Highlights of the Day
We arrived at La Fortuna Waterfall, but heavy rain and thick mist made it impossible to enjoy the hike. Instead, we continued our journey to Monteverde, a scenic drive that took three hours due to winding mountain roads and potholes. The last 40 kilometers were especially challenging, with the car swerving to avoid bumps and rocking like a roller coaster. Along the way, we spotted windmills and white-nosed coatis. Upon checking into Mar Inn, we enjoyed a cozy, spacious room with a beautiful sunset view. However, when trying to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the booking process proved to be a hassle.
Logistics
Accommodation: MAR INN COSTA RICA
Transportation: Rental Car
La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the main attractions here, but by the time we arrived, the weather wasn’t cooperating. It was raining heavily, and a thick mist filled the air. Even if we hiked to the waterfall in the rain, we probably wouldn’t see much, so we had to give up on that idea.
Next, we drove to our next destination, Monteverde. Despite being only 110 kilometers away, the journey took us three hours due to the winding mountain roads. I remember feeling dizzy from the twisting roads when we first arrived in Costa Rica from the airport to the volcanic town. I was already a bit nervous about this trip. The first 70 kilometers were still winding mountain roads, but luckily the turns weren’t too sharp, and there were some stretches between the bends, so it wasn’t too bad. However, the last 40 kilometers were a different story. The road was full of potholes, and to avoid them, the car kept swerving left and right. When we couldn’t avoid the bumps, we had to drive right through them. The car rocked side to side and bounced up and down. It felt like we were dancing the S-curve, riding a roller coaster, and sailing a swinging boat all at once. No wonder it took us an hour and forty minutes to get through those 40 kilometers. Aside from the challenging road conditions, we saw some interesting things along the way, such as windmills and white-nosed coatis.
We checked into Mar Inn in the late afternoon, and immediately felt at home. The inn exuded a cozy charm and was impeccably clean. Our room was wonderfully spacious, and from the balcony, we were treated to a breathtaking, expansive view. As the evening unfolded, we were lucky enough to witness a stunning sunset, adding the perfect touch to our stay.
When we checked in, the front desk informed us that if we wanted to visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, we needed to book tickets online two days in advance or purchase tickets at the park the day before. After driving over the rough roads, we reached the park’s parking lot, only to be told that we couldn’t buy tickets that day. We had to either book online two days in advance or take a chance that tickets would be available. After some effort, we finally managed to book guide tickets through the GetYourGuide app. I originally thought it was a combined ticket for the guide and entrance, but later I realized it was just the guide ticket. The entrance ticket has to be bought separately, so I’ll have to try my luck tomorrow. The whole booking process was quite a hassle.
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