La Fortuna, Costa Rica is a charming tropical town surrounded by adventure that travelers of all types can enjoy. Whether you want to soak in natural hot springs, hike near the Arenal Volcano, explore the jungle, chase waterfalls, savor local food, or simply relax, there is something here for you. This little town captured my heart as our first stop on a road trip across Costa Rica. In this post, we will cover how to get to La Fortuna, the best things to do, and useful tips to make the most of your visit.

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**How to Get to La Fortuna**

The easiest way to reach La Fortuna is by driving from the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. The drive takes about two and a half hours on paved roads the entire way. it is manageable in a rental car, even if you are not used do driving abroad. If you would rather not drive, you can take public transportation or hire a private driver. If you are not comfortable driving, you can take public transit or hire a private driver. Many of the roads are single lane highways and speeds are not as fast as they are in the United States, so be sure to allow for extra time on your drive to get there.
**Helpful Tips:**
1). Be sure to download Google Maps or Waze as Apple Maps does not work in Costa Rica!
2). Anytime you plan to drive, leave at least an extra hour or two early in case you run into slow traffic. The sun sets very early in this country.

WHEN TO VISIT

The dry season in La Fortuna is December through April and tends to be the favorite time to visit amongst travelers. The rainy season is May through November when rainfall is a lot more common and frequent.

We visited La Fortuna in early May and were very lucky as only one big rain storm hit our first night. One of the beautiful things about visiting during the rainy season is that everything is so, so green. The colors of the jungle really pop after rain comes in, which shows even more contrast in the scenery. If you plan to visit during the rainy season, be sure to pack rain gear so you stay dry!

HOW LONG TO STAY

I recommend staying in La Fortuna for 3-5 days. It is a town that offers so much to do that you will want to not have to rush and fit everything you want to do in a small period of time. If you plan to visit during the rainy season like we did, it will be nice to have a day to change your plans in case heavy rainfall comes in. I tried to fit in two activities per day except for days where longer drives were involved - like visiting Rio Celeste Waterfall.

WHERE TO STAY

Choosing where to stay is the most important part of your trip. I would first decide whether you are wanting to relax at a resort with lots of amenities, or if you would rather be in the small town with easy access to activities. Many of the larger resorts are located west of town, very close to Arenal Volcano, and take about 20-30 minutes to drive there from La Fortuna. These resorts are not by the town so you would need transportation to and from.

During our trip, we opted for something just outside of the town as it was off the main roadway but still very close to drive everywhere we wanted to go. The hotel we stayed at was Hotel Rancho Cerro Azul, which I personally really liked!

Keep in mind that if you stay near a busy road, you will hear vehicles and motorcycles driving by throughout the night. If you are a light sleeper, definitely opt for something tucked away from major roads to avoid loud noise at all hours of the day and night.

I have listed some great options below, to help you narrow down where to stay:

Budget Hotels:

Mid-Range Hotels:

Luxury Hotels:

Activities:

The wide variety of activities offered in La Fortuna are part of what draws so many visitors. Whether you are looking to soak in natural hot springs, hike on an old lava bed, search for wildlife, or chase waterfalls, there is something for you. Below, you will find 16 fun things to do during your trip as well as the distance from each location from La Fortuna. I hope this helps you plan your perfect trip itinerary!

Fortuna Waterfall

One of the most beautiful places you can visit is the Fortuna Waterfall. Once you arrive and check in with the staff, the path is well marked but it does require you down and up 530 stairs! There are however plenty of resting spots to allow you to catch your breath.

If the conditions allow, you can even swim in the pool below the falls! There is a lifeguard there that has a whistle but their goal is to keep everyone safe and make sure you stay within a certain boundary line.

Distance from La Fortuna: 9 minutes
Cost: $20 USD for foreigners, $10 for nationals

El Salto Rope Swing

As you drive to La Fortuna from San Jose, this rope swing is located right by the bridge you cross as you enter the town. This is a free activity and the water here is safe to swim in. Every time we drove past, there were people there so you can’t miss it!

This is an unsupervised location and the current is strong so only do this at your own risk. I recommend wearing sturdy water shoes as you have to walk down a short path on wet rocks to the swing. Locals know the best spots to jump in from nearby cliffs, as well as the best spots to let go of the rope. Be safe if you choose to visit this location.

Distance from La Fortuna: Located in town!
Cost: Free

Arenal Volcano National Park

The Arenal Volcano stands at 5,357 feet (1,657 meters) above sea level and offers a variety of hiking trails within the park. Arenal can be seen from most locations around and inside of La Fortuna, but for those wanting more adventure, you can head to the park and explore popular trails like the 1968 hike.

Although we did not have a chance to do this hike, it was the most recommended trail as it goes through the old lava field from the 1968 eruption. It is considered a moderate trail and there is a long loop that takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, or a shorter loop, but both take you to beautiful viewpoints.

Distance from La Fortuna: 29 minutes
Cost: $15 USD for adults, $5 for children

Guided Night Hike

If you are feeling adventurous and want to explore the rainforest at night, I highly recommend going on a guided night tour! The naturalist guides will go over a safety briefing before heading to the forest in search of all the nocturnal animals and insects. The jungle comes alive both day and night, and this will be a memorable experience for everyone. Some animals you have a chance to see are owls, bats, snakes, tarantulas, insects, frogs - you may even get to see a rare, red eyed tree frog!

Distance from La Fortuna: 5 mins to 30 mins
Cost: $55+ USD/person

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

Mistico is a park located near Arenal where you can hike through the rainforest in search of local wildlife and see spectacular views. There are at least 6 hanging bridges you will get to walk across high above the treetops. It feels like you are in Jurassic Park with how lush it is here. Be sure to pack your camera!

Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance and maps are provided. We went on our own but if I were to visit again, I would hire a guide. The guides know the best places to view the local wildlife to ensure you have the best chance of seeing animals on your adventure. Both shared tours with others, and private tours are available.

Distance from La Fortuna: 31 minutes
Cost: $21 - $31 USD/person

Sloth’s Territory

Seeing sloths tends to be high on everyone’s bucket list for visiting Costa Rica (it was on mine!). The Sloth’s Territory is a location that you can take guided tours to see the two-toed and three-toed sloths in a safe and protected environment. This is family owned and operated business and provides the chance to see sloths, birds, and many other types of native animals in their habitat.

Along with sloth tours, this company also offers night tours or bird watching tours. Tickets can be purchased online!

Distance from La Fortuna: 9 minutes
Cost: $40 USD/person

Whitewater Rafting

For the adrenalin junkies, Costa Rica Descents offers whitewater rafting down the Balsa River on Class II, III, IV, and V rapids. This is offered a full day excursion and combines rafting, along with swimming in the calm areas of the river that allow for you to get in. This trip goes through a habitat where you have the opportunity to see wildlife like sloths, monkeys, iguanas and a variety of bird species.

Tickets should be purchased ahead of time online.

Distance from La Fortuna: 2 minutes
Cost: $65 USD/person

Hot Springs

One of the must-do activities is soak in the natural hot springs. Many hotels will have their own thermal pools/springs but if you are not staying somewhere that offers this, day passes are available to many of the resorts.

Purchasing tickets in advance is very important since availability is limited. I wanted to go to Tabacon Thermal Resort but when we called the resort, they were sold out all of the days we were in La Fortuna. Luckily, I called the next morning and spoke with someone who was able to get us last minute tickets!

Some of the most popular hot springs to visit can be found below:

Distance from La Fortuna: 10 - 25 minutes
Cost: $30 - $100 USD/person

Rainforest Chocolate Tour

If you have ever wondered about the history and process of turning cocoa into chocolate, this is the perfect opportunity for you! This is a hands on experience that locals will educate you on the history, let you participate in the process, and let you taste some of the best chocolate right from the source. Tours are offered daily at specific times. Reservations for this activity are required so make sure to do this in advance.

Distance from La Fortuna: 5 minutes
Cost: $32 USD/adult, $21 USD for children

Bogarin Trail

The Bogarin Trail is another location to explore in hopes of viewing sloths in their natural habitat. Guided tours are available so you can be with a true expert on the area but if you would rather go on your own, self guided tours are available as well.

One really neat part of this company is that they are completely inclusive so those in wheelchairs, strollers, etc., can still enjoy the habitat of La Fortuna. The operators of this land are passionate about what they do and have been guided for 30 years so you’ll be in great hands exploring the forest.

Distance from La Fortuna: 4 minutes
Cost: $20 - $45 USD/person

Rio Celeste Waterfall

Located 1.5 hours from La Fortuna is the Rio Celeste Waterfall located inside of Tenorio Volcano National Park. The local legend is that when God was making the Earth, he dipped his paintbrush in the river after painting the sky which turned the water bright blue.

To get to this waterfall, you need to hike down and back up 250 stairs after hiking through the rainforest. You are not allowed to enter the water in this area as the water has a high concentration of natural chemicals. Always do your research before getting into any body of water in Costa Rica!

You must purchase tickets to the park online as they do not sell tickets at the entrance any longer. You can get your tickets HERE.

Distance from La Fortuna: 1.5 hours
Cost: $12/person + $4 for parking for foreigners

Lake Arenal

Lake Arenal is tucked right at the base of the Arenal Volcano. There is a rental shop for jet skis and kayaks if you want to spend a day out on the lake. Guided tours are available or you can rent your own and explore the lake that way. There is also a small beach area you can lounge on if you just want to take in the volcano views and spend the day in the sunshine. You may even see the little boats shuttling visitors across Lake Arenal from other towns like Monteverde!

Distance from La Fortuna: 37 minutes
Cost: $15 USD/adult for entry to the park, rentals are an additional cost

Zipline

Did you know that the first recreational ziplining began in Costa Rica? Sky Adventures is the prominent ziplining company located in La Fortuna where you can soar above the forest below. This is also the only company in Costa Rica that offers views of a lake and volcano!

To get to the starting point, you will get to enjoy a tram ride to the top where you will have access to zipline along 7 different cables. This is a great opportunity to see the variety of flora and fauna from the air.

Distance from La Fortuna: 30 minutes
Cost: $93 USD/adult, $65 USD/child

Tenorio Volcano National Park

Tenorio Volcano National Park has the iconic Rio Celeste Waterfall and many other hiking trails to see bright blue water and other scenic viewpoints of the park. Some of the best trails, along with links to AllTrails, can be found below:

Mysteries of Tenorio
Tenorio Volcano: government permission required
Heliconia Hanging Bridges

The park is open from 8am to 4pn, with the last entry allowed at 1:45pm. You must purchase tickets to the park online as they do not sell tickets at the entrance any longer. You can do this HERE.

Distance from La Fortuna: 1.5 hours
Cost: $12/person + $4 for parking for foreigners

Explore the Town of La Fortuna

The town of La Fortuna is small and offers powerful Arenal Volcano views towering over. The town has many local shops and restaurants that are perfect for sampling local cuisine. In addition, you can see the Iglesia de La Fortuna de San Carlos, aka the La Fortuna Church of Christ. It is centered in the middle of town across from the Parque de La Fortuna, aka the park of La Fortuna, which is a beautiful place to walk around or relax in as you explore the town.

Spa Day

La Fortuna is filled with many natural hot springs, but in addition to the springs, you can enjoy a day spent at a spa. Many of the spas offer treatments with local botanical ingredients from Costa Rica and volcanic clay wraps. This is the perfect way to treat yourself while feeling truly connected to the environment around you.

Distance from La Fortuna: 5-35 minutes
Cost: Varies by treatment and location

Helpful Tips

There are not addresses in Costa Rica! Make sure you have Google Maps or Waze downloaded as they work the best in this country.
Parking lots have “unofficial” parking attendants so you should expect to pay a few Colones when you enter.
Plan your activities in advance as many parks are only open select days and hours.
It gets dark early! Start your day early in the morning to ensure you get back to your accommodation before dark.
Driving at night can be difficult as most streets are not lit. Plan your day accordingly!
Oftentimes, your passport is needed to purchase tickets for activities. Bring it with you but keep track of it so you do not lose it.
Costa Rica is an expensive country. Be sure to budget!

Are you heading to La Fortuna? I would love to hear about your experience in the comments below!

In addition, be sure to save this post for later!

16 Fun Things to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

How to Get to La Fortuna