Costa Rica is often described as paradise and has been welcoming many travelers who want a taste of pura vida. Translating to “pure life,” it represents a philosophy of living in the moment, embracing positivity, and appreciating life’s simple pleasures. I finally was able to experience it firsthand during a summer trip and it definitely lived up to the hype. The highlight of Costa Rica was the La Fortuna region, a lush tropical paradise about 3 hours northwest from San Jose. When planning the trip, there were so many things to do in La Fortuna that caught our attention, and we knew we had to visit.
We flew in and out of San Jose, but spent most of our time in La Fortuna. La Fortuna is famous for its beautiful volcano views, natural hot springs, and lush, vibrant rainforest scenery. It has the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation opportunities that are suitable for families, friends, solo travelers, and couples, so a visit to this region is a must if you are visiting Costa Rica.
When to Visit La Fortuna, Costa Rica
We visited La Fortuna during the rainy season, which actually turned out to be a great decision. The rainy season runs from May to December while the dry season is from end of December to April. During the rainy season, the rainforest truly comes to life as a vibrant, lush ecosystem with the brightest shades of green you’ve ever seen. The waterfalls are at full power and the rivers and streams are overflowing. Overall, the scenery during the rainy season is the most breathtaking. Be warned, it will definitely rain during your trip, but it usually only lasts for a few hours and picks up more in the late afternoon and at night. We planned our excursions for the morning to avoid the rain, and also be sure to pack a waterproof rain jacket and shoes!
Disclaimer: I have personally used the tour operators mentioned in this article and only recommended tours that were positive experiences. If you purchase through the links in this post, I may earn a commission at no cost to you, but all opinions are my own.
How to Get to La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna is a bit over 3 hours from San Jose. You can take a private or shared shuttle, public bus, or drive a rental car. Be warned, the roads leading to La Fortuna are quite windy, and many hotels and resorts require a 4 wheel drive in order to reach them. If you get carsick easily, I also recommend bringing dramamine for the drive (I definitely needed it!).
Things to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Hot Springs
La Fortuna has the best of both worlds: relaxation and adventure. The area is surrounded by natural hot springs fueled by Arenal volcano, and taking a few hours to relax in the steaming mineral water is a must do. There are both free and paid hot springs, but the free ones require a drive to find them. Resorts like Tabacon and EcoTermales are some of the most popular hot springs for a relaxing day, and some hotel resorts have hot springs on property as well.
Arenal Volcano
Visiting Arenal Volcano is one of main things to do in La Fortuna. It towers over the town of La Fortuna and was the countries most active volcano. Photographers would journey from around the world to capture the lava flow! While Arenal Volcano has not erupted since 2010, it is still considered an active volcano, and for this reason it is forbidden for tourists to hike to the top. However, you can hike around the base and see the lava fields and views of the volcano. Solo hikes are permitted and there are many guided tours as well.
Keep in mind that Arenal volcano is not always fully visible, as clouds often hide its peak. We lucked out and had full, unobstructed views of the volcano’s peak during our trip despite going during the rainy season so your mileage may vary. Visibility will be unpredictable during the rainy season so be prepared to pivot!
Arenal Volcano National Park
This national park spans almost 30,000 acres of rainforest and is a great place for wildlife spotting. There are a range of hiking trails throughout the park that accommodate a variety of fitness levels, and guided tours are also available. Don’t be surprised if you spot sloths, snakes, and monkeys in the trees! We went with a guide who was able to point out wildlife that we never would have been able to spot on our own, and they also had special viewers and binoculars to help see them as well.
La Fortuna Waterfall
Hidden in the forest is a breathtaking 200ft waterfall. Take a refreshing swim in the pool underneath and marvel in the power as nearly 350 gallons of water per second crash below. Make sure to bring a towel and water shoes as it is quite rocky and slippery by the waterfall, and keep in mind that the hike back up is over 500 steps, so make sure to leave enough time for your return. We had to take several breaks on the way back up! You can either drive to the waterfall or visit it as part of a guided tour.
Arenal Hanging Bridges
Be prepared to conquer any fears of heights if you decide to visit the Hanging Bridges! The Mistico Hanging Bridges reserve offers sky high views of the rainforest from multiple vantage points. The hanging bridges offer views of the rain forest canopy and wildlife that are unparalleled. It was a bit scary crossing the bridges but definitely worth it for the view!
Ziplining
La Fortuna offers many ziplining tours through the rainforest. You’ll be able to take in amazing views over the rainforest canopy, see waterfalls, and spot wildlife! The view of the waterfall while ziplining was definitely a highlight during our trip and this was definitely one of my favorite things to do in La Fortuna.
Coffee and Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica is home to some of the best coffee producing areas due to the rich volcanic soil, climate, and altitude. If you’re looking for things to do in La Fortuna that are a bit more cultural or culinary, try to visit a coffee or chocolate farm. You’ll be able to learn about their farming and production and try a taste of freshly made coffee and chocolate!
White Water Rafting
La Fortuna offers whitewater rafting opportunities on amazing rainforest rivers. A range of options are available, from family friendly options to more challenging and extreme rapids. During the rainy season, the the rapids are prime for rafting with the increase in rainfall raising river levels.
Summary
Overall, La Fortuna is an incredible place to visit in Costa Rica and has a plethora of activities and experiences. There are so many things to do in La Fortuna, and it can be difficult to decide which ones to prioritize, so we hope this guide was helpful as you plan your Costa Rica itinerary!
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