The Emerald Playground of La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Fortune truly favors adventurers coming to La Fortuna with endless outdoor activities both on land and in the water. Situated nearby active Arenal Volcano, the area is bursting with lush hiking trails, soothing hot springs, and exotic wildlife. Travelers will appreciate the accessible nature in every direction and be inspired by the magnificent beauty!

Costa Rica is generally more expensive compared to the rest of Central America in terms of tours, transportation, food, and accommodations. Be prepared to fork over a bit of dough to access the popular attractions. Luckily, there are a few free things to do as well. You'll find everything in town to fuel your expeditions including restaurants, cafés, produce markets, and grocery stores. Tour operators are easy to spot and can help organize excursions if you don't want to go the DIY route.

Brad and I stayed in La Fortuna for two weeks to experience as much of this epic playground as possible. Below I share a list of our favorite escapades with a separate section covering a few transportation options. La Fortuna definitely deserves to be on your itinerary if you're planning a trip to Costa Rica!

Arenal Volcano National Park

Costa Rica boasts over 200 volcanic formations, but Arenal Volcano is a special giant with a hypnotizing effect. The steaming peak pierces the sky with an elevation of 1,657 m (5,436 ft). Although this symmetrical volcano has a history of violent eruptions, there hasn't been any significant activity since 2010.

One of the best ways to discover its geology is via the hiking trails of Arenal Volcano National Park. There are two sectors included with entry: Volcán and Península (see map below). We only completed the Volcán sector due to time, but both are possible to finish in one day depending on your pace. Opening hours are every day, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, and tickets cost $17 USD per person.

You'll encounter tall grasses, dense rainforest, and jagged lava rocks along the well-maintained paths. The viewpoint at the end of the #6 Camino Vehicular Trail is exceptional (weather permitting). Keep an eye out for snakes, bats, lizards, fungi, and orchids. Birdwatchers will fall in love with the #5 El Ceibo Trail. Brad and I saw Great Kiskadees, Collared Aracaris, Crimson-fronted Parakeets, Yellow-throated Toucans, Bicolored Antbirds, Crested Guans, Great Curassows, and several species of trogons!

Arenal Oasis Frog Sanctuary

My favorite activity in La Fortuna was a night walking tour to find frogs within the protected habitat at Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge & Wildlife Refuge. Our small group was led by a trained naturalist along flat gravel paths for two hours in the darkness. Brad and I did our best to locate camouflage frogs and insects on the foliage with our flashlights. The excitement was palpable as we listened to various croaks in every direction. Don't miss out on this spectacular adventure!

Approximately 40 species of amphibians inhabit the spring-fed ponds and surrounding native plants. Mother Earth rewarded our enthusiasm with 13 species including the iconic Red-eyed Tree Frog, Hourglass Tree Frog, and Translucent Glass Frog! Another highlight was finding a yellow Eyelash Pit Viper hunting in the canopy. Tours with round-trip transportation cost $60 USD per person. Reservations are available every day and the two-hour walk begins at 5:45 PM. If possible, bring your own flashlight/headlamp since the ones provided can be unreliable.

La Fortuna Waterfall

A spectacular and breathtaking place to feel the Pura Vida spirit is at the base of the 70 m (230 ft) high La Fortuna Waterfall. Vibrant ferns and vines sway in the breeze as the powerful water plummets into the turquoise pool below. Beholding this marvel requires a steep descent of 530 steps, which also must be climbed to exit. Several vantage points along the path offer a place to rest and admire the rainforest. The sweaty leg workout is worth the prize!

Follow the river to find clear pools with curious fish and whimsical dragonflies. Large rocks warming in the sunlight offer tranquil spots to sit in between refreshing dips. Fuel up with some delicious tuna tacos and a berry milkshake at the on-site restaurant before taking a stroll along the Orchids Trail. The La Fortuna Waterfall is open every day, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM, and tickets cost $20 USD per person. Get an early start to beat the afternoon crowds.

Mistico Park - Arenal Hanging Bridges

Trade in a ground view for an exhilarating canopy perspective at Mistico Park. The pristine trail is 3.2 km (2 mi) long with 10 bridges and six hanging bridges. You can explore the treetops from as high as 45 m (148 ft)! Online reservations are required for self-guided entry and tickets cost $28 USD (afternoon time slot) or $32 USD (morning time slot) per person. Mistico Park is open every day, 6:00 AM-4:00 PM.

Share the rainforest with adorable coatis sniffing for food, rainbow lizards basking in the sun, hardworking Leafcutter Ants, and delicate butterflies. Hear the commanding and permeating calls of male Howler Monkeys while gazing at the serene Blue Morpho Waterfall. Even though Mistico Park has a lot of tourists, the glorious moss-covered trees and intricate flowers create an intimate atmosphere. You may even spot a sloth from one of the hanging bridges if you're lucky!

El Choyin Hot Springs

Rejuvenate your body and mind with a relaxing soak at one of the several hot springs heated by Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna. Many resorts, such as Tabacón and Baldi, offer day passes with access to bathrooms, towels, and restaurants. Brad and I opted to enjoy the free/public El Choyin hot springs (open every day) with a couple of canned cocktails. Bring a few candles at night to set the mood if you desire a romantic ambience. Please take out what you take in and leave no trace, including biodegradable food which can harm wildlife.

Mirador El Silencio

Get off the beaten path with a peaceful visit to an affordable nature reserve exploding with wildlife. Mirador El Silencio has seven trails nearby Arenal Volcano with unique topography including open pasture, dewy rainforest, and lava rocks. Opening hours are every day, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, and tickets cost $10 USD per person.

The protected land covers 225 hectares (550 acres) with primary and secondary forests. A primary forest is an unaffected ecosystem with mature tress and no human interference, whereas a secondary forest is an environment with previous deforestation, fires, or infestations. A secondary forest needs approximately 150 years to resemble a primary forest!

Prioritize the #3 El Tabacón, #4 Manantial, and #1 Los Araña Trails to see wildlife and primary forest. We observed a Three-toed Sloth, pit viper, Rufous Motmot, and several Capuchin Monkeys. Brad and I were absolutely ecstatic to see our first anteater foraging in the canopy! Check out the #6 Lava del 68 Trail to see lava flows from the 1968 eruption. Although the #2 Los Sainos Trail was a nice hike, we didn't encounter any critters.

El Salto Rope Swing

Ready for the ultimate adrenaline rush? Head to the free 6 m (20 ft) high El Salto rope swing to make a thrilling splash into a picturesque pool. Build up your courage by watching from the surrounding rocks as other tourists and locals show off their tricks. Brad had a blast channeling his inner daredevil and jumping into the warm water while I hung out with the other dry spectators. Jump at your own risk and beware of strong currents around the waterfall!

Transportation Options

The most convenient way to get around La Fortuna is with a rental car. Public transportation to the main attractions is infrequent and Uber is expensive. Taxis are available, but always remember to confirm a final price before the ride begins. Most of the sights aren't walkable, which makes it difficult for budget travelers.

We found an unlimited shuttle via La Choza Inn Hotel for $20 USD per person that was valid during our entire stay in La Fortuna. The reliable shuttle runs every day and allows for multiple rides throughout the day. You don't have to be a hotel guest to use the service, but a wristband is required.

The timetable above shows the departure times from La Fortuna and estimated arrival times at the popular attractions. Meet at the hotel and hop in the white van after showing the driver your wristband. You can ask to be dropped off at a place that isn't on the timetable, such as Mirador El Silencio, as long as it's along the route. The driver will confirm your pick-up time at every destination.

If Monteverde is also on your itinerary, which I highly recommend, consider taking the Jeep-Boat-Jeep service from La Fortuna. Additionally, you can choose to do the journey in reverse from Monteverde to La Fortuna. A shuttle will pick you up from your hotel and take you to a port on Lake Arenal where you'll board a boat. After a scenic cruise, you'll take another shuttle to your final destination. The process is extremely easy!

Jeep-Boat-Jeep companies can be found online and in both towns. Tickets on average cost $35 USD per person per way. There are two departures every day, morning and early afternoon. It's a hassle-free way to transit between two of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica.

Final Thoughts

La Fortuna checks all of the boxes for travelers looking for a grand expedition in Costa Rica. Serene hot springs, fantastic animals, and inspiring views await your arrival in the shadow of Arenal Volcano. To wake up each day knowing the wondrous possibilities was intoxicating. I was eager to surround myself in the resonating pulse of the landscape and fully appreciate every moment. I felt a magical buzz fill my heart with gratitude during my time in La Fortuna and I have a sense you will too!