La Fortuna, (or La Fortuna de San Carlos, as it’s officially named, was once a simple agricultural town dominated by the majestic conical form of Arenal, just 6km away. True to its name, La Fortuna is now booming as a thriving base for the area’s sports, activities and tours. Despite all the tour buses whizzing through town, however, it remains a pleasant, inviting community. Plan your trip to La Fortuna with our guide to La Fortuna — based on the The Rough Guide to Costa Rica, your travel guide for Costa Rica.
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Looming at 1633m, Volcán Arenal seems to emerge directly from the town’s fringes. Although still considered to be active, the volcano has been slumbering since 2010 and the famous evening lava tours are now a thing of the past.
On a clear day it remains a majestic sight, but when it’s rainy and foggy, the volcano is almost totally obscured, its summit hidden behind a sombrero of cloud. Indeed, locals estimate that one in two visitors never actually gets a glimpse of the summit.
The picturesque Catarata de La Fortuna, the waterfalls southwest of town, are a popular half-day diversion. Meanwhile, the area to the northwest offers a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking forested trails to ziplining to bathing in steaming hot springs.
Waterfall and Arenal volcano in La Fortuna, Costa Rica © Shutterstock
A number of hot springs line the road from La Fortuna to Arenal, all set around a variety of pools fed by thermally heated underground streams.
The majority of agencies in town sell tickets and transportation to the springs, but you can easily visit them independently. Some hotels have worked hot springs into their landscaped grounds, which are also open (for a fee) to non-guests.
For years, locals in the know have been enjoying a natural – and free – hot soak in small ponds nestled within the fast-flowing river near the bridge just after Tabacón. If you decide to take the plunge, keep in mind that the rocks here can be slippery and the river treacherous, especially during the rainy season.
At the time of its most recent eruption in the late 1960s, Volcán Arenal seemed to be nothing but an unthreatening mountain. But on 29th July 1968, an earthquake shook the area, blasting the top off Arenal and creating the majestic, lethal volcano seen today.
While history would suggest that it’s not due another major blowout for a few hundred years, and despite the recent years of slumber, Arenal is still an active volcano.
As a result, a few safety tips are worth bearing in mind when exploring the area — never veer from trails or guided tours, and don’t attempt to hike anywhere near the crater
Arenal 1968 offers taxing but highly worthwhile hikes up to the original 1968 lava flow. These include a 3km loop that takes you past a shrine to those who lost their lives in the 1968, eruption, and a 4.5km trail through some bird-filled forested areas.
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A tall, thin stream plunges prettily from a narrow aperture in the rocky heights 75m above, forming a foaming pool among rocks and rainforest below.
From the ticket booth, a path leads 600m vertically down to the base of the falls, where a series of pools provide a tempting spot for a dip. Though swimming is not recommended due to flash floods, a lot of people do it anyway.
There’s a mirador (signposted) 200m along the trail for those who'd rather look from a distance. This gives great views across the steep valley and its heavily forested floor to the thin finger of the cascade.
Make sure you wear waterproof shoes, and be aware that the paths can be slippery.
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Offering breath-taking views of the forest, there’s no better way to admire native flora and fauna from a unique perspective. Take your pick from a solo walk, or a guided tour.
Sky Adventures offers this hanging bridge experience, along with a seven-cable canopy tour.
They also run mountain-biking trips, and have an aerial tram. And it’s one of the few places you can go ziplining at sunset.
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You can book a tour to visit them, but it is also possible to visit them on your own, if you know where to find them.
The complex comprises fifteen mineral-rich pools, most of which are secluded among rich vegetation. Several are set beneath waterfalls, so you can manoeuvre yourself under the cascades for a pummelling hot-water “massage”.
These include Roman-style baths and waterfall-fed pools. Younger soakers will love the three waterslides.
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It’s stylishly low-key, and only 100 people are allowed in during any of the allotted times, so be sure to book ahead in high season.
Four simple pools (one with slides) are set around a very ordinary garden, but the volcano views are sensational. Bring your own food and booze and make a night of it.
Go on a guided trip to see wildlife around La Fortuna © Kit Korzun/Shutterstock
While some of these are quite remote and local public transport is erratic or nonexistent, many places offer a free shuttle service into town.
The nearby communities of Chachagua, 10km southeast of La Fortuna, and El Castillo are more relaxed alternatives to the main town, but still close enough to the action.
Find more places to stay in La Fortuna.
For example, you'll find several fine-dining options on the road west of town. Virtually every restaurant in the area doubles up as a bar, too.
In addition to the eateries recommended below, Down to Earth shop is also a great spot for a coffee.
Find out more about eating and drinking in Costa Rica.
The epic landscape around La Fortuna, Costa Rica © Shutterstock
Taxis are available from the local airport, and most accommodation options offer free, or low-cost, shuttle buses into La Fortuna itself.
Interested in a dual-destination break? You could book a private transfer to Puerto Viejo. Alternatively, our customisable Beaches and Volcanoes trip combines adventuring around Arenal with a Pacific beach break.
If you’re into active breaks, consider spending longer in the area. It’s true to say that you could spend several weeks in La Fortuna rafting, horse-riding, mountain biking and ziplining and still not sample everything.
In addition to the zip-lining activitiies covered above, the following suggestions are a small selection of what else is available.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that La Fortuna has pretty unpredictable weather patterns in the dry season. Damp, muggy mornings might give way to bright afternoons, and vice versa.
In general, though, you’ll experience less rain from January through to April.
For more on the best time to visit different destinations in Costa Rica, read our guide to when to go to Costa Rica.
Alternatively, take a bus from San José to San Carlos (roughly hourly; 2hr 30min), where there are frequent connections to La Fortuna.
For more transportation tips, read our guide to getting around Costa Rica.
Looking for more inspiration? Read up on the best things to do in Costa Rica, and get yourself a copy of The Rough Guide to Costa Rica.
Our customisable Costa Rica itineraries are also packed with ideas.
We may earn commission when you click on links in this article, but this doesn’t influence our editorial standards. We only recommend services we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.
Top image: Volcano Arenal, Costa Rica © Simon Dannhauer/Shutterstock
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written by Rough Guides Editors
updated 8.03.2023
