Angeline.elliott asked 8 years ago
Hi Guys, Thanks for all the tips in your blog, it is truly amazing- so helpful with lots of handy points of where to visit. I do have a couple of questions please though; I am travelling for only 2 weeks in Costa Rica but want to stay for roughly 5 days in La Fortuna/ Arenal area and then travel down to Puerto Viejo for the remaining time. I will use grayline for travel from San Jose to La Fortuna but wondered if the bus system would be ok to Puerto Viejo and the best option for travelling this distance?
Also one final question, in the Arenal area and for the activities- for hiking etc it is doable on your own without the need for a tour?
Many thanks,
Angeline
Jenn and Matt Staff answered 8 years ago
Hi Angeline,
Good question…You might want to consider changing things a bit and taking the bus to La Fortuna and then shuttling to Puerto Viejo. The bus to La Fortuna from San Jose is pretty straight forward but the one from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo is more complicated since you need to go back through San Jose (so takes a long time). There are lots of shuttle companies that run from La Fortuna to the Caribbean, without going through the capital again and they would be much quicker. Some companies even break up the drive with a tour in the middle like white water rafting.
As for activities around La Fortuna, yes you can do most everything without a tour. The only trouble for you would be getting to things (volcanoes, hanging bridges, waterfall, etc.) without a car. You can catch the bus to get near some things, then walk, but you might have to rely on taxi cabs to get around otherwise. Another option is to just rent a car for a day or two in La Fortuna. We offer a discount on Adobe cars and they have an office right there. Might be worth checking prices. Have a nice trip!
