observatory) and relaxing in hot springs after the hike.
Dinner at down town La Fortuna Pizza place.
Day 7 in Costa Rica
Right outside the room we have so many variety of birds in the morning.
We booked day trip today with 4 in 1 – Mistico Hanging Bridges , La Fortuna Water Fall , Arenal Volcano Hike, and Baldi hot Springs
First stop at Hanging bridges.
Right at the entrance there was sloth sitting on a tree. A few mins stop to take pictures and then walk on the hanging bridges inside the tropical rain forest. There are 16 Bridges and Waterfall to walk. Total of 3.2 kn walk on those bridges and around. Each bridge has a unique name like, Keel-billed toucon bridge, Pilon Tree bridge, waterfall bridge and etc.,
Second stop to La Fortuna Water fall
La Fortuna Waterfall is about 70 meters high water fall, which reflect the magnificent power of Mother Nature. You will have to go down and back up 480 natural steps to the water fall. It’s about 2 hours going back and fourth and spending time there. La Fortuna waterfall entrance fee is $15 for adult foreigners, $5 for children. Hours of operation are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, open every day. They have a big parking lot and there are bathrooms, a small cafe and souvenir store at the entrance. You can swim in the. small area little away from the falls.
Our guided tour was good in the rain forest and during the drive. They know very well where the birds, sloths and animals are there. He stopped the vehicles along the side of the road and started seeing one tree and there was sloth sitting in there. Not sure how they know, experience.
3rd stop Lunch
Lunch stop at authentic Costa Rican restaurant with tour members..
4th stop at the Valcano Hike :
No trip to Costa Rica would be complete without a visit to the Arenal Volcano. This Volcano is active since 1968, but now it is dormant. We were lucky for few mins as the clouds cleared up and able to see the top of the volcano.
Exploring hike to Volcano with different types flora and rocks along the way.
5th stop Baldi hot springs
By evening we are tired and waiting to relax. This is the perfect way to relax. There are so many pools with different temperatures. It was refreshing and relaxing to sit in hot water springs. We even had buffet dinner at the restaurant there.
Very active, energetic, relaxing and refreshing day.
Day 8 in Costa Rica
It’s our free day in Arenal. We decided to do Zip lining and Horse back riding in the resort we are staying (Los Lagos). After completing zip line we picked up sand witches from the restaurant and went to horse back ride. In the middle of the ride there was big rain. They were well prepared with rain covers for each person on the horse. Fun riding in the rain up and down the mountain.
Day 9 in Costa Rica
Drive from Arenal to SJO – 8AM to 11:30AM
Back to home from San Jose, Costa Rica to San Jose , California.
So much fun in these 9 days in Costa Rica. We loved it. No wonder it is in the top vacation spots. Costa Rica has beaches, volcanoes, rain forests and biodiversity. Plenty of animals and natural habitats to explore. Food is tasty and awesome. I would recommend if you are a food lover, you will love the fresh smoothies, plenty of variety of Raw banana dishes (Breakfast, Lunch and dinner), a typical Costa Rica Food in Banana leaf (Casado) , Fried rice with Chicken, sea food and vegetables and tasty fish.
Very nice people. Well organized tours and trips.
Travel Date : 12/23/16 to 12/26/16
¡Pura Vida!
