When you wake up, the cone of Arenal sometimes stands out against a clear sky; an hour later, it may have vanished into the clouds. La Fortuna, a former farming town on the San Carlos plain, lives to the rhythm of this volcano, its hot springs and its forests. It is one of the stops our travelers ask for most, families and couples alike.
Almost perfectly conical, Arenal rises to about 1,650 meters (5,400 feet). It went through a long period of activity from 1968 and entered a resting phase in 2010. Its national park protects its slopes and part of the shores of Lake Arenal, a reservoir and the largest lake in the country.
The park’s trails cross a regenerating forest and lead to old lava flows, with views of the volcano and the lake on clear days. Mornings usually offer the best visibility. A guide adds a great deal to the walk: birds, howler monkeys, coatis, the story of the eruptions.
Heat from below the ground feeds many hot springs around La Fortuna. Places range from simple pools to resorts with several pools, restaurants and spa treatments. An evening in the hot springs after a day of walking is one of the moments our travelers enjoy most. Some stretches of warm river are also freely accessible: ask locally for advice on safety and access.
About 70 meters (230 feet) high, the waterfall drops into a pool surrounded by forest. You reach it down a staircase of several hundred steps, which you then climb back up, from a paid entrance. Swimming is allowed in the marked areas. Arrive early to enjoy the place in peace. See our La Fortuna Waterfall day tour.
In the forest along the lake, parks link trails to hanging bridges at canopy level. A good way to watch birds and monkeys, well suited to families. See our Arenal hanging bridges tour.
Several courses fly over the forest with the volcano as a backdrop, from family-friendly to more adventurous. See our Arenal zipline tour.
The region’s rivers, such as the Balsa or the Toro, can be run in a half day or a full day, at different levels of difficulty.
A boat or kayak outing lets you watch herons, kingfishers and sometimes otters along the banks, with the volcano in the background.
About 1.5 hours away by road, Tenorio Volcano National Park and the turquoise waters of the Río Celeste make a fine day trip from La Fortuna.
From San José, allow about 3 hours on a paved road, which you can also ride by motorcycle (see our motorcycle tours). Shared shuttles link La Fortuna every day with San José, Monteverde and the northern Pacific beaches. From Monteverde, a crossing combining a vehicle, a boat on the lake and another vehicle saves part of the drive.
Hotels of every category in the village, lodges and boutique hotels along the volcano road, often with views of Arenal and sometimes with their own thermal pools. We choose the lodging according to your wishes: the bustle of the village or the calm of the forest. See also our Arenal hot springs day pass.
La Fortuna can be visited all year round. From December to April, the volcano is clear a little more often; from May to November, the waterfalls and the forest are at their greenest, with afternoon showers. The summit often stays in the clouds whatever the season: two or three nights improve your chances of seeing it.
Two nights let you see the waterfall, walk in the park and enjoy the hot springs. Three nights leave time to add the hanging bridges, an outing on the lake or the Río Celeste. La Fortuna combines naturally with Monteverde, the Guanacaste beaches and the Caribbean coast, as in the tours below.
It has been in a resting phase since 2010. The national park’s trails are open to visitors.
No: clouds often cover it. Early morning usually offers the best chance.
The hanging bridges, the waterfall (for children who are good walkers), the hot springs and a lake outing.
Yes: shared shuttles link La Fortuna with the main stops, and most tours pick you up at your hotel. See our trips without a car.
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