Hi guys,
I'm planning on visiting Costa Rica in April, but not sure where to go as the country is huge.
As much as I love the beach I think the most important thing about a visit to Costa Rica is to absorb its nature and wild life. So a lot of walks in the rainforest is probably on top of my list.
From the limited research I've done so far it seems like Lake Arenal could be a good location. What do you think about this?
Best place to get the most out of Costa Rica?
illerrre
18 January 2020 16:50:32
16
kohlerias
21 January 2020 14:23:19
1572
Expect rain & windy conditions when living around the Lake Arenal area, and will require having a vehicle, and being nearer to Monteverde cloud forest will be more suitable for what you are describing what you are looking for. However, there will be lots of tourists
samramon
21 January 2020 22:37:53
1338
You'll need to do some more research because the place I am recommending, I have not been to in many years. BUT it used to be a good alternative to Monteverde which is now like the Disneyland of eco tourism. (i.e. tons of tourists)
Reserva Santa Elena used to be much less visited yet the basic same forest and cheaper too! Very near Monteverde.
Maybe someone here can chime in on how it is nowadays, and if not, ask around...
https://www.reservasantaelena.org/Servicios.html
Depending on how much you can spend, I highly recommend the Villa Blanca at the Los Angeles Cloud Forest just north of San Ramon It's much easier to get to than Monteverde, as well, though if you don't have a car you'll have to pay for a taxi to take you up there and back from San Ramon which is going to cost some $. There is a bus but that's a bit complicated. If you are going to rent a car then problem solved!
https://www.villablanca-costarica.com/w … tour-walk/
$190 a night to stay there though! (When I went it was like $80 a night but they've got new owners and apparently renovated the cottages etc.)
It says the 2 hour day tour is $34 pp which is a fair enough price.
I'd write to make SURE you can take just the tour without staying there but I'm pretty sure you can. I've done it before but that was a while back.
samramon
21 January 2020 22:48:31
1338
illerrre wrote:Hi guys,
I'm planning on visiting Costa Rica in April, but not sure where to go as the country is huge.
As much as I love the beach I think the most important thing about a visit to Costa Rica is to absorb its nature and wild life. So a lot of walks in the rainforest is probably on top of my list.
From the limited research I've done so far it seems like Lake Arenal could be a good location. What do you think about this?
Arenal area is not known for its forests as far as I know, but there are some around there. Not sure if they are officially cloud or rain forests or not, though. They might be.
What Arenal (La Fortuna area) is known for are the hot springs of which there are many choices of.
The most famous (and most expensive) is Tabacon. I do'nt recommend them unless you're got lotsa bucks to spend but if money is no object, it is a beautiful place.
However there are other options in the area that are pretty nicely landscaped as well for much less money.
There is a waterfall tour from La Fortuna as well but I've never taken it. I think you can hike or take a horse. Then of course there is the volcano visible from many of the hot springs and hotels.
One hotel there in La Fortuna that I highly recommend is also a bit highly priced but quite beautiful. Los Lagos. $172 a night. Ouch! I paid $80 or so back in the day, just 5 years ago! Jeezh.
It includes breakfast at least. The grounds are beautiful and usually you can see monkeys there (ask the desk where to go look, I saw them right off the highway just next to the hotel) ,and there is a butterfly garden, crocodiles - safely out of reach from eating you, LOL, and so on. Mostly it's just very beautifully landscaped. Oh and it includes hot springs on premises and a pool with slide and swim up bar.
https://www.hotelloslagos.com/index.php … ve/stepOne
On the way back from there you could get off at Hotel Villa Blanca then get a ride back to San Ramon somehow.
Subscribe to this topic
Articles to help you in your expat project in Costa Rica
Leisure in Costa Rica
Whether you fancy ziplining or sunbathing, there are seemingly no limits to the activities that you can do in ...
Leisure in San Jose
San José, affectionately known as Chepe, is Costa Rica's largest city and capital and has a ...
Work in Costa Rica
A low unemployment rate and a strong economy set Costa Rica apart from its neighbours. If you have fallen in love ...
Banking in Costa Rica
As a foreigner living in Costa Rica, it is likely that you will at some point wish to open a local bank account ...
Key facts for international students in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is an attractive and affordable country in which to study, with one of the highest literacy rates in ...
The health care system in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has received international praise for its modern healthcare system, and both citizens and legal ...
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
"