Arenal (La Fortuna) and Monteverde form Costa Rica's premier highland nature circuit: La Fortuna sits at 250–600 meters elevation at the base of Arenal Volcano with natural geothermal hot springs, the 70-meter La Fortuna Waterfall, and Mistico Hanging Bridges, while Monteverde sits at 1,400+ meters along the continental divide with cool cloud forest reserves inhabited by resplendent quetzals.
Whether you are visiting Costa Rica for the first time or hosting visiting family from your home base on the Guanacaste coast, spending two to four nights in La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde is the classic inland counterpart to beach life.
1. La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano: Geothermal Springs & Rainforest Trails
Towering 1,670 meters above the San Carlos plains, Arenal Volcano heats underground mineral rivers that surface in lush garden hot springs across the valley. Spend your morning walking the 1968 lava flow trails and crossing the canopy suspension bridges at Mistico Park with a naturalist spotting sloths and toucans, swim beneath the 70-meter La Fortuna Waterfall after lunch, and soak in thermal mineral pools by evening.
2. Lake Arenal & Monteverde Cloud Forest
Winding around the western shore of Lake Arenal (where breezy Nuevo Arenal attracts cool-climate highland retirees), the road climbs into the Tilarán mountain range to reach Santa Elena and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve—where moisture-laden trade winds nourish thousands of orchids, mosses, hummingbirds, and the resplendent quetzal.
Joshua ten Brink has spent more than two decades living, photographing, and developing residential communities in Costa Rica. Through WildPhotography.com he documents Costa Rica's wildlife, coastlines, cloud forests, and everyday life across Guanacaste, the Central Valley, Arenal, Monteverde, and the Southern Pacific.
Common Questions About Arenal / La Fortuna & Monteverde Guide
How long is the drive from Playas del Coco or LIR Airport to La Fortuna / Arenal?
Driving from Playas del Coco or Liberia Airport (LIR) via Cañas and Tilarán around picturesque Lake Arenal takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours on paved highways.
Bookable Tours & Excursions Mentioned in This Guide
Explore verified small-group and private excursions in this region via Viator and GetYourGuide.
Arenal Volcano Hike, Mistico Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Day Tour
Mistico Park suspension bridges walk with naturalist guide, 70-meter La Fortuna Waterfall entry and swim, traditional lunch, and 1968 lava flow trail walk.
Departure: 7:30 AM pickup from La Fortuna / Arenal area hotels and ecolodges
Rainforest Sloth Sanctuary, Coffee, Cacao & Llanos de Cortés Waterfall
ICT-certified naturalist guide with spotting scope, private rainforest trail for wild two- and three-toed sloths, hands-on coffee & cacao roasting tasting, Llanos de Cortés waterfall swim, and traditional Costa Rican casado lunch.
Departure: 7:30 AM hotel or condo pickup in Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Ocotal, Papagayo, or Liberia
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