Best Things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

I can’t wait to return to La Fortuna, Costa Rica! My husband, 11-year-old daughter, and I visited this incredible destination in October, and it was our first Central American adventure. We chose La Fortuna as our home base because there’s a wide variety of activities within an hour’s drive. Here’s everything you need to know about the best things to do in La Fortuna.

Getting to Know La Fortuna

Located about 2.5 to 3 hours northwest of San José, La Fortuna is a charming town of roughly 15,000 people. Arenal Volcano National Park sits approximately 30 minutes away, and the town serves as a perfect base for exploring the region. We typically returned to our hotel between 3 and 5 pm each day, giving us time to shower and walk to one of the many downtown restaurants for dinner.

Wildlife Experiences

Sloth Watching

If seeing a sloth is on your Costa Rica bucket list, you’re in luck! We took a daytime sloth tour that exceeded our expectations. Our guide came equipped with a telescope and binoculars, expertly spotting sloths in the treetops. During our tour, we saw multiple sloths, several tiny poisonous frogs, and even a common basilisk (also called a Jesus Christ lizard).

However, I recommend visiting Proyecto Asis instead of the tour we took. This animal rescue center is about 30 minutes south of La Fortuna and offers the chance to see sloths and other rescued native animals. Plan for 2-3 hours and book your tour in advance.

🦥Click here to book your Projecto Asis tour!

Arenal Observatory Lodge

The Arenal Observatory Lodge is a wildlife lover’s paradise. While they offer accommodations, you can also purchase an entrance pass ($20 per person) or day pass ($40 per person, including lunch) to explore the property.

We encountered an incredible variety of wildlife here. The hummingbirds alone were worth the visit, with dozens of species flitting about. The real highlight, though, was stumbling upon coatis throughout the forest and open areas. We saw dozens of juveniles and adults, and while they didn’t approach us directly, they came surprisingly close.

The property features several trails of varying difficulty:

• El Saino Trail: A 0.5-mile paved path taking about 30 minutes to the frog pond
• La Hormiga Trail: An unpaved 0.28-mile trail requiring about 45 minutes
• Los Monos Trail: A short 0.15-mile walk to the observation tower (best for monkey spotting during early morning or late afternoon)
• Danta Waterfall Trail: A 30-minute walk from reception with uneven terrain and a railing at the viewpoint
• Los Cangrejos Trail: A 1.5-mile jungle trail taking about two hours to complete
• River Trail: A challenging 40-minute hike from the observation tower to Agua Caliente River
• La Culebra Trail: A short 20-minute paved walk (though somewhat uneven)

The property is open to day guests from 5:30 am to 5:30 pm. The observation tower, standing 92 feet high with 146 steps, offers panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake. The lodge is home to at least 500 bird species, and the Observatory Museum covers the area’s natural history and volcanic research. The lodge is a 35-minute drive from La Fortuna.

🥾Click here to reserve your day pass!

Frog Watching Night Walks

Though we didn’t experience a night walk ourselves (we traveled with our 11-year-old and reserved evenings for rest), frog watching tours come highly recommended. The Arenal Oasis ponds host at least 28 frog species, and tours include hotel pickup for a two-hour hike. Even if you don’t spot frogs, you’ll hear the incredible nighttime jungle chorus.

🐸Click here to reserve your frog watching night walk!

Butterfly Conservatory

You’ll likely see butterflies on any trail near La Fortuna, but for a guaranteed butterfly experience, visit the Butterfly Conservatory in El Castillo, about 34 minutes from town.

🦋Click here to reserve your visit to the butterfly conservatory!

Water Activities

Wildlife Safari Float Tour

The La Fortuna Wildlife Safari Float Tour was an unexpected highlight of our trip. We left one day unplanned and decided to book this tour on our final day. The entire experience lasted 3-4 hours, including hotel pickup, transportation to the river, and a meal afterward.

The two-hour float itself was peaceful and surprisingly relaxing. Since we traveled during shoulder season in October, we had the river to ourselves. Our knowledgeable guide helped us spot common basilisks, various bird species, and—to our amazement—American crocodiles and howler monkeys! We had no idea crocodiles were a possibility, making it an exciting surprise. After hearing howler monkeys on other hikes, this was our first actual sighting.

The tour concludes at a farm where you can sample fresh-pressed Costa Rican coffee, handmade tortillas, and other local foods. The meal was much more substantial than expected and welcomed.

While you do need to paddle occasionally, everyone in our family managed easily. The starting point is about 20 minutes from La Fortuna.

🚣‍♀️Click here to reserve your wildlife safari float tour!

La Fortuna Waterfall

This stunning waterfall in Arenal Volcano National Park is just 10 minutes from town. You’ll descend approximately 530 steps to reach the bottom, where you can view the falls and swim in the surrounding water. The trail is shaded with rest spots along the way. Bring everything you need for your visit because you won’t want to climb those steps more than once!

💦Click here to get your skip-the-line La Fortuna waterfall ticket!

White Water Rafting

For those seeking more adventure, white water rafting tours are available and typically take a full day including transportation. Some tours include lunch. While I’ve enjoyed white water rafting in the past, I’m not sure I’d prioritize it over other activities on a return trip to Costa Rica.

🌊Click here to book your white water rafting adventure!

Lake Arenal Activities

Lake Arenal offers boat tours, kayaking, paddleboarding, jetskiing, and more. We didn’t do any lake activities on our trip, but paddleboarding caught my attention for a future visit because it’s quiet, peaceful, and something I’ve never tried before.

🛶Click here to get your Lake Arenal paddleboarding tickets!

Adventure Activities

Hanging Bridges and Nature Hike

I never imagined hiking through the jungle, but we did it! We took the Sky Adventure combination tour that began with a guided 2.2-mile hike. The trail had some uneven spots and elevation changes, but it was manageable. Our group saw two pit viper snakes, a couple of tarantulas, and other wildlife. We heard howler monkeys but didn’t see them.

Our tour guide was exceptional—knowledgeable and friendly. My daughter was thrilled to see him using the same wildlife guide she brought along! I highly recommend packing a wildlife guide for any nature enthusiasts in your group.

Be sure to bring insect repellent, a water bottle, and sunscreen. Sky Adventures requires advanced reservations and is about a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna. The combination tour (hike, ziplining, and tram) takes all day.

🐍Click here to book your Sky Adventure tour!

Ziplining and Tram

After our hike, we broke for lunch before taking a tram to the zipline course. The views were absolutely amazing. My husband and daughter loved ziplining, though I struggled with motion sickness and felt nauseous a couple of times. I appreciated the views and I’m glad I tried it, but ziplining isn’t something I plan to repeat.

Kids must be at least 5 years old to zipline, but seven lines down a mountain is quite a lot for young children. My 11-year-old rode with a guide and loved every moment, though I wouldn’t have taken her much younger than that. The guides were highly professional, and I felt safe throughout. There’s a rest spot midway down the mountain.

If ziplining isn’t for you, you can still take the tram ride for the incredible views. Remember to book your Sky Adventures reservation in advance.

🌴Click here to book your Sky Adventure tour!

Arenal Lava Flow Trail

Arenal Volcano erupted from 1968 to 2010 and is now dormant. At Arenal 1968 (about 22 minutes west of La Fortuna), you can walk along a lava flow trail from the eruption. Two trails are available, and we chose the shorter Colada trail at 2.4 miles. The trail presents some challenges, but our entire family completed it (two adults and one 11-year-old).

Pack sunscreen, bug spray, plenty of water, and closed-toed shoes. Arenal 1968 is 21 minutes from La Fortuna.

🌋Click here to learn more about Arenal 1968!

Waterfall Rappelling

Costa Rica canyoneering (or canyoning) involves rappelling down waterfalls. While I haven’t tried this activity, it’s promoted as family-friendly and gets you up close to waterfalls. If doing this with kids, I’d recommend testing their comfort at a local rock climbing wall first.

Though I didn’t enjoy ziplining due to motion sickness, I think waterfall rappelling would be more my speed. I plan to add this to my itinerary next time.

💧Click here to book your waterfall rappelling adventure!

Biking Tours

Several bike tour options exist, ranging from multi-day adventures to family-friendly few-hour rides. I’ve never done a bike tour, but I’m curious about trying one. A Costa Rican bike ride sounds appealing because it’s adventurous yet slower-paced, allowing you to appreciate the views and spot wildlife.

🚴‍♀️Click here to book your biking tour!

Food and Cultural Experiences

Chocolate and Coffee Tour

Don’t miss adding a coffee and cacao (chocolate) tour to your itinerary. You’ll develop a newfound appreciation for coffee and chocolate after seeing the production process firsthand.

Our tour at Don Juan Tours was highly interactive. Our knowledgeable guide answered questions and left us with deep respect for the challenging work involved in coffee and chocolate production. Everyone made their own chocolate bar and hot chocolate, and we tasted the coffee. Activities included riding in an ox cart, grinding coffee beans using a bicycle, and tasting cacao straight from the pod.

If you’re lucky, you might even spot a sloth during your tour! The two-hour tour is suitable for all ages, and the pathways are covered, so tours run even in the rain. Don Juan Tours is located in La Fortuna.

☕Click here to book your chocolate and coffee tour!

Costa Rican Cooking Class

One of the best ways to understand a new culture is through food—both eating and cooking it. Farm-to-table cooking classes teach you how to prepare Costa Rican dishes, with some offering empanada-making lessons. Classes typically take about two hours.

🫘Click here to book your Costa Rican cooking class!

Downtown La Fortuna

I thoroughly enjoyed staying in La Fortuna. Our hotel sat just a couple of blocks from the main street, filled with restaurants, street food vendors, souvenir shops, and the town center. We ate every dinner in La Fortuna, while lunches were usually at tourist attractions.

One afternoon, we were surprised to stumble upon a parade during lunch! We watched marching bands and dancers perform. As a former high school band member, I found it fascinating how these bands incorporated more percussion instruments than we did. The music was fantastic and the dancers were beautiful. It was such a treat to discover this parade unexpectedly!

⛪Learn more about visiting La Fortuna by clicking here!

Relaxation

Hot Springs

La Fortuna has several hot springs nearby, many accessed through hotel resorts. You can either stay at a resort with access or purchase a day pass.

We bought a day pass for Baldi Hot Springs, about 10 minutes from La Fortuna. The resort features 25 thermal pools with posted temperatures and depths for each. They offer towel rentals (refundable) and locker rentals (non-refundable). Some pools cater to children with water slides, while others are more adult-oriented with swim-up bars.

The La Fortuna hot springs are not to be missed—they’re a fun and relaxing way to spend the day or afternoon after more adventurous activities.

A free option exists at the Tobacon River, where public access to hot springs is available across from a resort. I haven’t visited this option myself, and reviews are mixed. While the price is right, there’s no changing area, you’ll need to pay for parking, and it tends to be crowded.

💆Click here to book your day pass for Baldi Hot Springs!

Spa and Massage

Many visitors come to Costa Rica for rest and relaxation. Beyond the hot springs, you can visit spas for massages, facials, and more. I’ve already decided I’m getting a massage while my family ziplines on our next trip!

Tips for Families

La Fortuna offers something for everyone, making it ideal for families, couples, or solo travelers of all ages. On our group tours, we encountered retirees, honeymooners, and families with middle school or high school-aged children. This diversity makes La Fortuna an excellent fall break destination.

When to Visit

December through April is the dry season, while May through November is the rainy season. Most people travel during the dry season, but don’t let the rainy season deter you.

We visited in October during the rainy season (the second wettest month with an average of 17 inches of rain!). It rained every day, but quite predictably during our trip. Rain typically arrived in late afternoon, usually between 4 and 5 pm. We were never rained out of any activities.

Remember that when it rains, it pours, so pack an umbrella and rain coat or ponchos.

La Fortuna is hot and humid but cooler than the coast. During October, highs reach the low 80s while lows drop to the low 70s and upper 60s. Yes, La Fortuna is hot and humid in October, but the heat isn’t intolerable.

By traveling during the rainy season, we avoided crowds. For every tour, only one or two other groups joined us. We never waited for restaurant tables. Overall, traveling in October worked perfectly for us.

Where to Stay

La Fortuna offers accommodations for every budget, from hostels to luxury resorts. You’ll need to decide what matters most: proximity to downtown restaurants, seclusion with volcano views and wildlife, easy hot springs access, or simply a place to sleep.

Budget Option ($): We stayed at the Monte Real Hotel, one and a half blocks from the city center. Rooms feature large back balconies, spacious bathrooms, air conditioning, and ample storage. The onsite restaurant is included in the rate, and there’s a pool. We even spotted a river otter in the nearby stream!

Mid-Range Option ($$): The Arenal Observatory Lodge and Trails offers numerous trails, an observation tower, restaurant, pool, and guaranteed wildlife sightings, including coati and various bird species.

Luxury Options ($$$): Noah’s Forest Hotel by Tifakara looks wonderful, tucked into the jungle yet only 0.9 miles from downtown La Fortuna. It features a jacuzzi, outdoor pool, restaurant, pool table, and more.

For stays outside town, Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs looks amazing, offering suites with private pools, Arenal Volcano views, a restaurant, and air conditioning.

🏨Click here to reserve your accommodations!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do you need in La Fortuna?

Our trip lasted six days total, including two travel days. We had four full days in La Fortuna, which felt like the perfect amount of time. However, your ideal stay depends on the rest of your trip. If you’re exploring more of Costa Rica, you might stay just 1-2 nights since you may do similar activities elsewhere. For a five-day trip, you could split time between La Fortuna and another destination like Monteverde.

What is the driving time from La Fortuna to Monteverde?

The drive from La Fortuna to Monteverde takes about three hours. You can visit the Children’s Eternal Rainforest and Cloud Forest in Monteverde.

🚘Click here to reserve your rental car!

What is the distance between La Fortuna and San Jose Airport?

The drive from La Fortuna to San Jose Airport takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.

Is La Fortuna brutally hot?

La Fortuna is cooler than the coasts. It was hot and humid during our October visit, but nothing intolerable. I’m from the Midwest, so I’m accustomed to humidity. I didn’t find La Fortuna brutally hot in October, though your experience may differ if you visit during summer.

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend a trip to Costa Rica with a stay in La Fortuna. The variety of activities is remarkable, truly offering something for everyone. You can experience sky-high adventures while ziplining, learn about coffee production, and observe incredible wildlife. Even traveling during the rainy season, as we did, resulted in an amazing trip despite the daily rain. La Fortuna exceeded all our expectations, and I can’t wait to return!