Imagine a relaxing getaway. Perhaps you can hear cascading water, or the soft, rustling shake of leaves in the rainforest. Maybe a tingle of wind catches you as you peer out over mountains stretching to the horizon. Stop daydreaming and get ready to experience ‘pura vida’ for yourself. Costa Rica provides travelers with unique ways to unwind, with cloud forests teeming with wildlife, cultural foodie tours, and a dreamscape of settings including volcanoes, waterfalls and lake vistas.
Make your next vacation memorable. Far from the beaches, in the country’s heart, lies the cloud forest of Monteverde. Then, across the wide lake of Arenal, you’ll find La Fortuna, known for its volcanoes and natural hot springs.
Monteverde
Head into the cool mountains where the temperature stays a comfortable 70°F-80°F throughout the year. Nestled on steep ridges, Monteverde sits at 4,725′ high and its ecosystem has made it the perfect home for over 400 species of birds alone.
Things to do in Monteverde
The best way to explore is walking across the hanging bridges that span the cloud forest. Reach the upper echelons of the trees as you navigate the suspension bridges to the very top of the canopy where most of the wildlife is.
The trail is 2.5km in total and takes around two or three hours to complete, although you may linger to take photographs of two-toed sloths, or the rare orchids and the miniature hummingbirds that they attract. If you’re fortunate, you’ll hear the metallic call of the endangered three-wattled bellbird, or if you’re luckier still, you may even spot the emerald plumage of the mystical resplendent quetzal that is something of a celebrity in these parts.
Something a bit different
If you want to take in the novel Costa Rica panoramic views but ziplining is not your thing, why not sign up for the Monteverde Sky Tram? During the smooth ascent, your guide will point out the rich biodiversity that makes this place so special.
The suspended gondolas glide through the air to transport you to the highest observation deck in the reserve. While at the pinnacle of the Continental Divide, you can buy a coffee and look out over the Nicoya Peninsula on one side, and the Arenal volcano on the other. Remember to pack a jacket as it gets breezy at that altitude.
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As the sun goes down, not all the Monteverde residents are preparing for bed. If you have never spotted a coati, armadillo or kinkajou before, you might just tick them off the list on a guided night tour. Although wildlife tours can never guarantee sightings, with 60% of the creatures being nocturnal here, you’re hard pressed to miss them in this two-hour outing.
The Curi Cancha Reserve offers a more intimate experience, with the numbers of guests limited to not disturb the wildlife. During the tour, your guide may reveal sleeping hummingbirds, three species of monkeys, and the entertaining click beetles. Be warned, you may also spot scorpions, vipers and tarantulas!
What to eat in Monteverde
If you have a sweet tooth or crave caffeine in the morning, the coffee and chocolate tour is tailormade for you. Costa Rica exports 1.5 million bags of its beans every year, and the farming traditions are still alive in the Don Juan family. On this tour, you will get a taste of the Tico culture while sampling their produce as they make it. Take the opportunity to ride in style by hopping in a hand painted ox-drawn cart.
Rolling the tours into one experience, your local guide (ask for Yenaro) will get you involved in the whole process from seed to cup, producing aromatic coffee and delicious drinking cocoa. The best time of year to visit is between November and February, when the coffee beans are ready for harvesting. As a bonus, you will also squeeze your own sugarcane juice using a historical trapiche press. You might even get to meet the legendary Don Juan himself!
Where to stay in Monteverde
Eco lodges are de rigueur here, with many luxury hotels offering a slice of paradise. However, Hotel Belmar stands apart with gastronomical delights springing from its restaurant, Celajes. The ingredients for their Costa Rican inspired dishes are fresh and plucked from their own organic garden, or delivered direct from their Madre Tierra (Mother Earth) farm. Also, they have their own microbrewery, so savor a Dos Mares IPA as you sit on the balcony and drink in the views that reach as far as the Pacific Ocean.
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La Fortuna
Famed for being the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, the crater lakes, hot springs and waterfalls create an otherworldly landscape where you can connect with nature at your own pace.
Things to do in La Fortuna
The Cano Negro boat tour takes travelers on a tranquil ride along Rio Frio (Cold River). As one of the most biologically diverse areas on the planet, you’ll be on the lookout for howler monkeys, rare Jabiru storks and caimans. The covered boat provides shade as you peer out with your binoculars, drifting along the river for an immersive trip spotting the wildlife that lives by the water. They include lunch in the tour, but as the reserve is close to the Nicaragua border, be sure to pack your passport.
Try something different
If you want to experience life on a sustainable, family-run farm, look no further than La Campesina. The tour takes place on a working farm with a host of animals running the show, featuring piglets, marmosets and water buffalo. You may even see some opportunistic monkeys lured to the exotic fruit grown there. There is a medicinal garden full of plants that are natural remedies, and you’ll have the chance to try sugar cane alcohol.
Afterwards, stroll through the mango tree grove and wave hello to the peacocks, deer and tropical birds that live here. To round off the tour, you’re invited to eat a fresh buffet made from the farm produce, with handmade tortillas and locally grown coffee. If you want to make a lasting impression, you can plant a tree and receive updates on its growth once you’ve returned home.
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If the thought of sinking into warm water in a tropical garden sounds like your idea of heaven, visit the Eco Termales hot springs. Shake off any worries and revitalize yourself at the only true natural spa in the region where the pools are fed from hyper-thermal chambers beneath the Costa Rica Arenal volcano to provide you with balmy temperatures between 99°F to 106° F. The crowds are purposely at a minimum here, so you can soak in peace.
Enjoy a hydro massage and order a drink from the terrace bar where trained bartenders are on hand to make your favorite cocktail. The hot springs have a range of benefits, from removing stress, boosting circulation and improving the condition of your skin. If the treatment leaves you a little peckish, head to the restaurant for rustic cuisine with a traditional lunch or a buffet dinner.
What to eat in La Fortuna
The Don Rufino serves up a fine dining experience with an emphasis on organic and artisanal produce. Blending local and world cuisine, the extensive menu has something for everyone. With six tasting menus, you can find the ideal plates to suit your tastes and budget. The grill options will set your mouth watering, with sirloin cuts and seafood platters. The pork belly confit, served with smoked white corn masa, classic vegetables, pork crisps, achiote rice and prune paste is a popular choice.
The restaurant has a rustic charm and low lighting to give your party an intimate setting. The restaurant has recently updated its wine list and their sommelier, Rinir Mora, will assist you in finding the right grape to complement your meal.
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Where to stay in La Fortuna
Nayara Springs is a luxury adults-only resort that offers unparalleled views of the Arenal volcano. A 250′ walkway bridge connects the hotel to the outside world, giving guests a peaceful stay in the tropical rainforest. With six different dining options, from the Asia Luna room that fuses Asian and Latin food, to the Pool Terrace that allows you to feast by the water’s edge, you’ll be well catered for here. The piano bar Amor Loco is the perfect place to round off a relaxing day.
Each spring villa has its own private pool that sources water from the nearby hot springs to ease you in gently, along with a private garden and dual rain showers. In the infinity pool that edges on to the jungle, you can watch toucans and colourful macaws fly by. The hotel, voted number one in the entire world by TripAdvisor in 2017, offers an award-winning spa service, with sauna, spa and outdoor treatment rooms.
If you are ready to unwind to the sounds of the jungle, book your trip to Costa Rica and take in the sights of Monteverde and La Fortuna on your next vacation. Don’t forget to check out our U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs blog for tips on how to get through airports security quickly! Anything we left out? Please let us know in the Comments field or email Glen directly on our Contacts page. Safe travels!
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