La Fortuna

Volcano Views, Hot Springs, Adventure

La Fortuna sits near a large volcano with lush green hills all around. The town is known for hot springs, waterfalls and rainforest trails that visitors can explore on foot. Local markets sell fresh fruit and handmade crafts made by nearby families. Guides lead hikes to see wildlife like monkeys and colorful birds in their natural habitats. Many people come here for adventure activities such as zip-lining or rafting down nearby rivers. The climate stays warm year-round, making it easy to enjoy outdoor experiences any time of year.

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Town in Costa Rica

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.6

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	7

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and by tour operators. Most signage and menus are bilingual, and communication is easy for English speakers in the tourism sector. In local markets, basic Spanish helps.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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La Fortuna Summary

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World-famous for volcano scenery and adventure. Hike rainforest trails, soak in hot springs, zipline through jungle canopy and swim beneath waterfalls.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Waterfalls

Volcanoes

Hot springs

Cosy towns

Forests

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Costa Rica – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Costa Rican Colón (CRC) £1 ≈ CRC 605.44
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Costa Rica has a well-developed cashless payment system, and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in urban areas. However, it is still useful to carry cash in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, a 10% service charge is often included, but it is common to leave an additional tip of 5-10%.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not commonly allowed in Costa Rica. Alcohol consumption is generally confined to licensed venues such as bars, restaurants, and resorts.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and enclosed areas, including restaurants and public transport.

Independence Day (15 September)	National holiday with celebrations and parades
Christmas (25 December)	Family-centred celebration

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity, eco-tourism, and commitment to environmental conservation. It is a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure travellers.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for La Fortuna, Costa Rica

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, July, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - June, Aug.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Arenal Volcano is often cloud-covered; early mornings in the dry season give the best views

Christmas to New Year and Holy Week: hotels book out early, prices peak

Don't miss

🌊 Hike to the breathtaking La Fortuna Waterfall
♨️ Relax in natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano
🌉 Walk the hanging bridges at Mistico Park
🦥 Spot sloths and wildlife on guided nature tours
🚤 Take a boat tour on Lake Arenal at sunset

You've been here?

Why travel to La Fortuna?

La Fortuna is a paradise for nature lovers and thrill-seekers. Hike the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, cross hanging bridges high in the rainforest canopy or rappel down waterfalls for a true adrenaline rush. The town is also known for its geothermal hot springs, fed by the volcano, which are perfect for soaking after a day of exploring. Wildlife is everywhere – expect to spot toucans, monkeys and sloths. Despite its popularity, La Fortuna still has a friendly, local vibe, with most businesses owned by Costa Ricans. But it’s not all perfect: La Fortuna is busy from December to April, so book ahead if you’re visiting in high season. The weather is hot and humid year-round and rain can strike at any time – even in the dry season. Some activities and tours can be pricey and the town is touristy, but it’s easy to escape the crowds on lesser-known trails or by visiting in the shoulder season. Always keep an eye on your belongings, especially in busy areas.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Arenal Volcano National Park
A rugged, volcanic landscape in Costa Rica's Central Valley features dramatic crater views and lush cloud forests. The park offers hiking trails through dense vegetation, hot springs and breathtaking sunsets over the active Arenal Volcano.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
2 The Springs Resort and Spa

🎡Places for activities

1 Don Juan Chocolate and Coffee Tours Monteverde

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Arenal Volcano
2 Lake Arenal
3 Waterfall Río Fortuna
4 Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
5 Ecocentro Danaus
6 Cerro Chato
7 Río Fortuna
8 Arenal Natura Ecological Park

🛍️Shopping

1 Joyería del Circo

🎈Events

La Fortuna Festival (January)
Semana Santa (Easter celebrations)
Independence Day (September 15)
Christmas parades
Local food fairs
Cultural dance performances
Arenal Volcano Marathon
Wildlife and birdwatching events
Eco-tourism festivals
Rainforest conservation workshops

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Pack rain gear; showers can hit even in dry season.
Book hot springs and popular tours early; evenings fill up fast in peak months.
Wear sturdy shoes for waterfall steps and muddy trails; humidity makes surfaces slippery.
Skip pricey resorts one day: visit free river spots like El Salto/El Choyin for locals’ vibes.

How to travel to La Fortuna

La Fortuna is about 2.5–3 hours by car from both San José and Liberia international airports. You can arrive by direct public bus from San José, shared/private shuttle, domestic flight (to La Fortuna’s small airport) or taxi-boat-taxi from Monteverde. Many visitors arrive as part of a longer Costa Rica itinerary.

Access summary

From San José Airport (SJO): Shuttle or shared minibus, about 3–4 hours.
From San José city: Public bus or shuttle via route 702, roughly 3–4 hours.
From Liberia (LIR): Tourist shuttle or car via Lake Arenal, usually 3.5–4.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in La Fortuna

La Fortuna has a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hot spring resorts and boutique eco-lodges to budget hostels and family-run hotels. Book early for high season (Dec–Apr). Many hotels are outside town, so check if they offer shuttles or transport. Some resorts are adults-only, while others are family-friendly.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal

9.6

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

9.5

Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience

8.9

Nayara Gardens

10.0

Baldi Hot Springs Hotel & Spa

8.8

Arenal Paraiso Hotel Resort and Spa

8.4

Hotel Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa

9.4

Hotel Mountain Paradise

8.4

SUWA VILLA ARENAL

10.0

Arenal Backpackers Resort

7.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around La Fortuna

La Fortuna’s downtown is walkable, but most attractions are a short drive or taxi ride away. Taxis, shuttles and organized tours are common. Local buses connect to nearby towns, but schedules are limited. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, but isn’t required for most visitors – many hotels and tour operators offer pickups.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-37 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 37% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+24 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CRC) is 24% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Puntarenas, Costa Rica - 59 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£39	£95	£264
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£45	£113
🍝 Food per day	£20	£45	£130
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£21

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£3
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.75
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£13
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£75
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£12

Safety information overview

General safety

La Fortuna is very safe, with low violent crime. Petty theft can occur in busy or touristy areas — keep valuables secure and don’t leave items unattended. Use reputable tour operators for adventure activities and follow local safety advice.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good, with clinics and pharmacies in town. Tap water is generally safe, but bottled water is widely available. Bring any needed medication. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance — use repellent, especially in rainy season.

Accessibility

Most main attractions, hotels and hot springs are accessible, but some trails and adventure tours have uneven ground or steps. Wheelchair access is improving, but check ahead for specific needs. Tour operators can advise on accessible options.

Tap water

Tap water is generally safe in La Fortuna, but if you have a sensitive stomach, opt for bottled water. Public fountains are rare — carry a refillable bottle, especially for hikes and tours.