The 'best' Arenal Volcano hike? Observatory Lodge trails, La Fortuna | Costa Rica

[@catherinecorcoran1738]

That's some great places you've been. Very good travel tips and blog and great photography. Stay safe.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Catherine Corcoran - yes I've been very lucky! Hopefully the vlogs are useful to people travelling to these places, especially this one if they're debating whether to spend the time hiking around Arenal volcano.....

[@waspian]

I really appreciate the honesty of your videos. Although having been there this past February, I will say I think the observatory is stunning and I love the danta waterfall.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Ian Hollingsworth - absolutely it's just my opinion and admittedly perception is almost always relative. Maybe we'd just been spoilt with other places!

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Ian Hollingsworth did you try any of the other parks? See any of those elusive sloths?!?!

[@waspian]

@@WiththeSparrows i saw sloths in Manuel Antonio :)

[@WiththeSparrows]

@@waspian well I'm jealous, it became a bit of a running joke that we didn't see any sloths.

[@noahperez6691]

Amazing landscape over there and the music in the background 👍

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Noah Perez thanks! Although on this occasion the drone footage makes it look perhaps better than it was.....I would love to see what the Arenal National park, Eco park or 1968 have to offer in terms of hiking trails.

[@christines.3089]

Hey I have just been there yesterday and was asking the guide about sloths and he said that there are no sloths there since they prefer lower regions. So no wonder you did not see any ;-) We made all the walks (12 km) and we can highly recommend the area of the Arenal Observatory Lodge - it is beautiful up there with stunning views and we saw a lot of different wildlife too (coatis, hummingbirds, ant eaters, butterflies, snakes, even a monkey).

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Christine S. Well that would make sense as to why we didn't see any sloths! Glad you enjoyed the hike though - did you do anything else in La Fortuna like Rio Celeste or the zip lining?

[@christines.3089]

@@WiththeSparrows Hi :-) Oh yes we did the Mistico Hanging Bridges as well (loved it!) and the Sloth Trail in La Fortuna with a guide and actually saw like 6 sloths and even a baby! Then we travelled on to Rio Celeste where we stayed in a hotel right next to the river (stunning!) and walked through the Tenorio National Park. Then on to Monteverde and then Quepos/Manuel Antonio for the last 4 days. We loved Costa Rica and will be back! Greetings from Germany!

[@dcairol]

Hey, thanks for this. If I may suggest an edit of something in the description of your video: Arenal volcano last erupted in 2010, not 1968. 1968 was actually the year when it entered its last period of activity, which lasted until 2010.

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Daniel Cairol - thanks for pointing that out - I've edited the description.

[@mariajosefarfan2815]

Do you know where can I get the online tickets for the observatory park?

[@sushil54]

What places can you use drones in la fortuna and Manuel Antonio?

[@WiththeSparrows]

You definitely can't use them at La Fortuna Waterall or Tabacòn Hot Springs. Unfortunately I didn't go to Manuel Antonio but what I would say is that they are pretty good at putting up signs where they don't want you using a drone.

[@darbydriscoll336]

How did you choose a taxi service and do you have recommendations? I’m curious as to how much a taxi ride was to the observatory from la Fortuna 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Darby Driscoll we just used Uber, it's the easiest (although it does take a while for the places a bit further out and doesn't work at Mistico Hanging Bridges). We ended up just taking the phone numbers of Uber drivers so that we could call them to get a ride. P.s not sure if you watched the whole video but I'd definitely recommend checking out one of the other parks instead if The Observatory! It's like a glorified golf course.

[@udanaariyaratne2989]

That tree is Turpentine

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Udana Ariyaratne - thanks, although I just google Turpentine trees and they don't look very similar?

[@laniakeadelapena7287]

not the best park? mammals, insects, hundreds of species of birds, amphibians and reptiles, etc ... and those colorful trunks are an adaptation of the tree when the tree has few leaves to absorb the sun they do it that way, with a tourist guide and if you had been alone this video would be something else and u know (in my opinion) is not about the place. Need some help there i guess

[@WiththeSparrows]

Having watched other reviews of other parks, I still don't think this one is the best choice in Arenal. However, fair point about the guide. Maybe we would have seen sloths 🦥

[@anzhelikavardi7204]

Would be nice if you were filming stuff around instead of yourself)) people are not interested to see your face for 15 minutes))

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Anzhelika Vardi - not all that much to see except for what the drone showed!

[@edgutierrezcr]

Not only that. The negative comments about everything get on your nerves after a few minutes.... It seems it is England's national sport. Boring video.

[@jackspintz5784]

please break up with that girl ugh!!!

[@WiththeSparrows]

@Eric Heyl - haha, strong words. Bear in mind I did drag her on an activity which she isn't fond of so not shining the best light!