Closest Airports: 50 minutes to Liberia (LIR) and 10 minutes to Tamarindo (TAM) airstrip. After some busy days in La Fortuna, you will head west about 3.5 hours to Guanacaste Province for beach time and relaxation. . Inc., home to hundreds of discounts for Costa Rica day tours. Unfortunately, La Fortuna, Costa Rica does not have any beaches nearby. The nearest beach is Puntarenas, but noone on this forum is going to suggest beaches around this port town are worth going out of your way to visit. It is 98 km from Arenal to the InterAmerican Highway and then another hour and a half or two hours to Coco. . Less than $1000 p.p. There are, however, several side trips along the way that are worth exploring, including the Poás Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens (see our Driving Map to Arenal). Transfer from Arenal or La Fortuna to Conchal beach up to 5 passengers: $240 . The Arenal Volcano, often shortened to just Arenal, is truly a sight to behold. The other route, marked in green, is a more cultural drive—you'll pass through quaint villages, including Sarchí, the country's handicraft capital. LIR. Get Your Free Costa Rica Report Here: Karl Kahler/The Tico Times. The volcano itself is active and has been constantly erupting since 1968. . our free Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. It's also one of the calmest beaches in Costa Rica. This region along the northern Pacific coast has some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort. Be sure to stop and admire the views of rolling . Romantic Beach Getaway. 54 helpful votes. Volcano & Beaches of Guanacaste. Average Temperature: 70°- 97° F (21°-36° C) The drive from San José takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. The 2.7 km hike up Mount Miros is definitely Jaco's best-kept secret. Fast Facts About Playa Langosta. These are the 1.8 mile-long beaches in the town of Jacó along the central Pacific coastline of Puntarenas province. Transfer to the bus going to Puntarenas which takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, ~1500 colones. Cariari Country Golf Club. Tamarindo, where to stay in Costa Rica on the beach. This was our favorite restaurant in La Fortuna — an elegant Italian place with stylish ambience, excellent service and, best of all, outstanding food. La Fortuna is located in the Northern Highlands of Costa Rica, about 2.5 hours from San Jose's international airport (SJO) and 2.5 hours from Liberia's international airport (LIR). Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park - Walking across a network of bridges hanging high about the rainforest is one of the most iconic things to do in Costa Rica and Arenal is one of the best places to do it. The town belongs to the district of La Fortuna of San Carlos, in the Province Alajuela and is situated at an altitude of 300 meters . Further south, in Manuel Antonio, is a fully-furnished two-bedroom condo for $700 a month. 1. To Samara, it is about the same. Where to stay in La Fortuna. If you are staying in La Fortuna for your entire vacation in Costa Rica and want to visit the beach, be sure to add an extra day to your itinerary since it will be an all-day excursion. LIR. ADIFORT is a non-profit community organization that manages the property. 1. 9.7 Excellent. Also Known As: Playa Langosta or Langosta Beach. our "best of Costa Rica" compilation DIY Costa Rica, which includes our Costa Rica Destination Tool. You can find a zipline nearby if you want to fly above the top of the jungle. La Fortuna is situated 16 miles (26 km) from Ciudad Quesada and 75 miles (120 km) from San José. To Samara, it is about the same. 7. La Fortuna is surrounded by rainforest, Arenal Volcano National Park and is minutes from Costa Rica's largest lake. and our awesome Costa Rica travel guidebooks, Moon Costa Rica (2021) & Moon Costa Rica (2019), published by the prestigious Moon . . The Doubletree Cariari Hotel and Country Club is only 5 minutes from the Juan Santamaria International Airport and 10 minutes from Costa Rica's capital. Visit Mistico Arenal Hanging Brides Park. our "best of Costa Rica" compilation DIY Costa Rica, which includes our Costa Rica Destination Tool. Read about driving from Liberia to Arenal and driving from San Jose to Arenal. Closest International Airport: . La Fortuna: Day 10: Depart Costa Rica . Driving to La Fortuna from Alajuela or San Jose is easy. La Fortuna is a town nestled in the northwest corner of Costa Rica at the base of dormant volcano Arenal. While taking Costa Rica minivan shuttles and buses are often a budget-friendly choice, sometimes the most economical option for traveling around the country is by plane. . Café Mediterraneo. 9. Fully-furnished and decorated, it runs $1,350 a month. Use this destination guide to plan the second part of your trip and see the mighty . Closest Town: Tamarindo is about 2.5 km driving from the beach. Golf courses near San Jose, Costa Rica: San Jose is the main hub for golf courses in Costa Rica. The area is a combination of a nature walk, five waterfalls, and a rescued wildlife preserve with over 100 species of animals. More than 3 million tourists came here in 2018, and the majority of them flew into one of Costa Rica's two major airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near the capital of San José, or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in the province . Bus, minivan, private car, flight. How to Get to La Fortuna. Staying in La Fortuna for your entire vacation in Costa Rica and planning to visit the beach? Volcano & Beaches of Guanacaste. Where to stay in La Fortuna. Region: Guanacaste & the North Pacific. Playa Santa Teresa. 4.3 mi from current hotel. Of course, you can book tours from Playa Flamingo that will take you out there for the day. The nearest airport to La Fortuna is Fortuna (FON). If you look at a map of Costa Rica, you'll notice that La Fortuna and Monteverde are very close to each other. All schedules have two-hour intervals. Tickets cost $3 and the journey takes 1h. $586. . Affectionately called Tama Gringo by locals, Tamarindo is the most popular beach destination in Costa Rica. This 18-hole, par 71 course is built on a former coffee plantation and hosts many local and international tournaments. These are the distances from downtown: - Cariari Country Club is 7 miles away (20 minutes) - Valle del Sol is 7 miles (20 minutes) - Marriott Los Suenos is 70 miles (1:15 hour) and a great option if staying in San Jose. LIR. PART III: The Flamingo Coast. Driving with Rental Car. 3. $55. Best Hostels for Solo Travellers & Groups in La Fortuna, Costa Rica Best Hostels in Arenal and . Tamarindo Beach is a mix of surfer's paradise, vibrant nightlife and every outdoor enthusiast's ideal vacation spot. The best way of reaching La Fortuna Waterfall in Costa Rica is through the gates of ADIFORT. Most grocery stores take USD and colones. Best to stick to Arenal and maybe one of the beaches of the southern Nicoya Peninsula, such as Montezuma or one of the beaches close to the airport such as Playa Hermosa. Report inappropriate content roadadvisor Starts at US $44. . The beaches of Flamingo, Potrero, Conchal and Brasilito are just a bit further from the airport and a really nice area. Neither of these is a good candidate for a day trip. Grab your boots, your bathing suit, and a hat because it's time to make your way to the small town of La Fortuna! The community of La Fortuna, also known as Villa Fortuna or Villa Burio, is located in the valley of the volcano Arenal, bordering to the Rio Burio. It has a fitness centre, as well as an express check-in and check-out feature, massage services and a concierge. Then from Quepos, take the bus to Manuel Antonio National Park or taxi to your hotel. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, the earliest bus departs from San Jose at 6:00 AM. Playa Santa Teresa is one of the best beaches in Costa Rica for surfing, the long, stunning strand is famous for its fast and powerful beach break. Welcome to Costa Rica! Most grocery stores in Costa Rica take both USD and Costa Rica colones so if you don't want to pay with your credit card, you can use cash. Report inappropriate content xelas Slovenia Destination Expert Santa Teresa, where to stay in Costa Rica in a gorgeous beach town. The shortest - the blue line on the map - runs through San Ramon and takes around three and a half hours. Though the Pacific and Caribbean coasts have crystalline beaches and warm water, Costa Rica's inlands invite . Closest International Airport: . If you leave the car in Arenal you could fly on Nature Air or Sansa, maybe save a little time. . Here are the best places to stay for your Costa Rica vacation. But in lieu of Tamarindo you could consider Playa Del Cocos / Playa Hermosa /as they are closer to LIR. Re: Is there a beach close to Arenal. Then in Puntarenas, get the bus to Quepos (~2000 colones, 2.5 hour ride). Coming back, you can catch a bus daily from Jaco to San Jose from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 7. La Fortuna Town. This little coastal village focusing on surfing, yoga and wellness is known as one of the first expat beach towns in Costa Rica. 1. "Beautiful Beach," living up to its name. Puerto Jimenez, hikes, fishing, whale and dolphin watching and archeological spots. See 2,677 traveler reviews, 3,119 candid photos, and great deals for Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, ranked #2 of 153 specialty lodging in Costa Rica and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Being one of the best hiking destinations in Costa Rica, you'll encounter some of the best views of the bay. . Starts at US $115. The Arenal Sky Adventures Park is located an approximate 30-minute drive west of downtown La Fortuna near the community . The closest beach is called Naranjo Beach, and keen surfers often camp. It is renowned for being one of the cleanest beaches in Costa Rica and is known for its palm-fringed shore, mountain ranges in the distance as well as clear waters. We compare and contrast La Fortuna / Arenal and Monteverde, plus offer a quiz, photos, and free discounts for both areas to help you decide! At the north end of the beach, Roca Mar - aka . Finisterra is located up on the hill, so you you have good views. Surrounded by thick jungle and abundant wildlife, La Fortuna is a great home base for various adventure activities in Costa Rica. There are lofty palm trees, sun-faded driftwood, and plenty of space to find some privacy. Bosque del Mar is on the beach. Tilaran, Guanacaste. The beach is beautiful with warm blue water, but the current can be strong. Coco is an older town and has traditionally been visited by Costa Ricans but the closest beach to Liberia. Golf courses near San Jose, Costa Rica: San Jose is the main hub for golf courses in Costa Rica. The Full Variety of Costa Rica Destinations. Located in the Cloud Forest outside of San Jose, t he La Paz Waterfall Gardens is the most visited privately-owned ecological attraction in Costa Rica — and for good reason! Jaco, Costa Rica is the optimal choice for an adventure-filled vacation in paradise. Less than $1000 p.p. Of course, you can book tours from Playa Flamingo that will take you out there for the day. . The town is centered on a beautiful park with colorful gardens and a large church. Sorry, there is no public beach anywhere near the route from SJO to La Fortuna since both are smack dab in the middle of the country. Available through out the year: Jan. Feb. Mar. ADIFORT is a non-profit community organization that manages the property. 1. Fast Facts. ; By plane: You can take a local flight to La Fortuna which is about 20 minutes from . Costa Rica Shuttles, Jaco Beach, Santa Teresa & Mal País. At over 1,600 meters high at the peak, it looms in the distance and can be seen from just about anywhere in La Fortuna with a clear view of the sky and the Arenal lake. The preserve also includes a Butterfly Observatory, Serpentarium, Frog Exhibit, and . Tours, Hotels & Information. We loved the comfy room and awesome pool. Costa Rica Classic. Similarly, the small cities (or large towns) of Jacó and La Fortuna are known as tourist hotspots — for Costa Ricans as much as foreigners. The closest beach is called Naranjo Beach, and keen surfers often camp. our free Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. 7. Playa Hermosa is located about 10-15 minutes north of Santa Teresa's main strip. LIR. Transpisa operates a bus from Ciudad Quesada to La Fortuna every 3 hours. Buses operate daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. 4,260 colones for a 6 pack of Imperial beer. Visitors to this area are in for a treat as the volcano provides a magnificent backdrop to the day trip adventures. I would put this at the top of your list of things to do in La Fortuna. Shops, tour operators, and restaurants are only a short walk from the beach. this is the perfect town to go out, get a great dinner, shop for souvenirs and get your first surfing lesson! However, there are better options for getting to La Fortuna. La Fortuna has a spring-like climate with average temperatures of about 28°C/82°F throughout most of the year. LIR. For example, Arenal Volcano National Park offers visitors countless opportunities to enjoy hot springs, hiking, fishing or white water rafting. Two different trails lead to overlooks of Jaco Beach and Playa Hermosa. It is the closest town to the Arenal volcano. When planning your bus route we suggest looking at CentroCasting and TheBusSchedule . Snorkeling in Costa Rica - ALL You Need to Know Snorkeling Costa Rica. Tamarindo & Flamingo will take approx 4-5 hours, about the same as MA. For pulperias, it is best to pay with credit card or Costa Rican colones as these are the small family owned stores. In the morning, you will travel to La Fortuna, the closest town to Arenal Volcano. Playa Conchal Often called the most stunning beach in Guanacaste, Conchal is a public beach as well as a reserve. PART V: Arenal. Where to Stay in La Fortuna. Located along the Pan American Highway some 4 km from Lake Arenal, Tilaran is now fast becoming a key location for adventures in and around the lake area. The beaches of Flamingo, Potrero, Conchal and Brasilito are just a bit further from the airport and a really nice area. $1000-$1500 p.p. Proprietor Geovanny Lobo, 37, said his is the only place in . http://www.samarabeach.com Costa Rica's 200-strong collection of volcanoes christen the country with its Jurassic Park credentials. The trails of Volcano Arenal National Park close to La Fortuna (Alamy)2. GuateGo. JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort. It is the closest town to Arenal Volcano, and the area is often simply refered to as Arenal. One of the largest and most popular beach and surf towns in Costa Rica is Tamarindo in the Guanacaste region. Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa - Arenal Observatory is one of the only hotels within the Park area, and is the closest to the volcano. La Fortuna and El Arenal have lots of great options available. Framed on the west by the cool Pacific and the east by the balmy Caribbean, the . 7 Walk above the rain forest at the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Hotel La Finisterra or Bosque del Mar are both great hotel options. The closest major airport is Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, about one hour away. Juan Santamaria International Airport is technically in Alajuela but very close to San José and it is a . Day 3 - Monteverde. Luxury Romantic Heaven. $1000-$1500 p.p. 12. Gateway to Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano, Tilaran is a charming town that lies in the northeastern regions of Guanacaste province, close to the border of Alajuela. Situated in Monterrey, Amor Arenal is an easy drive from La Fortuna and offers an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi and a Jacuzzi. These are the distances from downtown: - Cariari Country Club is 7 miles away (20 minutes) - Valle del Sol is 7 miles (20 minutes) - Marriott Los Suenos is 70 miles (1:15 hour) and a great option if staying in San Jose. Montezuma, bohemian surf town. It is a reliable and easy-to-use platform to compare prices & schedules and make a booking online. La Fortuna, Costa Rica is unfortunately not close to a beach. Playa Carrillo, Guanacaste. In the heart of Jacó is a two-bedroom, 1,648-square-feet oceanfront luxury condo. Renting a car is one of the most efficient ways to go from San Jose to La Fortuna. Jaco offers all the charm of a small town, the fun of exotic adventures . Though the volcano isn't considered dangerous today, this wasn't always the case. Fun Things to do in Jaco, Costa Rica. 3. Pacific Coast - Hermosa Beach near Jaco Beach The Best Beaches Near San Jose, Costa Rica are Not Too Far Away by Car The country's most popular beach resorts are just two hours away by car west of the capital city of San Jose. Hike Mount Miros. San Jose to Monteverde. Re: Beach Town Close to Liberia. Costa Rica Classic. 5. Guide to 66 Costa Rica beaches Guanacaste / Northern Pacific beaches . 11. Visitors to Costa Rica choose to stay here as it is an easy drive from San Jose International Airport (SJO) and is located on the breathtaking Pacific Coast. 14 years ago. You can take a bus from San Jose (SJO) to La Fortuna via Ciudad Quesada in around 2h 45m. Even though it is popular with beginner surfers, this beach feels more remote than others. This route takes about four . As one of the most visited places in Costa Rica, Monteverde in North Puntarenas is teeming with fun new experiences the whole family will enjoy! LIR. Closest International Airport: Daniel Oduber International Airport . From the Costa Rica Caribbean coast to the Pacific coast there are a variety of rainforests, cloud forests, volcanos and beaches to visit. During the rainy season, nights can get a little chilly when temperatures fall to about 18°C/64°F. More than $2000 p.p. View Details. Punta Uva, in Puerto Viejo Today you'll have plenty of time to spend at one of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches, Playa Punta Uva. It takes about three hours to get to Puntarenas, one of the closest coastal cities. If you catch all the connections this will take about 4:30h. 10. By driving: Arenal/La Fortuna is 3-3.5 hours from both San Jose Airport and Liberia International Airport with fairly straight forward routes and doesn't require a 4X4. Springs Resort and Spa. It is 98 km from Arenal to the InterAmerican Highway and then another hour and a half or two hours to Coco. $1000-$1500 p.p. MA may be your closest beach, and nice area to stay. Apr. Modern house with splendid views of the lake and Arenal volcano - 0.1 mi (0.1 km) away. Book Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, Costa Rica on Tripadvisor: See 2,677 traveller reviews, 3,119 candid photos, and great deals for Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, ranked #2 of 153 Speciality lodging in Costa Rica and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Neither of these is a good candidate for a day trip. From San José, there are two ways to get to Arenal. Browse our Costa Rica blogs to learn everything you need to know about Costa Rica beaches, including recommendations for beaches to visit in Costa Rica. Nosara, paradisiacal beach area great for yoga and learn surf. Rent bicycles with the kids and pedal there!