La Fortuna is a great location to base yourself if you’re looking for an adventurous Costa Rica trip. Home to the iconic Arenal Volcano, the adventure capital of Costa Rica is surrounded by incredible jungle and has a lot to offer. Here are the top 5 things to do in La Fortuna.
1. Arenal Volcano National Park
Whether you decide to hike in the National park, or just admire the views of the volcano from the surrounding area, Arenal volcano has a magical feel to it. A classic cone shaped volcano jutting out from the tropical jungle, Arenal is a must visit if you are coming to Costa Rica. Weather permitting, it’s hard to miss the massive volcano overlooking the area. The park offers several hikes around the base of the volcano but you are not allowed to hike up the volcano. No doubt the main attraction in La Fortuna, dedicate some time to take in the views of Arenal Volcano.
2. La Fortuna Waterfall
One of the best things to do in La Fortuna is to visit the La Fortuna waterfall. You can hike down about 15-20 minutes to the base of the thundering waterfall for some premiere photo spots. Take it a step further by taking a dip in the ice cold water right where the waterfall pours into. There is an entrance fee ($18 USD) and it’s a bit of a trek back up the nearly 500 stairs, but if you are visiting La Fortuna you definitely need to consider checking out the falls. For more information about visiting the falls, please read this Guide to Visiting the La Fortuna Waterfall.
3. Hanging Bridges
Spice up how you experience the Costa Rican jungles by walking through the hanging bridges in La Fortuna. With a few different options of hanging bridges in the area, the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges deliver a great combination of wildlife viewing and thrill seeking. Walk the trail through the jungle with intermittent hanging bridges to peer into the jungle canopies. With views of Arenal Volcano, and wildlife throughout the trail, it’s a fun and unique experience that the whole family can enjoy. Please read this article if you want more information about Visiting the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges.
4. Hot Springs
La Fortuna has a plethora of hot springs due to its proximity to the Arenal Volcano. Some of the most popular hot springs are Tabacon and Baldi Hot Springs. Tabacon is generally regarded as the best due to it being the most natural of the hot springs, and it has been designed to keep its authenticity. It’s also the most expensive and hardest to book, as it can be sold out weeks in advance. Make sure to book early if you want to visit there, or splurge and stay at the Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa. Packages can include dinner. Baldi Hot Springs is another solid choice where you can pay your entrance fee at arrival. You can also include dinner with your ticket. It’s a massive hot springs with 25 thermal pools, swim up bars, and waterslides. After a day of hiking or adventuring, treat yourself and unwind in one of La Fortuna’s many hot springs.
5. Adventure Away!
The adventure capital of Costa Rica, La Fortuna has endless ways to entertain yourself and get your adrenaline pumping. It’s also a great place to bring a family as there are nice resorts and lots of options for restaurants, hotels, and tours. Some of the top adventure activities in La Fortuna are river rafting, zip lining, hanging bridges, ATV rides, horseback riding, night walks, hiking, and boating on Lake Arenal.
