Showing 1-7 of 7 results
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Arenal Rainforest Reserve
The recently constructed ecocenter features an aerial tram with dead-on views of the lava flows as well as a canopy tour, hanging bridges, expansive hiking trails and promises of more to come. For more information, visit their booking office in La Fortuna. The reserve is located on the main access road to El Castillo.
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Eco-Termales
Across the street from Baldi, another hot springs resort, is an unsigned gate that leads to this recommended complex. The theme here is minimalist elegance, and everything from the natural circulation systems in the pools to the soft, mushroom lighting is understated yet luxurious. You're advised to book ahead for an appointment.
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Ecocentro Denaus
This ecological center has a well-developed trail system that's good for birding, and there are frequent sightings of sloths, coatis and howler monkeys. The price of admission also includes a visit to a butterfly garden, a ranarium featuring poison-dart frogs and a small lake containing caiman and turtles.
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La Catarata de la Fortuna
La Fortuna has another natural wonder that pales only in comparison with an erupting volcano. La Catarata de la Fortuna is a sparkling 70m (229ft) ribbon of clear water pouring through a sheer canyon of dark volcanic rock arrayed in bromeliads and ferns. It's worth the climb out (think Stairmaster with a view) to see the rare world at the jungle floor.
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Laguna de Arenal
Head west from La Fortuna and you'll arrive at a 750m (0.5mi)-long causeway across the dam that created Laguna de Arenal, an 88-sq-km (55-sq-mi) lake that is the largest in the country. A number of small towns were submerged during the lake's creation but it supplies valuable water to Guanacaste, and produces hydroelectricity for the entire region.
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Tabacón Hot Springs
If Spielberg needed a set for the Garden of Eden sequence in Genesis, Tabacón Hot Springs is what it would look like. Enter through the opulent ticket counter, flanked by an outrageous buffet and glittering gift shop. Then, rare orchids and more florid tropical blooms part to reveal a 40°C waterfall pouring over a 'cliff', concealing 'caves' complete with camouflaged cup holders.
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Volcán Arenal
Arenal was just another dormant volcano from about AD 1500 until 29 July 29 1968, when something snapped. Huge explosions triggered lava flows that destroyed three villages, killing about 80 people and 45,000 cattle. Eventually, the lava subsided to a relatively predictable flow and life got back to normal. Sort of.
Showing 1-7 of 7 results
