my feet don't want to go to sleep

After spending a week in Manual Antonio I was ready to visit another town. I planned to take the bus up to La Fortuna which sits outside of the Arenal Volcano. The bus picked me up and after gathering a couple more passengers we headed north and inland. The roads are so windy that I started feeling car sick. One of the travelers gave me her ginger. Smelling that helped calm my stomach. As always, shout out to the universe for taking care of me! I would recommend not driving, the buses are excellent and the roads harrowing.

To Stay

I booked for the weekend at Arenal Backpackers Resort. Hostels are my favorite to start at because they normally have tours leaving right from their location and the people traveling are likely to be friendly. I wasn’t sure about the wifi so I booked 2 nights. It was a quick easy walk to the downtown area.

I moved to a tiny house for the work week. It was a 20 minute walk from the downtown but an easy one. I had a small kitchen, tv, and lofted bedroom with balcony staring right at the volcano. Working from the desk there with the large window, hearing the rain fall hard, and actually ushering an injured bat out of there, makes this place the most memorable. The shower was cold but the wifi was strong.

To Explore

Like everywhere in Costa Rica there are endless adventure activities. Having a car here would have been extremely helpful. I didn’t book trips with transportation and figured it out along the way. Fun but a little stressful.

• Fortuna Waterfall – I hitchhiked up to the waterfall and took an uber back. Gorgeous garden and crazy amount of stairs down to the falls. The restaurant has wifi thankfully because my service didn’t work.
• Don Olivo Chocolate Tour – another ill planned tour, I ubered out there to experience the tour. The tour is incredible and delicious. The guide is so knowledgable about all things, more than just chocolate. I got stuck here trying to get an uber to come get me as this is a little out of the way. I tried negotiating with this family’s driver and the front desk woman. Eventually an uber did come and get me.
• Ecotermales Fortuna – I spent the afternoon here in between rainstorms. The wifi was strong so I would soak and reflect under the jungle trees and then join a meeting.
• Puentes Colgantes Arenal, Mistico Park & Arenal Volcano – this and the Volcano are best in an actual tour. There are endless options you can book the day before locally. My hostel had one that included the park, the Volcano, and a free hot springs. Since transportation to these places is almost impossible due to the cell service, take a tour. On this tour I made friends with some 20 year olds and spent the next couple days exploring and having dinners with them.
• Rio Celeste – another property tour as this is about an hour and a half outside of Fortuna. The river is vividly blue unless you go after it has been raining heavily. We were so wet that it took days for my shoes to dry. My phone almost broke. The tour includes a stop at a lunch place and a local river swim. Book it here.
• El Salto (Rope Swing) – I walked from downtown down to this river waterfall. Due to the rain we had had so far this January the water was running fast and white. The idea of jumping in on a rope swing sounded insane. Would be a gorgeous place to swim if it wasn’t running that fast. From there I walked towards Fortuna waterfall and hitchhiked before the large vertical climb. Thanks to the hotel worker and his dog Chanel for the lift.

To Eat

• Restaurante The Green Spoon – my favorite and vegetarian! so fresh and so delicious
• Soda Mima – a soda is a local restaurant, when in doubt just head there for a plate of something local
• Ramirez Bakery Fortuna – my favorite thing in towns is to head to the bakery and buy fresh breads, pastries, and sandwiches. This one doesn’t disappoint.

Cash is always good to have onsite and if you need an ATM head to BAC – Sucursal La Fortuna. Right at the end of town and a secure place to take out cash.

From the bats, to the hitchhiking, to the hostels, to the volcano, to the 20 something friends, Fortuna was a special experience. Whether you go on a whim like me or go with a plan, it is a great place to visit.