Monteverde to Arenal volcano
3 ways, two great shortcuts!
Costa Rica has so much to offer and no exploring of this amazing diversity would be complete without a visit to the Arenal Volcano. It's been active since 1968 and you can see flowing lava and flying rocks every day! Perfect classic cone shape and world class hot springs makes it a must. So if you're planning your trip, consider combining beach, the Monteverde cloud forest and the volcano!
Our most recent Arenal Volcano Photos | Arenal Volcano Map with lava flow update & hotel locator | Arenal Volcano Tours
You can always rent a 4x4 (a normal car is not recommended for our bumpy roads, they are too low) but considering the cost and fun of driving without any road signs for directions, we recommend considering using a combination of shuttle direct bus, taxi, boat and Costa Rica tours like these ones. You will find it cheaper and much more fun, going to places no car can go! Don't you drive enough at home?
By Road
- Car - There is quite a distance between those 2 villages. By road it's 136 kilometers. La Fortuna altitude is 350 meters above sea level, Monteverde is straddling the Continental Divide at 1,500 meters. Because of the mountain (continental divide), there is no direct route.The road makes a detour by Tilaran.
The road from La Fortuna to Tilaran is in good condition, but the dirt road one from Tilaran to Monteverde is really bumpy. A 4x4 is recommended, especially in rainy season, or if you are 4 persons (because of the low clearance of regular cars). It's 3 hours by 4x4, 4 hours by car (not possible in peak rainy season for a regular car in October and November). A taxi cost $110 US for 4 persons, make sure you get a 4x4.
- Public Bus - Monteverde to La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano): 7:00 am bus for Tilaran (leaves from the bank in Monteverde), then take in Tilaran the 12:30 pm bus to La Fortuna, arriving at 3h pm (8 hours, 9 in peak rainy season).
La Fortuna to Monteverde: take the 8:30 am bus to Tilaran, then the 12:30 pm bus for Monteverde, arriving at 3:00 pm (7 hours, 8 in peak rainy season). Cost is about $3 pp for each bus.
By Taxi / boat / taxi
1.5 hour scenic ride by jeep to Rio Chiquito, then a beautiful hour cruise on the lake of Arenal to the dam and then 1/2 hour by jeep to La Fortuna. It's a quick and nice 3 hour tour, one way. We do this tour from Arenal to Monteverde also. More info
| Boat/Taxi/Boat. Monteverde to Arenal Schedules, Rates, and Online Booking Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Taxi Boat Taxi Monteverde to Arenal | The Taxi-Boat-Taxi service operates year round connecting Monteverde and Arenal two times daily with great views the whole way | |
| Boat/Taxi/Boat. Arenal to Monteverde Schedules, Rates, and Online Booking Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| PRIVATE Taxi Boat Taxi Arenal to Monteverde | PRIVATE Taxi Boat Taxi Arenal to Monteverde | |
| Taxi Boat Taxi Arenal to Monteverde | Pick up at hotels in Arenal, cross Lake Arenal by boat and head up to the Monteverde Cloud Forest | |
We can arrange a special later departure if you wish.
By Taxi, Horseback, Boat, and Taxi
it's the most exciting way to go! We use the old mountain trails: ½ hour by 4x4 to the Mirador Lodge (look-out) then 4 hours by horseback to El Castillo or Chiquito in rainy season (4,500 foot drop-off, fantastic views of volcano, rivers and forest, includes half hour for lunch), then 1/2 hour by boat on the Lake Arenal to the dam, and finally 1/2 hour by mini bus to La Fortuna. Total time 5 hours, one way. We do this trip from La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) to Monteverde also. Luggage transfer included.
| Horseback Monteverde to Arenal Schedules, Rates, and Online Booking Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monteverde to Arenal Horseback - Taxi - Boat Tour | Take an amazing journey by Horse down through the forests of Monteverde to the Lake Arenal Basin, where you then board a boat to take you accross Lake Arenal and finally a transport vehicle to your hotel in Arenal where you luggage will be waiting. | |
| Horseback Arenal to Monteverde Schedules, Rates, and Online Booking Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arenal to Monteverde Taxi - Boat - Horseback Tour | This journey begins when you board a boat at the Lake Arenal Dam and zoom across to the central shore on the southern side of the Lake. At this point a guide and Horses will be waiting for your journey through the forests of Monteverde the top of the Continental Divide and the heart of the Cloud Forest. You will then be brought to your hotel where you luggage will be waiting. | |
| Monteverde to Arenal - Taxi/Horseback/Boat/Taxi Lake Route Schedules, Rates, and Online Booking Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monteverde to Arenal by Horse, Boat and Taxi | ||
| Monteverde to Arenal - Taxi/Horseback/Boat/Taxi Lake Route Schedules, Rates, and Online Booking Forms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arenal to Monteverde by Taxi, Boat and Horse | Both a tour and a transport via Taxi Boat and Horse. The horse portion of the transfer is along the shores of Lake Arenal. | |
We leave at 7h30 am for the best views and weather (morning tends to be clearer on the mountain). Go with a friendly Monteverde horseman using his fresh and healthy horses, in a small group (2 to 6 persons), stop along to take some photos, relax and enjoy yourself. No experience necessary, our horses are very easy to handle! More Horseback to Arenal info
Info and reservations: horseback@monteverdeinfo.com or when in Monteverde just pass by the office of monteverdeinfo.com in the Tree House Tourist Center just in front of the church or call us at 2479 - 8811 at least 1 day in advance as this is a small family stable. See this Monteverde map for the location of our office. You can also request a ride when writing to this website about a Monteverde Hotel, tour or transportation service.
Our most recent Arenal Volcano Photos | Arenal Volcano Map with lava flow update & hotel locator
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