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Eco lodge and adventure
Before traveling to Costa Rica, we’d read that it’s one of the happiest countries in the world. It didn’t take long to understand why. Their motto, “Pura Vida,” means simple, or pure life… being thankful for what they have and not dwelling on the negative. From the moment we stepped off the plane at the Liberia airport, we were surrounded by kindness, smiles, beauty and peace.
Getting to La Fortuna
La Fortuna is located in lush rainforest of northern Costa Rica, a nearly 3-hour drive from the airport. Not wanting to drive ourselves in an unknown country, we pre-arranged to have a driver take us from the airport to our ecolodge near the Arenal volcano.
Rest and relaxation at an ecolodge
[Click on images to enlarge]
We highly recommend staying at the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails – a cool ecolodge set at the base of Arenal Volcano, down a long dirt and gravel road. The 870-acre property is the only lodge located within Arenal Volcano National Park.
While there, you’ll dine in the El Jiguero (The Goldfinch) restaurant, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the lake and volcano, then sit on the observatory deck and watch for glimpses of the 500 species of birds living there as we can spot (a birder’s paradise!).
On the Observatory Lodge grounds
- Enjoy 7 miles of maintained trails and frequent guided walks for guests
- Relax by the swimming pool
- Climb to the top of The Nest – a 28-meter-high observation tower – for a sunset view of Arenal and Cerro Chato volcanos, Lake Arenal and the Tilarán Mountain Range
- Hike to the Frog Pond where you’ll be serenaded by a nighttime frog song
Hanging Bridges hike
Take time out from exploring the grounds of the Observatory Lodge with a trip to Mistico Park, Arenal Hanging Bridges. This is definitely worth the time to explore and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Costa Rica. On the hike, you might see:
- Coati and exotic birds
- Waterfalls
- Views of Arenal Volcano National Park – including Lake Arenal and its namesake volcano (the youngest of seven historically active volcanoes in Costa Rica)
The youngest of the volcanoes, Arenal last erupted in 2010, but has since been dormant.
Ziplining – a Costa Rica must
The concierge at Arenal Observatory Lodge can help you arrange transportation to and from the lodge to activities in La Fortuna.Ziplining really is a must! At Sky Adventures, you can take a guided nature hike then spend the afternoon ziplining above the rain forest canopy, enjoying stunning views of Lake Arenal and the surrounding volcanoes.
Coffee and Chocolate Tour
Next, take a tour of the Don Juan Coffee & Cacao Plantation where you’ll learn about the growing and production process of both coffee and chocolate beans. You’ll get to grind cacao beans and make our own chocolate bar, then grind and brew your own authentically Costa Rican coffee.
Fun facts
- Vanilla grows on a parasitic vine that thrives by winding around other tree trunks
- Banana trees are actually a weed that fruit only once, then must be cut down
- Cacao beans are sweet and slimy until fermented, dried and processed into chocolate
- Arabica coffee beans ripen at all different times, and therefore still have to be picked by hand
More to do in La Fortuna
- Take a soak in one of the geothermal hot springs
- Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
- Go paddleboarding or take a sunset cruise on Lake Arenal
- Go for a sloth-watching guided tour
- Head into town for a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants