La Fortuna is a popular tourist town in Northern Costa Rica, famous for its proximity to Arenal National Park, restoring thermal baths, incredible volcano views, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

La Fortuna is packed with many things to do, from relaxing in the luxurious thermal spas to white water rafting and ziplining over waterfalls. La Fortuna has something to offer for every type of traveler and is a must-visit for any Costa Rica trip!

Here’s how to spend 3 Days in La Fortuna, Costa Rica:

Things to know before Going to La Fortuna

How to get to La Fortuna

La Fortuna is one of the most popular places to visit in Costa Rica and it is very well-connected and easy to get to. If you don’t want to rent a car and plan on taking public transport, check out Costa Rica’s bus itinerary for bus timetables.

If you are comfortable with driving, I highly recommend hiring a rental car. While it is definitely possible to explore La Fortuna through buses, tour groups, and private taxis, having a rental car will give you the ultimate freedom and flexibility to explore this beautiful region of Costa Rica.

Unlike many places in Costa Rica, the roads in and around La Fortuna are in great condition, so you will not need a 4×4 rental car – at least not during the dry season. Rainy season can bring flooding into the roads, so if you plan to visit from May to November I suggest hiring a 4×4 vehicle (just to be safe).

If you are flying into San Jose, I highly recommend renting from Cartastic, which is a local car rental company based in San Jose that offers 4×4 cars at a reasonable price. We had a wonderful experience with Cartastic and will definitely be renting with them again in the future.

If you will be flying into Liberia or want to take a look at other car rental options, I suggest using Get Rental Car to compare pricing across various rental companies in Costa Rica.

Where to Stay in La Fortuna

• Luxury ($250 to $700+ per night):
  • Nayara Springs: Exclusive adults-only resort offering private villas with plunge pools, surrounded by lush rainforest, with access to hot springs and top-tier amenities.
  • The Springs Resort and Spa: Luxurious escape featuring stunning views of Arenal Volcano, 28 hot springs, multiple dining options, and an array of adventure activities.
  • Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa: Premium resort famous for its natural hot springs, luxurious accommodations, and close proximity to Arenal Volcano, providing a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure.
• Midrange ($100 to $250 per night):
  • Baldi Hot Springs Hotel & Spa: Family-friendly resort with 25 thermal pools, water slides, and a range of dining options.
  • Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs Resort: Serene resort with spacious rooms, private terraces, and access to hot springs, with beautiful views of Arenal Volcano.
  • Arenal Springs Resort & Spa: Charming resort with cozy bungalows, on-site hot springs, a full-service spa, and stunning volcano views.

• Budget ($50 to $100 per night):
  • Arenal Montechiari Hotel: Comfortable and affordable hotel with simple cabins, a pool, and lush gardens.
  • Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort: Budget-friendly hotel with spacious rooms, multiple pools, hot springs, and a variety of on-site activities, ideal for families.
  • Hotel San Bosco: Centrally located budget hotel with featuring clean rooms, a pool, and complimentary breakfast.
• Backpacker ($15 to $50 per night):
  • Alpha Arenal: Basic and affordable hostel offering dormitory and private rooms, with a communal kitchen and easy access to La Fortuna’s attractions.
  • Selina La Fortuna: trendy and social hostel with a mix of dorms and private rooms, offering a lively atmosphere, co-working spaces, and on-site activities.
  • Palacios Arenal: Budget hostel with simple accommodations, friendly service, and a convenient location for exploring the La Fortuna area on a shoestring.

Best Restaurants in La Fortuna

Sloffee: Sloffee is a cozy open-air café located between La Fortuna and Arenal National Park, making it the perfect morning stop on your way to Arenal. Sloffee arguably has the best coffee in La Fortuna and is not to be missed if you are a coffee lover. The pastries are also very yummy, and if you sit in the restaurant, there are some great views and bird-watching opportunities! 

Travesía Restaurant: Travesia is a casual restaurant that offers a fusion of local and international cuisine. If you want a place with great food and great views, Travesía is a great place to grab a bite to eat while enjoying your surroundings.

El Chante Verde: El Chante Verde is a trendy plant-based restaurant in a garden setting. This restaurant is perfect for vegans and vegetarians, but even meat lovers will find something delicious on the menu.

Tierra Mia Restaurante: Tierra Mia is an authentic Costa Rican restaurant that also serves international food like crepes, burgers, and tacos. It’s a great place to stop by for a delicious quick bite to eat.

Day 1: Arenal National Park

Wake up early to start your day off by exploring Arenal National Park, which is famous for its incredible volcano views (on a clear day), abundant wildlife, and dense rainforests.

There are several wonderful hiking and nature trails in the area, the best of which I have listed below. You won’t have time to do all of these trails, so I suggest choosing whichever sounds the most interesting to you. If you start your day early enough and have the energy, you should be able to fit 2 of these activities into your day.

Things to do in Arenal National Park:

Arenal 1968 Volcano Trail

This is the most popular place to hike in Arenal, with a moderate 2.9-mile trail that runs through lava fields that were created during the 1968 volcanic eruption. You can choose to go on a self-guided hike (entry is $28 per person) or if you want to learn about the history of the trail and spot more wildlife along the way, you can sign up for a guided hike of the trail. While you are on this trail, you can also do the Forest 1968 trail, with both trails combining for a total of 4.3 miles.

Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges

Costa Rica is famous for its iconic hanging bridges that hang amidst lush rainforest canopies. While you can find hanging bridges elsewhere in the country in places like Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and Montezuma, Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges are the most famous hanging bridges in the country. The private rainforest reserve has a total of 6 hanging bridges and 10 regular bridges. It’s an easy 2-mile circular trail that is suitable for all ages. Entry tickets are $32 per person and can be purchased here.

Mirador el Silencio

Mirador el Silencio is a private nature reserve located right next to Arenal National Park. The 2.3-mile loop trail is a wonderful alternative to the Arenal 1968 Volcano trail as it also has lava trails you can hike through. The reserve offers 6 trails which total to about 8.5 miles in length, which is a great option for more serious hikers who want a longer hiking experience. This ended up being one of my favorite hikes in Costa Rica, as we saw incredible volcano views and lots of wildlife like monkeys, boars, lizards, and a variety of bird species. Entry is just $10 per person, which is a great price considering how much hiking this reserve has to offer (and is much lower than most other hikes in the area).

Lake Arenal

Lake Arenal is a massive lake situated next to Arenal Volcano. Here you can rent a kayak or paddle board, take a sunset cruise along the lake, or just stroll/relax by the water.

If you have time at the end of the day, I suggest stopping by El Choyin Free Hot Springs on your way back to La Fortuna. While you will have time on day 3 to visit these springs, they are the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day of being on your feet.

Day 2: Adventure Day in La Fortuna

Go Ziplining

Arenal is perfect for adventure seekers looking to participate in some of Costa Rica’s most popular adrenaline activities. You won’t have time to do all of these adventures unless you choose to extend your time in La Fortuna, so choose whichever ones excite you the most as they are all wonderful experiences.

Go Ziplining

Arenal Mundo Aventura La Fortuna Waterfall Zipline: One of the best zip lining excursions you can do in La Fortuna is with Arenal Mundo Aventura, which includes 12 zipline cables totaling 3 kilometers, one of which soars above the La Fortuna Waterfall and two above the Pino Blanco waterfall. The tour ends in Maleku Indian Village, where you will learn about Indigenous Costa Rican culture and what daily life looks like for the natives who live there. There is also an option where if you book the 8 am time slot, you can go on an optional self-guided moderate 35-40-minute hike to La Fortuna waterfall before ziplining for no extra charge. Adding the hike to the excursion would add another 3 hours to the experience, but it would also check La Fortuna Waterfall off your list.

Sky Adventures Zipline Park & Aerial Tram: Another great ziplining opportunity in La Fortuna is at Sky Adventures in Arenal. Sky Adventures includes an Aerial Tram ride and 7 zip line cables. The excursion starts by ascending to the highest point in the Arenal Rainforest in an open-air aerial tram, where you will be able to take in magnificent views of the Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and the national park. You’ll then soar down the ziplines high above the canopy, where you’ll take in more incredible views of the surrounding area.

Which zipline experience should you choose? I would say it depends on the type of experience and views you are looking for. If you’d prefer panoramic views high above the rainforest canopy, then Sky Adventures is your best option. If you’d rather see an epic view of La Fortuna Waterfall and Pino Blanco Waterfall from above, the Arenal Mundo Aventura is obviously your better option. Arenal Mundo Aventura also includes a unique cultural experience at the end of the tour, which Sky Adventures does not have. Both are great options and I can promise you will have an incredible experience.

Go Canyoning & Rappel Waterfalls

Canyoning and waterfall rappelling is another popular excursion in Costa Rica. There is something so invigorating about slowly making your way down a waterfall in the middle of a rainforest. Pure Trek’s Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling is about 4 hours long and includes 5 total rappels – 4 of which are waterfall rappels, and 1 of which is a canyon rappel. Their excursion also includes a rock climb, zipline, and monkey drop (basically a simulated free fall – so much fun and will definitely get your heart pumping). I had an absolute blast when I went canyoning and you should definitely try to fit this into your itinerary!

Go Horseback Riding

Going on a scenic horseback ride is another popular activity to do in Costa Rica. I suggest this 1.5-hour long horseback riding tour inside of Mistico Park, which takes you up hilly landscapes to spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding area.

Go White Water Rafting

Arenal’s Balsa River offers some of the best white water rafting in Costa Rica. Arenal Rafting’s white water rafting excursion lasts about 5 hours and runs through 9 miles of Class III and Class IV rapids. If this is your first-time white water rafting and you are a little nervous, you could do the Class II and III White Water Rafting Experience with the same company. If you’ve been white water rafting before and are feeling extra adventurous, you could choose to do a Class V White Water Rafting experience with Costa Rica Descents Adventure Company.

Do a Combo Tour

To simplify things, you could sign up for a combo tour which covers multiple excursions in one tour. Below are a few great options for combo tours:

• Ziplining & Waterfall Rappelling: 8-hour combo tour including zip line adventure above the rainforest followed by waterfall rappelling in a stunning canyon, all topped off with a delicious local lunch and scenic 4×4 drive.
• Canyoning & White Water Rafting 8.5-hour combo tour featuring canyoning and river rafting in La Fortuna, with stops at three waterfalls, followed by an organic lunch and guided farm tour with a sugar cane demonstration.
• Arenal Canopy & Horseback Riding Adventure 4-hour combo tour featuring ziplining across eight cables, followed by a 1-hour guided horseback ride through farmlands and rainforest, ending with views of Arenal and its lava trails.

Which excursions should you do? I suggest choosing 1 zipline experience and either canyoning & rappelling, horseback riding, or white water rafting as you won’t have time to do all 3 in one day. If you have a fear of heights, you may want to opt to go water rafting or horseback riding instead. Not only will you be rappelling down tall waterfalls, but there is also a monkey drop, which is basically a freefall.

Horseback riding will be much more laid back than canyoning and white water rafting, so if you would prefer to do one adventurous activity and one more chill activity, then I would suggest choosing horseback riding as your second excursion.

Keep in mind that 3 pm is the last time slot for ziplining and the rafting starts at 9:15 and lasts 5 hours, so it might be cutting it a little close. 

If you’d prefer to go ziplining AND white water rafting, I would suggest zip lining the previous day. It will cut your day in Arenal a few hours short, but it is worth it if ziplining and water rafting are both things you really want to do while you are in La Fortuna.

End Your Day at El Salto Swimming Hole

End your day of adventure at El Salto, which is a free swimming hole just outside of La Fortuna town. It has a rope swing that you can use to Tarzan swing and jump into the refreshing water. This is a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike, so while you can’t expect to have it to yourself, it’s still a great place to cool off at the end of a long day in the heat.

Day 3: Waterfalls & Hot Spring Relaxation

On your last day, you will start off by either visiting La Fortuna Waterfall or driving 1.5 hours to Rio Celeste Waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park.

La Fortuna Waterfall

Start your day early and head to La Fortuna Waterfall, which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country that allows swimming. After hiking down 400 stairs, you will be greeted with an incredible view of the waterfall, which is a towering 246-foot tall cascade surrounded by lush rainforests. Entry to La Fortuna Waterfall is $20 per person and there is no time limit on how long you can stay.

For the best experience, I suggest arriving as early as possible, as La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in La Fortuna. Aim to get there before 9 am, but you’ll have the most peaceful experience between 7-8 am if you are willing to get up and start the day that early. Make sure to bring your water shoes, as you have to climb over piles of rocks in order to get into the water. These rocks can be super slippery, even during dry season, so be VERY careful and take your time getting in the water.

The power of the waterfall makes the water pretty choppy, so most people either just stick their feet in or swim close to the rocks. The waterfall is extremely powerful so make sure to keep your distance. The water is also quite chilly, ranging from 65°F to 70°F depending on the time of year. I found it to be refreshing after hiking down 400 stairs and I quickly got used to the chilly temperature.

Please note that you will have to hike up 400 stairs upon leaving the waterfall, so if you have a physical disability this might not be a good option for you. An alternative would be the Rio Celeste Waterfall, and while there are still many stairs leading down to the waterfall, the view from the top of the stairs is arguably the best!

Rio Celeste Waterfall

Another option is to take a day trip to Tenorio Volcano National Park and see the Rio Celeste Waterfall. The drive from La Fortuna is around 1.5 hours each way, so I suggest starting your day early since 3 hours of it will be spent driving. To access Rio Celeste Waterfall, you must enter Tenorio Volcano National Park and go on a .9-mile 20-minute nature walk through the park to the waterfall. I suggest getting there at the opening, which is 8 am.

The Rio Celeste waterfall is strikingly beautiful, with bright blue water that is often compared to Gatorade. It is one of the most unique and picturesque waterfalls in Costa Rica and you will not believe your eyes when you catch a glimpse of it for the first time.

Entry to Tenorio Volcano National Park is $20 per person and includes access to the Rio Celeste Waterfall and all trails in the park. I suggest continuing on the hiking trail after visiting the waterfall, which is an easy rainforest hike that leads to the beautiful Laguna Azul and Tenideros, which is the point where the regular water color turns into the bright blue color you see in the waterfall. It’s really interesting and unlike anything I’ve seen before!

The roads leading to Rio Celeste Waterfall from La Fortuna are in good condition and it is quite easy to reach as long as you are willing to do the 1.5-hour drive each way. Another option is to visit Rio Celeste on a guided tour that leaves from La Fortuna. 

Right near the entrance to Tenorio Volcano National Park is a free swimming spot along Rio Celeste, where you can enjoy swimming in the same bright-blue river that feeds into the Rio Celeste Waterfall. This is the perfect place to relax and go for a refreshing swim after spending a few hours hiking through the National Park.

Which waterfall should you visit?

Whichever of the two waterfalls you decide to visit on your last day in La Fortuna depends on your physical condition, whether or not you want to swim, and the time of year you visit.

As I mentioned earlier, you have to hike 400 steps down and then back up in order to visit La Fortuna Waterfall. If you are not in the physical condition to do this then I highly recommend choosing to visit Rio Celeste instead. Rio Celeste waterfall does have a lot of stairs, but you don’t have to go all the way down in order to get a good view – in fact, the best view is right at the top of the stairs in my opinion!

That being said, Rio Celeste only has its bright blue color during the dry season, as during the rainy season it has a more muddied, murky green color due to runoff. It is still beautiful during the rainy season but don’t expect that crazy blue color you see in all the photos. Dry season in Costa Rica lasts from December to April, while rainy season lasts from May-November, with October being the rainiest month.

Finally, if you want to swim at the base of the waterfall, you can only do so at La Fortuna Waterfall, as swimming was banned in 2017 at Rio Celeste Waterfall in order to preserve the water’s blue color and the surrounding ecosystem. However, if you really want to see Rio Celeste Waterfall but you also want to swim, there is an area of the river right outside of the park where you can go swimming! The water is the same bright blue color as the waterfall and it is delightfully refreshing to go for a dip after hiking through the park.

Both waterfalls are absolutely stunning, and I do suggest trying to visit both if possible – which might mean fudging the itinerary up a bit to fit them both in or getting up early the next day to visit La Fortuna Waterfall before heading out of La Fortuna.

Relax at Costa Rica’s Best Hot Springs

After spending the morning at La Fortuna Waterfall or Rio Celeste Waterfall, spend the rest of your last day in La Fortuna relaxing in some hot springs. No trip to La Fortuna is complete without experiencing the hot springs that the area is so famous for. There are lots of options so I suggest picking the one that sounds most appealing to you and spending a lot of time relaxing there, rather than hopping around.

El Choyin Free Hot Springs

Not only are the El Choyin Hot Springs free, but the water is actually the same water used to fill all of the expensive resort hot springs. The only difference is that the El Choyin Hot Springs is in a natural setting, which I personally prefer to a hot springs resort!

Resort Hot Springs

If you are interested in splurging and want a more luxurious experience, here are a few hotels that offer day passes to their hot springs:

• Tabacon Hot Springs ($140 for a day pass). Tabacon Hot Springs at Tabacon Thermal Resort and Spa are the most luxurious hot springs in La Fortuna, featuring access to naturally heated mineral pools and waterfalls set within lush gardens. Includes a buffet meal.
• The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal ($118 for a 2-day pass): Access to the Springs Resort hot springs, pools, five restaurants, and six bars, valid from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM with unlimited re-entry. Optional guided tour of the on-site Animal Sanctuary is available for an additional fee.
• Baldi Hot Springs ($58 for a day pass): The most family-friendly hot springs option, including access to Baldi Resort’s 25 thermal pools, water slides, and a swimming pool. Optional meals include lunch, dinner, or both. 
• Ecotermales Hot Springs ($60 for a day pass): Admission to EcoTermales Fortuna hot springs, featuring four hot spring pools, including one with a waterfall. Choose between a day or night pass, with an option to add a Creole buffet lunch or dinner.

Keep in mind that if you are a guest at any of these hotels, you will get complimentary access to that hotel’s thermal baths.

Conclusion

La Fortuna is filled with tons of things to do, making it one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica. While you could easily spend a week or more in the area, 3 days is the perfect amount of time to do a combination of hiking and wildlife viewing, adventuring, and relaxing.

If you plan to stay longer and explore more parts of the country, check out my full 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary to plan the rest of your trip!

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