Top things to do in La Fortuna
Exploring around La Fortuna in Costa Rica
After a short stay in Monteverde, Charlie continued her journey through Costa Rica and traveled to La Fortuna. She only stayed two days and once again, tried to squeeze in as many activities and excursions as possible. She could have easily filled a whole week.
El Arenal Volcano
The volcano is the main reason why people originally settled in this part of Costa Rica and also the main attraction in La Fortuna. The original settlers didn’t know that this ‘mountain’ was a volcano, but they knew that the soil was very good for agriculture. They settled and called it “La Fortuna”, the fortunate one. They felt less fortunate though when the volcano erupted in 1968. It had been dormant for five centuries. 1968 was the first documented eruption.
It destroyed all vegetation at the bottom of the volcano. In the northern hemisphere, where there are four seasons, it would take around 200 years to regrow. At the Arenal Volcano, however, the flora already looks as if there was never a volcanic eruption. Due to extended periods of sun and rain, vegetation can grow a lot quicker in this part of the world. The fauna takes a lot longer to regrow though and there are only small animals, birds, and insects living around the volcano. If you are hoping to see monkeys or sloths, this is not the place to look for them.
There are three official walking trails at the bottom of the volcano El Arenal and they are clearly marked and signposted. You can even take a wooden walking stick at the entrance. The path mostly consists of lava rocks and some bits contain quite high steps.
Along the path, you can enjoy views over Lake Arenal, the same lake Charlie crossed the day before on her way from Monteverde to La Fortuna. You can also see the mountain range that separates the cloud forest from the rain forest called “Children of the eternal rain forest”. It bears that name because it was kids who helped raise the necessary funds to protect the area. A lot of nature in Costa Rica is privately owned and turned into nature reserves.
At the end of the trail at Arenal volcano and near the parking lot is a café with a viewing platform to enjoy once more this stunning landscape with a coffee, a smoothie or a “pipa fria”, a coconut with a hole, and a straw.
The visitor centre is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the entrance fee to the area around the volcano and the hiking trails is $15 for adults, and $5 for children.
Hanging Bridges & Parque Místico
One of the things Costa Rica is known for are hanging bridges in the rainforest. The best place to have this experience near La Fortuna is at the Mistic Park. It is one of the mentioned nature reserves, so you have to pay an entrance fee and there are paths through the whole area which you are not supposed to leave. There are 12 stable bridges and six hanging bridges, one providing a better view than the other.
When Charlie was there, she was lucky to see a family of spider monkeys in the trees very close to the entrance. They were enjoying some juicy guavas for lunch. They are the biggest of the four monkey species in Costa Rica and only have four fingers. Charlie also saw rows of ants carrying pieces of leaves and different species of birds and trees.
If you do this with a guide you will receive a lot of information and they point out any animal they spot. Additionally, they carry a type of telescope that allows you a better view of the animals and even a close-up photo with your phone. The zoom lens of Charlie’s camera did the job too!
If you want to visit the Parque Místico, it is mandatory to book your ticket or tour in advance. This is the entrance fee for self-guided walks:
| Ticket Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (19 – 64 years old) | $ 28 |
| Teens (11 – 18 years old) | $ 18 |
| Seniors (65 or older) | $ 23 |
| Children (6 – 10 years old) | Free |
La Fortuna Waterfall
Ever wanted to swim beneath a waterfall? La Fortuna also offers this opportunity. The La Fortuna waterfall is not far from the town and attracts many visitors. Be prepared that you won’t be alone. This is also a nature reserve, and you pay an entrance fee. However, it is an NPO and all proceeds go to charitable causes. You can book your tickets online and the entrance fee is $ 18 for anybody over the age of 9.
There are around 500 steps leading down from the parking lot to the bottom of the waterfall. You can see the water at all times as you walk down. There are lifeguards that will call you out if you approach the waterfall too closely or get anywhere dangerous. It is recommended to bring water shoes because you have to climb over some slippery rocks to get in the water. Charlie was barefoot and it worked too, but water shoes would have been nice.
The water feels chilly at first, but you get used to it quickly as the outside temperatures are very tropical. It is super refreshing. Keep in mind though that you have to walk 500 steps back up again to get to your car or tour bus.
Other things to do in La Fortuna
Charlie only had two days in La Fortuna and that was not even nearly enough time to do all the things on offer.
One of the main attractions are the hot springs. They are a clear sign for the volcano still being active and invite to a swim. The hot springs “El Tabacón” are free to use and can be accessed easily from the main road, just a bit outside town. Charlie was passing by on the bus from the lake to La Fortuna. There are others nearby with some spa and restaurant facilities, Relax Termalitas, that you can use for USD 6. Others can charge you up to USD 90. Check the price before you go to any of the hot springs.
Just a bit outside of town on the way to La Fortuna Waterfall is a spot called “El Salto” (“The Jump”) where you can jump on a tree branch into the river and let your inner Tarzan out.
Other activities in and around La Fortuna involve horse riding, a sloth trail, ATV tours, and ziplining. Charlie also heard about a spot 3km outside of town where you can see the sunset.
Top tips for La Fortuna
You won’t have any trouble seeing the main tourist attractions in La Fortuna. There are plenty of tours on offer that bring you to all the places easily if you don’t have a car. Here are a few useful bits of information for your trip planning.
Accommodation in La Fortuna
Charlie stayed at an accommodation that she had found on AirBnB when looking for a tree house: Cabañas Rústicas. It wasn’t quite a tree house, but it came close. It was a stunning wooden cabin surrounded by nature with a terrace and a jacuzzi. At the bottom was a river flowing over rapids that you could hear from the cabin. It came to around GBP 70 per night and it was only a 15-minute walk into the town centre of La Fortuna.
In the town itself are lots of hotels for any budget and also a few hostels for budget-aware backpackers. A bit further outside of the town are lodges and bigger holiday resorts for those wanting the all-inclusive treatment.
Getting around in La Fortuna
If you are staying in the town centre, you can walk to shops and restaurants. If you don’t have a car, you can either book guided tours in mini buses to see all the attractions or use an app called “Easy Hop” for USD 3-6, you can get in a shared bus to all the main tourist spots. There is also Uber available in La Fortuna.
Weather in La Fortuna
If you’ve come like Charlie from Monteverde, you might have gotten used to a slightly colder climate where you need long trousers and a jacket in the evening. Be prepared that La Fortuna is a completely different climate. You are in the tropical rainforest and the temperatures are indeed tropical. Short clothes are the best option; however, it is the rainforest for a reason. There can be sudden intense rainfall at any time. You should take an umbrella and a rain jacket with you.
