La Fortuna – A Perfect Blend of Adventure and Tranquility

La Fortuna, with its stunning nature and diverse activities, is a must-visit destination in Costa Rica. From exploring the famous Arenal Volcano to relaxing in natural hot springs, there’s so much to enjoy. While La Fortuna can be busy with tourists, with a bit of patience, you’ll still have an amazing time discovering the beauty of Costa Rica.

How to get to La Fortuna

Getting to La Fortuna is relatively easy, especially given its popularity among travelers. Here are a few common ways to reach this beautiful destination:

✈️ By plane: The closest major airport to La Fortuna is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José. From there, you can take a domestic flight to the Arenal Airport, which is about a 20-minute drive from La Fortuna.

🚗 By car: Renting a car gives you the flexibility to explore Costa Rica at your own pace. From San José, you can drive to La Fortuna in about 3 to 4 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. The route offers picturesque landscapes and opportunities to stop at various points of interest along the way. Rent a car through Sunny Cars for an all-inclusive rental service.

🚌 By bus: If you’re already in Costa Rica, you can take a bus to La Fortuna from cities like San José or Liberia. The bus journey offers scenic views and is an affordable option for budget travelers. Use reliable booking services like 12GO for extensive bus routes.

🚐 Shuttle services: Many shuttle services operate between popular tourist destinations in Costa Rica, including San José and La Fortuna. This option provides convenience and comfort, with door-to-door service available from your hotel or airport.

What to do in La Fortuna

Enjoy the hot springs

In La Fortuna, the hot springs are a must-visit attraction, offering a blissful retreat in the midst of Costa Rica’s natural beauty. Fed by the geothermal energy of the Arenal Volcano, these thermal pools provide a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa: A luxurious retreat amid lush tropical gardens with numerous thermal pools, waterfalls, and secluded spots. Prices range from $80 to $100 USD per person for a day pass. Since this is the most popular one, we recommend to book your tickets in advance.

Baldi Hot Springs: Known for its extensive network of thermal pools, slides, and waterfalls, catering to families and adventure-seekers alike. Admission fees range from $35 to $60 USD per person. Book your tickets online to avoid disappointments.

El Choyin – The Free Hot Springs: A natural hot spring located across from Tabacón. It’s a free spot, but local guides may ask for a small fee for parking and security.

Hike around Arenal Volcano

While climbing Arenal Volcano itself may be off-limits for safety reasons, there are still plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploration around its base. A popular hiking trail in the area is the Arenal 1968 Trail, named after the volcano’s last major eruption in 1968. This trail offers stunning views of the volcano and its surrounding landscape, as well as a chance to learn about the area’s geological history and volcanic activity. As you hike through lush rainforest and across lava fields, you’ll encounter breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife, including howler monkeys, toucans, and colorful butterflies. While the trail does not lead to the summit of the volcano, it provides an immersive experience that allows visitors to appreciate the beauty and power of Arenal from a safe distance. You can book your tickets in advance and beat the lines.

Spot Sloths on the Bogarin Trail

At the Bogarin Trail, you have the option to explore independently or join a guided tour, each offering unique experiences. The trail is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, particularly those eager to spot sloths in their natural habitat. Guides on the trail are equipped with special scopes to help you see sloths and other wildlife high in the trees, making it easier to observe these fascinating creatures. The trail meanders through a beautiful secondary forest, providing an opportunity to see not only sloths but also a variety of birds, frogs, and butterflies. The serene environment allows for a peaceful hike, with the added excitement of spotting wildlife at every turn. The entrance fee is ?8,500 (€15) for a self-guided ticket and ?25,000 (€47) for a guided tour. Opting for a guided tour enhances the experience as knowledgeable guides share insights about the local ecosystem and help ensure you don’t miss any hidden animals. Whether you choose to explore on your own or with a guide, the Bogarin Trail offers a memorable experience for nature lovers. You can book your guided tour in advance to secure your spot.

Since we had already seen some sloths on our trip, we opted for the unguided option. We ran into some groups looking up into the trees and found our first sloth and after that we did find some sloths independently after and were só proud! In roughtly an hour we saw 6 sloths and were glad to see both types. The fruits at the start and end of the trail do attract some beautiful birds, so feel free to stay around a bit longer.

Watch Frogs at Night in the Jungle

Explore the hidden world of frogs with frog tours in La Fortuna! These guided adventures take you into the rainforest at night, where you can spot colorful frogs. A popular place for frog tours is Arenal Oasis. Led by friendly guides, you use flashlights to find the frogs, and they tell you interesting things about them. One of the highlights is spotting the famous red-eyed frog, a symbol of Costa Rica. During our trip, we did a frog tour at Arenal Oasis, and it was one of the best experiences we had. Seeing the red-eyed frog up close was really cool, and we learned a lot about frogs and their importance in the forest. Plus, keep your eyes peeled because there’s a chance to see snakes and spiders too, adding an extra touch of excitement to the adventure! In 2024 a guided tour is roughly $50 per person (if you have your own transport). You can also book your all-inclusive tour including pick-up online.

Adrenaline Activities

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, La Fortuna offers an array of heart-pounding activities that will leave you exhilarated and breathless. Zip-lining through the rainforest canopy provides an adrenaline-fueled adventure with sweeping views of the lush landscape below. Canyoning takes the excitement to new heights as you rappel down cascading waterfalls, surrounded by the raw power of nature. And for thrill-seekers craving white-water action, rafting down the roaring rapids of the Arenal River promises an unforgettable experience. Book your white-water rafting adventures online and enjoy the magnificent force of the rivers surrounding La Fortuna.

Where to eat in La Fortuna

La Fortuna is a popular town and therefore there are quite some good restaurants in the area. These ones were our favorites!

• Chifa – A fusion Peruvian Chinese restaurants with famous dishes such as lomo saltado.
• Café Raúl Castaño – A lovely place to have lunch, although they also serve good coffee and they have a bakery attached. We had some burgers and sweets while enjoying the misty Arenal views.

Where to stay in La Fortuna

Experience luxury amidst nature at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. With renowned hot springs and spa facilities, Tabacon offers a rejuvenating escape surrounded by Costa Rica’s natural beauty. Elegant accommodations, modern amenities, and stunning views of Arenal Volcano ensure an unforgettable stay. Double rooms start at €390 a night, including access to the hot springs.

Pradera de Arenal provides upscale accommodations with panoramic vistas of the Arenal Volcano. Enjoy modern amenities, private balconies, and a serene infinity pool. Whether relaxing or exploring, Pradera de Arenal offers a memorable retreat in La Fortuna. Double rooms start at €100 a night.

Selina combines stylish accommodations with a vibrant social atmosphere. From private rooms to communal spaces, guests can connect with fellow travelers while enjoying amenities like yoga classes, live music, and cultural workshops. Whether relaxing or socializing, Selina offers a dynamic stay in La Fortuna. Dorms start at €25 a night and a double room starts at €100 a night.