La Fortuna Costa Rica Tour Description2

From Costa Rica Travel Guide: Vacation and Travel tips

Contents 1 Mountain Bike Lake/Volcano Tour 2 Mountain Bike Local Tour 3 Volunteering at an Animal Rescue Center 4 Community, Culture & Conservation 5 Rainforest Tour on Organic Farm 6 Volcano Hike - early morning or twilight hike 7 Liquid Lava Tour

Mountain Bike Lake/Volcano Tour

Take a moderate-level guided ride near the base of Volcano Arenal and along Lake Arenal. If all you saw on this ride was the magnificent, Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, it would be worth it but the scenery is GREAT all along the way... and don't be surprised if you come across a family of hungry Kudamundi's.

Departure: 8:00am and 1:00pm
Arrival: approx.: 12:30pm and 5:30pm
Includes: Brand-name, professional suspension mountain bikes, gloves, helmets, bike guide, transport, water break, snack
Duration: 4.5 hours
Price: $63

To TOP of Page ~~ To Availability Form

Mountain Bike Local Tour

Alternative Moderate-level guided ride near the base of Volcano Arenal with an experienced guide. The La Fortuna area is ripe with amazing back roads for easy-going, fun rides. Along the way we make a stop at nature reserve to learn about the surrounding rainforest and then head out again for a swim in a local river.

Includes: Brand-name, professional suspension mountain bikes, gloves, helmets, bike guide, transport, support vehicle for the entire tour, water break, entrance to reserve, stop at swimming hole, snack lunch

Duration: approx. 6.5 hours
Price: $77
Minimum Pax: 2

To TOP of Page ~~ To Availability Form

Volunteering at an Animal Rescue Center

This hands-on one-day volunteer project puts you in direct contact with local fauna and flora in a very down-to-earth environment.

We start with an easy 30-minute orientation walk through secondary rainforest that surrounds the wild animal rescue shelter to get to know the story behind this grassroots endeavor. Proyecto Asis was established about 12 years ago - Proyecto Asis founder Don Jaime del Castillo and his son Alvaro had a dream to turn the once-abandoned farm back into vibrant rainforest while providing a sanctuary for hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife.

You will be put to work feeding a few of the animals such as wild boars, kinkajous, monkeys, caimans & more along the way, plus other helpful activities such as trail repair, cage building, painting, planting trees and more.

Throughout the day, you'll get a good understanding of how Proyecto Asis works to rehabilitate injured and abandoned animals & release them back to their environment, as well as educational programs underway to help prevent hunting and poaching of the surrounding Children's Eternal Rainforest that connects with Monteverde.

This unique tour includes transport and refreshment.

Departure: 8 am Includes: guide and transportation.
Duration Approximately: 4 hours
Price: $52
What to bring: animal safe bug repellent, camera, binoculars, hiking boots or tennis shoes and rain gear.
Minimum Pax: 2

To TOP of Page ~~ To Availability Form

Community, Culture & Conservation

There are few opportunities to get to know the real Costa Rica, but the new Culture, Community & Conservation tour puts clients in direct contact with some of the promising projects happening in and around the area.

The visit includes a stop at the Proyecto Asis Animal Rescue Shelter where you'll be treated to an easy 30-minute walk through secondary rainforest. You'll then help feed wild animals such as crocodiles/caimans, wild boars, and monkeys and learn about local efforts to rehabilitate injured, abandoned animals and release them back to their environment, as well as educational programs underway to help prevent hunting and poaching of the surrounding Children’s Rainforest.

The next stop is the Luna Nueva organic farm to walk through a medicinal plant garden to learn about “miracle” natural cures like ginger, turmeric and other good-for-you things found right in our backyards. You'll then get a taste of becoming a gourmet organic cook by choosing products straight from the farm and learning how to cook them up in a natural way.

Departure: 8:00 a.m.
Includes: transport, visit to Proyecto Asis Animal Rescue Shelter bilingual guide, tropical fruit, & organic, home-cooked lunch.
Duration Approximately: approx. 7 hours
Price: $59

To TOP of Page ~~ To Availability Form

Rainforest Tour on Organic Farm

This is an educational walk along a handicap accessible path, rainforest mysteries where you will enjoy nature while learning about one of the world’s most diverse habitats. Our expert guide will lead you through our private rainforest reserve in Costa Rica that sloths, snakes, poison dart frogs, and numerous birds call home.

For those who love exuberant rainforests and lush foliage; birding, reptiles, mammals, invertebrates and other creatures in their natural habitats in this pristine Costa Rica primary rainforest.

Departure: 8:00am and 1:00pm
Includes: transport and beverage and lunch
Duration Approximately: approx. 4 hours
Price: $59

To TOP of Page ~~ To Availability Form

Volcano Hike - early morning or twilight hike

On this tour we will visit the private reserve "El Silencio" on the west side (the active side) of the volcano. The reserve has four trails located in a 556 acre (225 ha) property with over 247 acre (100 ha) of primary rainforest. We will walk through old growth forest with a wide variety of animals and majestic trees up to the lookout from where you will have extraordinary views of the volcano and the lava flows. The reserve contains an impressive array of plants and wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, coaties, a large variety of birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians.

Even though El Silencio is located in close proximity to the volcano, it has been a safe place for the observation of the volcano and its flora and fauna for the last 40 years. The volcano is carefully monitored for the safety of visitors and residents and a larger eruption is not imminent.

This easy hike with a duration of approx. 2 hours can be done in the morning, afternoon or evening. A night tour is also a nice option to learn about nocturnal wildlife in the rainforest. Owls, nocturnal mammals, frogs and snakes are among the animals that can be spotted at night.

Departure: 6:30am and 3:30pm
Includes: transport and beverage.
Duration Approximately: approx. 3 hours
Price: $31

To TOP of Page ~~ To Availability Form

Liquid Lava Tour

To start the Liquid Lava tour, your naturalist guide will pick you up from your hotel and then drive to the El Silencio private reserve, right at the edge of the Arenal Volcano National Park.

Along this informative, beautiful walk, you’ll learn about the behemoth Arenal Volcano, the secondary and primary tropical forest surrounding it and the interesting wildlife of the area. Once we finish the walk, we’ll head to the active side to see if we can spot some of the bright red, molten rock falling from the volcano. And it's here you can partake in sharing some Liquid Lava (a mix of local "fire water" and natural drink.) We always say: "If you can't see the lava, at least you'll be able to feel it..."

For those who wish to finish off the night relaxing in natural hot springs, we have two options: Baldí hot springs with over 22 different temperature pools, swim-up bars, locker rooms, restaurant and a more-lively atmosphere. Or the ultra-luxurious and beautiful, 'The Springs Resort and Spa'. Read more below...

Departure: 3:30pm or 4pm (varies depending on hotel location)
Includes: transport, nature guide, entrance fees
Duration: Hiking/walking ~ 2 hours
Price: $49

• For Baldí Hot Springs (& Dinner)

On the way back from the view point, we'll pass by the Baldí Hot Springs where your guide will assist you to get your entry bracelet and show you the locker facilities, bar and restaurant areas. There are small lockers for rent and a coat check area. Towels are also available for a small fee. The complex is rather large and the further away from the entrance you'll find quieter hot springs and more-relaxing areas. Beware of the water slide, though. It goes really fast and some clients have come away with cuts and bruises.

Your bracelet will indicate whether you have dinner included and can proceed to the buffet at any time. Your guide will arrange with you the pick-up time (usually about 9pm or 9:30pm.)

Departure: 3:30pm or 4pm (varies depending on hotel location)
Includes: transport, nature guide, entrance fees, locker rooms available
Duration: Hiking/walking ~ 2 hours
Price: $69

Options:

Baldí Hot Springs Entrance only - Includes: (No transport)
Price: $22

Baldí Hot Springs + Dinner - Includes: (No transport)
Price: $30

Arenal Volcano Hike & Baldí Hot Springs - Includes: transport, guide, trail & Baldí hot springs Hike/Hot Springs $69
w/ dinner $89

• For The Springs Resort and Spa Hot Springs & Dinner

We will then drive about 15 extra minutes to the luxury resort, 'The Springs', where you can enjoy a series of natural hot springs pools in the Perdidos Springs section. Take a walk along the Heliconia path to see over 150 different species of Heliconias. There are seven springs of the Los Perdidos ranging from 76 to 98 degrees and are completely surrounded by lush rain forest.

There are 12 other hot and cold free form pools with naturally-heated waters that have an ideal mineral content, high in bicarbonate and chlorides, but low sulfur content. There are wet bars throughout the facilities which serve all types of refreshing drinks.

When you’re ready to eat, you may proceed to the delicious dinner buffet for a delicious meal. The meal is automatically included when purchasing your entrance fee.

Departure: 3:30pm or 4pm (varies depending on hotel location)
Includes: transport, nature guide, entrance fees, hot springs and dinner
Duration: 6 hours
Price: $115

To TOP of Page ~~ To Availability Form