Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
this route (from Sardinal to Guacimal) is newly paved, as of 2011. The remaining 17km
(from Guacimal to Santa Elena) is scheduled to be paved in 2014. At the time of research
it took about three hours to drive to San José, but that time will be reduced with the road
improvements.
A second, shorter road goes via Juntas, but it's not paved except for the first few kilo-
meters. Finally, if coming from the north, drivers could take the paved road from Cañas
via Tilarán and then take the rough road from Tilarán to Santa Elena.
There are now two gas stations open for business in the area.
HORSEBACK
A number of outfitters offer transportation on horseback (per person US$65 to US$185,
five to six hours) to La Fortuna, usually in combination with a boat ride. There are three
main trails used: the Lake Trail (safe year-round), the Chiquito Trail (safe most of the
year) and the gorgeous but infamous Castillo Trail (passable only in dry season by experi-
enced riders).
Sabine's Smiling Horses
and
Horse Trek Monteverde
both offer versions of this journey.
liable, reputable agency that can also make arrangements. Ask lots of questions and con-
firm the route before setting out.
JEEP-BOAT-JEEP
The fastest route between Monteverde-Santa Elena and La Fortuna is a jeep-boat-jeep
combo (US$22 to US$32, three hours), which can be arranged through almost any hotel or
tour operator in either town. A 4WD minivan takes you to Río Chiquito, meeting a boat
that crosses Laguna de Arenal, where a van on the other side continues to La Fortuna. This
is increasingly becoming the primary transportation between La Fortuna and Monteverde
as it's incredibly scenic, reasonably priced and saves half a day of rough travel. In case
you're wondering: no, absolutely no jeeps whatsoever are involved in the process.
