The Complete Guide to Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica

The impressive 70-meter-high Catarata La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the best waterfalls in Costa Rica. If you’re in the Arenal or La Fortuna area, it’s a must-see sight during your trip to Costa Rica.

At Catarata Rio Fortuna, unlike other waterfalls, you can swim at the bottom of the falls, which is a fantastic experience.

In this post, you can find out how to get there, the best time to visit, including entrance fees, and what to expect on the hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall.

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Table Of Contents

The Complete Guide to Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica
Best Time to Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
How to Get to La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall Entrance Fee & Opening Hours
Short Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Can I Swim at the Waterfall?
What to Pack for Visiting
Catarata La Fortuna Waterfall Map
Tips for Visiting
Where to Stay in La Fortuna
- Best hotels in La Fortuna
Is La Fortuna Waterfall Worth It?

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Best Time to Visit La Fortuna Waterfall

The tropical weather makes La Fortuna lush and green all year round, the perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

We suggest you visit the waterfall when it opens or just before closing time.

In the morning hours, the temperature is more pleasant for the hike, and you will only see a few tourists. Buy your ticket online and skip the line.

TIP
The best time to visit Costa Rica is during the dry season, which runs from December to April.

Read our → Costa Rica Itinerary

How to Get to La Fortuna Waterfall

Catarata La Fortuna is located in a biological reserve next to the Arenal Volcano National Park. The easiest and best way to get to La Fortuna Waterfall is by car. You can easily rent a car at San Jose International Airport.

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

The roads are well-maintained, and you don’t need a 4×4. It’s good to know there is no public bus to the waterfall, and it’s at least 3 hours from San Jose.

See also → Renting a Car in Costa Rica

There is no public bus service to the waterfall. If you don’t have a car, you can get from La Fortuna by taxi or Uber, join a guided tour, or walk to the waterfall. The fall is only 5 km from La Fortuna, which you can reach in less than 10 minutes.

A taxi fare costs around 10-15 USD one-way.

We saw a lot of tourists walking to visit the waterfall. But we don’t recommend this option, as these people seemed exhausted.

Book an excellent tour that includes the waterfall, Arenal Volcano, and hot springs through GetYourGuide or Viator.

La Fortuna Waterfall Entrance Fee & Opening Hours

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

You can pay for the entrance ticket by card or cash.
The ticket price includes free parking space and access to bathrooms, changing rooms, and a drinking water fountain.
In addition, you can also visit the butterfly trail and the beautiful orchid garden.

Although the entrance fee is quite expensive, the money is invested in the park’s infrastructure and environmental conservation.

The best way to visit La Fortuna Waterfall is to buy tickets online and skip the line.

Short Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall

Once you arrive, a few minutes from the entrance, there is a large platform with a fantastic view of the waterfall. Take some photos there, and then follow the trail to the left and start the hike down.

The trail is well-maintained, with more than 500 steps leading down. The hike is easy-moderate and takes around 15-30 minutes.

The hike is not recommended for pregnant women, people with heart conditions, asthma, or limited mobility!

Keep reading → Best Waterfalls in Costa Rica

It’s good to know that the hike is always longer on the way up.

Along the way, there are a few rails and benches where you can break, enjoy the view, and see some wildlife. The last steps to the waterfall are usually wet and slippery, so go slowly and use the handrails.

Overall, the hike to the waterfall is accessible to everyone.

TIP
Plan to spend at least 2 hours at the waterfall.

Can I Swim at the Waterfall?

Yes! You can swim at the bottom of the La Fortuna Waterfall, but be careful as the water currents can be dangerous.

Bring water shoes, as the rocks can be slippery from the humidity. During our visit, there was a lifeguard near the waterfall watching over the safety of visitors.

If you don’t want to swim at the waterfall but want to refresh after the hike, follow the trail next to the waterfall to the river, where you can enjoy a relaxing swim at the natural pools.

Recommended post → Things to Do in La Fortuna

What to Pack for Visiting

Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
Quick-dry towel: This microfibre quick-drying towel is ideal for traveling, hiking, swimming, bathing, and sports.
Swimsuit
Hat
Mosquito repellent
Water shoes
Dry bag
Camera gear
GoPro or Waterproof phone bag
Plenty of water
Snacks

Catarata La Fortuna Waterfall Map

Photo credit: cataratalafortuna

Tips for Visiting

Wear closed hiking shoes and lightweight, quick-dry clothes, as the weather is always warm and humid.
Bring your refillable water bottle with you.
Lock your car, and don’t leave valuables out of sight.
As unexpected rain can happen at any time, bring a light raincoat.
Use the bathroom before you start the hike.
Wear a swimsuit under your clothes or use the changing rooms near the entrance.
La Fortuna is one of the best places to watch wildlife in Costa Rica, so always keep your eyes open.
Use a polarized lens to protect your camera and get better-quality photos.
Always keep an eye on your valuables while swimming in the water.
Don’t underestimate the strong current of the waterfall.

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

Where to Stay in La Fortuna

We recommend staying in La Fortuna for at least 3-4 days to allow enough time to visit the best places. When you have a car, we suggest booking your hotel outside La Fortuna with a stunning view of the Arenal Volcano.

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

Although La Fortuna is a small town, the accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in La Fortuna

Luxury: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa or Baldi Hot Springs Hotel & Spa
Mid-Range: Los Lagos Spa & Thermal Resort Experience
Budget: Arenal Xilopalo

more hotels in la fortuna

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

Is La Fortuna Waterfall Worth It?

Yes, it was one of our favorite waterfalls in Costa Rica and a must-see in La Fortuna.

If you have more time after the waterfall, explore the surrounding attractions, hike to Arenal Volcano, swim in the hot springs, or take a chocolate tour.

TIP
Book your full-day tour, which includes the impressive waterfall, hanging bridges, and Arenal Volcano National Park.

We hope you found our guide to La Fortuna Waterfall useful and will inspire you to visit 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

The Complete Guide to Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica