Northern Zone
La Fortuna · Arenal
Arenal Volcano, hot springs, hanging bridges and the La Fortuna waterfall.
Costa Rica's most famous volcano
La Fortuna is the town at the foot of Arenal Volcano, the near-perfect cone that became the country's travel icon. The volcano went dormant in 2010, and today the area is known for its hot springs, rainforest and a huge range of activities for all ages.
Things to do
- Hot springs: the water is naturally heated by geothermal activity. Options range from family-friendly parks to quiet spas; the classic plan is to go at sunset.
- La Fortuna Waterfall: a drop of about 70 meters in the middle of the forest. You reach it by a long staircase, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Arenal Volcano National Park: trails over old lava flows with views of the cone and the lake. Hiking to the crater is not allowed.
- Hanging bridges: a walk through the forest canopy, great for birds and, with luck, monkeys and sloths.
- Zip lines, rafting and horseback riding: the region has operators for every level.
- Lake Arenal: the country's largest reservoir, with spectacular sunsets.
Tips
- Stay at least two nights: the volcano is often cloudy, and more time means better chances of a clear view, especially early in the morning.
- Bring a swimsuit and a light rain jacket: it can rain here in any season.
- Hot springs are most enjoyable at night, when it cools down.
Getting there
La Fortuna is about three hours by road from San José. It pairs very well with Monteverde (a few hours by shuttle around the lake) and with the beaches of Guanacaste.
Where to stay in La Fortuna · Arenal
Hostal La Fortuna ★★
Budget · Shared pool, Wi-Fi
from $55 per night
Hotel La Fortuna Boutique ★★★★
Comfort · Pool, Wi-Fi, Restaurant
from $140 per night
La Fortuna Lodge & Spa ★★★★★
Premium · Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Transfers
from $380 per night
Things to do in La Fortuna · Arenal
- Hot springs from $60 pp
- Hanging bridges from $35 pp
- Zip line from $75 pp
- Volcano hike from $30 pp
- La Fortuna waterfall from $18 pp
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Plan your trip
from $55 per night
Choose hotel, nights and activities; prices follow the season.
Best time to visit
Year-round; the volcano is often clear from January to April