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La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
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24 Opinions
Beautiful picture window sliding glass doors
Finally, day 3
Crossing the border to Costa Rica
A "wet bar" in Baldi Hotsprings
While traveling in Costa Rica it is law to tip 10% of the bill (in restaurants for example). For the most part this is included because it is law, but sometimes it isn't so make sure to ask. If the service was particularly good you should leave an extra 5%-10% of the total.
This is another tour I took from La Fortuna. Cano Negro is about 1.5 hr from La Fortuna. We got off the tour bus at the dock at Los Chiles, a small village 3km from the Nicaraguan border. Then we switched onto a tour boat and on Rio Frio. We headed north first and reached the unguarded Nicaraguan border at one point.
Cano Negro is a paradise for birdwatchers, especially between January and March, when there is a large number of migratory birds.
We saw plenty of wildlife: howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, a three-toed sloth, caimans, basilisk lizards, a turtle, tree bats, anhingas, wood storks and egrets.
It's best to find a nature guide if you're going on your own, as the wildlife is hard to spot. Shop around for a tour in La Fortuna. Mine included a lunch at the tour company's ranch by the river.
The nicest thermal spring I visited. It offers everything one can imagine:
Pool with different tempratures (25, 39, 30, 28, 41 deg Celsius)
Jacuzzis
Riverpools
Waterfalls
SPA Treatments (Massages, Manicure, Pedicure)
Restaurants/Bars
It is also a luxury hotel resort.
The best thing is that you can sit in those river pools and watch the vulcano errupt! You can clearly see where the hot water is coming from!
The whole area is situated in a very nice lush garden.
It's a dream!
The Tabacon Hot Springs were beautiful. There are a number of hot springs on beautiful, paradise like grounds. The springs all vary in temperature, and there are miniture waterfalls where the hot water rushes over your back. However, they are crowded and a bit touristy because of all of the people. But if you go later in the evening and don't just jump into the first set of springs - walk to the back of the springs - you can be all by yourself enjoying the garden and hot springs. It cost us about $30 per person including a below average buffet dinner. It is cheaper if you go after 7 pm and don't pay for the buffet.
I took a night tour to see Arenal. The van stopped at the base of El Silencio Trail, and we walked through the rainforest up to the volcano lookout. We passed by rubber trees on the way and we saw different species of birds and spider monkeys. It's about an hour or two uphill hike.
We reached the observation area before dark. The giant Arenal Volcano was directly in front of us! But the volcano was half covered by clouds. It seems like there weren't much actions either by Arenal, as it was usually quite active. The guide was very knowledgable as he explained the geography and history of this area.
Most ppl get there on a tour, or drive there.
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Q: How to get around la Fortuna without a car? "We (party of 3) don't plan to rent a car. What is the best way to go around, say, from the town of la Fortuna to Arenal Volcano..."
A: "Last August we spent some days in La Fortuna and payed a lot for taxis. There is a bus to near the entrance of the Volcano National Park but then you have to walk some km..."
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