About Arenal / La Fortuna
The perfect volcano cone, rainforest and the country's best natural hot springs.
La Fortuna sits in Costa Rica’s northern lowlands and serves as the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. It’s a required stop if you want rainforest hikes, waterfalls, and thermal hot springs in one trip.
Getting to this mountainous region can be tricky if you don’t know the local roads. Here’s what to do once you arrive, and how to get there without the stress.
Top things to do in La Fortuna
1. Soak in natural volcanic hot springs
Thanks to the geothermal activity of the Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna has natural hot springs throughout town. Spend an afternoon in mineral-rich, warm pools surrounded by tropical gardens. Options range from free public rivers to eco-resorts with swim-up bars and waterslides.
2. Walk across the hanging bridges
Get a view of the rainforest canopy from above. A local hanging bridges park lets you walk a series of suspension bridges high over the jungle floor, one of the best ways to spot monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds in their habitat.
3. Hike the Arenal Volcano trails
You can’t visit La Fortuna without getting close to the volcano itself. A guided hike through the national park takes you over old lava flows from past eruptions, with views of Lake Arenal and the volcano peak.
4. Swim at the La Fortuna Waterfall
The La Fortuna Waterfall drops over 200 feet from a jungle cliff. Hike down the 500 steps to reach the base, where you can swim in the clear river pools below.
How to get to La Fortuna safely
La Fortuna connects to San José, Liberia, and Manuel Antonio by winding mountain highways. Sharp curves, changing elevations, and sudden tropical rainstorms can make driving a rental car stressful.
A professional shuttle service is the easier way to travel. With door-to-door private and shared transfers, you can sit back and let an experienced local driver handle the mountain roads.
Ready to head to the adventure capital? Book your shuttle to La Fortuna with Beach Shuttles CR today!