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La Fortuna, Nueva Arenal

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CRdreamin
  3/4/2021 20:52 EST

Coming to CR at the end of April. Hoping to meet others who have come to CR to get away, retire and slow down. Of course on a retirement budget. Currently looking at La Fortuna and Nueva Arenal, local hangouts and getting to know the areas. Any suggestions are appreciated...pros cons ..best lessons learned..where to eat and where to stay.
Thanks!

ILuvCR
  3/5/2021 08:22 EST

We just spent three nights in Tronadora, lovely little town with some nice restaurants!

It was EXTREMELY windy the whole time and we were advised that's typical for December, January and February.

It sounded like a freight train at night and I don't mean gusts but a constant roar.

It would/ does discourage me a little from wanting to live there.

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Kohl
  3/5/2021 16:34 EST

Totally agree with the windy conditions that occur around that area. Where I lived previously around the Volcan Miravalles, we experienced the same conditions. However, I gather similar conditions also exist right along the mountain range top, to San Jose. I hear on a CR radio station, that this is presently occurring...and has been for the past few months which surprised many who have thought that it would much warmer.

CRdreamin
  3/9/2021 22:38 EST

Thanks for the feed back one night of wind might be ok, but not a lifetime.

Kohl
  3/10/2021 11:21 EST

Yea, it now makes sense, when you see all the windmills ...

Hanako
  3/14/2021 14:04 EST

Tabacon Hot Springs - plan to spend at least a half day.

Germany Bakery in Nuevo Arenal is a must.

Lost Iquana resort in La Fortuna has reasonable prices and they can set you up in advance for activities.

Borinquen Resort & Spa has a Canopy Tour package where you can do a trail ride up into the hills, then zip line & hike through the rain forest and rappel down waterfalls.

Ecodentro Danaus is a great protected habitat area where you can see wildlife (may do guided tours) - well maintained & not too long walking paths as well as a enclosed Costa Rican butterfly garden.

Do plan on doing at least a half day guided event for wildlife & birds - the mountains are much different from the coast and you will see much more than if you go and look on your own.

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PombinhaCoco7
  3/14/2021 19:05 EST

I just came back from La Fortuna/Arenal where we spent 6 days.
We arrived 15 minutes ago.
Yes, Macademia, the German bakery/restaurant is a must.
We always stop there for a meal on our way to La Fortuna.
We saw a toucan there.
One of my daughter's favorite hotels is Lost Iguana but usually is expensive.
In the low season you can find a room for 300.00/night but in the high season that price doubles.
We have stayed there with our children and their spouses in 2017.
However my favorite hotel is Los Lagos.
They have many thermal pools, water slides, fountains, sprinklers, natural pools, lagoons with colorful fishes, very good food, beautiful horses in their stables, tropical plants, gorgeous trees, flowers, turtles, gift store, etc....
The superior rooms are very large and very nice.
I prefer Hotel Los Lagos over Baldi.
We spent 2 nights in a small hotel because we like to know new places.
Then we were supposed to stay one night at Los Lagos but we ended up staying 3 nights there.
We didn't want to leave.
This was the first time we went there without our children due to the Covid restrictions in Canada.
So we didn't go to the hanging bridges or to the National park to see the big water fall but all my family have been there many times.
The last time we went to a farm to see sloths.
We were very lucky that the volcano was totally visible most of the time except when there were some dark clouds and it rained a few times but
only at the end of the day and during the night for short periods.
We posted so many photos and videos on Facebook because there is beauty everywhere.
I always feel very happy when I'm there.
Downtown La Fortuna across from the Church in the Central park there is a restaurant where we have been going for many years called La Parada - Restaurant & Pizzeria with very good food for very accessible prices.

adventuresrule
  3/17/2021 13:37 EST

Great feedback! Thanks for the insight, we are looking forward to out trip on the 27th. We are getting the COVID test prior to leaving, but I heard we need it again in CR to get back in, is that correct? I don't see that on the United airline website.

Thanks again!

Kohl
  3/17/2021 14:16 EST

Yes, you are required to get a covid shot at one of the facilities listed in the article below, within 3 days before you return.

https://www.ict.go.cr/es/documentos-institucionales/material-de-apoyo-coronavirus/pruebas-covid-para-usa/1883-laboratorios-autorizados-a-realizar-pruebas-para-la-detecci%C3%B3n-del-virus-sars-cov-2-en-costa-rica/file.html

acastillo
  3/18/2021 20:01 EST

@Hanako - You are quite brave! I have done rappelling but never in Costa Rica. I don't trust the locals to set up the ropes and safety equipment properly and don't know enough to double check their work. Did you do any checks?

MRH123
  3/20/2021 13:48 EST

Thanks so much for your review. We (wife and I) will be at a resort the first half of November but plan to "tour" the last two weeks in seach of a rental for the following year. LaFortuna is on our touring route. Thank you for the lodging and restaurant recommendations. After reading your review, I've become even more impatient for November.

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