Things to do in La Fortuna, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio
February 1, 2015 8:23 AM Subscribe
Building on my previous question, I now want to get specific. We will be in La Fortuna (2/23-2/25), Monteverde (2/25-2/27) and Quepos (2/27-3/2).
One thing we would like to do a whitewater rafting trip.(We've each done this several times before) No zip line (see South Park episode for my feelings on that). Hiking - would like to see lots of flora and fauna. I would like to do rappelling but Mrs. Dmitri is not up for that unfortunately. What have you done? What can you, specifically, recommend?
One thing we would like to do a whitewater rafting trip.(We've each done this several times before) No zip line (see South Park episode for my feelings on that). Hiking - would like to see lots of flora and fauna. I would like to do rappelling but Mrs. Dmitri is not up for that unfortunately. What have you done? What can you, specifically, recommend?
Response by poster: Thanks, Selvatura looks good. We will have a car, so transportation is not an issue.
posted by falsedmitri at 9:21 AM on February 1, 2015
posted by falsedmitri at 9:21 AM on February 1, 2015
Years ago we stayed a the hotel overlooking Arenal, and did a day hike from the hotel to Cerro Chato where we paddled a canoe around in the lagoon. We had to carry a paddle from the hotel, and on the way back came down the wrong side of the caldera and ended up bushwacking our way to La Fortuna. Good Times.
This was long enough ago that conditions have likely changed. I see on the page I've linked there is an entrance fee now; things were a little wilder back then.
posted by achrise at 9:54 AM on February 1, 2015
This was long enough ago that conditions have likely changed. I see on the page I've linked there is an entrance fee now; things were a little wilder back then.
posted by achrise at 9:54 AM on February 1, 2015
-Night hike in the forest with a guide - I normally don't like guided tours, but this one was really fun. We learned about the rain forest at night and the guide pointed out things like sleeping birds in trees and interesting insects.
-Rappelling is a lot of fun. I think it would be worth doing even if you have to go without your wife. It was one of my favorite parts of any vacation I have ever taken. I'm not strong in the least and I was able to do it.
-Cloud forest bridges - so relaxing and like nothing I had done before...
posted by parakeetdog at 10:16 AM on February 1, 2015
-Rappelling is a lot of fun. I think it would be worth doing even if you have to go without your wife. It was one of my favorite parts of any vacation I have ever taken. I'm not strong in the least and I was able to do it.
-Cloud forest bridges - so relaxing and like nothing I had done before...
posted by parakeetdog at 10:16 AM on February 1, 2015
Response by poster: @parakeetdog. Thanks for the suggestions. Can you recommend specific outfitters?
posted by falsedmitri at 12:55 PM on February 1, 2015
posted by falsedmitri at 12:55 PM on February 1, 2015
Response by poster: Some post-mortem details for any future readers.
The hanging bridges are lame lame lame. We saw 1 howler monkey, some ants, and hundreds of Homo sapiens.
Night Walks (Caminata Nocturna) are the shizzle. Most of the wildlife in CR is nocturnal. Definitely get a guide. They know what to look for and where to look for it.
Driving 606 from Santa Elena to Rancho Grande (at CA 1) ... Though no map indicates this, 606 is paved from Santa Elena to Guacimal. From Guacimal to Rancho Grande, it is a gravel/dirt road . It is currently closed for construction daily except from noon - 12:30 and 17:00 - 17:30. Due to the construction, it is extremely dusty. The construction appears to consist of widening the road and laying drainage pipe. I would guess that this is in preparation for paving someday.
posted by falsedmitri at 10:07 AM on March 4, 2015
The hanging bridges are lame lame lame. We saw 1 howler monkey, some ants, and hundreds of Homo sapiens.
Night Walks (Caminata Nocturna) are the shizzle. Most of the wildlife in CR is nocturnal. Definitely get a guide. They know what to look for and where to look for it.
Driving 606 from Santa Elena to Rancho Grande (at CA 1) ... Though no map indicates this, 606 is paved from Santa Elena to Guacimal. From Guacimal to Rancho Grande, it is a gravel/dirt road . It is currently closed for construction daily except from noon - 12:30 and 17:00 - 17:30. Due to the construction, it is extremely dusty. The construction appears to consist of widening the road and laying drainage pipe. I would guess that this is in preparation for paving someday.
posted by falsedmitri at 10:07 AM on March 4, 2015
« Older Have you learned to really accept your partner?... | Musical Film from the 1950's -Filter Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Selvatura has an awesome set of canopy bridges - should be very easy to arrange a shuttle from your hotel. Go early on a week day and take your time. Lots of birds, monkeys, butterflies, and simply gorgeous rainforest views! If you can, have a guide go with you, since some birds can be hard to see unless you hear them first (such as trogons and the gaudiest one of all, the quetzal!)
I believe a tour company called Extremo has a white water rafting trip as well, but I can't find a web page for it. I haven't done this tour (or any rafting up near MV, which frankly sounds freezing!) but I have done their zipline multiple times and consider them a very good operator.
And just a couple of restaurant suggestions: if you get out of Santa Elena (the main little town area in Monteverde) towards Monteverde proper/Bajo del Tigre (these are neighborhoods in the area, a map will be very useful. There's really just one road in MV so it's very hard to get lost :) ), there are two restaurants right across from eachother called Tramonti (italian and pizza, very crowded for dinner usually, try for lunch!) and Cafe Cabure (Peruvian fusion, and CHOCOLATE! Call ahead as sometimes they close before dinner). And since you'd be in Bajo del Tigre at this point, the Childrens' Eternal Rainforest/Bosque Eterno de los Ninos and Curi-Cancha are both really good reserves with walking trails.
Oh! And just a few steps past the two restaurants I suggested is a craft co-op called CASEM, they have some really neat souvenir items and guide books. There is also a breakfast place inside CASEM, very typical tico fare, but so, so, so good :)
Have fun! MV is the greatest.
posted by Drosera at 8:44 AM on February 1, 2015 [1 favorite]