Arenal was our first stop in Costa Rica and we really enjoyed our time there. There is lots to do from simply relaxing, to hiking or swimming in a waterfall. In this post you’ll find the best things to do in the Arenal & La Fortuna Area, where to stay and how to get there.
The accommodation we chose made our trip to Arenal extra special. We stayed at Rancho Margot, a self-sufficient ranch close to Lake Arenal. I’ll tell you everything about it in this post as well.
Monteverde was my second stop in Costa Rica. I chose to visit it as Monteverde has a Cloud Forest, which is the only in Costa Rica but also one of the few Cloud Forests in the world, as they only represent 1% of the global woodland. I had never visited a Cloud Forest before! If you are wondering what a Cloud Forest is, well it’s just that, a forest which is constantly covered in clouds at the canopy level and is very, very moist.
When I began doing research about Monteverde I found that it is very small, but also that there are a lot of things to do! See below a full list of all the best things to do in Monteverde, where to stay in Monteverde, and how to get there and around.
VISITING MONTEVERDE: THE ESSENTIALS
Transport / The easiest and fastest way to get to Monteverde is by car, but the roads getting there are not paved and are in a pretty rough state, so you’ll need a 4×4. After searching around various Costa Rican 4×4 companies, DiscoverCars provided the cheapest rates with full insurance included which you’ll want. For buses and private transfers, check this site.
Tours / Forget trying to explore on your own uf you want to spot animals, only guides have their eyes trained for it. Here’s some of the best tours in Monteverde:
Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour
Monteverde: Cloud Forest Guided Hike
Monteverde: Jungle Zipline & Tarzan Swing with Transfer
From Monteverde: Monteverde Suspension Bridge Guided Hike
Monteverde: Coffee, Chocolate, and Sugar Cane Day Trip
Stay / Monteverde, famous for its lush cloud forests and incredible biodiversity, offers a variety of accommodations for travelers seeking nature, adventure, or relaxation. Here are some top-rated hotels in the area:
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens by Böëna $$$
Hotel Belmar $$$
Fondavela Hotel $$
Trapp Family Lodge Monteverde $$
Selina Monteverde $
Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Costa Rica, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!). I always use Sim Local, and you can get 5% discount with code TRAVELWITHPAU. Get it here.
Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Manuel Antonio National Park is my favorite national park in Costa Rica. There are some things I recommend you know before visiting to ensure you have a good time. See them below.
Manuel Antonio was my last stop in Costa Rica, and probably one of the places I was most intrigued about due to its popularity amongst travelers. I had a great time there both exploring the area as well as staying in Tico Tico Villas. Below the best things to do in Manuel Antonio, a review of my accommodation as well as recommendations on where to eat and how to get there.
