COSTA RICA PHOTOGRAPHY – LA FORTUNA & ARENAL

On the way to La Fortuna, we traveled through rolling hills in an array of stunning greens, from the deepest emeralds to the brightest lime. The clouds shift in the sky like a painter’s brush, never staying still for long and providing constantly changing light. We can find wildlife in many spots, from toucans to sloths. The opportunity to create art abounds. The ever-changing clouds make stunning sunsets and creative skies for the perfect creation of photography.

We arrived near the Arenal Volcano, and the vibrant colors of flora and fauna contrasted with the towering volcano in the distance. Every cloud was a different shade of blue and grey. Fog crept in at dawn and dusk to blanket everything in an ethereal veil. We were in complete awe.

MAKING SOME CHANGES HERE TODAY

BEST TIME TO GO

Not during the rainy season! The rainy season in Costa Rica runs from late April until December.

HOW LONG TO PHOTOGRAPH

The photography opportunities in La Fortuna will take approximately a day or two to photograph fully, and then you can devote another day to photographing Arenal. Various tours are also available, such as the popular Sloth tour shown below, so the time needed for photography will depend on how many activities you choose to participate in.

WHAT PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR TO BRING

Be sure to bring your DSLR camera, tripod and all of your photography lenses. This location teems with wildlife, with chances to capture stunning macro photography. Make sure to bring your zoom, macro, and wide-angle lenses to photograph the vast landscapes and the intricate details of the surrounding nature.

Pack an array of filters—from UV to polarized to take the glare off the water and neutral density filters for long-exposure milky water effects. Remember to bring a spare set of fully charged batteries and extra memory cards; you never know when a perfect shot will present itself, and the last thing you want is a dead camera battery.

WHAT ELSE TO BRING

Don’t forget to bring your organic bug repellent, sun protection, and a durable pair of hiking boots for any trail or terrain you may encounter. Have a waterproof backpack or rain cover to protect your equipment. Packaging a rain jacket, long pants, hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses is also wise to shield yourself from the elements. HAT- We didn’t take a picture of Pamela Goodyer sitting in a restaurant with a bag of ice on her head. (Don’t tell her we put this in here.) Her Irish skin was covered in non-toxic sunscreen, but she didn’t wear a hat on the first trip. She learned the hard way.

HOW TO GET TO LA FORTUNA

Most people use Wave as their GPS. Leave San Jose and embark on the Panamerican highway towards Puntarenas, taking the “San Ramon.” As you pass through Palmares, watch for signs leading to La Fortuna and continue onto Route 702.

Once you reach Route 702, follow the road and look for further signs directing you to La Fortuna and Arenal. You’ll encounter small towns along the way. Brace yourself for some winding roads, as it will take approximately 2 hours before arriving at the beautiful town of La Fortuna. The roads are windy and twisty and up and down beautiful mountainsides.

DRIVING AT NIGHT

Driving from San Jose to La Fortuna can be Nerve-wracking, especially at night. The winding roads are poorly marked, and the dense fog and rain make it even more dangerous. We learned this firsthand as we embarked on our trip to La Fortuna in the late afternoon, arriving after 6 PM due to delays. The rental car agency wanted 600 extra dollars for insurance for a six-day adventure. Ensure you understand the insurance costs of the rental car before you go!

Navigating through the darkness wasn’t that bad with only a GPS to guide us. We were relieved when we finally reached our destination, but looking back, it would have been wiser to stay the night in San Jose and set out early the next morning. In Costa Rica, darkness falls promptly at 6 PM every day, and unforeseen circumstances can leave you stranded in remote areas without help. We made one wrong turn and went down a great street. But it also added a lot of time to our travels. No one spoke English, and we asked many people how to get back on track.

ARENAL VOLCANO PHOTOGRAPHY LOCATION

We traveled to Arenal Volcano and were in awe of the stunning display of color that surrounded it. As the colossal peak towered over us, clouds shifted through an array of blues and grays while the sun crept in and out of the gorgeous cloud formations, giving the area a dreamlike feel.

La Fortuna has several magnificent landscapes, from rivers to mountains, lakes to waterfalls. But Arenal Volcano takes center stage and serves as its most iconic feature. This stratovolcano stands tall at 1633 meters above sea level, with its near-perfect cone shape easily visible for miles in every direction.

Much more than just a tourist attraction, Arenal Volcano has been integral to developing La Fortuna as we know it today. Visitors can journey here to experience all the natural wonders this area offers — from hot springs, caves, canyons, trails and forests to its friendly locals — and they can be blessed with breathtaking views of the volcano.

We spent the day at Arenal 1968. This magnificent park has a restaurant that creates a magical experience. The sky glowed a deep dark blue, illuminated by the dancing white clouds about the Arenal Volcano. We stepped inside the restaurant and were overcome by a wave of delicious aromas, melding together in perfect harmony. The atmosphere was alive with delight, as the overall experience of dining in nature seemed to transcend the psyche into sheer euphoria. We savored every moment of the dining experience, overwhelmed by awe at the magnificence of Mother Nature’s dramatic creation just in the distance.

HOW TO GET TO ARENAL 1986

Traveling to Arenal 1968 from La Fortuna is about a 15-minute drive from downtown La Fortuna. Don’t worry if you don’t have a fancy 4×4 vehicle—a regular car will do just fine for getting to the Arenal Volcano Park. Once you arrive, there’s plenty of parking available in their spacious lot.

NEARBY

Arenal Volcano National Park is about 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) from Arenal 1968. Amidst the expansive landscape of lush forests, we were told the National Park would be a primarily hiking experience, per the woman at the payment booth. As avid photographers, we eagerly selected the Arenal 1968, enticed by the ample opportunities for capturing stunning visuals. You may want to photograph both locations, but it could also mean a lot of hiking between them.

RESTAURANT AT ARENAL 1968

(See the picture above on the left)

We strongly urge you to pause and indulge in nourishment at this remarkable restaurant, which views the pond mirroring the awe-inspiring volcano. The experience of just sitting in this fabulous location, connecting to Mother Gaia, and feeling the incredible energy is something not to miss.

We Run a Private Jet Photography Tour to Costa Rica

It’s a bucket list location!

The Arenal Country Inn

A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN A NATURAL PARADISE

PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE RESORT IN COSTA RICA

As we journeyed through the world, we were lucky to come upon a place of astonishing beauty, so captivating that it filled our hearts with wonder and excitement. The staff was incredibly hospitable and kind, making us feel at home. It was an expedition of perfect bliss.

I hoped my deep emotions would go unnoticed as I sat at the outdoor breakfast table at the Inn. The beauty of the journey of this wondrous location churned an inexhaustible sensation in my soul, and a single tear of profound passion cascaded down my cheek. – Pamela Goodyer

Fantastic and exotic gardens surround the rooms. This beautiful natural scenario becomes the perfect place for bird photography every morning and sunset. You will see sloths, tucans, frogs and several types of birds at this resort, so have your zoom lens ready. You will be at the foot of the majestic Arenal volcano, less than a kilometer away from La Fortuna town, which is the perfect location.

The rooms have a TV with cable, A/C, a mini fridge, a safe deposit box, orthopedic mattresses, fine wood furniture, a private bathroom with hot water and a terrace. There is a large swimming pool, dining and entertainment area, tour desk and parking.

Knowing we were photographers, a staff member brought us an itty-bitty frog to photograph! So make sure you remember your macro lens. We didn’t have time to switch our camera gear quickly, so always have it ready in your backpack in this lovely resort.

THE ARENAL COUNTRY INN WEBSITE

1km South from Catholic Church – La Fortuna, San Carlos, Costa Rica

Hotel : +506 8899-9000
Email : reservas@arenalcountryinn.com

SLOTH WATCHING TRAIL &LA FORTUNA PHOTOGRAPHY

Take a wildlife tour at the Slouth Watching Trail from 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Monday – Sunday.

Sloth Watching Trail La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano Private Trail – Make Reservations -+506 2479 7104, 600 east of the Central Park, La Fortuna, Alajuela Province Alajuela, La Fortuna, 21007

Visit a local artist at the Original Grand Gallery, which is all on the main strip. There are many restaurants and shops along the main road through La Fortuna.

PHOTOGRAPHY AROUND LAKE ARENAL

NUEVO ARENAL

Our journey took us around Lake Arenal as we approached Tilleron. We made several stops to photograph some of the stunning scenery. That evening, we stayed at a charming resort called Villa Decary Resort, known for its abundance of bird species. We spent most of our time on the grounds, taking pictures of the diverse plants and birds that call this place home.

The photos of the resort below show who we met along our journey to Costa Rica—our absolute favorite. The resort’s owners are pretty awesome, too. If you get here, please spend some time with your friend. The best part of the whole trip was the pure, unconditional love.

Another great part of the trip was having the absolute best vegetarian burger in our lifetime at Tinajas Arenal, an incredibly photogenic restaurant on the side of the lake.

Carretera 142, Nuevo Arenal, Gas Station 1 km South, Nuevo Arenal, CR 50807 +506 2694 4667 Tue9:30 AM–9 PM

WHERE TO STAY

Villa Decary Resort – Seen below with our doggie friend.

FROM LA FORTUNA TO THE VILLA DECARY:

Hotel Villa Decary is 44 km from La Fortuna on Route 142. From La Fortuna, travel west toward Tabacon, Nuevo Arenal and Tilaran. When you first see the lake, the road continues across the causeway of the dam and becomes the main lake road. Villa Decary is about a 30-minute drive from the dam on the main lake road. We are around the bend from a small shopping and restaurant plaza called The Falls with signs for Tycoon Art Gallery, Lajas Restaurant, UPS, and Century 21. Though you can’t see the hotel from the road, look for the Villa Decary sign on your right and turn into our driveway up the hill to the hotel. If you pass The Gingerbread restaurant, you have gone about .1 km too far.

WHERE TO EAT

Tinajas Arenal – where we had the veggie burger – Carretera 142, Nuevo Arenal, Gas Station 1 km South, Nuevo Arenal, CR 50807 +506 2694 4667 Tue 9:30 AM–9 PM

More Places to Do Photography - Why not photograph Puerto Rico next?