Travel Guide To Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna I Costa Rica I

In this travel guide to the La Fortuna and Arenal Area we're getting up close to the Arenal Volcano lava flow! We'll show you the best the area has to offer from hiking to hanging bridges, where to eat and stay, and take you to the Baldi and Tabacon Hot Springs to compare the two and help you decide which is best for you.
WE NOW OFFER TRAVEL PLANNING!!! YAY!
www.salttravelco.com/travelco...
Specializing in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico City & Europe
PLACES WE VISIT:
NOTE: Plastic disposable water bottles are not allowed in parks in Costa Rica
Arenal 1968
Our Rating ***/
• Pet Friendly! Leashed dogs welcome.
• Easy to moderate trails
• Great restaurant at the end of the trail.
Open 8 am - 6 pm Daily
Adults $17 USD
Discounts for students, seniors and CR locals
www.arenal1968.com
Mistico Hanging Bridges
Our Rating ***/
• We recommend going with a guide. It will make a HUGE difference in the quality of your time at the park. If you're going to spend the money it's worth it to do it right. Otherwise it's just an expensive walking trail.
• Closed toed shoes required
• Drive to park is about 25 minutes from town
Open 6 am - 3:50 pm Daily
Adults 19-64 years of age $26 USD
Guided Tour for $14 more per person • Choose from Bird Tour, Natural History Tour (we did this one), and Night Walk Tour
Group Rates available
Discounts for teens, seniors and CR locals
Children under 12 are free!
www.misticopark.com
La Fortuna de San Carlos town
• Sundays in the central park are a fun way to see some local culture
Red Frog Coffee Roasters
• Breakfast Burrito with extra green sauce!
• Truly great coffee
La Cava Woodfire Pizza
• Pizza! And grill
Pollo Fortuneño Rotisserie & Grill
• Mixed platters to share for 2 people or more
• Bomb margaritas!
Baldi Thermal Resort
Our Rating ***/
• It's really nice to visit the HOT springs on a rainy, colder day
Day passes start at 9 am on weekends and 10 am on weekdays
Closes 9:00pm (I'm pretty sure they told us 10pm)
Prices for Adults
Entrance: Nationals $19 / Foreign $36
Entrance + Dinner: $39 / $56
Entrance + Lunch: $39 / $56
Entrance + Lunch + Dinner: $59 / $76
www.baldihotsprings.cr
Tabacon Hot Springs and Spa
Our Rating *****
• A romantic setting for relaxation and rejuvenation in the healing thermal waters
• We had the full day pass because it was a special deal although we arrived in the afternoon.
• We HIGHLY recommend the night pass if you are only going for a half day. It was SOOOO amazing at night!
www.tabacon.com
Confort Arenal Hotel
Nicely appointed rooms or apartments with balconies facing the volcano!
• Pet friendly!
• AC / WIFI
• Picnic tables & social area
• Lots of wild animals like toucans, sloths and wild turkeys
www.confortarenal.com/
Casas del Rio
Gorgeous studio villas overlooking a giant pond and flowing river. Also, vacation houses available for bigger groups. Very nicely manicured grounds, social area with full kitchen, two pools and a water slide!
• Pet Friendly!
• Spa services on property
• AC / WIFI
• Very close to town
casadelrio.net/
Thank you for joining us!

[@getfitgia]

Looks amazing, I am going to use some tips as I plan my trip! Thanks for sharing 😊

[@henrynunezcastro5952]

Lindo mi San Carlos,, bienvenidos👍👍🇨🇷

[@SaltTravelCo]

Si!!! De acuerdo! Me encanta. Muchas gracias

[@dk_kardboard]

Very informative as I research a future vacation. Much appreciated.

[@roothestew2860]

My husband and I are visiting this area next week. Your video was helpful in giving us an idea of what we wanted to experience. Thank you.

[@SaltTravelCo]

Oh how fun! Hope you have a blast! Cheers

[@anavictoriabarrantesswissj6878]

Love your videos!!!! I’m from Costa Rica, and can tell you, you do a great job describing everything!! We’ll be there next week, and will go to those places that you recommended!! Thank you!🙏🙏

[@paigetaylor4077]

Great video! Lots of useful info. Thanks!

[@BrewerArts]

This was a great video. Thank you! I have to confess I chuckled a little when I saw that closing shot and imagined your phone drinking a beer! ;)

[@cibablea]

This was great! Nicely done and thank you!

[@sobossy3052]

Thank you for such great content. I’m going in Aug 2022 and your videos are helping paint a clear picture for my planning. Awesome contenr! Beautiful doggies🥰

[@SaltTravelCo]

Yay! Wonderful! That’s so great to hear, thank you. Much appreciated! Cheers!

[@bethmcknight6827]

Love your videos. They are so helpful in planning our trip. Thank you! 🙂

[@majo0813]

Loved the video 😊

[@TheRedBlackBellaire]

Good video! Arenal region is a must-visit. Too many things to do, but the river tubing and Mystico Bridges are high on the list. Also, please avoid places that let you take selfies with animals as many of those creatures suffer heart issues and die early as they are not supposed to be in proximity to people, this is most true with Sloths! And please don't throw your trash on the ground! This is not the US; they take care of their country! The fresh food here is amazing! If you go to Costa Rica and miss the Arenal area, then you missed a big part of the experience!

[@Mrschristinehubert]

Thank you for this video! I am heading to Costa Rica in February and was having troubles coming up w/ ideas for my itinerary as it’s all so overwhelmingly beautiful and so many places to see, this helped get me started!

[@SaltTravelCo]

Thanks Christine! Yes, it can be overwhelming and it’s so hard to give advice because everyone is different and what they are looking for. But I’m happy to help if you have any questions. The other thing to remember is that you really can’t go wrong and you can always book things once you were here so you can go with the flow (and the weather). It’s so beautiful here rest assured you will have a great trip. ☺️

[@nickiv.o.1215]

Great video!

[@plane1880]

Thanks for the history of the volcano now I’m scared and I go in two weeks. Lol

[@SaltTravelCo]

Ahhhh well… I guess it’s always good to have a little healthy fear of volcanoes as they are very powerful but the good news is they didn’t rebuild in the dangerous areas and have definitely learned their lesson and now all is good :)

[@plane1880]

@@SaltTravelCo that’s what I told my husband. We are so excited to go.

[@mikeoneil5683]

Love your videos. I was in La Fortuna for 2 weeks in 2021. I did Los Lagos Hot Springs Resort for $13. I stayed at Selina and it could not have been better for me as I was solo. It's a super social hostel with live music and lots more. I am coming back to La Fortuna in late January 2022 for 2 weeks. Gonna follow your advice.

[@jessica82882]

I stayed at the Royal Corin but stopped by Selina to watch a UFC fight they were streaming and boy what a fun laid back crowd! Definitely looks like the place to stay for solo travelers. I can’t wait to go back. Enjoy!

[@billgalli5991]

Using the Guide at Misticopark is really smart. Lots of great restaurants in Fortuna.

[@SaltTravelCo]

We agree! Thanks Bill! Cheers

[@jennifersalvage-style7798]

Have loved all your videos! We are dreaming of owning property in Costa Rica and have narrowed down to 2 areas, Nicoya Peninsula and Arenal area. What won over our hearts to Arenal was the old school lodge, Arenal Lodge. Reminded us of a lodge in Colorado in the 1970s but tropical! The owners are the sweetest people and the property and trails are mysterious, beautiful, kind of feel like your in an episode on "Lost." It's not for everyone but we tend to lean towards more rustic places that focus on nature.

[@SaltTravelCo]

Hi Jennifer! Oh that’s wonderful thank you so much! Oh I totally agree both are my favorite places. I do live in the Nicoya Peninsula but could very easily live in the Arenal area! The temperature there is perfect, the wildlife abounds, and the mega range of activities are incomparable. Pop down to the beach every once in a while for some vitamin sea and live happily ever after. ☺️ hope your dreams come true soon and look forward to running into you along the way somewhere. Cheers!

[@pilarhauptmann9699]

Precioso

[@LarkinBohn]

These videos are great!! I am currently in Belize, trying on different areas to find the perfect fit for my new home. I worked on a ship in Costa Rica for three years but, hardly explored the beautiful country in my time off. I’m thinking of heading back that way and your videos are helping me make a Costa Rican game plan. Thank you and keep up the great work! 🙏😃😎

[@SaltTravelCo]

Hi! First of all, I love your screen name! And you're thinking of relocating to Costa Rica, which I highly recommend; we must be kindred spirits! I could probably live anywhere for a time but a true home is a very special place. Costa Rica is a place you can make a home for sure. Good luck on your quest! That's what it's all about anyway and thank you so much for your great comment. Much appreciated!

[@LarkinBohn]

@@SaltTravelCo Thanks! It actually the name of my show. COVID had this sailor tied to the dock waaaaay too long. I took the extra time as a sign to finally start the channel I'd been talking about for years. I document my life as a sailor both on and off board the research vessel :)

[@SaltTravelCo]

@@LarkinBohn dear me! You just gave me goosebumps! When we’re not making videos I am obsessively looking for our first sailboat!!! I want nothing more in this world! I’ll check out your channel! 👏

[@bodybygia]

This helps! I was scared to take my dog, she is a tea cup yorkie. We leave in one week 😀

[@SaltTravelCo]

I LOVE traveling with my dogs and I'm sure your little lady will do great as well! Safe travels!

[@heathers.5484]

There are a lot of wild dog packs, I have been to Costa Rica 11 times and have been bitten on three separate occasions.

[@whatif5586]

I like Arenal Observatory lodge and spa. Free hot springs for the win. Lol

[@SaltTravelCo]

Oh we wanted to go there too! Drove all the way to the gate and then found out we couldn’t bring the dogs in but it looked very nice!

[@elishabetancourt5236]

Thank you for this video! You mentioned you went in October, how was it during that time? I booked our trip to stay at La Fortunate for late October and I’m reading that’s Costa Rica “wet season”, what did you experience?

[@SaltTravelCo]

Hi Elisha! We were worried about it being rainy but we actually had nice warm sunny days! The rainy season does rain more often but there are so many microclimates it’s not like it’s going to rain the whole time anywhere unless there is a huge storm. :) (it’s actually my favorite time of year but….shhhh it’s our secret ;) )

[@viniciusreis6407]

Heeyyy!!!! Do u know if in February raining a lot there?

[@SaltTravelCo]

Hiii sorry I thought I responded to this maybe it just didn’t post? But I would have to guess, of course and things are changing so much! But February is usually not raining.

[@undisgraziato]

About Tabacon, do you recommend for family with 19 year olds?

[@SaltTravelCo]

I kind of think the Baldi is more “fun”? There’s a massive water slide and it’s a little less romantic. One thing that we realized when my sister and family were visiting was that you’re not necessarily going to spend several days in the water as it’s very hot water. So staying somewhere else and getting a day pass is a great option. :) Essentially you could do both

[@undisgraziato]

Thanks, I’m thinking of staying 3 days at Hotel Los Lagos or Casa Del Rio

[@sotonin]

360p really? lol. pass

[@ChefTips]

Great video!

[@SaltTravelCo]

Thanks much!