Some awesome activities to add to your La Fortuna itinerary in Costa Rica.
Swimming next to the iconic La Fortuna Waterfall was fun… And swinging from the Tarzan rope swing at El Salto was also awesome.
However, walking high above the rainforest at Mistico Park was the highlight of my time in the jungle town!
Keep reading to find out more about these special travel experiences, along with other popular tours which should be added to your La Fortuna itinerary.
During my solo trip to the picturesque Costa Rican town, I was very busy enjoying both free and paid activities, including geothermal hot springs, rainforest tours, and a tour of the themed restaurants and bars, which make La Fortuna a very lively backpacker destination.
Let’s start with my proposed 3 day La Fortuna itinerary.
Such an awesome backdrop at Mistico Park.
A proposed travel itinerary for La Fortuna.
I could have stayed in the jungle town for months without getting bored of the beautiful weather, picturesque landscape, and abundance of things to do, however, most tourists only head to La Fortuna for a few days.
So, here is how you can spend 3 days in La Fortuna Costa Rica:
Day 1.
Morning - Coffee and chocolate tour.
Afternoon - El Salto Swimming Hole.
Evening - Rio Chollin Hot Springs.
Day 2.
Morning - Mistico Park Hanging Bridges.
Afternoon - La Fortuna Waterfall.
Evening - Drinks and a meal in town.
Day 3.
Morning/Afternoon - Rio Celeste day tour.
Evening - Visit Sloth Park.
Volcano themed shop.
Why visit La Fortuna in Costa Rica?
The number one reason which lured me into adding La Fortuna to my Costa Rica itinerary was the famous Arenal Volcano.
The most picturesque town is made complete through being overlooked by the mighty natural wonder, which stands tall as a stunning backdrop, creating a unique setting.
There is much more to La Fortuna than volcanoes though, with beautiful waterfalls, geothermal springs, and miles of untouched rainforests surrounding the small town.
As the wildlife and nature in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica have been so popular for nearly half a century, the best tours in La Fortuna are very well established, and incredibly rated, which makes it easy to fill your days with wonderful travel experiences.
A traditional fruit shop in town.
How long is needed in La Fortuna in Costa Rica?
As I said above, I could have stayed in La Fortuna for months, and I wouldn’t have even ticked off all of the activities.
As you can see in the map below, the locals have built up a nature paradise surrounding the Arenal Volcano.
Between 3 - 5 days is the answer you are looking for though!
This is enough time to get comfortable with your surroundings, and enjoy some cheap things to do in La Fortuna, along with one or two of the best tours, and some nightlife fun.
A map of the abundance of activities in and around La Fortuna.
Is La Fortuna safe?
Yes, La Fortuna is considered extremely safe for tourists, with very low crime rates, established infrastructure, and many tourist-friendly services, such as guided tours, reliable transportation options, and accommodations that prioritise visitor safety.
I felt much safer walking around La Fortuna than my day exploring San Jose at the start of my trip.
With so many International tourists frequently visiting the jungle town, the local community are very well trained in welcoming different cultures, and serving them adequately.
Popular tours.
My favourite activities in La Fortuna.
La Fortuna is abundant with activities to suit all traveller types, so every visitor to the small town will have a different idea of what makes up a fun itinerary.
Here is a look at some La Fortuna attractions which should answer your common questions such as; where to see sloths in La Fortuna, can you swim at La Fortuna waterfall, and how is coffee made in Costa Rica?
Let’s start at North Fields Farm for some traditional exports.
Learn about the famous Costa Rican coffee and chocolate.
Exploring the heritage of Costa Rica’s coffee and chocolate making traditions is a great way to ease yourself into your time in La Fortuna.
On this tour you will head to a family-owned farm just outside of town, where you will learn about both the intricate processes of turning cacao and sugar cane into chocolate, along with the local art of coffee-making from bean to cup.
After a long day of travelling the day prior, some Costa Rican coffee certainly woke me up, as we sampled several freshly brewed coffees during our visit.
And far too much chocolate!
This won’t be the most thrilling activity on your La Fortuna itinerary, however, it is fun, and a good way to incorporate some culture into your trip, before you head to the beautiful forests.
More tour information.
Mistico Hanging Bridges Park.
Without a doubt, one of my favourite travel experiences ever!
Exploring Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park was an incredible morning, which is hard to put into words. Here are some important ones though.
While you can certainly explore the rainforest on your own, I’m thrilled I chose to take the tour option—it made all the difference!
Our tour guide, Chris, turned our day into an unforgettable adventure.
He equipped us with binoculars and telescopes, but the real treasure was his world-class knowledge of the forest. Chris knew the area inside out, guiding us to secret spots like tarantula homes, bird nests, and even a cosy corner where vipers liked to hang out. He taught us some very interesting facts.
One of the highlights was our chaotic encounter with howler monkeys! Thanks to Chris's keen eyes, he spotted them from a distance, and we all scrambled over to see them in action.
What a fun moment that was!
Deep in the Costa Rican rainforest.
I opted for Viator for my tour booking. Their 4.7/5 rating from over 1,000 reviews reassured me, especially since I was concerned about a potential language barrier with the locals. Their reputation and reliability were the deal-breakers for me.
This recent review on Viator also confirms that my experience was not a one off, and that Viator does offer the best guided tours in Mistico Park.
“Indy was an awesome tour guide, with her we saw 2 pit vipers a sloth, an owl, few different type of birds and few lizards. She had great enthusiasm and she really cares about the nature. Her knowledge of the animals and history of the park itself was outstanding.”
Don’t miss out on this adventure!
Secure your spot deep in the rainforest now by booking through Viator.
Enjoying hanging high above the forest.
During your best tour in La Fortuna, you will spend 90 minutes hiking around the forest, at many different levels.
In total, there are 16 hanging bridges, with around 8 at height over the forest.
The hiking trails are well established, and the tour guide keeps a close eye on all visitors crossing the bridges, making this one a family-friendly rainforest tour in Costa Rica.
The eco-tours in Costa Rica all focus heavily on sustainability, so be aware that some items won’t be allowed in the forest, mainly plastic, and bug spray.
My favourite part of the walking trail.
La Fortuna Waterfall.
Another true highlight of La Fortuna is its iconic waterfall, located deep in the rainforest.
The moment I noticed the iconic waterfall popping through the canopy, it dawned on me once again how vast and beautiful the nature is in Costa Rica.
You don’t need a tour for this one!
Just the Uber app, your swimming gear, a camera, and a working set of lungs.
Admiring the 70 metre high waterfall comes as a reward, following a moderately difficult hike down 500 steps. (We won’t talk about the hike back up).
The trails down are steep, but very wide, with handrails, and spaces to sit down, so you catch your breath, so it is manageable for most visitors.
The first glimpse of La Fortuna Waterfall.
One of the reasons why La Fortuna Waterfall is so popular with tourists is because visitors are allowed to swim at the foot of the tall cascading water.
It is quite an amazing experience taking a dip in the refreshing water with the lush rainforest surroundings, and constant screams from tourists enjoying zip lining above echoing around the forest.
There is also a private beach area which can be used to relax, and there is calmer water, which is ideal for children.
The iconic La Fortuna Waterfall.
Rio Celeste Waterfall hike.
For this day trip you will be heading out of La Fortuna for the morning, to Tenorio National Park located around 60 km from town.
In this famous National Park there are well established hiking trails which lead to the popular Rio Celeste Waterfall deep inside the park.
The waterfall’s unique sky blue colour draws tourists in from all over the world!
This day tour can be strenuous in the humid conditions, as it is around 3-4 hours walking in total, with breaks to learn about the flora and fauna within the forest.
The rewarding waterfall is well worth the effort though!
Just before you arrive at Tenorio National Park, most tours also stop by the 400 year old Ceiba tree, for some awesome Costa Rica Instagram shots.
This majestic tree, revered for its immense size and unique shape, makes for an unforgettable backdrop that beautifully captures the lush essence of Costa Rica’s natural beauty.
The beautiful Rio Celeste waterfall.
Rio Celeste is famous for its vibrant sky-blue waters, which has occurred as a result of a unique chemical reaction between two rivers containing different volcanic minerals.
This phenomenon creates a visually striking landscape, perfect for taking photos.
After the waterfall, we were shown the exact meeting point of the two rivers, which was a first time experience for us all.
After our hike, we got to relax in natural warm-water river pools just outside of the park which cooled us down before our drive back to La Fortuna.
This exact tour is rated 5/5 on Viator from 375 reviewers, and guarantees that this awesome experience won’t take too much of your La Fortuna itinerary up.
Enjoying the Rio Celeste tour.
The sky blue water near Rio Celeste.
Visit Sloth Park.
Everyone wants to see a sloth in Costa Rica, and here is your chance!
Visiting the Sloth Sanctuary in La Fortuna offers a close up encounter with Costa Rica’s beloved wildlife. You will have the opportunity to see sloths up close, along with learning about their habitat, behaviour, and conservation efforts.
Sloth Park is eco-friendly and dedicated to wildlife conservation, with the sanctuary focusing on rescuing and rehabilitating sloths and other injured or orphaned wildlife
Tour guide searching for sloths.
The rainforests are so vast throughout Costa Rica.
A picturesque setting in the park in the centre of town.
Some diverse restaurants.
In La Fortuna there is a vibrant dining scene, reflecting Costa Rica’s diverse culinary traditions with a mix of international flavours. Here are three restaurant recommendations for you, following my great experiences:
Rainforest - Soda prices, but beautiful food, and very large portions.
Volcano Steakhouse - A popular themed restaurant with eye-catching decor, and happy hour until 9pm.
La Parrilla de Maria Bonita - An awesome Mexican restaurant where I enjoyed authentic food, as seen below.
Mexican cuisine in a restaurant in La Fortuna town centre.
Hang out at the El Salto swimming hole.
Spending 3 days in La Fortuna can add up quickly, as Costa Rica is a very expensive destination these days, therefore, you want to add some free activities.
Spending some time at the El Salto swimming hole is an ideal choice, with the local nature spot being popular with both tourists and locals.
Fresh water, and some small picturesque waterfalls makes it a great spot for cliff jumping, or swinging on the Tarzan swing.
If you prefer a calmer way to cool down in humid conditions, especially in the rainy season, then just chilling on the rocks above the waterfalls with a beer, catching a sun tan is popular.
You will find El Salto here, and it is only a 20 minute walk from the centre of town.
The Tarzan swing at El Salto swimming hole.
Enjoy a truly unique sunset.
Wherever you are in La Fortuna, there is a very good chance that you can witness the incredible sunset behind the Arenal Volcano.
We got lucky on our way to the El Choyin Hot Springs, as the sun was just dipping below the base of the volcano, which made for my favourite Costa Rica photo.
If you head further out from town toward lake Arenal, you will also find some magnificent sunset spots.
Sunset behind Arenal Volcano.
Relax in the natural geothermal hot springs.
La Fortuna is renowned for its natural geothermal hot springs, offering a range of experiences from luxurious resorts to free public options.
I was fortunate enough to enjoy both options, so here is a rundown of both resort-style places and free hot springs in the area:
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa.
After Mistico Park, our group opted for an additional activity as we all made friends in the forest.
Tabacón offers a luxurious experience with beautifully landscaped gardens and multiple thermal pools, which is ideal for families, couples, or anyone who wants to relax.
Day passes are available for those not staying at the resort.
We spent around two hours in the resort before having lunch together, but I could have enjoyed staying a lot longer.
Rio Chollin.
Located just a short drive from La Fortuna, Rio Chollin is a natural hot spring where visitors can enjoy a relaxing soak in the river. The hot water flows from the volcanic ground, and the area is surrounded by lush greenery.
This option was more of a rustic experience, but felt like a more authentic travel experience.
The entrance to Tenorio National Park.
How to get to La Fortuna.
La Fortuna is accessible by several transportation options, depending on you starting point and budget.
Whichever option you decide, be warned that the rugged landscape of Costa Rica does add extra time and potential hazards to your journey.
Drive.
Renting a car makes total sense in Costa Rica if you are travelling by group, to split the costs.
From San José, the drive to La Fortuna takes around 3-4 hours (120-140 km) via Route 1 and Route 702, which passes through scenic mountains and cloud forests.
From Liberia, the drive to the jungle town takes around 2.5-3 hours (140 km) via Route 1 and Route 142, passing around Lake Arenal.
Shuttle bus.
Shared shuttles are a popular choice for those who prefer not to drive, but also want more convenience than the public bus.
Shuttles typically depart from all of the popular tourist spots, with door-door services, but this will cost you more of a premium. On average, each shuttle I used in Costa Rica was around $50-$70 per person.
Shuttles run daily from San Jose.
Public bus.
The most budget-friendly option is taking a public bus, which is the option that I chose.
The bus from San José to La Fortuna took a little longer due to a one hour long stand still traffic jam.
Buses leave from the Terminal 7-10 bus station and take approximately 4-5 hours to reach La Fortuna, but only cost around $5 per person.
The bus from San Jose to La Fortuna.
When is the best time to visit La Fortuna?
La Fortuna is a very popular destination in Costa Rica known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Arenal Volcano and lush rainforests, however, the best time to visit La Fortuna largely depends on what you want to experience, but here are some key considerations:
The Dry Season (December to April).
This time of year experiences less rainfall and more sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, canopy tours, and visiting waterfalls.
More crowds.
More expensive for accommodation and tours.
The Green Season (May to November).
While it does rain more during these months, the rain tends to be in the form of short, heavy showers, typically in the afternoons. The mornings can still be clear and sunny.
Fewer crowds.
Cheaper for tours and hotels.
More lush greenery in rainforests.
I visited in May and had an awesome time!
Fortuna sign at La Fortuna Waterfall.
Two other Costa Rican destinations you will love.
As beautiful as La Fortuna is, there is one thing which the natural paradise lacks, that is the Pacific Ocean!
Here are two surf towns which you should consider adding to your Costa Rica trip:
Tamarindo.
As soon as I arrived in Tamarindo I could tell that the town was surf crazy, as I drove past the surf schools, and Tamarindo Beach, which was filled with surfers.
So it shouldn’t be a surprise that I recommend a surf lesson during your stay!
If you are more chilled, then enjoying sunset and beers in the lively bars in Tamarindo is just as rewarding, as the nightlife in town is very fun, and safe for international tourists.
If seeing a crocodile is in your plans, then the estuary tour is a must also.
Montezuma.
Montezuma is located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, so the small bohemian town still enjoys the vast Pacific Ocean.
Although this small coastal town is much more quiet than Tamarindo, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy in Montezuma, including hiking to its beautiful waterfalls, taking a boat trip, and canopy tours.
Howler monkeys will often make an appearance at accommodations also, and if you can’t see them, you will definitely hear them!
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