Costa Rica offers travelers breathtaking geography blended with a cultural richness that is sure to blow your mind. This small country boasts pristine beaches, active volcanos, thermal hot springs, and lush forests that humble you with their magnificence—not to mention the people have the kindest and funniest personalities to match. The town of La Fortuna is no exception!
La Fortuna is located in the central northern forest region of the country. It holds some of the best natural wonders of Costa Rica, the most noticeable being a volcano. Arenal is Costa Rica’s most active volcano and not only offers a spectacular view, but also supports some of the fun activities to do in the area (the underground lava flows heat to all the natural hot springs). Take a trip to the Tabacón Thermal Resort for a spa experience of a lifetime. The resort is dotted with dozens of interconnected pools filled with geologically heated water, and combined with the surrounding vegetation, it’s reminiscent of a prehistoric jungle. Tabacón also has a beautiful spa area for massages, delectable food, and a swim-up bar in the main pool.
The dynamic landscape of the Arenal area is perfect for hiking, zip-lining, horseback riding, biking, and white water rafting. Arenal Volcano National Park holds La Fortuna Waterfall; this 250 foot cascade flows from the base of the nearby Chato Volcano. Costa Rica is also home to a wide array of wildlife, ranging from iguanas perched on sunny rocks to sloths that can be seen casually hanging in trees. There are countless wildlife reserves and tours that cater to any experience you could imagine—you might even just run into some friendly coati (think cute lemur-raccoon hybrid) roaming around the streets looking for snacks.
And after all of this exploring, you might be looking for a snack yourself. The Café y Macadamia is a positively quaint little place to stop by, have a traditional Costa Rican meal, grab a smoothie and sit out on the patio overlooking the lake and the volcano while shrouded in hanging foliage. Costa Rican cuisine has a high reliance on fresh vegetables and fruits, and rice and beans are a staple of each meal. Places like Rancho Perla and Tierra Mia also offer fantastic local food.
At the end of an exhausting day of relaxing and eating, lay your head down at one of the many gorgeous and secluded hotels in the area. Montaña de Fuego is the perfect choice with its tropical forest, eco-spa, and individual bungalows. The volcano looms just outside your private hideaway. But if you prefer a little more adventure than luxury, check out the Tree Houses Hotel: there are seven private treehouses you can stay in with up-close-and-personal views of toucans, monkeys, and sloths. No matter what you do, though, you’re sure to have nothing short of a life-changing experience in this incredible little country.
Take a cue from Natasha Nyanin and bring our No. 12 Weekender along; you'll be sure to fit all you need and more for a tranquil few days in Costa Rica.
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