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 IArenal Volcano Map with lava flow update & hotel locator I 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 more or less 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 4 hours by 4x4, 5 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): 7h am bus for Tilaran (leaves from the bank in Monteverde), then take in Tilaran the 12h30 bus to La Fortuna, arriving at 3h pm (8 hours, 9 in peak rainy season).
La Fortuna to Monteverde: take the 8h am bus to Tilaran, then the 1h pm bus for Monteverde, arriving at 4h pm (8 hours, 9 in peak rainy season). Cost is $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.
| 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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. Photos More info Feedback letters we received
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 and lunch included.
Visit the office of monteverdeinfo.com right in front of the church in Santa Elena de Monteverde and see some photos and e-mails that we received from all over the world.
| 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. More Horseback to Arenal info
No experience necessary, our horses are very easy to handle!
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 @ 645-7070 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.
Monteverde local Horseback Tour alternative
Subject: Horseback riding adventure tour
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 22:10:50 +0100
From: "Rob van den Bos"
To:
Hello,
We just want to thank you and let you know that the rest of the pictures are on their way. We had a great day with Mainor on the horseback tour to the Arenal volcano. The first 15 minutes scared the shit out of us, but then it became exiting and wonderful. And Chica loved it very much to.
Please show this picture and say hello to Mainor and Vitna.Groetjes Chica, Gerda & Rob
Chica and Maynor 
Gerda and friends
Subject: thanks
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2000 15:37:52 -0500
From: "Sam s Saad" <........@primeline.net>
To:
Hello Jacques and everyone,
We stayed with you around Dec.12, coming back from the great horseback ride, the boat cruise on the Lake Arenal, and the van ride through the mountains. Just want to tell you that we liked your little town, and our daughters who are 16 and 13 years, loved the Sky Trek canopy tour, upon your recommendation, they plan to be back for another ride!
We met Jacques after the horseback riding he was there with his camera, and later followed us on his bike and was taking pictures, we'd love to have some emailed, if that's not much trouble.
This must be your busy season, I hope it is nice and sunny.
Thanks again for your help while we were there!
Iman Saad
Subject:
Jacques - thank you!!
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 14:36:17 EST
From: Mo....@aol.com
To: mundonet@....
Jacques,
We cannot thank you enough for our wonderful experience on our horse trek from Monteverde to Arenal.
Juan was a WONDERFUL guide and we were lucky enough to have a fellow traveler that spoke Spanish fluently and we learned so much. My own meager Spanish leaves much to be desired!!
I will be typing up my journal notes and will be glad to send you the section on this amazing adventure and the pictures to go along.
Thanks again for a most amazing experience.
Robin Poses
Pennsylvania, USA
m....@aol.com
From: Edwin Yoo
Subject: Response to horse trip from Monteverde to Arenal
Date: 2000-05-22
I did the horseback ride from Monteverde/Santa Elena to Fortuna. They say takes about 5 hours, but you actually only ride horses for about 3.5
hours. It takes time to take the taxi up to the ranch, you spend about an hour waiting for the boat to ferry you across the lake. They do a
few rest stops. You get some beautiful scenic shots of Arenal on your way there. (Not to mention a beautiful photo op of Arenal while you're
on the boat.)
I highly recommend the horseback trip. Not only is it a unique experience, but you get to be outdoors that day so you're not wasting time
crammed into some bus feeling miserable while you suffer on some high way for 5 hours. It's totally worth it.
That said, I wouldn't spend too much time in Fortuna (spend more time in Monteverde/Santa Elena instead) I'd do a night hike up Volcano Arenal
that same night you check in (you get to see some volcano action) and then soak in the hot springs. The next morning, visit the caves and
then taxi it to the Catarata (waterfalls) later that afternoon. Stay overnight and leave the next day. Fortuna just isn't that fun compared to
other areas in CR
Our most recent Arenal Volcano Photos I Arenal Volcano Map with lava flow update & hotel locator
Monteverde info Activities Monteverde Reserve Santa Elena Reserve Monteverde Hotels Maps, facts, links, satellite views Arenal Volcano Costa Rica Horseback Riding Rafting Sky Trek canopy tour Message board Photo gallery Feed-back
San Jose: Hotel Santo Tomas San Jose Airport Hotel Manuel Antonio Hotel
