La Fortuna - Tour Highlights and Travel Tips
Tour Highlights
La Fortuna boasts of many things to do. From outdoor activities like hiking near a volcano to soaking in a thermal pool. Once you've reached La Fortuna, you will be spoiled for choice:
- One of the most visited sites on a Costa Rica tour, Arenal volcano, is the main reason why tourism has exploded in La Fortuna in recent decades.
- The area boasts many rewarding hiking trails in the dry tropical forests around the volcano, offering the chance to catch sight of local wildlife.
- The volcano heats geothermal springs in the area, which can be enjoyed in dedicated resorts or just ‘wild’, out in the forest.
- The La Fortuna waterfall is one of the area’s must-see attractions and offers visitors the chance to take a refreshing dip in the pool at the bottom.
- Take a trip to Lake Arenal to enjoy the many water-based activities on offer there.
- Hike to the crater of the area’s ‘other’ volcano, Chato. This one is not active, and the challenging slog to the top is rewarded by an attractive crater lake.
Travel Tips
- Tours are offered to most of the attractions in the area but many of the activities such as hiking are easy to do independently. This can be a good way to save some money (although you still need to pay the entry fee of USD 15 for the Arenal Volcano National Park).
- There are many ways to reach La Fortuna from San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Car rentals, shuttles and flights are easily available.
- Mid-April to November is the rainy season and is best avoided.
- ATMs are widely available in La Fortuna town
