La Fortuna, Costa Rica: travel guide
Small adventure town at the foot of Arenal Volcano (Alajuela), the hub for hot springs, waterfalls, hanging bridges and rainforest zip-lines.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Currency
- CRC
- Time zone
- America/Costa_Rica
- Nearest airport
- FON
Top places to visit in La Fortuna
Tabacón Hot Springs
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry USD 95
Luxury resort where a naturally heated thermal river winds through tropical gardens.
Baldi Hot Springs
Nature · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry USD 40
Large hot-springs complex with 25 thermal pools, slides and swim-up bars on Route 142.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry USD 15
Iconic 1,633 m stratovolcano with trails crossing old lava fields and rainforest at its base.
Arenal 1968 Trails
Viewpoint · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · entry USD 18
Private trails and viewpoints over the 1968-eruption lava field with a lagoon and volcano vistas.
Ecocentro Danaus
Wildlife · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry USD 26
Small private reserve for spotting sloths, caimans, birds and butterflies on easy trails.
Venado Caves (Cavernas del Venado)
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · entry USD 30
A 15-20 million-year-old limestone cave with an underground river, explored with helmet and lamp.
Lake Arenal
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h
Costa Rica's largest lake (85 km²), a scenic reservoir popular for windsurfing, kayaking and lakeside drives.
La Fortuna Waterfall
Waterfall · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry USD 18
70 m cascade reached via ~500 steps into a jungle gorge with a swimmable pool.
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h · entry USD 26
600-acre reserve with 16 hanging bridges winding through the rainforest canopy.
La Fortuna Central Park
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 0.3 h
The town's manicured plaza facing San Juan Bosco church, framed by the volcano.
Ecotermales Fortuna
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · entry USD 45
Intimate, reservation-only natural hot springs in lush gardens near town.
Bogarín Trail
Wildlife · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry USD 26
In-town wetland trail famous for reliable sloth, bird and caiman sightings.
Things to do
- Arenal Zip-line Canopy Tour Adventure · 3 h · from USD 65 per person
- Río Balsa White-water Rafting Adventure · 5 h · from USD 75 per person
- Mistico Hanging Bridges Guided Walk Nature · 2.5 h · from USD 55 per person
- Arenal Hot Springs Day Pass Hot Springs · 5 h · from USD 45 per person
- La Fortuna Waterfall & Volcano Combo Tour · 6 h · from USD 80 per person
- Caño Negro Safari Float Wildlife · 8 h · from USD 80 per person
Day trips and tours
- Arenal Combo: Volcano Hike, Waterfall & Hot Springs 8 h · from USD 120
Where to stay in La Fortuna
- La Fortuna Town Center about CRC 70 per night
Walkable hub of restaurants, hostels and tour desks around the central park — the practical base for tours.
- Hot Springs Corridor (Rte 142) about CRC 220 per night
Resort strip toward the volcano with Tabacón, Baldi and Ecotermales thermal springs.
Hotels
- Hotel San Bosco 3-star · USD 70 to USD 120 per night
- Arenal Backpackers Resort USD 18 to USD 90 per night
- Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa 5-star · USD 400 to USD 650 per night
- Nayara Gardens 5-star · USD 600 to USD 1,200 per night
- Baldi Hot Springs Hotel 4-star · USD 150 to USD 260 per night
- Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails 3-star · USD 130 to USD 220 per night
Where to eat
- Don Rufino Costa Rican, Grill · about USD 35 per person
- La Choza de Laurel Costa Rican · about USD 22 per person
- Soda Víquez Costa Rican · about USD 10 per person
- Orgánico Fortuna Healthy, Vegetarian · about USD 14 per person
- Lava Lounge International, Tex-Mex · about USD 18 per person
- Restaurante Nene's Costa Rican, Seafood · about USD 20 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shuttle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.