Theres a lot to keep visitors busy throughout the tiny country! While you dont need a car if you stay near the downtown, you might want one if youre staying closer to Arenal Volcano where things are more spread out. With that said, there is plenty of room to take photos and enjoy the view even with the crowds. La Fortuna - Travel guide at Wikivoyage The strato volcano is built upon layers of ash, rock and lava with a height of 1633 meters. There is a short section up to the lava rocks where it is a little steep and you need to be careful walking around the rocks so if you have bad ankles/knees or have a lot of trouble walking on rocks or on uneven surfaces, we dont recommend it. Visitors can enjoy the gorgeous sights and sounds of the jungle around the waterfall with huge rocks, flowers, and greenery. The staff are all locals who are friendly and welcoming. And for one of the best viewpoints, visit the Arenal Observatory. To get there, fly into SJO or LIR; stay in La Fortuna, Nuevo Arenal or Tilarn. 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) I stayed here on my first visit to La Fortuna and loved it. However, that was not our biggest problem :-). Payment for park tickets are by credit card only no cash payment accepted. , located about 1.5 kilometers outside town. This is a blog about our travel and Foodie adventures, with trip reports and other info that may inspire you. It is also . The swim up bar was super fun for my legal-drinking kids. Our transfer to La Fortuna was a bit longer than expected. There is also a short trail to a large Ceiba tree, Sendero El Ceibo. The most famous attraction within the national park is Arenal Volcano, which is coincidently the most famous volcano in Costa Rica. I also want to mention that if the water ever turns brown, you must leave the water immediately. This small, open-air restaurant is a few blocks off the main square. Best of all, you get to zip line right over La Fortuna Waterfall for incredible views that cant be experienced anywhere else. The town is centered on a beautiful park with colorful gardens and a large church. We highly recommend visiting this place. Altamira Restaurant. And, the rooms were very clean. We stayed 3 nights and it was a wonderful way to start our vacation in Costa Rica. More lodging is on the road leading to the volcano and Lake Arenal. They now have sturdy concrete steps down to the falls, but there are about 500 of them so be ready for a little exercise. | Privacy Policy. The unique topography and excellent climate makes for exceptional birding all year round in Arenal. For more info about the hanging bridges in La Fortuna (and others around the country), check out our post. It's also important to note that on many days clouds obscure the top. Arenal Travel Guide (Updated 2023) We enjoyed our last moments in the hot springs and had a light lunch before leaving. However, this walk will be around 45 minutes or so as it is a couple miles away to the visitor center. September 8, 2022 - 75 likes, 3 comments - shey (@stanleypushbricks) on Instagram: "Beneath the Volcano Got to hike a short distance up Arenal Volcano, situated in a National P." shey on Instagram: "Beneath the Volcano Got to hike a short distance up Arenal Volcano, situated in a National Park, which is also accompanied by Chato Volcano. Taxi fares within La Fortuna - La Fortuna de San Carlos Forum Other items you might want to consider bringing include bug repellent, water bottles, and snacks. Arenal Volcano National Park ( Spanish: Parque Nacional Volcn Arenal) is a Costa Rican national park in the central part of the country, part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area. 313. La Fortuna is best for nature lovers, adventurers, couples, solo travelers and families. You can also check out Airbnb and VRBO for vacation rentals. The waterfall is fed by the Fortuna River and empties into a pristine greenish-blue water pool at the cliffs base. How to Spend 3 Days in La Fortuna, Costa Rica - LIKE THE DRUM We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past. is located on the road to La Fortuna Waterfall. Reservations recommended. Other amenities include plenty of benches along the trail as well as some hangers for your towels near the swimming area in the river. northwest of San Jos, the capital city of Costa Rica. Peas Blancas River Safari . They also have more spacious Master Suites for $400-750/night. La Fortuna translates to the fortune in English, and those who have the opportunity to visit the waterfall are fortunate indeed. Also we highly recommend closed toed shoes like sneakers, comfortable walking shoes, trail running shoes, light hiking shoes. Report inappropriate content 1-10 of 24 replies Sorted by 1 2 3 volcanogirl Houston, Texas What are the best outdoor activities in La Fortuna de San Carlos? Very pleased with our two days in La Fortuna, we left for the next leg of our trip : Monteverde. Its an especially good idea if you plan to visit during the busiest times of the day so that you dont get caught waiting in a long line. I have to say that a visit to the hot springs when it is dark is quite special. The buses can also be very crowded and hot so just be prepared! Also, one should not forget to take enough water because the activity was hot and sweaty from start to finish. For the whole experience, head to one of the resorts like Tabacon or EcoTermales where you can soak in luxurious gardens. But does La Fortuna live up to the hype? Arenal Volcano National Park They let us come back the next day with our bracelets for a self-guided tour. A 2.5-hour hike through the lush primary rainforest will cross over 16 unique hanging bridges known as the Mistico Hanging Bridges. La Fortuna Waterfall opens every day at 7 am and stays open until 5 pm in the afternoon. Many people dont actually know about this swimming spot and miss it completely. In this post, we share our insider tips to this quaint town and tell you why following the tourist trail to La Fortuna is still worth it. Check Availability and Prices Here. Paying out of pocket for trip interruptions or medical treatment will add to what might already be a stressful situation. Translating to pure life in English, the phrase embodies the heart and soul of Costa Rica. There are more possibilities to see animals like monkeys, agoutis, peccaries and birds. For an amazing view, check out Jalapas Restaurant. Arenal Volcano area is an important watershed for the Arenal Lake Reservoir. Arenal Volcano is 148 kilometers (92 miles) northwest of San Jose. Although there is a cafe near the entrance to the waterfall, I suggest checking out one of the best restaurants in La Fortuna! How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions youll make when planning your holiday here! Before 2010, it used to spew lava and rocks. Day 3: Relax and enjoy the hot springs. Read our guide for essential info on what clothing and gear youll need. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. Right before this photo was taken, the volcano was nowhere to be seen so we waited for 30 minutes and the clouds went away for a few minutes, allowing us to see Volcan Arenal. Though the destinations are near each other geographically, they are separated by Arenal Lake and vast protected land areas including the Arenal Volcano National Park and the Children's Eternal Rainforest. Arenal Volcano is located in north-western Costa Rica, around 94 miles / 150 Km or 3.30 hrs. The trails, Sendero Colada 1968 and Tucanes are relatively short at 3.4 and 2 kilometers (2.1 miles and 1.2 miles), going through secondary forest and lava fields. Whaw, this is a (touristic) but really beautiful and professional place! There were also several pools with swim up bars - the drinks here were good, but a little on the expensive side ($12 cocktails and $7 beers). A clear sky was not very frequent the last days, so we were very fortunate. Waterfall Rappelling and Whitewater Rafting: Another exciting adventure to consider on your trip to La Fortuna Waterfall is this tour that combines whitewater rafting and waterfall rappelling. If you need a break from typical cuisine, grab a table at Chifa La Familia Feliz. This gives you a great view of the entire area, and you can really see just how beautiful the waterfall is from above. They have everything you would expect, like homemade ravioli, gnocchi, lasagna, foccacia, and pizza. There are some Ubers in La Fortuna and around the national park. *. During the pandemic, theyve even gone as far as to pay for our last-minute flights back to Canada before the border closed! Related Read: Learn about the best places to go ziplining in Costa Rica! Great last day activity in La Fortuna - Worth the day pass! A big part of the menu is their smoked meat and seafood specialties. Read our Arenal Volcano National Park to plan your visit. It has spacious, clean rooms with volcano views, but the main draw is the big, multi-layered pool. There is a bridge at the bottom of the stairs, and you will see the waterfall on the right side. This offers ample time to take in the sights and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. If zip lining and hanging bridges are on your list, youre in luck because La Fortuna is one of the best destinations in the country for these activities. Restaurants. Read our disclosure policy for more info. The best part is that it only costs $45 USD per 4 weeks. Are taxis readily available inside La Fortuna? Arenal Volcano is active, although it is now only smoking. The staff were amazing and after the tour I told them I couldnt find a sloth and they came with me into the forest to make sure I got to see one. This trendy cafe and restaurant has eclectic food that you wont find anywhere else in La Fortuna. However, swimming right at the base of the falls isnt recommended unless you are a strong swimmer. This affordable travel and medical insurance is perfect for digital nomads, long-term travelers, and remote workers. Arenal La Fortuna Costa Rica - Travel Excellence If youve rented a car, you can easily drive yourself from La Fortuna town by following google maps or hire a taxi from the town for around $15 USD each way. Hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park The views are absolutely beautiful! You can sit in the river above the waterfall and pool for the rope swing. When we visited last July, it rained almost 3 days straight but we got a few minutes of the volcano 100% clear! They also include a delicious breakfast. La Fortuna is a haven for almost 500 of the 900+ bird species possible to see in Costa Rica. The La Fortuna Waterfall entrance fee for foreigners to visit the waterfall is $18 USD per adult and $5 per child under the age of 9. After I had taken enough pictures, we went up to the Shangri-La gardens for a light lunch. With the help of community enterprise and sustainable ventures like ADIFORT. High-end dining options are typically located athotels andresorts, while smaller, local places are scattered throughout town and the surrounding area. 10 Best Tamarindo Tours and Excursions You NEED to Check Out! You can do almost all of the quintessential Costa Rica adventure tours out of La Fortuna. Things to Do in La Fortuna de San Carlos. Not to worry, SafetyWing is here to help! Here is our list of the best things to do in La Fortuna including day trips from La Fortuna. After receiving a bracelet with a number (to keep track of your expenses) at the reception, you get your towels and a key for a locker at the changing rooms. In fact, its popular to day trip from San Jose to La Fortuna Waterfall if you dont have time to stay in La Fortuna. Begin your 8-hour excursion with a pick-up at your hotel in Fortuna Town and embark upon the canyoning tour, which includes a rock climb, a stunning rappel down the waterfall, and a zipline. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 15 Things to Know Before Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall +Complete Guide, in La Fortuna, be sure to check out all of the hot springs, book your tickets in advance at no extra cost and skip the line, Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket, Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Authentic Costa Rican Lunch, and Arenal Volcano Hike, Waterfall Rappelling and Whitewater Rafting, the best places to go ziplining in Costa Rica, 15 BEST Tours in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, 10 BEST Places to go Scuba Diving in Costa Rica, 10 BEST Tours and Places to go Kayaking in Costa Rica. After lots of adventurous hikes and activities earlier in the week, the hot springs were a fantastic way to unwind and relax before moving onto the next city. Standing at a lofty 1,633 meters (5,358 feet), this cone-shaped giant can be seen for miles around, but its worth the effort to get a closer look. The cafe makes one of the better burgers Ive had in a while. 15 Things to Know Before Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall +Complete Guide Enjoying the hot springs in La Fortuna- doesnt get much better than this! They were able to point it out and gave me some more advice on where to spot other animals. Both are wonderful for leisurely hiking. Entry is included in your ticket price, so why wouldnt you go!? Follow the Coladas de Lava (Lava flow) trail and you will walk out of the forest and through some lava fields. This family-run hotel has 24 comfortable cabins and an on-site spa and thermal pools. Galeria Onirica, Avenue 331, just west of Fortuna Park. You will come to a clearing of lava rocks where you will get a spectacular view of the volcano. Mytanfeet is full of local tips, detailed guides, photos, videos and maps to help you plan the perfect trip to Costa Rica.