About: This is a great place to stop if on your way to La Fortuna if you’re wanting to see wildlife and you have kids. The nature park is huge, so you can definitely wear the kids out. You’ll be able to see a lot of local wildlife exhibits. Though not as exciting as seeing…
Category: Downtown San Jose
La Paz Waterfall
About: This is a great pit stop if you’re on your way out of the metropolitan area to La Fortuna and you want a quick stop where you can experience a bit of Costa Rica, maybe on your first day in the country. You’ll get to see a huge waterfall (actually a series of waterfalls),…
Girasoles de Costa Rica
About: This is a great pit stop to or from La Fortuna since it is a cute photo-op, but there isn’t much to do otherwise so it’s likely not worth driving to unless you’re in the area. They will provide information about the sunflowers. Province: Alajuela Starting from: La Fortuna / Downtown Alajuela / Downtown…
El Valle Mineral Springs
About: These hot springs make the perfect pit stop if you’ve had a long day and want something relaxing to do on your way to La Fortuna. They are right off the main road, so no detour out of your way is required. They are also not extremely hot, but more warm, allowing you to…
El Cocora Cloud Forest
About: This is the perfect pit stop on the way to La Fortuna from the metropolitan area because it is just about halfway and it has everything you need: a short trail if you need to stretch your legs, a longer trail if you want more of a hike, a butterfly garden, a hummingbird garden…
Costa Rica Eco Bungee
About: This extreme sport park features a suspension bridge built between two towers. They offer tours that include walking the suspension bridge, bungee jumping from the bridge, a large swing that launches from the bridge, or riding on a bicycle along a zipline cable. Province: Alajuela Starting from: La Fortuna / Downtown Alajuela / Downtown…
Columnas Basalticas
About: This is a unique natural rock formation on the river near the dam. It is close to the road and therefore makes a quick pit stop as a viewpoint for taking pictures. However you can also spend more time and enjoy the river. You can even take a dip in the water. This is…
Cinchona Waterfall Trails
About: These trails are well-maintained but steep as they go down into the canyon to a total of 4 waterfalls, 2 of which you can swim in. The hike is short but challenging, but there are some ropes to help on the steep sections. It is a hike down and back up to get out….
Pit Stops from Downtown Alajuela/Heredia/San Jose to La Fortuna
There are 3 different route options from Downtown Alajuela/Heredia/San Jose, collectively known as the GAM (Gran Area Metropolitana), to La Fortuna: Route 702, Route 126 to Route 140, and Route 141. They all take roughly the same amount of time, but offer different pit stops along the way. Pit Stops from GAM to La Fortuna…
Cataratas El Congo
About: This is a short hike of 1 kilometer on the Mi Cafecito property which takes you to 3 different waterfall viewpoints. It is a technical hike, where some parts include ropes that you must use to climb up and down. You can swim in the waterfall at the end of the hike. You can…