One of my favourite places in Costa Rica had to be La Fortuna. This hip and trendy area is not only home to a backpackers paradise, but also some of the best activities in the country. There really is no shortage of things to do in La Fortuna. Here is a quick guide to the absolute must-do things.
Things to do in La Fortuna | Exploring Arenal
Hike the 1968 Arenal Volcano Trail
Arenal Volcano is arguably the most iconic view in La Fortuna. Whilst it is usually consumed in clouds, people can get lucky and see the top of this gorgeous mountain.
The 1968 trail has to be the best way to appreciate the volcano. The walk is fairly long (almost 5km) and lasts about 90 minutes. It is also over some pretty challenging terrain through the jungle. However, all of this is totally worth it when you reach the viewpoint, allowing you some of the best views of the volcano in the country.
The route is also home to plenty of wildlife. We were able to see lots of different species of birds, as well as a few other animals like snakes, insects and frogs!
As an alternative, you can even take a ride around the Arenal National Park on horseback…
Take a Dip in the Hot Springs
One of the best things to do in La Fortuna is swimming in the hot springs. Because of the geothermal location, the water in this area is warm and is a major tourist attraction.
Some hotels, such as Tabacon, have these open to guests all day, so you won’t need to go far. If, like us, you aren’t staying at one of these hotels you have two options. Firstly, you can buy a day pass from a hotel, with prices ranging anywhere from $25 – $80 depending on the place. I should say that some of these hotels have breathtakingly beautiful hot springs and are perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring.
The second option is free, but is a bit more rustic. Many of the locals actually go to the Tabacon river to enjoy the thermal water and tourists are able to join in too. Apparently, there are pickpockets and scammers who operate in these areas, so make sure that are careful during your visit.
Traditional Cooking Class
One of our favourite activities during our trip had to be the traditional cooking class. I loved learning about how the traditional food was produced and hearing from a local expert on making it.
Our cooking class was part of our stay at Lomas Del Volcan. Other hotels also run these, so make sure that you ask when you arrive. If however you are backpacking / staying at a BnB, then there are some good options in and around La Fortuna.
Hanging Bridges
Our hanging bridge experience was one of the best moments we had in Costa Rica. I love being fully immersed in nature and have the opportunity to spot some of the rarer animals in the canopy.
The place to do this is Mistico Hanging Bridges Park, which has 600 acres of land for you to explore. It is completely private too and well looked after. Whilst Monteverde is famous for these, I would definitely recommend doing this here. You’ll get a completely different perspective and will see different animals. It is also less dense than the cloud forest so it should be easier to spot elusive animals.
Lake Arenal
Being the biggest lake in Costa Rica, Lake Arenal is a must-see when in La Fortuna. Funnily enough it is a man-made lake and not natural. It is also a water-sport paradise.
All around La Fortuna you will see different tours here where you can have a go at various sports. You can go paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing or even windsurfing. It is also completely safe; you won’t find any crocodiles here.
We also crossed the lake on our way to Monteverde. As a less-direct, but more picturesque, route, you have the option to travel across via boat. We loved this as an alternative to minibus; we were quite sick of them by this point!
La Fortuna Waterfall
One of the most iconic things to do in La Fortuna is, of course, see the La Fortuna waterfall. It plunges down 75 metres through the jungle and is just stunning.
To get here, you can take a quick taxi, or just sign up to one of the many tours in the town. Entrance is also $18.00 and that includes access to the waterfall, viewpoint and cafeteria. You can also swim here too, but make sure you stay close to the rocks around the edge. The waterfall makes the pool quite dangerous.
If you also just want to head into the river, try the El Salto rope swing. This is a lesser-known part of La Fortuna and is just a few minutes outside.
Wildlife Tours
La Fortuna is one of the best places to see wildlife in Costa Rica. I was really surprised when we arrived at just how biodiverse it really is.
Firstly, a night tour is just a must here. You can find these pretty much anywhere, even at hotels. You’ll find yourself trekking through the jungle (with a guide) where you can see frogs, snakes, spiders and loads more.
The majority of the wildlife tours are found in the centre of the town. One of the most common sights are ‘Sloth Tours’. Sloths are also really common in this part of the country and these tours get you up close and personal with these gorgeous animals. Other tours focus on frogs or birds.
Lastly, you have the option of a river tour. We did this in Tortuguero and absolutely loved it. However, I would say that you are unlikely to see as much in La Fortuna, so perhaps save the boat tours for the other National Parks.
Final Thoughts | Things to do in La Fortuna
La Fortuna and the surrounding area was one of the most special part of our trip to Costa Rica. I loved the scenery, wildlife, people and food; it was just everything I imagined when I thought of Costa Rica. The list above covers most of the activities you can do and you really can spend as long as you like in this area. If you think I’ve missed anything then please let me know; I love to hear from you.
