La Fortuna, Costa Rica Travel Blogs, Backpacking La Fortuna

Dobbs Away II Dobbs Without Jobs
Day397
La Fortuna
June 7 in Costa Rica
A beautiful drive through an intense rainstorm showed us just how much water rainy season brings. The roads were good, so no problems driving to our last stop in Central America.
We’re so grateful that we’ve been able to meet up with good friends during our travels. Here, we were able to spend time with one of our favorite people, our cousin Katie, and her good friend Katie (not confusing at all!)
The weather was moody (and stinking hot and sticky) during our visit, but generally didn’t interrupt any of our plans. Katie and Christy enjoyed horseback riding through the beautiful area near Arenal Volcano and we all enjoyed soaking in some nice hot springs afterwards.
The place we stayed had a lush garden out the back near a river and was teeming with poison dart frogs (and, a little unnervingly, snakes according to the hotel owner -though luckily we didn’t see any). Sadly, it seems frog populations have dramatically declined since we first visited ~15 years ago due to a fungus. It was nice to see a thriving population of a few species at least in this little corner of the country. We also were lucky to see 3 sloths (both the 3 and 2-toed types) and toucans during our visit.
We enjoyed this trip to Costa Rica and believe it’s the prettiest country in terms of nature in Central America, mostly because they’ve done such a good job with conservation since the early 70’s. It’s also really well developed with good roads, reliable electricity and drinkable water. While not a bargain, it’s a nice country and our favorite area is on the Osa Penninsula which we visited on our first trip.Read more
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Trip: Dobbs Without Jobs
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
Jun 7, 2018 at 6:17pm · 🌧 75 °F · Altitude: 787 ft
10°28'4" N 84°38'34" W
Melanie Marks Longwood in Costa Rica 2018
Day14
Arenal and La Fortuna
January 7 in Costa Rica
In the cute town of La Fortuna at the base of the volcano. Students had free time for shopping and dinner in their own. Then, we hung out in river heated by thermal waters. It was free...but across the street you pay $100 a night to stay in a lodge with thermal baths. Crazy!
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Trip: Longwood in Costa Rica 2018
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
Jan 7, 2018 at 11:17pm · Altitude: 755 ft
10°28'25" N 84°38'43" W
Kerstin Bauer Costa Rica 2k17
Day5
Tortuguero -> La Fortuna
March 30, 2017 in Costa Rica
Wenn deine Lodge direkt am Meer liegt, musst man einfach den Sonnenaufgang um 5.30 Uhr sehen..🌅 Gesagt, getan!! Katrin konnte sich sogleich nicht halten und war schneller im Wasser als die einheimischen ihr Gras rauchen können. Mit Nutella-Knäcke-Toastbrot genossen wir die noch “kühle“ Atmosphäre und schlenderten anschließend entlang des Strandes 🏝. Kaum zu glaube wie heiß es bereits um 8 Uhr morgens ist, sodass wir von der Sonne flüchten mussten, um unseren Sonnenbrand nicht weiter zu füttern ☀. Wir packten unsere Sachen und machten uns um halb 9 mit dem Boot auf den Weg wieder zurück🚣. Auf der Fahrt konnten wir schon selber viele Tiere sehen, da unser Auge bereits auf Urwald geschult ist.

Es stand uns dann die längste Autofahrt unseres Urlaubes bevor, die unsere Burschen dank MapNavigation super meisterten. Dies ist ja hier nicht ganz so einfach, da hier sehr viele Trucks unterwegs sind . Diese sind zum Teil doppelt so groß wie die LKWs zu Hause und fahren nach dem Motto “ich bin der stärkere“. Berg auf überholen ist für sie keine Seltenheit. Generell sind die Tempolimits sehr variable und pendeln sich im Durchschnitt bei 40 und 70 km/h ein. Wozu haben wir eigentlich einen 5ten und 6ten Gang?? Dies hat jedoch den Vorteil, dass Katrin mit ihren geschulten Adlerauge den selten gesehenen Vogel Tukan entdeckte und nach einem lauten Schrei Luki zum anhalten brachte. Schnell ein Schnappschuss und die reise ging weiter... 📸🐦
Wie im Bilderbuch stand der Vulkan Arenal am Horizont- jetzt wussten wir, es konnte nicht mehr weit sein🌋 !!!

Wir sind meeega begeistert von der Anlage unseres Appartements und den Besitzern, die uns freundlich und mit vielen Informationen für den morgigen Tag begrüßten. Die Anlage ist wirklich ein Traum!! -jedoch musste der Pool nach dem Motto “shitt happens“ wegen verunreinigungen eines Kleinkindes ausgelassen und gereinigt werden 💩. Der Traum sich abzukühlen wurde nur bis zu den Knöcheln erfüllt. Jedoch genossen wir am Liegestuhl mit Blick auf den Vulkan Arenal das Plätschern des Wassers, wie das Pool neu befüllt wird. 💧

Am Essen überzeugt sich Luki heute wieder vom Gericht Casado. Am Abend kochten wir uns dann in unsrem Appartement Spagetti. 🍴

Looking forward to tomorrow- mit einem deftigen traditionellen Frühstück “Gallo Pinto“ im Garten von Paola. 🙋Read more
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Renate Fischer
Wunderschöne Fotos. Lg aus Tirol
March 31, 2017
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Trip: Costa Rica 2k17
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
Mar 30, 2017 at 7:26pm · Altitude: 319 m
10°28'5" N 84°39'45" W
Katrin und Fabi Weltreise 2017-2018
Day112
Arenal & La Fortuna
December 21, 2017 in Costa Rica
Zwei Tage haben wir in La Fortuna residiert, in einer Eco-Lodge mit Pool und schöner Gartenanlage. Leider spielte das Wetter nicht so recht mit, also entschlossen wir uns zu einem SPA Tag in einer der vielen Wellnessoasen, welche allesamt von der selben heissen Quelle (dem Tabacon) durchflossen werden. Das Spa war wunderschön angelegt mit grossem Garten und vielen kleinen Wasserfällen. Wir genossen den Tag in vollen Zügen und konnten uns am Abend ein feines Essen gönnen, da dieses auch im nicht gerade billigen Paketpreis inbegriffen war.

Am zweiten Tag fuhren wir mit dem Auto in das nahe gelegene Vulkan Observatorium. Dieses wurde zu einer Lodge umfunktioniert und wird nicht mehr für die Überwachung des immer noch aktiven Vulkans Arenal benötigt. Im Gebiet gibt es jedoch viele Trails welche wir erkunden konnten. Der primäre Regenwald der sich dort zum grössten Teil befindet, erinnert stark an den Tschungel, welchen man aus Filmen wie Jurassic Park kennt; viele Farne und Moos. Neben vielen farbenfrohen Vögel trieben sich auch noch einige Nasenbären im Gebiet herum.Read more
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Hänsel Schmidt
Mier hoffid de Gnossänutzä hed glanget😂 mamdäd
December 23, 2017
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Trip: Weltreise 2017-2018
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
Dec 21, 2017 at 9:14pm · Altitude: 357 m
10°27'21" N 84°39'37" W
Meaghan Walsh Central America 2017
Day34
Gelato-a bargain at 2 million colones!
February 5, 2017 in Costa Rica
We were told that the weather is usually sunny with a light shower in the afternoon. It poured all day.

The town of Fortuna is overlooked by Costa Rica's most active volcano - Arenal. We saw nothing of it! See photo of town overlooked by the clouded volcano! Its like when I went to Egypt and Tutankhamun's tomb was closed.

So glad I wasn't hiking! Apparently the Kadashians were in town a few days ago and stayed at one of the hotels which have some hot springs. We could have gone to those hot springs for $100US!

Slept in and took my time in the morning - so nice not to have anywhere to be. Then wandered around town in my plastic poncho. Had a great smoothie and quaedesia (see photo) for breakfast/lunch in the Lava Cafe. The better shops were closed as it was Sunday. Go back to hotel to lay on bed with air conditioning on full blast and watch CNN. When I can't listen to any more about Trump I stagger up to continue aimlessly walking around. Gelato helps.

Then quite a good dinner at a soda which is the name for local cafes - this soda is full of tourists - the locals clearly having run for cover!

More gelato then TV time. There is one channel that has movies in the original language so I watch Ted 2 and We're the Millers. Ripper night!Read more
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Margy Walsh
Margy Walsh the meal looks ok but the mallis something else why did you chose this place ? What did Trip Advisor say about it ?
February 13, 2017
Margy Walsh
Margy Walsh it was reported in DM that the Kardashiens were at a resort
February 13, 2017
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Trip: Central America 2017
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
Feb 5, 2017 · Altitude: 237 m
10°28'16" N 84°38'48" W
Lily Monserrat Picazo Our One-Year Travel Adventure
Day17
"Los Venados" caves in CR
July 7 in Costa Rica
Caves over 6 million years old! This was an awesome adventure where we got to go through the rebirth hole, climb through amazing places, see stalactites and stalagmites, and admire tarantulas and other animals up close.
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Trip: Our One-Year Travel Adventure
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
Jul 7, 2018 at 10am · 🌧 25 °C · Altitude: 202 m
10°28'24" N 84°38'3" W
Lily Monserrat Picazo Our One-Year Travel Adventure
Day17
Swiming in the River (Thermal Waters)
July 7 in Costa Rica
A natural river of Thermal Waters that “Ticos” (natives) enjoy any time / any day as well as some adventurous tourist!

The vegetation surrounding is just incredible! The relaxation that this sulfurous waters provide rates #10!
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Trip: Our One-Year Travel Adventure
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
Jul 7, 2018 at 3pm · ⛅ 27 °C · Altitude: 208 m
10°28'21" N 84°38'2" W
DeanandLindasTravels Costa Rica 2017
Day2
Afternoon at Arenal Volcano
September 26, 2017 in Costa Rica
We stopped for lunch, and we could see the volcano from the restaurant. We ate a traditional lunch called Casado, which is beans, rice, fried plantains, sautéed onions and peppers, cabbage salad, and a choice of meat. We chose sea bass, and it was all wonderful!

After lunch, Bruce went ziplining along with another couple in their 80’s! The rest of us went on a boat tour of Arenal Lake, where we got another view of the volcano.
(See pictures of boat trip)

Then we went to Baldi Hot Springs resort, which has about 20 thermo-mineral pools of varying temperatures, and a steam cave—all heated by the volcano. It was very relaxing to sit at the wet bar in the hot water and enjoy a beer! Then of course, it rained. We changed clothes and had a buffet dinner at the resort. Delicious!Read more
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Trip: Costa Rica 2017
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
Sep 26, 2017 at 1:33pm · Altitude: 1,342 ft
10°28'8" N 84°38'37" W
Trav and Suki Round the World 2015
Day69
La Fortuna
May 29, 2015 in Costa Rica
It was a long drive today. 110km from Monteverde to La Fortuna, 30km of which was on unpaved gravel road.. in "Bumpy", our "not a 4WD" Corolla. So relieved when we got to the paved road!

Fortunately the second half of the drive was very beautiful as we drove around the perimeter of the great Arenal Lake and eventually caught sight of Arenal Volcano, an impressive and perfectly conical volcano. It was the first clear day in a month so lucky us!

The volcano is clearly visible from the main street of La Fortuna town, which is very cool. Our hostel is awesome- complete with hammocks and a bar (free welcome drink!), as well as access to the pool down the road. Its time for an afternoon of chillaxing! :-)Read more
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Trip: Round the World 2015
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
May 29, 2015 at 9pm · Altitude: 241 m
10°28'14" N 84°38'49" W
Evelyn Omasta Costa Rica
Day0
Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna
February 27 in Costa Rica
We arrived in San Jose safe and sound at 7:30 am today after almost missing our connecting flight from L.A. We were sleeping in the airport and missed the text telling us what terminal our flight to San Jose was leaving from. Of course, we were in the wrong terminal and had to run to the right one to catch our flight. Our private shuttle was waiting for us and we took the 4 hour drive to La Fortuna.

Once in La Fortuna, we went to one of the Sodas for lunch. Soda's are where the locals eat and cheap. Our meal cost us around $5.75 CAD including a bottle of water. We looked in some stores and then went to our room and had a nap.

Tonight we did a night hike. On the tour were a couple from Wisconsin celebrating their 70th birthday, a young couple from Calgary and two young guys from the Netherlands. We saw a LOT of frogs and a snake. After the hike, Jose our guide had a snack for us, an empanada and sugar cane tea with ginger that was delicious. We all then enjoyed a typical Costa Rican meal with beans and rice of course and delicious home made ice cream on a stick.Read more
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Rosa L
Looks awesome!
February 27, 2018
Valerie Omasta
Looks fabulous! Was looking at time on Monday and thought to myself. She is in LA...
March 1, 2018
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Trip: Costa Rica
@ Costa Rica La Fortuna
Feb 27, 2018 at 7:31pm · Altitude: 235 m
10°28'39" N 84°38'39" W