Town centre
Hostels, food, toursThe grid of streets around the park and church.
Town guide
Things to do in La Fortuna
The town below Arenal Volcano: hot springs heated by the volcano, a waterfall you can swim under, hanging bridges through the rainforest canopy, zip lines, rafting and lava-field hikes.
26
Hostels in the city
8.8
Average, from 10,323 reviews
1,670 m
Arenal Volcano
3–4
Days
Under the volcano
La Fortuna is a busy small town in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica, at the foot of Arenal Volcano, a near-perfect cone that was one of the most active volcanoes in the world until 2010. It is now resting, but the heat underground feeds dozens of hot springs, from free river pools to luxury spa resorts.
The town is the adventure capital of the country, with every tour imaginable: the La Fortuna Waterfall, hanging bridges through the canopy, zip lines, canyoning, white-water rafting, horse riding and hikes across old lava flows in Arenal Volcano National Park. Lake Arenal, the largest lake in the country, lies to the west. Wildlife is everywhere, including sloths, toucans and coatis.
La Fortuna has lots of hostels and good transport links, so it is a natural first or second stop on a Costa Rica loop, usually combined with Monteverde. Give it three or four days.
Where to base yourself
In town for hostels, food and tour pick-ups, or on the road towards the volcano for lodges with views and hot springs.
Volcano road
Views, hot springsLodges and hot springs towards Arenal.
Lake Arenal
Quiet, lake viewsSmall towns along the lake.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in La Fortuna
Hike the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park across old lava flows, with views of the volcano and the lake, and walk the Mistico or Arenal hanging bridges through the canopy. Climb down the steps to the La Fortuna Waterfall and swim in the pool below it.
Soak in the hot springs, from free pools in the river near town to resorts such as Baldi and Tabacón. Go zip lining, canyoning or white-water rafting on the Balsa or Toro rivers.
Take a night walk to see frogs, snakes and sleeping birds, look for sloths on a guided walk, and visit the Rio Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park, a bright blue river about 90 minutes away.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The free hot springs in the river near town, used by locals for years, cost nothing; go in daylight and leave nothing in your car. Walking around town and looking for sloths in the trees is free.
El Salto, a rope swing into the river, is free.
The national park, the waterfall and the hanging bridges charge entry.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Sodas in town serve casados, plates of rice, beans, plantain, salad and meat or fish, for €5 to €9. Tourist restaurants cost two or three times more.
Try fresh fruit smoothies, gallo pinto for breakfast and tilapia from local farms.
Restaurant bills add 13 per cent tax and a 10 per cent service charge, so check whether menu prices include them; an extra tip is optional.
Nightlife
Going out
La Fortuna has a few bars and hostel bars, busy with travellers, but it is not a party town. Most tours start early.
An evening in the hot springs is the best night out.
Imperial beer costs €2 to €4 in a bar.
Getting around
Getting around
Shuttles run to La Fortuna from San José, Liberia, Monteverde and the coasts, door to door, for €40 to €70. Public buses from San José take around four hours and are much cheaper.
The jeep-boat-jeep transfer across Lake Arenal is the quickest way to Monteverde, in about three hours.
Tours include pick-ups from town. A car is useful for the hot springs and Rio Celeste.
Costs
What La Fortuna costs
Dorm beds start at around €14 to €22 a night. Casados cost €5 to €9, and tourist restaurant mains €12 to €22.
Tours are the main cost: hot springs resorts €35 to €90, zip lining €45 to €75, and the waterfall about €16.
US dollars are accepted everywhere alongside colones.
Safety
Safety and scams
La Fortuna is safe. Never leave anything in a parked car, especially at the free hot springs and trailheads, where break-ins happen.
Rivers can rise fast after rain; only swim where it is safe, and go rafting with licensed operators.
Snakes live in the forest, so stay on trails and wear closed shoes. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Rivers, lakes and volcanoes.
Arenal Volcano National Park
Lava-field trails.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Green season and dry season.
May to November
Green season
La Fortuna
Afternoon rain, lower prices and greener forest.
March or April
Semana Santa
Nationwide
Holy Week, when Costa Ricans travel and places book out.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in La Fortuna, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
Fortuna Pink Hostel
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Hostel Batzu
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Argdivan Hostel
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Viajero La Fortuna Hostel
Dorms from €16 a night
See dates and book
Alpha Arenal
Dorms from €11 a night
See dates and book
Pura Vibra Hostel
Dorms from €6 a night
See dates and book
Arenal Backpackers Resort
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Ceiba Hostel
Dorms from €10 a night
See dates and book
Poshtel Arenal
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Palacios Arenal
Dorms from €9 a night
See dates and book
Rio Danta
Dorms from €7 a night
See dates and book
Cabinas Las Palmas
Rooms from €5 a night
See dates and book
When to go
February to April is the driest time, though La Fortuna gets rain all year. The green season, from May to November, brings afternoon rain, fewer people and lower prices. The volcano is often in cloud.
Jan
Dry season, busy
Feb
Driest
Mar
Dry
Apr
Hot, Semana Santa
May
Green season begins
Jun
Rain in afternoons
Jul
Short dry spell
Aug
Green
Sep
Wet
Oct
Wettest
Nov
Rain easing
Dec
Holidays, busy
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Rain is possible all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on La Fortuna prices.
Treat these as a guide. Tours and hot springs cost extra.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
La Fortuna questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Arenal Volcano still active?
It has been resting since 2010, but it is still classed as active and heats the area's hot springs.
Are there free hot springs in La Fortuna?
Yes, in the river near town. Go in daylight and leave nothing in your car.
How do I get from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
By the jeep-boat-jeep transfer across Lake Arenal, in about three hours, or by shuttle.
How many days do you need in La Fortuna?
Three or four days.
Can you swim at La Fortuna Waterfall?
Yes, in the pool below it, though the current near the fall is strong.
When is the best time to see the volcano?
Early mornings in the dry season, though clouds are common all year.
Do I need to book the national park?
Booking ahead is wise, especially in high season.
Also trending this week
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare hostels across Costa Rica: live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.