Costa Rica’s region of Arenal/La Fortuna offers a unique blend of action-packed outdoor activities, relaxing hot springs, and a little town in the shadow of a majestic volcano. My wife and I visited the area with group tour, and I totally understand why so many travelers stop there! Here are my top reasons you should visit Arenal/La Fortuna on your Costa Rica itinerary.
Overview of Arenal and La Fortuna
Arenal is a volcano in Costa Rica’s northern lowlands about 3 hours’ drive from San Jose. The area is famous for hot springs fueled by the sleeping volcano, and it has become a hub for adventure activities like whitewater rafting and ziplining. Arenal area has excellent tourist infrastructure, with resort-y hotels and well established tour operators running daily activities. The center of activity is La Fortuna, a tiny town with just enough restaurants to lure hungry tourists away from their hotels.
Brief History of Arenal and La Fortuna
Agriculture was once the main activity in this area, but things changed after Arenal suddenly sprang to life. In 1968, a huge and explosive eruption caught locals by surprise, burying three villages entirely and killing dozens of people. The town of La Fortuna (literally “the fortune”) was spared–believe it or not, that was the name before the eruption. Soon it became a destination for tourists hoping to get a peek at the active volcano. When eruptions started calming down in the 2000s, focus shifted toward hot springs and a growing interest in ecotourism that continues today.
Arenal’s Volcanic Views
The first thing you’ll notice in La Fortuna is the majestic cone of Arenal Volcano (Volcán Arenal) rising in the distance. With a height around 5400 ft., it’s a singular peak you can see from just about everywhere nearby. Arenal’s conical summit is wreathed in ever-shifting clouds and topped with a tiny plume of steam that still rises from within the volcano. It’s like watching a perpetual screensaver! If you want a clear view, mid-morning is when the winds usually sweep clouds away for a while.
You can hike the areas around the volcano, but hiking to the summit is illegal due to safety and preservation concerns. Or just enjoy the views as you’re doing other actives around the area.
Arenal’s Hot Springs
Arenal’s hot springs are a perfect way to relax and soak in the atmosphere. The springs feature naturally hot, mineral-rich water that flows into man-made pools. There are several options at different levels of price and luxuriousness, so I’d recommend reading some reviews to decide what’s your style.
I visited the hot springs at Hotel Los Lagos and really enjoyed spending some time relaxing there. The hot springs are attached to a resort hotel, but you can buy a day pass for about $30 USD. Los Lagos has a bunch of different pools, starting with hot-tub temperature pools at the top, then a large lukewarm pool with a swim-up bar (nice!), and finally a couple of cold pools. There’s even a water slide. The atmosphere is unique, sort of like a bunch of hotel pools all camouflaged into the rainforest.
Whitewater Rafting
When looking at the action-packed activities in Arenal, the one that stood out to my wife and I was whitewater rafting. There are two rivers in the area good for rafting: the Balsa and the Sarapiqui. Both of them have Class II-III rapids that are suitable for beginners. I went with Desafio Adventure and would recommend them ($80 USD). A few other local companies offer similar trips.
For me, this was actually my first time whitewater rafting (read: I was nervous). Our guide explained it like this: whitewater rafting is a sport, and they offer the most extreme version of the sport they can safely do with beginners. Guides give you commands of when to paddle to navigate you through the rapids. You get a life jacket, helmet, and paddle, then before you know it, you’re zooming down the river like a giant water slide! When you’re not busy paddling for dear life, there’s lovely scenery and animals to spot along the river banks.
La Fortuna’s Walkable Town
The town of La Fortuna has a mix of touristy restaurants and shops standing alongside the small-town basics. In the center there’s a small park with lovely landscaping (also where you can easily find a taxi). Most places of interest are within a few blocks of the park, including a good range of restaurants and bars. If you’re looking for something more local, eat at one of the “sodas” that offer typical local food at affordable prices. You’ll also find plenty of shops selling famous Costa Rican products like coffee, chocolate, and sloth-themed merchandise.
Chocolate Fusion, a Must-Try Eatery
Speaking of La Fortuna’s town area, one place I would definitely stop is Chocolate Fusion. I know it may seem oddly specific, but hear me out. Chocolate Fusion is a shining beacon of deliciousness, a combination chocolate maker, coffee shop, and ice cream shop right in the middle of town. Chocolate is their specialty, with many flavors of chocolate candy on offer and a selection of other desserts. They even make a hot chocolate drink called Bebida de los Dioses–the god’s drink!
Chocolate Fusion has a nice cafe setup inside if you want to stay and eat. They also have a retail section if you need to take some Costa Rican chocolate products with you!
Wildlife Watching Around La Fortuna
Everyone heading to Costa Rica wants to see the wildlife, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to see animals around Arenal. You don’t necessarily have to go out looking for animals to find them either. I was lucky to see these sloths near the highway on the way there! (We also saw one while whitewater rafting too, but I couldn’t get a picture of that one.) The hotel where we stayed had a garden where we saw toucans and lots of other birds. They’re everywhere!
To be honest, we didn’t do any wildlife-specific activities in La Fortuna. I talked to some folks who did a “safari float” that seems like a good option.
More Adrenaline-Fueled Activities
I try not to recommend activities unless I’ve actually done them, but I feel compelled to acknowledge there are many adrenaline-fueled activities popular in La Fortuna. I wish I could have stayed to do more! I stand by my pick of whitewater rafting, but here are a few other activities that folks I talked to enjoyed:
- Waterfall Canyoning – Desafio Adventures offers a canyoning trip that’s a mix of hiking, rappelling, and a bit of swimming. If you want to get into the more extreme side of activities, this is your chance! I was too intimidated to try it.
- La Fortuna Waterfall – Possibly the most famous waterfall in Costa Rica, you can hike down to the 500 steps to the base of this impressive cascade. It’s a really beautiful waterfall, just be ready to make the long trek back up those stairs!
- Ziplining – The phenomenon of jungle ziplining started in Costa Rica. You can find ziplines throughout the country, including several courses around La Fortuna.
Tips for Visiting Arenal/La Fortuna
When to Visit Arenal/La Fortuna – The best time to visit is during the dry season from roughly December to April. You’ll find smaller crowds during the rainy season, but be prepared for some downpours!
Getting to La Fortuna – If you’re touring around Costa Rica, your best bet is to rent a car and drive (it’s around 3 hours from San Jose). If you’re not driving, you can take a bus. Shuttle buses run from San Jose and its airport for around $50. There is a cheaper local bus, but be warned that it’s not the most user-friendly system.
Scheduling Activities in Arenal/La Fortuna – Activities in Arenal can fill up, so try to book at least a week in advance to get your preferred times. Most activities can be done in a half-day, but transportation can be slow. I wouldn’t try to do more than two planned activities per day.
What to Pack for Arenal/La Fortuna – There are many water-based activities in La Fortuna, so I recommend bringing extra swimming clothes, a packable microfiber towel, water shoes, and a small dry bag. And bring a reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated in tropical weather is a challenge!
