The Northern Zone of Costa Rica experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. However, the specific climate can vary depending on the elevation. Generally, the lowland areas have a hot and humid climate, while the higher elevations are cooler. 

The lowland areas in the Northern Zone have a tropical rainforest climate. They typically experience high temperatures throughout the year, with average temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit). The region receives abundant rainfall, with an annual average ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 millimeters (98 to 157 inches). You'll find lush tropical rainforests in the lowland areas, like for example in the region of the Arenal Volcano. These forests are characterized by dense vegetation, tall trees, and a wide array of plant species. 

As you move to higher elevations, the climate becomes more temperate and cooler. The temperatures in these areas range from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). The higher elevations also experience more distinct dry and wet seasons, with the dry season usually occurring from December to April and the wet season from May to November. As you ascend to higher elevations, the lowland rainforest gives way to cloud forests. These misty forests are found in areas such as the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. They are characterized by a cooler climate, high humidity, and frequent cloud cover. 

La Fortuna is a town located in the Alajuela Province. It is best known as the gateway to the Arenal Volcano National Park. The town is surrounded by rainforests, hot springs, and various privately owned or national park trails to discover. There are many tour operators that are happy to take you hiking, ziplinging, rafting, horseback riding, birdwatching, and more, making La Fortuna a popular tourist destination to explore the area.  Most parks have easy accessible trails for which you do not necessarily need a guide. The town of La Fortuna itself offers a wide range of accommodation options, various restaurants and shops. 

The main attraction near La Fortuna is the Arenal Volcano, which is one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica. The perfectly cone-shaped volcano is a true landmark that can be witnessed from the town and the surrounding area. Occasionally at night, lava streams can be witnessed coming from the top of the volcano. 

Other recommended attractions in La Fortuna include the La Fortuna Waterfall, which is a stunning 70-meter-high waterfall located in the jungle, and the Arenal Hanging Bridges, which offer a unique perspective on the rainforest canopy. The list goes on, as La Fortuna is also known as the adventure capital of Costa Rica. I really recommend to check out the Highlights Map on this one to get a better idea of what this area has to offer.

La Fortuna is also famous for aguas termales or hot spings. The hot springs in the area, are heated by the volcano and offer a relaxing and therapeutic experience. Tabacon and Baldi are the most famous hot springs in the area. The pictures are taken in Tabacon. A luxurious site with a main pool with restaurant and a pool bar. The garden is home to various smaller and more secluded pools. Baldi offers a similar experience but is a bit more kids friendly. These hotsprings are amazing, but they come with a serious price tag, note there is a free hot spring close to Tabacon named El Choyin. 

Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal or Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica and due to the centralized location of the park, relatively close to both the international airports in San José and Liberia, it easily fits in almost any itinerary. The park covers an area of approximately 12,000 hectares and was established in 1991 to protect the volcano and the surrounding rainforest. The perfectly cone shaped Arenal Volcano rises to an elevation of 1,670 meters (5,479 feet) and is one of the most active volcanos of Costa Rica, with its last major eruption occurring in 1968. The park offers several trails and observation points where you can view the volcano from a safe distance.  There are a lot of places worth visiting in and around the national park like, Sky Adventures Arenal Park, Mistico Hanging Bridges, Arenal 1968 Lava Trails, and of course one of the hot springs, just to name a few options. For more information about the national park itself, visit the official website:  SINAC ACAHN Arenal NP.

Explore where to stay in La Fortuna

• Selina La Fortuna is a perfect option when you are looking for an affordable place to stay right in the center of La Fortuna. There is a lounge area and swimming pool and it is a great place to meet with fellow travelers. Check out Selina La Fortuna on Booking.com for great deals!

• Looking for a great stay outside the city center of La Fortuna? Check out Natura Bungalows. These beautiful and complete bungalows have an amazing view of the Arenal Volcano and the place is run by lovely and helpful hosts. Check out Natura Bungalows on Booking.com for great deals!

Explore things to do in La Fortuna

• La Fortuna Waterfall, part of the Arenal Volcano National Park is an impressive 70 meters high waterfall with walking trails through the rainforest. Note that the way down to the base of the waterfall contains a lot of stairs, but well maintained and fairly easy.

• El Salto, a very nice watering hole with a small waterfall to cool down including a nice rope swing.

• Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, Wonderful trails through the rainforest with various hanging bridges giving you the opportunity to witness the jungle canopy up close. If you want to try something different, try a guided night tour and you'll be amazed how alive the jungle is after dark.

• Sky Adventures Arenal Park, discovered this place the last time when I was in La Fortuna and I love the diversity of activities this place has to offer. When you are travelling with little kids or are not the best hiker, you can take the sky tram through the canopy up to platform with great views. You can either return with the sky tram or hike down over well maintained trails back to the entrance. If you are looking for a more thrilling way to go down, you can also go ziplining. 

• Arenal Volcano Lava Trails, as the name implies these hiking trails are located in the Arenal Volcano National Park and will let you experience the lava trails from when the volcano erupted in 1968.

• Tabacon Hotsprings, one of the most famous and my favorite hot spring in the area. There is a restaurant, spa and a bar within the main swimming pool. When you walk through the beautiful gardens with the rainforest in the background, there are various smaller hot springs to discover.

• Baldi Hotsprings, another famous and luxurious hot spring in the area is Baldi. Compared to Tabacon a better option when you are visiting with kids as it has a kids swimming pool.

• El Choyin Hotsprings, besides Tabacon and Baldi the area is full with other hot springs. The last one I will mention is El Choyin, because you have to know about this one. Where Tabacon and Baldi are beautiful and luxurious with a corresponding price tag, El Choyin is a free of charge hidden gem known by locals. Great for travelers on a budget.

• If you are looking for a more low-key, kid friendly, swimming pool kind of setting, check out Termales Los Laureles.

Don't forget to check the Highlights Map for points of interest, activities, accommodations, and more.

The town of Bijagua is located near the Tenorio Volcano National Park and a great place to stay when planning to visit the stunning bright blue Rio Celeste river and waterfall, without a doubt the main attraction of the national park. The town of Bijagua itself is a small and rural town which offers a range of accommodations and some restaurants. It offers an authentic, peaceful and secluded feeling in the midst of nature. Although the hike to the Rio Celeste waterfall is the most common attraction of the national park, there are also guided tours to experience the other natural wonders, like the Tenorio Volcano and its rich flora and fauna. Note that visiting Rio Celeste is also an option when staying in La Fortuna. It is a doable 1.5-hour drive and tours to Rio Celeste are offered from La Fortuna as well. Close to the Rio Celeste hiking trail entrance and the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel, the road crosses a bridge over Rio Celeste. Here you are able to witness the bright blue river for free and this place is also known as the Rio Celeste Free Pool. Here you are able and allowed to enter the river, something which is prohibited along the hiking trail in the park.

The main attraction of Tenorio Volcano National Park is Rio Celeste. This river has an intense turquoise color caused by a reaction in the water. This occurs when the particle size of aluminosilicates minerals in Rio Buenavista are altered at the mixing point called El Teñidero. The enlarged particles work as a prism, causing the blue tones when dispersing white light. At the main park entrance El Pilón there is a hiking trail that takes you to the Rio Celeste waterfall, the mixing point of El Teñidero, Laguna Azul, and past thermal hotbeds called 'borbollones'. You are able to shortcut and only visit the waterfall. After heavy rainfall, the trail can be muddy and the turquoise color of the river might be less intense or not visible at all. Tenorio Volcano National Park can be visited as a day trip from La Fortuna or you can choose to stay in the surroundings of the park at for example in the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel. For more information about the national park itself, visit the official website: SINAC ACAT Tenorio NP.

Explore where to stay in Bijagua

• The Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel is an amazing place to stay when you want a to overnight close to the park entrance and with some luxury and comfort. There place has a beautiful setting in the middle of nature with lovely rooms, a nice swimming pool and a great restaurant. Check out the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel on Booking.com for great deals!

• Cabinas Cascada Rio Celeste is an affordable and small hotel. Great for travelers on a budget. The place is well maintained with nice hosts and within walking distance of the Rio Celeste hiking trail. It receives good ratings by many travelers, and a good breakfast is served at the hotel. Check out Cabinas Cascada Rio Celeste on Booking.com for great deals!

Explore things to do in Bijagua

• The Rio Celeste hiking trail at Tenorio Volcano National Park, This hiking trail will take you to the highlights of Rio Celeste like the mixing point, the waterfall, the blue lake and the thermal hotbeds.

• The Rio Celeste Free Pool is located outside the National Park. In the National Park yo are not allowed to enter the river, outside the park at the Free Pool you are able to do this. The Free Pool is located at a bridge near the Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel.

Don't forget to check the Highlights Map for points of interest, activities, accommodations, and more.

The town of Santa Elena and Monteverde are two adjacent towns known for their natural beauty. Together, Santa Elena and Monteverde form a unique region that showcases the extraordinary biodiversity and natural wonders of Costa Rica's cloud forest ecosystems. Santa Elena is the largest of the two towns and serves as a commercial center for the Monteverde region. It is situated at a slightly lower elevation than Monteverde. The town offers restaurants, accommodations, and souvenir shops. Santa Elena provides a convenient base for exploring the surrounding natural attractions. Monteverde, meaning "Green Mountain," is known for its exceptional cloud forest reserve and ecological conservation efforts. It is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts. The town is characterized by a peaceful, rural atmosphere, surrounded by misty forests and stunning views. It is known for its commitment to sustainable practices and environmental education, making it an ideal destination if you are looking for peace and a deeper connection with nature.

Reserva biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde or in short, Monteverde Cloud Forest is a beautiful cloud forest reserve located at the de Cordillera de Tilaran. The area is also home to the La Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena or in short the Santa Elena Cloud Forest and the Bosque Eterno de los Ninos or Children’s Eternal Rainforest. Cloud forests as the name suggests are higher altitude forests with a high fog density. Due to the foggy and moist conditions, the trees are usually covered with moss ferns, orchids and bromeliads. Lots of wildlife can be spotted in Monteverde like various wildcats, monkeys, tapirs, sloths and births like the beautiful Quetzal. Most visitors stay in the town of Monteverde or the town of Santa Elena and the area has a lot of hiking trails with spectacular views, sky bridge trails, and canopy opportunities. Night hikes are also popular. For more information about the reserve itself, visit the official website: Cloud Forest Monteverde.

Explore where to stay in Monteverde

• Escape to the serene beauty of Monteverde's cloud forest at La Guayaba Hotel, within walking distance from the town center. The comfortable accommodations are spacious and equipped with modern amenities, but the most amazing feature of the rooms is the amazing forest views. Breakfast is served at the hotel. Check out La Guayaba Hotel on Booking.com for great deals!

Explore things to do in Monteverde

• Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena, is a community-driven, non-profit reserve. Spanning 310 hectares, the reserve boasts a magnificent Cloud Forest with beautiful flora including orchids, trees, ferns, and heliconias. It is also a haven for numerous resident like the famous Quetzal which is home to cloud forest regions. The trails are well marked and not that difficult with a viewpoint from which you are able to see the Arenal volcano. The reserve has 5 trails, the smallest trails are 0,5 kilometer (0,3 miles) and 1,4 kilometer (0,9 miles) which takes you to the observation tower. The larges trail is 4,8 kilometer (3 miles).

• Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve was founded in 1962 and is one of the best visited reserves in Monteverde, this might cause the park to be more crowded compared to the Santa Elena Reserve. The Monteverde Reserve offers a variety of walking trails with lookout points a hanging bridge and one trail that leads to a waterfall.

• El Tigre Waterfalls. The trail to the waterfalls is a moderate hike that winds through the rainforest. The first 5 kilometers (3 miles) you'll encounter hanging bridges, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding canopy with four main waterfalls along the trail. The trail can be muddy and slippery, so be prepared for varying terrain. The last approximately 3 kilometers (1.5 miles) is a tough climb back. The park offers an alternative by horse or Jeep for these final 3 kilometers. 

• The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde, for an exciting and well organized zipline experience in the midst of impressive cloud forest.

Don't forget to check the Highlights Map for points of interest, activities, accommodations, and more.

The Northern Zone and specifically La Fortuna is a popular destination and is located in between the airports of San José and Liberia. When visiting the Northern Zone, you will probably find yourself wanting to travel between La Fortuna, Monteverde and Bijagua with Rio Celeste. For detailed descriptions and a map on how to get to La Fortuna, Bijagua and Monteverde and for detailed descriptions and a map on how to travel between them check the Routes & Roads page.

If you are travelling with public transport, the connection between La Fortuna and Monteverde goes through Tilaran, but there are far better options to get from La Fortuna to Monteverde. Tour operators offer a jeep-boat-jeep connection or a horse back riding option. If you are very adventurous and want to explore nature off the beaten track. Red Lava Tours offer a two-day hike from La Fortuna to Monteverde!

• West of the Northern Zone you will find the province Guanacaste with beautiful pacific beaches, tropical dry forest, and national parks.

• East of the Northern zone you will find The North Caribbean with Tortuguero National Park.

• South of the Northern Zone you will find The North Central Valley with the nation its capital city.

• Many people decide to drive directly south-west of the North Central Valley to The Central Pacific, with lush coastal rainforest and beautiful beaches.

• Many people decide to drive directly South-east to The South Caribbean, with nice laid-back reggae vibed beach towns, and stunning nature and beaches.