La Fortuna attracts thousands of visitors each year, but with so many hotels, restaurants, and activities to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when planning your trip. This La Fortuna guide cuts through the noise and gives you everything you need to know in one place. We’ve covered the practical essentials – where to stay, where to eat, and how to get there – along with information about the best activities, day trips, and some hidden gems that most tourists miss. Whether you’re planning your first visit or looking to explore beyond the typical tourist trail, this guide has you covered.
About La Fortuna Costa Rica
La Fortuna is one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations, and it’s not hard to see why. Located at the base of the impressive Arenal Volcano, this small town offers stunning views, adventure activities, hot springs, and lush rainforest surroundings. The combination of its prime location and incredible variety of experiences makes it a must-visit destination for travelers exploring Costa Rica.
Best Time To Visit La Fortuna
La Fortuna’s rainforest location means unpredictable weather year-round, with rain possible even during the dry season. The best weather conditions and clear volcano views come between January and April, but you’ll pay peak prices and deal with larger crowds. If you’re looking for better deals and fewer tourists, consider visiting from May to November – just be prepared for almost daily afternoon showers. While the rains are typically brief and you can plan activities for the mornings, Arenal Volcano is often hidden behind clouds during this period. That said, we had a fantastic trip in June, and the short evening downpours didn’t bother us at all.
How Many Days To Spend In La Fortuna
Plan on at least three days in La Fortuna to get a good feel for the area. This gives you enough time to cover two to three activities and take a day trip. However, to truly enjoy everything La Fortuna has to offer and have some time to relax, a week is ideal.
Getting To La Fortuna
La Fortuna is about a three-hour drive from either of Costa Rica’s international airports: Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) or Liberia Airport (LIR). For a quicker option, Sansa Airlines offers 30-minute direct flights from San José to the small Arenal Airport (FON), located just 15 minutes from town.
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Where to Stay in La Fortuna
This La Fortuna guide doesn’t cover every fantastic hotel in the area, but we’ve selected a few that offer something special beyond just lovely accommodation and exceptional service. Imagine staying somewhere you don’t need to leave to experience Arenal Volcano views from your room, soak in hot spring pools, and explore nature trails to spot sloths.
Nayara Gardens
The beauty of the Nayara resorts is that guests can use all amenities across all three properties, no matter where they stay. You could easily spend an entire day here admiring volcano views, soaking in hot springs, observing birds and wildlife, exploring rainforest trails, and crossing suspension bridges – all without leaving the property. We had better sloth sightings here than anywhere else in Costa Rica.
Nayara Gardens is a family-friendly jungle retreat that also works perfectly for couples. The luxury casitas are very private and come with jacuzzi pools, while some rooms also offer volcano views right from your bed.
Nayara Tented Camp
The most luxurious of the three Nayara properties and one of the best La Fortuna hotels, Nayara Tented Camp features luxury rainforest tents complete with private pools fed by mineral hot springs and stunning views of the Arenal Volcano.
Nayara Springs
Nayara Springs is a romantic, adults-only escape that offers a peaceful retreat where each villa comes with its own plunge pool fed by natural hot springs.
Arenal Observatory Lodge
No hotel gets you closer to Arenal Volcano than this budget-friendly lodge. Also, it’s arguably the best spot for birdwatching in the area and offers an unforgettable Costa Rican rainforest adventure without leaving the property. The lodge features 11 kilometers of rainforest trails complete with waterfalls, streams, suspension bridges, and abundant wildlife. Keep in mind that Arenal Observatory Lodge is about a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna town.
Best Restaurants In La Fortuna
Here are some of the best restaurants in La Fortuna, from local favorites to hidden gems with stunning views.
La Caribeña
Recommended by a local, La Caribeña became our favorite restaurant in La Fortuna. The food is absolutely phenomenal – cooked to perfection and soul-satisfying. Every bite felt like a warm hug. If you enjoy seafood, don’t miss the red snapper that comes with four jumbo shrimp and seafood soup.
La Choza de Laurel
Another local recommendation – La Choza De Laurel – for anyone who wants to try traditional Costa Rican dishes. The food is delicious with authentic flavors and an atmosphere that perfectly captures the local feel and vibe.
Jalapas
Located about 30 minutes from La Fortuna town (though only 10 minutes if you’re staying at Nayara), Jalapas restaurant is a real hidden gem. Nestled in a stunning natural setting, it offers breathtaking views of Arenal Volcano and the valley – on clear days, you can see all the way to Nicaragua. The food is absolutely delicious, thoughtfully prepared, and bursting with fresh, local flavors.
Selva Rustica
We visited on our tour guide’s recommendation and were initially skeptical when we saw that it caters to both large and small tour groups. Selva Rustica turned out to be an amazing restaurant with delicious food, great atmosphere, and beautiful garden surroundings. They offer a wide selection of reasonably priced dishes, accompanied by friendly and incredibly efficient service.
10 Best Things To Do In La Fortuna
La Fortuna offers incredible adventures for every type of traveler. From exploring rainforest canopies to spotting elusive wildlife, this La Fortuna guide covers the best activities to add to your itinerary.
1. Visit Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges
Experience the rainforest at Místico Arenal Park as you make your way up through the jungle canopy via a series of trails and exciting hanging bridges. While you shouldn’t expect to see abundant wildlife, you’re likely to spot at least some if you visit in the early morning. The bridges offer stunning perspectives of the forest and are perfect for those who want to experience the canopy without the adrenaline rush of zip-lining.
While pre-booking tickets isn’t mandatory for self-guided visits, we highly recommend making reservations online to secure your spot, especially during the dry season or if you prefer a specific time slot.
2. Spot Two Species Of Sloths
Costa Rica is home to both two-toed and three-toed sloths, and dedicated sloth tours significantly increase your chances of seeing these fascinating creatures. While some locations, like Bogarin Trail, allow self-guided visits, we highly recommend going with an expert guide who can teach you not just about sloths and how to spot them, but also about other Costa Rican animals and birds. After a couple of guided nature walks, we could easily spot sloths on our own just by knowing their favorite trees and what to look for.
We loved our guided tour at Bogarin Trail with fantastic guide Alex, who pointed out so many animals and birds (including some rare species) that we would have completely missed on our own. We had an excellent encounter with a very active three-toed female sloth that was moving around quite a bit, while several other sloths were sleeping high up in the trees.
We also visited Sloth’s Territory, which only allows guided walks on their property. While we saw several sloths there too, they were all sleeping high in the trees. The most exciting encounter was spotting two baby armadillos – it’s incredibly rare to see them, especially during daylight.
3. Experience Rainforest At Night
Step into the mysterious and enchanting nocturnal world of Costa Rica’s rainforest for a completely different perspective on jungle life. The symphony of nature sounds after dark reaches a whole new level, creating an unforgettable sensory experience. Night tours reveal creatures you’d never see during the day and showcase how the forest truly comes alive once the sun goes down.
4. Swim At Bajos Del Toro Waterfalls
While most other La Fortuna guides suggest visiting the famous La Fortuna Waterfall, we recommend taking a day trip to Bajos Del Toro for a less touristy and more picturesque waterfall experience. Located about 1.5 hours away, this destination offers exceptional trekking to stunning waterfalls through pristine cloud forest, far from the crowded tourist spots.
On your day trip, we suggest hiking to Las Gemelas waterfalls – you’ll be amazed by their stunning turquoise colors. Later, visit Catarata del Toro and take in the breathtaking views from the top viewing area.
5. Explore Diverse Wildlife At Caño Negro Refuge
This off-the-beaten-path destination near Costa Rica’s northern border with Nicaragua offers some of the country’s most reliable wildlife viewing opportunities. As our guide told us, Caño Negro is the only place in Costa Rica where they can almost guarantee amazing wildlife encounters, making it an exceptional day trip from La Fortuna.
Caño Negro’s rich biodiversity and remote wetland environment create perfect conditions for observing animals and birds from the comfort of a boat. It’s a photographer’s and birdwatcher’s dream destination, offering intimate wildlife experiences in a tranquil setting that feels worlds away from busy tourist areas.
6. Learn All About Coffee And Chocolate
Discover the essence, tradition, and culture behind Costa Rica’s specialty coffee and cocoa on an educational farm tour. Several companies offer these experiences in La Fortuna, and we particularly enjoyed our tour with North Fields.
These tours guide you through cacao, coffee, and sugar cane areas where you’ll learn processing methods and sample fresh chocolate, various coffee preparations, sugar cane juice, and sugar cane liquor.
7. Go On A Birdwatching Tour Around Arenal Volcano
Birdwatching enthusiasts shouldn’t miss a tour to Arenal Observatory Lodge, where you can spot an incredible variety of species. The area’s unique geography allows different bird species to migrate vertically along the mountainside, creating one of Costa Rica’s most bird-rich environments. The region is especially known for its colorful tanagers and diverse hummingbird species. Still, you’ll want to keep your binoculars ready for potential sightings of toucans, vibrant parrots, various flycatchers, impressive raptors, woodpeckers, beautiful trogons, and many other tropical species. Early morning tours offer the best chances for active bird behavior.
8. Soar Through The Canopy On A Ziplining Adventure
Every La Fortuna guide mentions ziplining – it’s such an iconic activity for the area. Soaring through the rainforest canopy offers an adrenaline-pumping way to experience the jungle from a unique perspective.
For the ultimate experience, book this zipline adventure that takes you over the spectacular La Fortuna Waterfall with 12 different lines to keep the thrills going. Be sure to reserve your spot well in advance, as this popular adventure fills up quickly.
9. Navigate Rapids On A Whitewater Rafting Expedition
Costa Rica is renowned for its whitewater rafting adventures, and the Sarapiquí River offers some of the best rapids in the country. Located about a two-hour drive from La Fortuna, this exciting day trip takes you through thrilling Class II-IV rapids surrounded by pristine rainforest.
10. Discover Rio Celeste And Tenorio National Park
One of Costa Rica’s most stunning natural gems, Tenorio National Park is home to the famous Rio Celeste with its otherworldly turquoise waters. The park’s main trail takes you through diverse ecosystems to the spectacular Rio Celeste waterfall, where you can witness the remarkable phenomenon of two clear rivers merging to create brilliant blue water. Located 1.5 hours from La Fortuna, plan to go early to maximize your time and avoid crowds at the waterfall viewpoint.
As of June 2025, part of this route is temporarily inaccessible due to a landslide. Please double-check before planning your trip.
