La Fortuna On a Budget
Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica
The best time to view the erupting volcano is at night when the lava is glowing. There are a handful of relatively expensive hotels that offer direct views of the volcano. If you're desperate to see the eruption at night, these are the best places to stay.
Sights
Most people travel to La Fortuna to see Arenal Volcano. It is often cited by scientists as being one of the top ten or top twenty most active volcanoes in the world.Other sites near La Fortuna include Fortuna Waterfall, which can be reached by either horse or car, and Lake Arenal. Head to the village of El Castillo for the best views of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano. The Arenal Butterfly Conservatory is also popular, as is canyoneering and whitewater rafting. There are also some nearby hot springs which are wonderfully relaxing. If you book a volcano viewing tour, it may include a visit to a hot springs spa. It is best to inquire about this ahead of time. For even more ideas, check out this list of 20 awesome things to do in Arenal.
If you're looking to enjoy the natural river and a few nearby waterfalls, head to Tabaconcito Hot Springs. It's free to enter. Alternatively, there are several developed, spa like pools that take great advantage of the hot springs as well. The most popular are Tabacon Hot Springs, Ecothermales Hot Springs, and Baldi Hot Springs. Each facility includes several pools, some with water slides. You'll also find a poolside bar which livens up the atmosphere at night.
Neighborhoods
La Fortuna is a small town that sees many tourists. As such, there are a decent number of amenities available to visitors. The town has a medic station, but serious enjoys require evacuation from town. There is also a police station, gas station, three banks, three grocery stores, a decent number of restaurants, a post office, and a hardware store.You'll also find no shortage of hostels and hotels in town. There is a dramatic range of prices and quality, so whatever your travel style, you can be assured you will find something to meet your needs in La Fortuna.
Activities
There is no shortage of adventure activities available around La Fortuna. Visitors enjoy white water rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, mountain biking, ziplining, horseback riding, bungee jumping, and zip-lining. For those who wish to relax, there are several spas and hot springs in the area that are well worth a visit.It's possible to book organized tours that take you to many places in the area. This can be an efficient way to explore the sights if you're on a tight schedule. Confirm what is included in your tour, including food and equipment, before finalizing arrangements.
Food and Dining
There are a handful of cheap places to eat in La Fortuna. These include Que Rico Arenal, which is Italian and offers views of the volcano, Kioro, also near the volcano, and Los Nenes, which is known for its cheap options.The town has three small grocery stores where you can pick up snacks or food to carry with you on a hike. It's also possible to prepare your own meals if you're on a particularly tight budget.
Transportation
There is an airport in La Fortuna. This is the closest airport to Arenal Volcano, but flying to the area is not common. Most visitors arrive via car or bus. The town is less than ten kilometers from the volcanoes peak and less than twenty kilometers from the entrance to Arenal Volcano National Park. It is helpful to have a vehicle to make the trip. Alternatively, it is possible to organize tours to most sights in the area. Many tours visit multiple sights in one day and often include activities such as spa visits, whitewater rafting, or zip-lining. Inquire at any of the area's tourist offices or within your hotel.Related:
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.