“Each year I travel with the purpose of doing something that gets me out of my comfort zone and Costa Rica is where that tradition began. Bugs, wildlife, and adrenaline. It was the perfect place to jump in with both feet #noregrets”
Booking excursions - single and seeking adventure?
know before you go
Booking excursions in Costa Rica as a solo traveler can be challenging. Several companies require that bookings consist of at least two people or they will suggest that you wait until your trip nears so that they can add you to another group.
Luckily the treehouse hotel where I stayed offered an in-house tour so I was able to join two other guests. The tour which was scheduled from 2:30-9:30pm included a hike around Arenal Volcano, a visit to hot springs, and dinner.
The half-day tour didn’t start until later in the afternoon so I took the city bus into town and spent the morning visiting La Fortuna Waterfall. Since I opted not to ride with the tour group from the hotel, they arranged for the shuttle to pick me up in town in front of the church of Iglesia de La Fortuna on their way to the volcano.
La Fortuna Waterfall
How to get there, entrance fee, and more!
La Fortuna Waterfall is a 200-ft waterfall that emerges from a thick jungle before plummeting into an emerald green pool below. The entrance fee is $18, but since the waterfall is looked after by a non-profit organization, all proceeds are reinvested into local conservation efforts.
If you’re looking to visit La Fortuna waterfall on a budget, skip booking a guided tour. Instead, hail a taxi from town, pay the entrance fee, and enjoy the view while descending the 480+ steps staircase to the waterfall.
When you’re ready to leave, taxis can be difficult to find when everyone is waiting in the parking lot trying to hail one. I recommend getting the phone number of the taxi driver who brought you to the waterfall (if you felt comfortable with them and their rate) mine offered me his cell phone number to pick me up once I was done exploring the waterfall.
Arenal Volcano
Hiking around the most active Volcano in Central America
The half-day tour included myself and only 2 others which meant we had the guide’s undivided attention. Walking through the surrounding area, Juan Carlos pointed out beautifully colored birds indigenous to Costa Rica. He also took time to stop at various plants used for their medicinal properties by medicine men. We were handed leaves and allowed to taste them as we were given the history of each.
There was one particular plant used for its numbing properties (I kindly passed on that one) but the gentleman in my group agreed to be our guinea pig. He chewed on the leaf, noting that his mouth felt numb but me being a skeptic proclaimed “Oh, no! You’re drooling all over your chin”. When he looked surprised and attempted to wipe his chin instead of looking at me in disbelief, I knew that the plant had really worked. I know, I know… that was awful, but hey! I needed hard proof and he was our guinea pig after all.
Hot Springs & dinner
Entrance fee, how to book, and more!
After spending the morning at La Fortuna Waterfall and the afternoon hiking around Arenal Volcano, it was time to visit Paradise Hot Springs where its various pools are heated by Arenal Volcano.
The water is pure, untreated by any chemicals, and is telluric. Telluric is considered “young water,” and is rainwater that’s filtered through the earth. It circulates through different depths gathering minerals and gaining temperature as it makes contact with very hot materials.
After spending some time in the hot springs, dinner took place under the night sky in a private cabana and included a 3-course meal.
The hot springs and dinner were included in my half-day tour with Juan Carlos but you’re also able to book a day pass directly through the Paradise Hot Springs website.
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Ziplining adventures
where to zipline above the rainforest
I’m that person you’ll never find on an amusement park ride or roller coaster. Heights and speed, no thank you! People call adrenaline “thrilling” I call it downright frightful, and for that reason, I went zip-lining. Yep, it was “fear conquering day”.
Safety is important to me so after researching various companies, I decided on Ecoglide based on their reviews and that they offer double cable and double pulley along the entire route. I also liked that they offer the option (additional charge) to be picked up from your hotel – in my case, my treehouse.
The course at Ecoglide is divided into sections. The first consists of 8 cables and 9 platforms with lengths of 688 feet long and an average height of 82 feet which are fully immersed in the rainforest.
The next has 5 cables and 6 platforms with lengths ranging from 328 – feet up to 1,410 – feet.
Tarzan Swing
Ahhh!...
Halfway through the course, we were met with the Tarzan Swing. I mentioned to the guides that I was perfectly content with zip-lining and had no desire to do the swing.
The guides suggested that it was a lot of fun but didn’t push any further and mentioned that I could instead go an alternate route (hiking down) to meet up with the group afterward. Since my “group” only consisted of a family of 3, it would be impossible to sneak away unnoticed so as I watched each person jump off of the cliff, I asked myself the following:
___________________
Since the Tarzan swing takes place smack dab in the middle of the zipline course, will you still feel proud of yourself for completing the zip-lining if you didn’t “technically” complete the entire course? __________________
My answer was no, and so that’s how I ended up mid-air, flying past tree branches, after jumping off of a cliff in the middle of the rainforest.
Tarzan swing
I’m not the type that screams, even in haunted houses or at scary movies. I wasn’t even aware that I was able to use that part of my vocal cords, until now!
Yep, you heard right, scared to death, I blurted out Fuuuuuuck all the way. The video ended but I swung back and forth for what felt like 5 minutes. The way that they get you down is they tap you each time you swing by them until you’ve slowed enough to let go of the rope completely.
Shaking the entire time, all I remember saying is “are we done yet?” “ok, I’m finished, I’m ready to get down now”
Would I do it again? absolutely not! Am I proud of myself for conquering a fear? you bet ya!
more costa rica posts
to help you plan your trip
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Booking activities in Costa Rica: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
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Staying in a treehouse hotel in the rainforest of Costa Rica
My unique experience staying in a treehouse hotel with 7 private treehouses surrounded by a 70-acre wildlife refuge with waterfall and dipping pools.
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Transportation – How to get around Costa Rica
If you're traveling to Costa Rica and want to get around and explore, these are the best options for transportation.
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