Ultimate Guide to La Fortuna: Activities & Accommodations

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When we visited Costa Rica, we knew we wanted to spend at least half of our time in the La Fortuna area. La Fortuna is one of Costa Rica’s most beloved towns — and it’s not hard to see why. Tucked in the lush rainforest near the majestic Arenal Volcano, this vibrant destination is a playground for adventure seekers, wellness travelers, and nature lovers alike.

Think waterfalls, hot springs, zip lines through the jungle, and sunsets over volcanic horizons — all bundled into a laid-back, “pura vida” vibe you’ll want to stay in forever. If you want to spend time at the beaches too, I highly recommend splitting your time between La Fortuna and Guanacaste or Manuel Antonio. Check out our full itinerary to see how we split our time.

Either way, just don’t skip out on all that La Fortuna, Costa Rica has to offer. Here’s your guide to making the most out of your time in this beautiful city.

✈️ Getting To La Fortuna, Costa Rica — Flights, Roads, and Transport

Closest International Airports

San José (SJO) – Juan Santamaría International Airport is the biggest gateway for many travelers coming from the U.S. or Europe.

• Distance to La Fortuna: ~115 km (about 72 miles).
• Drive Time: Roughly 3–3.5 hours by car or private shuttle, depending on traffic and stops.

Liberia (LIR) – Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport is a great choice if you plan to split your Costa Rica trip between the Guanacaste beaches and the volcano region. We flew in here even though it was a longer drive from Manual Antonio and La Fortuna. But there were more direct flight options from Los Angeles, and the drive didn’t feel bad at all. It gave us an opportunity to see even more of the country.

• Distance: ~130 km (about 80 miles).
• Drive Time: Around 2.5–3 hours on scenic highways.

🚁 Flying into La Fortuna’s Local Airstrip (FON)
There’s a small local airport just minutes from town that’s served by Costa Rica’s domestic airlines, offering short flights from San José and a quick taxi ride to your hotel when you land.

💡 Tips for Your Journey

• Renting a car gives you flexibility for exploring waterfalls, lakes, and national parks at your pace.
• Shared and private shuttles are common and stress-free if you’d rather not drive.
• You typically do not need 4×4 in La Fortuna. But if you are traveling to other areas, you might, so plan accordingly.

🏨 Best Places to Stay — From Rustic Charm to Luxury Pools

La Fortuna has accommodations for every type of traveler — from eco-lodge retreats tucked deep in the rainforest to full-on luxury resorts with hot springs on site.

✨ Luxury & Romantic Stays in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

These places are great for honeymooners, couples, or anyone who wants a splurge vacation.

• Nayara Springs & Nayara Gardens – World-class eco-resorts with private plunge pools and jungle views — consistently ranked among Costa Rica’s top stays. Nayara Springs is an adults-only resort.
• Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa – A legendary resort built around natural hot springs, perfect for unwinding after a day of adventure. Even if you don’t stay here, a day visit is worth the splurge.
• The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal – Five-star amenities launched into the landscapes around the volcano, with tons of hot springs onsite.
• Amor Arenal (Adults Only) – A luxury jungle hideaway with plunge pools and wellness experiences.

🏡 Mid-Range & Family-Friendly Hotels in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Perfect for families or travelers who want comfort without breaking the bank.

• Baldi Hot Springs Hotel and Spa (upper-mid price range) – Volcano views, several hot springs pools, waterslides, swim-up bars and spacious rooms.
• Hotel El Silencio del Campo – Cozy bungalows with thermal pools and a serene ambiance.
• Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs – Big pool, gardens, and great views just minutes from town.
• Los Lagos Spa & Resort – A fun pick for families, with on-site pools and slide options. We stayed here and loved it. Read about our experience here.

🏨 Budget & Charming Basics

Affordable, comfy, and often right in the heart of town.

• Hotel Monte Real – Solid value right near downtown and easy access to food and tour pickup.
• Selvita Lodge – Simple, rustic cabins close to the main attractions.
• Hotel Rancho Cerro Azul – Country-style cabins with rustic charm.

🌋 Best Things to Do — Experience the Magic of La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Many of the best things to do in Costa Rica can be done right here in La Fortuna. This area of Costa Rica has so much to see and do, it might almost feel overwhelming. I have a guide to all the best things to do in La Fortuna if you need more ideas of how to spend your time. But here’s a list of the things you won’t want to skip.

🌊 Waterfalls & Hiking

• La Fortuna Waterfall is a must-visit — a stunning 230-ft. cascade with a great swim spot at the bottom. There are a lot of stairs to go down (500+) in order to reach this waterfall–and then you get to do them all again going up. But it’s a beautiful waterfall that’s worth the trek.
• Trails around Arenal Volcano National Park offer unforgettable views of lava fields and rainforest paths.

🐒 Hanging Bridges & Wildlife

Walk above the rainforest canopy on the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, great for spotting birds and monkeys. You can find tours that combine the Arenal Hanging Bridges with the La Fortuna waterfall, or you can enjoy them on your own.

🐍 Night Walk Tours in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

One of the biggest surprises of our trip was how cool the night walk tour was. I knew that ziplining and ATVing would be awesome, but I am so glad we didn’t skip the night walk. The rainforest around Arenal Volcano literally comes alive at night, and a guided night walk gives you a chance to see creatures and behaviors you won’t catch on daytime hikes.

We were lucky enough to see both fer-de-lance vipers and pit vipers on our night walk. And we felt completely safe. The guides do a great job at communicating with one another so that they know where dangerous snakes may be.

On these tours you’ll explore forest trails with an expert local guide who will help you spot nocturnal wildlife such as:

• Red-eyed tree frogs and glass frogs
• Bats
• Kinkajous (tiny night-active mammals)
• Sloths
• Snakes and sleeping birds tucked in branches

These walks typically last about 1.5–2 hours and are family-friendly experiences suitable for all ages — great for wildlife fans, photographers, and curious travelers who want something a bit different from the usual volcano hikes and waterfalls. Closed-toe shoes are a must.

🌡️ Hot Springs in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Natural geothermal waters heated by the volcano are everywhere — from luxury resorts to more affordable hot springs spots — perfect for relaxing after hiking or ziplining. If your hotel has hot springs, make sure to block out time to enjoy them. But you can also purchase day passes to some of the resorts with hot springs and have access to all their facilities as well.

The most famous hot springs hotel in La Fortuna is the Tabacon Thermal Resort, which is one you can visit for the day. But it does cost more than double of some of the other resorts that have beautiful hot springs, so just keep that in mind.

🚣‍♂️ Adventure Tours

Try adrenaline-pumping experiences like:

• Zipline canopy tours through the jungle or over La Fortuna waterfall. We had a younger kid in our group, so we did this zipline tour. It was a great starter course for those not looking for crazy thrills, but I will say that the Tarzan Swing was plenty thrilling for me.
• White-water rafting on nearby rivers
• Horseback riding with volcano views
• ATV rides through jungle trails
  Many tour operators in town handle transportation and gear for you.

🍽️ Town Life & Culture in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Downtown La Fortuna is lively and easy to explore on foot — with local sodas (small eateries) serving Costa Rican staples, cafes with volcano views, and artisan shops.

🌅 Final Tips

• Timing: Dry season (December–April) means sunnier days for hiking; rainy season (May–November) brings more lush forests and fewer crowds. We went during the dry season, but many of the locals told us that we must visit in the rainy season too. They said it’s even better in the rainy season, if that’s even possible.
• Transport on Site: Most tours include pickups, but if you explore independently, a rental car makes things easy.

Whether you’re soaking in hot springs with a tropical cocktail, chasing waterfalls, or sleeping with jungle sounds as your soundtrack, La Fortuna Costa Rica delivers big nature experiences with a relaxed, friendly vibe you’ll remember long after you go. 🌿🌞🌋

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