Costa Rica is an incredible travel destination whether you are looking for an adventure or a relaxing getaway. La Fortuna is somewhere I highly recommend when planning a trip. Situated in the Northern part of Costa Rica, you will experience the rainforest and amazing views of Arenal volcano.
I have never been somewhere as a tourist where I truly felt so relaxed and invited. This may sound cheesy, but the “Pura Vida” lifestyle was definitely noticed. The locals were welcoming and genuinely interested in conversation and getting to know my husband and me.
When planning your Costa Rican itinerary, I suggest spending 3-4 days in this area. This was our first stop on our 10-day honeymoon, and we thought this amount of time was perfect for exploring the area without feeling like we’d missed out on any of the endless options.
Getting to La Fortuna and Accommodations
Airport
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia and Juan Santamaría International Airport are good options for planning your trip. Where you want to fly in and out depends on how you build your itinerary and if La Fortuna is one of many stops. Since we stayed in the Guanacaste province for the second half of our trip, we chose Liberia to fly in and out of. La Fortuna is roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes (143 km) from Liberia Airport and 2 hours and 30 minutes (116 km) from San Jose.
Transportation Around Costa Rica
Renting a car is also a great option for getting around La Fortuna. The area is not only a bit of a distance from the airport, but the sights within La Fortuna are spread out and connected by windy mountain roads. Having a rental car gives you the flexibility to explore at your own pace. Keep in mind that the roads to La Fortuna are very windy and bridges typically allow one car at a time. We never felt in danger driving but were also very cautious and rarely drove at night, except when returning from dinner in town. If you are not comfortable with driving outside the country or are planning to utilize excursions that include transportation, there are private car and tour options available.
Where to Stay
I have included a few different accommodations at different price points to provide flexibility for your stay.
Luxury
Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa
We highly recommend Tabacon Resort and Spa. The entire staff was exceptional, and I am still dreaming of the complimentary breakfast. If you are willing to splurge, without a doubt choose Tabacon. If you want to learn more about our experience at Tabacon, you can find my full review here.
Mid-Range
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails
For the adventurous traveler, this accommodation is an excellent choice due to its access trails, observatories, restaurants, spa, and scenic views of Arenal Volcano. Considering the offerings of this lodge, I believe this is a great option.
Cost Effective/Flexibility
Airbnb is also a great option in the area as there are multiple options at multiple price points.
The Details: 4 Days in La Fortuna
Day 1: Wildlife Bridges & Hiking
This is a great way to start your first full day and ease into what La Fortuna has to offer! Mistico Park features a 2-mile-long trail with 16 suspension bridges that guide you through different levels of the rainforest. Ticket prices without a guide are $32 and $48 with a guide. I suggest spending the extra money to purchase the guide as there were several small animals and birds that we would not have noticed by ourselves.
Afternoon Hike
What better way to discover why La Fortuna is such a popular destination than by hiking around the area? My husband and I decided to do the challenging Cerro Chato hike, but I’ve added a few other hikes with different levels of difficulty. I have linked the AllTrails to give you more insight into the various hikes listed.
Cerro Chato is ideal for those seeking adventure and a challenge. This was easily one of the most strenuous hikes I have ever done, but also the most rewarding. Before descending, you get an amazing view of the Arenal volcano and lake. Cerro Chato is a dormant volcano that erupted years ago and is now filled with water. After the hike, you can say you hiked up a volcano and swam inside.
Disclaimer: This trail passes through private property and is considered illegal. It is a popular hike, but there is a possibility of being stopped by a park ranger.
This is a loop trail where you will see great views of the volcano and old lava flows while also being surrounded by the forest. There is a $25 entrance fee so that is something to keep in mind.
This is a flat trail with views of Lake Arenal and the volcano. This is a great option for families or individuals wanting a hike that won’t overexert themselves.
Day 2: Outside La Fortuna: Rio Celeste
Rio Celeste
From La Fortuna, you will drive to the Tenorio Volcano National Park, which is about 1 hour and 30 minutes (69.6 km). This is a relatively long drive, but in my opinion, it is worth the trip! Once you arrive, there is a parking fee of approximately $4. In addition, there’s an entrance fee that must be purchased before entering the park due to the lack of cell service and the popularity of this destination. You can purchase the pass by visiting the SINAC website.
To reach the waterfall, there is a 3.7-mile hike with 250 stairs to the viewing point. Make sure to continue the trail after viewing the waterfall as there are some other cool sights to see along the trail.
Tubing down river
There are several options for tubing in rivers to explore wildlife within the rainforest. However, I believe Rio Celeste is a unique option because the water is so beautiful!
Public water spot
If you also want to enjoy the water, but not wanting to pay the price of an excursion. There is a public access just before entering Tenorio Park.
Day 3: La Fortuna Waterfall & Thermal Hot Springs
Waterfall
You can’t visit La Fortuna without seeing its namesake! The waterfall is located within Arenal Volcano National Park with an entrance of $20. The walk down to the falls is relatively short with a 530-step descent. Once you get to the waterfall, you can swim around. There are also swimming spots once you reach the base that aren’t as close to the falls.
El Salto Rope Swing
A great way to spend some time in the water while also doing local activities is to go to the El Salto rope swing. El Salto is only a 5-minute drive from La Fortuna waterfall, making it a good option to combine these stops together.
Thermal Water
Finish your water-filled day by visiting the thermal waters that are heated by Arenal Volcano. There are several options with different price points some of these options include:
- Tabacon $89/day
- Worth the splurge for a day pass! The hot springs are situated around so much vegetation that you truly feel you are in the middle of the rainforest. My husband and I stayed at this resort for 4 days and could not recommend it enough. If this is a little out of your price range for accommodation, then a day pass is a great option.
- Ecotermales $47/day
- Although I cannot speak on this hot spring personally, Ecotermales is a great option for a day pass based on reviews and researching the thermal springs in the area. It is family-run and offers a beautiful landscape to relax and enjoy.
- Public Access FREE
- Who doesn’t love a free option when traveling on a budget? To reach this area, you will need to search El Choyin. This access is across the street from Tabacon, which is pretty ironic. This is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the hot springs and get a local experience!
Day 4: Zip-Lining & Other Excursions
Zip-lining through the Rain Forest
A trip to Costa Rica would not be complete without a zip-line tour! When we went, it was foggy and rainy, but still a great experience. We booked through Arenal Mundo Adventure (AMA) and chose the “Big AMA” package for zip-lining, which included 12 cables for $75.
12 cables were perfect for us, but there is also an option to do 7 cables or do a combo of adventures like rafting and horseback riding. There are several different options and outfitters, I don’t think you could go wrong. If you want to choose our same adventure, click here to book.
Whitewater Rafting
This is something we did not get to experience but heard repeatedly that it was an amazing excursion. If you want another adventurous activity, I would add this to the list! Once again, there are several outfitters who provide white water rafting tours so it would be hard to go wrong!
Honorable Mentions
Night Nature Tour
There are many opportunities to explore the rainforest’s wildlife during the day, but a night tour provides a completely different experience.
Spa Day
While staying at Tabacon, we decided to splurge on a couple’s massage and facials. After a few adventurous days filled with hikes and excursions, this was an amazing addition to our trip
THANK YOU
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts about La Fortuna and how this blog post helped you plan your trip.
This ‘How to Spend 4 Adventurous Days in La Fortuna, Costa Rica’ guide might contain affiliate links meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me provide you with quality content for free.
Thanks for all of the info. Who did you wind up renting your car through?
Hi Mike! We rented our car through “Fox Rent A Car” close to Liberia Airport. The reviews for this rental car agency are not great, but I have no complaints. It might be worth looking around to ensure you have the best experience because there are tons of options.