Amazing Arenal in La Fortuna!

January 12, 2024

Met some amazing people at breakfast this morning! Left Casa Geraldo around 7:30 am for the long drive to La Fortuna.

It was an easy drive but the roads were pretty windy….up and down hills and mountains.

Stopped at a great place for lunch, they offered hummingbird and butterfly tours. Didn’t have time to take the tour.

A bean and cheese empanada.

Checked into my airbnb, Villa Diluna. A beautiful little home away from the noise of La Fortuna! There are 3 little homes on the owners property.

Walked to a local Soda and had a delicious plate of vegetarian nachos and a watermelon smoothie for dinner.

January 13, 2024
Enjoyed a very slow and quiet morning on the deck. The owner’s cat came for a visit.

Off to Arenal volcano for a hike. I hiked with a wonderful couple from Winnipeg, Carly and Eric. We chatted about family, life and travelling.

The Arenal Volcano is one of the most iconic landmarks in Costa Rica. The Arenal Volcano National Park, in fact, has two volcanoes - the 5,357-foot (1,633-meter) Arenal Volcano and the 3,740-foot (1,140-meter) Chato Volcano. Until 2010, the Arenal Volcano was Costa Rica’s most active volcano.
That eruptive cycle – which began with the infamous eruption of 1968 – ended recently.

On the morning of July 29th, 1968 after a sequence of earthquakes Arenal’s most active volcanic period began with a major explosive eruption causing 78 deceases in “Tabacon” and “Pueblo Nuevo”. La Fortuna village, although on the other side of the volcano was evacuated because of falling ash.

Walking on the lava field

Saw this guy…. a Coati (raccoon)

Had to cross over on this bridge…..

At the cafeteria area

We managed to get a clear picture of Arenal without the clouds .

The skies opened up ….downpour in the rainforest! Headed to La Fortuna to do some exploring

Stopped at a Soda for dinner…. This was definitely a family business! The little girl brought me my menu, the dad took my order, the mom cooked the meal, and the older daughter brought the dinner to me! I watched the older girl and she was amazing.

Total steps today…..

January 14, 2024
Today was a chill day! Spent the morning around the pool listening to the birds, reading, and just relaxing.

Headed to Baldi Hot Springs for a few hours. Baldi has 25 geothermally heated mineral-rich hot springs pools of varying temperatures from 93 – 152 degrees Fahrenheit. I spent all my time at the hottest one!

Spent the rest of the afternoon poolside reading. Headed out for dinner to Soda Viquez.

Went back to the hot springs for one final dip

January 15, 2024
Visited the La Fortuna waterfall this morning. It’s the most visited waterfall in the whole country. Dropping 75 meters (246 feet) into a blue pool. The trek down to the waterfall takes around 15 minutes from the main lookout point. There are around 500 steps down to the waterfall and is about a 10 minute walk down.

I FINALLY got my cold dip today, along with about 100 people!

Walked back up in about 15 minutes.

I walked along the orchid trail! What I would give to be able to have all of these orchids!

I then headed to Arenal Observation Lodge for a hike and a possible chance to see a toucan! No other hotel is as close to the Arenal Volcano, Cerro Chato and Arenal Lake. With trail map in hand, I explored! I found and climbed an observation tower (what was I thinking?), beauty views but it was so high it was swaying in the wind!

Climbing down the tower was just as scary!

Danta waterfall

Hanging bridge…I walked over

Plants grow everywhere!

Another hanging bridge

Bug hotel

Back at the observatory deck the staff out fresh fruits out for the birds.

Dinner at Soda Viquez. I drove down a one way street twice to get there!

Tonight is my last night here is La Fortuna. I’m on my way to Monteverde….its about a 3.5 hour drive.