13 Best Things to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Are you looking for the best things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica? Its lush rainforests, hanging bridges, diverse wildlife, thrilling outdoor adventures, natural hot springs, and majestic scenery of the Arenal Volcano attract visitors. This is the best and most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica, so you can’t miss it.

Wondering what to do in La Fortuna? Hike around the Arenal Volcano, visit the epic waterfalls, join a sloth-watching tour, enjoy the hot springs, or go ziplining.

This ultimate guide to visiting La Fortuna includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

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Where is La Fortuna?

It is located in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica, about a 3-hour drive from San Jose and 3.5-4 hours from Monteverde.

Best Time to Visit La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Thanks to its tropical climate, it is lush and green all year round, the perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The best time to visit La Fortuna is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. The weather is always hot and humid, so unexpected rains can occur even in the dry season.

The rainy (green) season lasts from May to November when the rainforest is at its most vibrant.

If you want to enjoy outdoor activities and make the most of your trip, visit the Arenal area in the dry season. But these months are the busiest time to visit Costa Rica, so we suggest booking tours and accommodation in advance!

Here are all your hotel options in La Fortuna.

How to Get to La Fortuna

Most people arrive from San Jose, Liberia, or Monteverde. You can easily get to La Fortuna by shared and private transfer, taxi, bus, plane, or car.

We have a detailed post on how to get from San Jose to La Fortuna with all the information you need + the cheapest way.

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If you want to book bus tickets or transfers, use Bookaway.

We arrived from Puerto Viejo, and the driving time was about 4.5 hours.

The best way to get to La Fortuna is by car. You can easily rent a car at San Jose Airport or pick up your pre-booked car. The roads are well maintained and paved, so you don’t need a 4×4.

We did our 2-week Costa Rica Itinerary by rental car and enjoyed exploring the sights at our own pace.

Book your rental car with Discover Cars here.

Good to know
It always gets dark early in Costa Rica (between 5:30 PM and 6 PM). So we don’t recommend driving at night!

Are you thinking of renting a car? Be sure to read our guide to renting a car in Costa Rica and driving tips.

Where to Stay in La Fortuna

Although La Fortuna is a small town, the accommodation options are available for all budgets. For the best experience, stay in one of the best hot springs resorts.

If you don’t have a car or are looking for budget accommodation, you should stay in the town center. Because you’ll be close to restaurants and can easily book tours or shuttles to attractions.

Best hotels in La Fortuna

Luxury: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa or Nayara Gardens
Mid-Range: Los Lagos Spa & Thermal Resort Experience
Budget: Arenal Xilopalo

more hotels

We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in Arenal.

Photo credit: Hotel Boutique Casa Del Rio

Best things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

1. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park

Are you looking for an exciting experience in La Fortuna? Walk above the rainforest at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, just a 30-minute drive from the town center. You can visit the park independently or join a guided tour.

Book your guided tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.

The main trail is about 3.5 km long, and you can walk across 16 bridges, including 6 suspension bridges. The tour takes about 2.5-3 hours at a comfortable pace and with photography. Along the way, you can see a waterfall and many animals, such as monkeys, toucans, and sloths, and enjoy a fantastic view of the volcano.

Important note
Wear closed shoes, as this is mandatory for visiting the park!

The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is open daily from 6 AM to 3:50 PM. The self-guided walk costs 32 USD for adults and 12 USD for children (5-10 years old). Reservations are required to visit the Mistico Hanging Bridges.

Read our → Costa Rica Itinerary

2. Arenal Volcano

Visiting the Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna. There are many different hiking trails around the volcano, where you can spend a few hours or a whole day. You cannot climb to the top of the volcano. Although the Arenal Volcano is active, it is safe to hike in the area.

You can book this top-rated tour through Viator or GetYourGuide, which includes the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs, and Arenal Volcano.

The Arenal Volcano 1968 Trail is open daily from 7:30 AM to 5 PM. The self-guided tour costs 26 USD per person.

Read the full post → How to Hike Arenal Volcano

3. La Fortuna Waterfall

Wondering what to see in La Fortuna? The impressive 70-meter-high Catarata La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica. The fall is only 5 km from the town center, which you can reach in less than 10 minutes by car.

It is open every day from 7 AM to 5 PM. The entrance fee to the waterfall is 20 USD for adults and free for children up to 8 years old.

Buy a skip-the-line ticket through Viator or GetYourGuide.

At Catarata Rio Fortuna, unlike other waterfalls, you can swim at the bottom of the falls, which is a fantastic experience. Book this excellent full-day adventure tour, which includes this impressive waterfall, hanging bridges, and Arenal Volcano hike.

Recommended post → How to Visit La Fortuna Waterfall

4. Stay at a Hot Springs Resort

One of the best and most popular things to do in La Fortuna is to enjoy the hot springs. Thanks to the geothermal activity of the Arenal Volcano, there are many natural hot springs in the area.

If you’re looking for the best hot springs resort with views of the Arenal Volcano, stay at the Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort (Adults Only) or choose Los Lagos Spa & Thermal Resort Experience.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a solo retreat, or a family vacation, the hot springs resorts in La Fortuna offer the perfect blend of relaxation, pampering, and natural beauty to make your stay unforgettable.

Recommended post → Best Hot Springs Resorts & Hotels

Photo credit: Los Lagos Spa & Thermal Resort Experience

5. Go on a Chocolate Tour

Looking for more top things to do in La Fortuna? You can’t leave Costa Rica without having a chocolate experience. Take a cocoa tour and see the process from harvesting to bean grinding. Make your own chocolate and taste it in different flavors, such as banana, ginger, and lime.

You can choose from several chocolate tours, but we suggest joining the Rainforest Chocolate Tour.

Book your chocolate tour via GetYourGuide or Viator.

The Rainforest Chocolate Tour lasts around 1.5 hours and costs 32 USD for adults and 21 USD for children (6-12 years). For the best experience, join a combined coffee and chocolate tour guaranteed to awaken your taste buds.

See also → Chocolate Tours in Costa Rica

6. Take a Day Trip to Rio Celeste Waterfall

One of the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica is the Rio Celeste, which is located about a 1.5-hour drive from La Fortuna in the Tenorio Volcano National Park. You don’t need a 4×4 to get to Tenorio Volcano National Park. But a car with higher ground clearance is recommended.

Book an excellent day tour to Rio Celeste Waterfall with Viator or GetYourGuide.

The national park is open every day from 8 AM to 2 PM, but you can stay until 4 PM. Spend at least 3 hours in the park, hiking the rainforest trails and exploring other beautiful attractions.

Read the full post → How to Visit Rio Celeste Waterfall

7. Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is one of the most visited places in La Fortuna. Here, you can get some beautiful shots and enjoy the hot springs. For the best experience, stay at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa.

The Tabacon One Day Pass costs 99 USD (without a meal) or 168 USD (with lunch or dinner) for adults. The day pass gives access to more than 20 natural pools and cascades between 10 AM and 10 PM. It also includes a welcome drink (non-alcoholic), a towel, a locker, and parking.

We found the day pass to be overpriced! But if you want to visit Tabacon Resort, we recommend you buy your ticket in advance.

Here are all your hotel options in La Fortuna.

8. Bogarin Trail

One of our favorite things to do in La Fortuna was exploring the Bogarin Trail. You can visit the trail without a guide or join a guided tour and see Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife.

The trail is open daily from 7 AM to 4 PM. The self-guided tour costs 20 USD. For the best experience, join a sloth-watching guided tour. The tour lasts about 2 hours and includes the entrance fee and a guide.

Book a Sloth Watching Guided Tour HERE.

Read our guide → Bogarin Trail

9. El Salto Rope Swing

Are you looking for free things to do in La Fortuna? Then, visit the El Salto Rope Swing, which is free to visit.

You can jump into the turquoise, refreshing water. But only jump in if you can swim well! Watch the locals and see where you can safely jump in and come out of the water.

The El Salto Rope Swing is about a 25-minute walk or a short drive from the town center, and parking is free at the bridge. Some parking guards may ask you for money because they watch your car.

10. Enjoy Adventurous Activities

Wondering what to do in La Fortuna? La Fortuna is known as Costa Rica’s adventure capital because it has all the outdoor activities you need. Zipline over the waterfall and jungle, go horseback riding, join a canyoning tour, or enjoy whitewater rafting and tubing. We recommend these most popular tours.

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You can visit Lake Arenal and enjoy water activities such as boat tours, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding.

11. El Choyin (Free Natural Hot Springs River)

One of the best things to do in La Fortuna is to visit the free natural hot springs, just a 15-minute drive from the town center, right next to the Tabacon Resort. It is a popular place among tourists and locals.

There are no changing rooms, so it is recommended to arrive in a swimsuit. Always keep an eye on your valuables, as small thefts may happen!

There are no designated parking spaces. But you can park safely near Tabacon for 4000-5000 colones (8-10 USD). Then, walk down the short trail through the forest to find the free natural hot springs river.

Good to know
Most resorts give access to the hot springs with day passes.

12. Join a Sloth Watching Tour

As La Fortuna is one of the best places to see sloths, be sure to add a sloth watching tour to your must-do list. The most popular places to see sloths are the Bogarin Trail, Sloth Watching Trail, and Sloth’s Territory. For the best experience, join a combined sloth, coffee, and chocolate tour.

Check prices and availability for the best sloth tours on Viator or GetYourGuide.

If you want a more exciting activity, take a night walk. Wear hiking shoes or boots and long pants on the tour, and bring mosquito repellent, a light rain jacket, and a camera.

Another great place to see sloths → Manuel Antonio National Park

13. Take a Day Trip to Catarata Del Toro Waterfall

Looking for more places to visit during your stay in La Fortuna? Catarata Del Toro is a 90-meter-high waterfall that flows into an old, extinct volcanic crater, offering magnificent scenery. The waterfall is just a 1.5-hour drive from La Fortuna, and you can easily combine your visit with the stunning waterfalls nearby.

The entrance fee to Catarata Del Toro is 15 USD for adults and 7.50 USD for children (4-12 years).

Important note
The waterfall is closed on Sundays!

Read the full post → How to Visit Catarata Del Toro

Is La Fortuna Worth Visiting?

Yes, absolutely! It’s the perfect base for enjoying hot springs, trying adventurous activities, watching sloths, visiting waterfalls, and hiking around Arenal Volcano.

We loved La Fortuna and wished we could have stayed longer.

Is it Safe to Travel to La Fortuna?

Yes, it is one of the safest and most popular destinations in Costa Rica. But we recommend always locking your car and don’t leave any valuables in sight.

Tap water in the Arenal area is safe to drink.

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

How to Get Around La Fortuna

You can easily explore the town by walking. However, some attractions are far away or inaccessible by public bus, so we recommend renting a car. If you arrive by car, book accommodation with free parking.

Alternatively, you can take a taxi or Uber, book a private transfer, or join a group tour that includes transport. You can book transfers via Bookaway.

Best Restaurants in La Fortuna

You can find many local restaurants (sodas), vegan & vegetarian options, and national foods with all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Organico Fortuna (Perfect for breakfast, vegan options)
Jungle Bowls (Delicious smoothie bowls)
Yellow Bark (Tasty hamburgers)
Lava Lounge (Cold drinks, delicious food and live music)
Soda la Hormiga (Cheap Costa Rican food)
Chifa La Familia Feliz (Peruivian cuisine)
Kappa Sushi (Best sushi)
Restaurante Café Mediterráneo (Italien pizza, pasta)

Join a Costa Rican Cooking Class.

How many Days do you Need in La Fortuna, Costa Rica?

We recommend staying for at least 3-5 days to enjoy the best things to do in La Fortuna. Then, travel to Monteverde, Puerto Viejo, or San Jose.

We hope our list of the best things to do in La Fortuna will help you plan your next trip to Costa Rica. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

13 Best Things to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica