La Fortuna, Costa Rica ...by Sarah La Fortuna is a very touristy town. Tour companies are everywhere, everything is in English and prices are quoted in US dollars - it is a condensed version of the rest of Costa Rica. The reason for the tourist mayhem is primarily the looming, ever present (except when shrouded in cloud) Volcan Arenal. It's quite a sight to be wandering up the High Street (or Costa Rican equivalent - we shall call it Gringo Street) and there is a huge, active volcano, barely a kilometre away. We managed to find, with the help of a friendly French chappie, a really cheap hostel called Gringo Petes. Gringo Pete was in fact the owner of the hostel, and lived up to his name, a helpful and cheerful American who seemed not to
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