Also, check out my other blog post: Top 10 Things to do in La Fortuna
Day 1: Mistico Hanging Bridges | Arenal 1968 Hike | Hot Springs
The morning of my first full day in La Fortuna, I started off by going straight to the Mistico Park Hanging Bridges. The Uber from Fortuna was CRC 6,770 or about $12.50 USD. The park is a very family friendly, low impact activity. It takes you through the rainforest and you can see lots of flora and fauna. I think I spent about 3 hours here, and I was a bit slower than average. I saw a lot of waterfalls, great views of Arenal, and lots of insects. Not very much wildlife, although I saw a lot of hummingbirds and ants.
The hanging bridges were cool and not very scary. It was a fun activity overall, but not wildly breathtaking or adventurous.
Pro Tip: I recommend getting a guide so that you can learn more, but you can also have a great time walking through on your own!
From Mistico Hanging Bridges, I went to the Arenal 1968 hike, which takes you on lava rock created by the 1968 Arenal eruption. This was a cool, low impact hike, through the rainforest on easy trails. At the end there is a nice bar/restaurant to relax at. It was a 2-3 hour hike, and I would recommend it, although I would go on the other Arenal hike if I were to go back. On this hike, I saw and heard howler monkeys. They were really cool.
That night, there was a cheap shuttle from my hostel to the La Fortuna free, local hot springs. The “hot springs” is a creek with gentle flowing water. The water is warm, definitely not hot.
But as the sun sets and it gets dark, the locals light candles around the hot springs, and it can get very romantic. I stayed at the hot springs for 3 hours. I would definitely go here again, especially with my girlfriend this time.
Pro Tip: Bring your water shoes and be ready to get romantic when it gets dark!
Day 2: An Unforgettable Cerro Chato Hike | Finding Community at the Hostel
On Day 2, I set out early to hike Cerro Chato, which is a smaller volcano next to Arenal with a lake at the top that you can swim in. If you are adventurous, this is the hike for you!
The Uber from Fortuna to Green Lagoon Wellbeing Resort (where you pay and start the hike) was CRC 1,970 or about $4 USD with a tip. You pay $15 at Green Lagoon for the hike, and they have a couple of suggestions to help you.
Technically speaking, there are two parts to the hike: the first part is from the Green Lagoon Resort to a barbed wire fence and sign announcing the end of the hike about halfway up the mountain. Past the fence, the hike is actually illegal because the rest of the mountain is a protected nature preserve. So to get to the lake, you have to step over the barbed wire fence and keep going. Many people do this it seems.
Let me take a moment to acknowledge I am an American trespassing on protected land in a Latin American country. I am sorry.
Anyways, I was alone on the hike, and it is extremely rugged and you have to use your entire body. There were times when I was using my arms to pull me up. It is wet and muddy, also very muggy. There were times when I considered turning back, but I persisted on. At one point, I was greeted along the hike by a frog and a snake.
My best estimate is that it took about 1.25 hours to reach the lake at the top. I think I hike faster than average because I passed 2 groups of people.
At the top, I swam in the cool, refreshing water, which felt awesomely refreshing. There is seriously nothing like swimming in a volcano crater lake. I stayed at the top for about 15 minutes, and then a group of Germans were descending, so I decided to go with them so I wouldn’t be alone.
If you enjoy hikes that are challenging and ‘off the beaten path’, Cerro Chato highly recommended. You won’t be disappointed.
After Cerro Chato, I needed some serious food and rest, so I just relaxed at my hostel. I stayed at the Palacios Arenal for $22/night and there were a bunch of friendly, social people from around the world. I met people from the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and France. Ok, so mostly Europe and the States.
If you are looking to meet people and rub elbows, I recommend staying in a hostel instead of at a resort or Airbnb.
That night, some of the Europeans made “family dinner”. They wrapped a bunch of foil around the table and then made a huge serving of nachos on top. We then sat around and talked and drank and got to know each other.
You can find the best hostels from Hostelworld. Make sure to check Hostelworld everyday, because people cancel all the time, and new openings come up hour by hour.
Pro Tip: If you want to meet people, definitely book through Hostelworld.
Day 3: Free Fun at ‘El Salto’ and the Rainforst Chocolate Tour of a Lifetime
On Day 3, I was a bit tired and I was going to be leaving the next day, so I stayed close to La Fortuna.
Just outside downtown La Fortuna, I found an archeological site that was about ancient maize cultivation. I thought this was going to be an official museum, but it wasn’t – it was very small and unofficial, yet really interesting. I wandered around for a few minutes, until a local farmer saw me and told me all about the ancient practices and showed me ancient tools. It was all in Spanish, as he did not speak any English.
I then walked to El Salto, or ‘The Jump’. This is a rope swing that is free and popular. It was a lot of fun to do the swing and watch people do it as well. I wish I had brought my water shoes with me. I spent about 3 hours here.
I then went on a Rainforest Chocolate tour. This was one of the highlights of my trip. Overall, my attitude is that there are somethings I can’t do in the U.S., and a chocolate tour is one of them.
The chocolate tour was informational, talking about the history of chocolate, and then we played a couple of games in around the chocolate trees, and finally got to participate in the chocolate making process. The entire tour was very kid friendly, and there were a lot of kids and families there.
We also got to try lots and lots and lots of chocolate samples with dozens of different ingredients available, such as lavender, vanilla, whiskey, cinnamon, sprinkles, marshmallows, anise, turmeric, and the list goes on.
This was my last day in Fortuna, so I had to pack and say goodbye to my friends. Read my post on the beach portion of my trip and NYE in Tamarindo!
Summary, Extras, and Observations
Fortuna is a great home-base for doing as many adventures as you can fit in. I was in the Fortuna area for 4 nights, and I felt safe the entire time. Even when I walked alone to parts far beyond the tourist areas, I felt safe, and I did not feel like anyone was looking at me being out of place or anything.
No one confronted me, no one offered me drugs (which did happen in Tamarindo, FYI), nothing was stolen. I didn’t see any fights, confrontations, or catcalling.
Prices in Costa Rica are very similar to the US or even more expensive! Yes, it is Latin America, but no, it is not the place to get a 4-course meal and drinks for $7.50. Places like that exist in the world, but it’s not Costa Rica. Overall, the food was ok, nothing fancy. Bring enough cash, as I ran out of cash quick and the line for the ATM was sometimes long. If you use a credit card, there is a 15% tax, so cash is king! I do believe there are is a parallel pricing system in place that charges locals (or people with really, really good Spanish and negotiation skills) less for things.
For affordable food, I found Sabor Tico (Soda de Doña Flor). There are a few other sodas as well. While affordable, the food isn’t amazing.
I also found a used clothing store (thrift or second hand store) in the neighborhood directly south of the main strip. It is called ‘Tienda Americana Emilia’. I think there was also another thrift store in this area, too. I observed mostly locals in this area.
There wasn’t much nightlife in Fortuna. There was some live music playing popular covers, and there was a nightclub, but for the 4 nights I was there, it didn’t look open.
Overall, I highly recommend La Fortuna if you are looking for adventures, to relax, or to have a family-friendly vacation.
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