Costa Rica
La Fortuna
Stay two or three nights: volcano trails, hanging bridges and an evening in the hot springs. We have mapped 3 activities, 4 outdoor spots and 2 places to eat here, each with a reason to go.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Dec – Apr
- Warmest month
- April
- Coolest month
- December
- Wettest month
- October
3 Do · 4 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Costa Rica Pura Vida
from our route notes
32°C / 89°F avg high
27°C / 81°F avg high
about 283 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in La Fortuna
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
Do
3 activities for when the group wants to do more than look across Lake Arenal, Arenal and La Fortuna.
Photo: Juan A Pérez Gil de Zúñiga · GoogleDoMístico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Rainforest trail with suspension bridges at canopy height.
Tip A guided tour helps you spot sloths and birds.
Photo: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa · GoogleDoTabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Volcano-fed hot springs running through landscaped rainforest.
Tip Day passes include dinner or lunch; book ahead.
Photo: Rainforest Chocolate Tour · Google
Outdoors
4 outdoor spots for fresh air across Arenal, South of town and Lake Arenal.
Photo: Adlira512 · CC BY-SA 4.0OutdoorsArenal Volcano National Park
Trails over 1968 lava flows with views of the volcano's cone.
Tip Mornings are clearest; the summit is often cloudy by noon.
Photo: Ariel Araya · Google
Photo: Photo by and (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) · CC BY-SA 4.0OutdoorsLa Fortuna Waterfall
70-meter waterfall reached by about 500 steps.
Tip Swim downstream from the falls, not below them.
Photo: Kim Schulze · Google
Eat
Where we would book a table in La Fortuna in Centro.
Photo: Don Rufino · Google
Photo: Scott Partin · Google
Drink
Our picks for a drink in La Fortuna in Centro.
Photo: C&T Anderson · Google
How to fit La Fortuna into a trip
La Fortuna is stop 1 of 3 on our Costa Rica Pura Vida route. Follow it as-is or lift La Fortuna into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 3
Costa Rica Pura Vida
Volcanoes, cloud forest & Pacific beaches
- Trip length
- 8 days
- Best season
- Dec – Apr
- Pace
- moderate
- Next: Monteverde
Getting here and onward
- La Fortuna to MonteverdeMonteverde is about 26 km / 16 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
La Fortuna month by month
Average daily highs run from 27°C / 81°F in December to 32°C / 89°F in April. October is the wettest month, with about 283 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan27° / 81°F average high, in our recommended season
- Feb28° / 83°F average high, in our recommended season
- Mar30° / 87°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr32° / 89°F average high, in our recommended season
- May30° / 87°F average high
- Jun29° / 83°F average high
- Jul28° / 82°F average high
- Aug28° / 83°F average high
- Sep28° / 83°F average high
- Oct28° / 82°F average high
- Nov27° / 81°F average high
- Dec27° / 81°F average high, in our recommended season
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. La Fortuna weather and the best time to visit →
Near La Fortuna
2 other destinations from our guides within about 150 km (93 mi), measured in a straight line.
La Fortuna questions, answered
How many days do you need in La Fortuna?
Our route notes suggest 2–3 nights in La Fortuna. On our Costa Rica Pura Vida route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 20 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is La Fortuna best known for?
Stay two or three nights: volcano trails, hanging bridges and an evening in the hot springs. Standouts on our list: Arenal Volcano National Park (Trails over 1968 lava flows with views of the volcano's cone); Arenal 1968 (Private reserve with lava-field trails and lake views); La Fortuna Waterfall (70-meter waterfall reached by about 500 steps).
When is the best time to visit La Fortuna?
Our Costa Rica Pura Vida route is best Dec – Apr. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in April (32°C / 89°F), the coolest in December (27°C / 81°F) and the most rain in October (about 283 mm).
What are the best things to do in La Fortuna?
Start with Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal 1968, La Fortuna Waterfall, Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park and Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 3 activities, 4 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in La Fortuna?
Our picks: Restaurante Don Rufino (Centro); Soda Viquez (Centro).
What is near La Fortuna?
The closest destinations in our guides are Monteverde (about 26 km / 16 mi) and Manuel Antonio (about 132 km / 82 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan La Fortuna with your crew
Open the Costa Rica Pura Vida route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.