La Fortuna is one of the best destinations in Costa Rica for any type of traveler. This friendly local town near Arenal Volcano offers a plethora of fun outdoor adventure, stunning natural beauty, abundant wildlife and delicious local food.
For those of you who plan to visit La Fortuna and are not sure what to do, this post will help you put together an epic itinerary whether you have 2, 3 or 4 days.
We have been visiting La Fortuna for over 15 years together and have put together a ton of different types of itineraries for friends, families and readers. We have a lot of local La Fortuna friends and we’re happy to share all our thoughts and experiences with you to help you plan the perfect trip to La Fortuna.
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La Fortuna Know Before You Go
Location: In the Alajuela province.
Distance from international airports: ~3 hours from Guanacaste Airport and San Jose International Airport by car. 4×4 not required.
How to get there: Direct public bus from San Jose, domestic flight from San Jose Domestic Terminal, private or shared shuttle, driving or a taxi-boat-taxi from Monteverde. Also can arrive as an interconnection from a Pacuare whitewater rafting tour from San Jose or Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean coast.
Airport: La Fortuna has its own domestic airport, 10 minutes outside downtown
La Fortuna Weather
Due to its location in the Northern Lowlands surrounded by tropical rainforest, La Fortuna is hot and humid all year long. Average day time temperatures are 80-85° F (26°-29° C). Average night time temperatures are low 70s° F (21° C).
La Fortuna follows the typical tropical Costa Rican climate with a dry and rainy season. Dry season is December through April, rainy season is May through November.
However as tropical rainforest, it can rain any time of the year in La Fortuna whether it’s a light sprinkle in March or heavy downpour in September.
You can visit La Fortuna any time of the year but the best time for the best weather is January through March for the driest climate. The rainiest month is October. The driest month is February.
If you visit during rainy season, you should schedule activities for the morning as it tends to start raining in the afternoons.
Be prepared: Get our full Costa Rica packing list and free packing check list here.
IMPORTANT: Sunrise and sunset is at 530 AM and 530 PM every day of the year, respectively.
La Fortuna 3 Day Itinerary
With so many awesome things to do in La Fortuna, you should definitely stay at least three nights to have two full days. Ideally, it would be best to have four nights to have three full days if you can fit it in your itinerary. I would recommend four nights if you will be in Costa Rica for at least 10 full days minimum.
Get our Two Weeks in Costa Rica Itinerary, 8 Days in Costa Rica Itinerary, 11 Days in Costa Rica Itinerary and 13 Days in Costa Rica Itinerary that includes La Fortuna to plan your Costa Rica vacation.
Traveling with kids? This itinerary works perfectly well with kids, but for kid specific tours, check out our Things to Do in La Fortuna with Kids post for specific details.
The itineraries below will show you to spend 1, 2, 3 and 4 days in La Fortuna. They combine a little bit of everything to experience the best of La Fortuna.
I will share how to do this itinerary with a rental car and without a rental car. Without a rental car, it is best to book a tour for the longer day trips. Click to get our La Fortuna tours discount to save some $$!
Recommended Hotels in La Fortuna
There are a ton of accommodation options at all price points, including hostels, Airbnbs, boutique B&Bs, resorts and standard hotels. Here are just a few of our recommended hotels.
Los Lagos Hotel: A great hotel for families. They have their own hot springs and pools and amazing views of Arenal Volcano. Standard rooms and one large villa available.
Amor Arenal: Gorgeous hotel for couples and honeymooners as it’s adult friendly (13 minimum age). Has luxury rooms and suites surrounded by rainforest and stunning views.
Xilapolo: Budget friendly hotel near downtown with a pool, hot breakfast, yummy food and friendly staff.
Day 1 of This La Fortuna 3 Day Itinerary: Hanging Bridges, National Park, Hot Springs
Buenos dias La Fortuna! For your first day, you’re going to do several activities and it’s going to be an active day, so get a good breakfast!
One of the best things about La Fortuna is that many of the attractions are within a 30 kilometer radius (18 miles) so you don’t have to travel too far. That makes it easy to visit multiple places in one day.
What to bring: Day pack, insulated water bottle with water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, completely closed comfortable walking shoes, camera, sunglasses, rain jacket or poncho if visiting during rainy season. You will not return to your hotel until the late afternoon.
Morning 830 AM: Hanging Bridges Walk
After breakfast, head to Mistico Park (also known as Arenal Hanging Bridges Park).
This eco park has a 3.2 km (1.98 mile) trail with hanging bridges that pass through the rainforest canopy so that visitors can immerse themselves in nature. On the trail, it is possible to see wildlife like howler monkeys, butterflies, snakes, birds and sloths, just to name a few.
We love this park, the trail is not very difficult and it is a wonderful introduction to La Fortuna and its natural beauty.
This trail is apt for children of all ages and seniors, as there is a 1.5 km universal trail (.93 mile) and a 250 meter (.15 miles) wheelchair specific trail.
What to Know: You can do the trail with a guide or self guided. If you want a guide to point out flora and fauna, book the guided tour. If you just want to walk and enjoy at your time, a self guided walk is fine. To do the whole trail on your own, it will take you a couple of hours.
If you have a rental car, you can drive there yourself (free parking). The park is 20 kms (12 miles) from La Fortuna downtown about a 30 minute drive. No 4×4 required. Make reservations on the website to secure your spot (required in high tourism season).
If you do not have a rental car, you can book a tour with roundtrip transportation, entrance fee, bilingual guide and refreshments included. With our partners, you will need to book a private tour if you children under the age of 5. You can also call an Uber from La Fortuna.
11 AM: Arenal Volcano National Park (15 minute drive)
After the hanging bridges walk, you’ll visit Arenal Volcano National Park, about a 15 minute drive away.
You will visit the main visitor center to walk a trail through the lava rocks and up to a couple of view points of Arenal Volcano. The trail you will walk is “Las Coladas” which is 2 km (1.4 miles) total and will take you around 1-1.5 hours.
At the end of this trail, there are two viewpoints. One of them has a very cool observation platform and you can get some epic views of the volcano super close.
What to know: The national park is open everyday from 8 AM to 4 PM. You can purchase park tickets upon arrival, credit card only ($15 + tax per adult, $5 + tax per child). There is free parking. 4×4 not required to the main parking lot.
If you do not have a rental car, you can book a tour that combines both hanging bridges and the volcano hike. Children must be at least 5 years of age for shared services, or else you will have to book a private tour for children under 5. For self guided walks, there is no minimum age. If you book a tour, most companies will go to Arenal 1968 reserve instead of the national park but the hike is very similar and with nearly same views.
If you have a rental car, you can add on a visit to the Peninsula Sector for a short walk through the rainforest to see amazing views of Lake Arenal. Go to the Peninsula sector first after the hanging bridges, and you can use the same park ticket for the Visitor Center. The drive between the two sectors is only 10 minutes. The trails in the Peninsula sector are only 1.8 kms (1.1 miles) total on a flat, concrete path.
Lunch
After all that walking, you’re bound to be hungry and now it’s time for lunch. We recommend to Cafeteria y Restuarante Rain Forest Arenal, which is road side on Route 142 going towards La Fortuna. They have delicious coffee, desserts, local food, sandwiches and empanadas.
Our favorite is their stuffed empanadas with cabbage, a cup of coffee and then a piece of cake for dessert. We’ve had this exact meal at Rainforest Cafe for so many years and it is always good!
If you booked the tour with the hanging bridges and volcano hike, lunch is included. It will be a traditional Costa Rica lunch of rice, beans, salad, protein, fruit juice, coffee and small local dessert.
Hotel
Head back to your hotel, by now should be in the late afternoon or so. You’ll shower, rest, relax, nap and freshen up.
Night: Hot Springs
Tonight, you’ll enjoy one of the best things about La Fortuna: the natural hot springs. If your hotel does not have their own hot springs and pools, you can purchase day passes to the many hot springs resorts open to the public.
You can check our post on Best Hot Springs in La Fortuna in the link to get our recommendations. Personally, we love Ecotermales, Tabacon and The Springs Resort and Spa.
Tabacon is a luxury hot springs resort with many natural river pools and waterfalls. MUST book your passes EARLY for Tabacon! This resort is so photogenic with meticulously landscaped waterfalls and gardens.
Ecotermales has a few natural pools and one river section, like a mid tier hot springs resort. It’s not as big but they have lush gardens and a well lit, well maintained path throughout the property. Their restaurant is excellent.
The Springs Resort is the biggest, with two separate hot springs sections with many natural and man made pools and a fun water slide. The lower level by Club Rio has river views. Awesome for kids. We have a small discount for The Springs Resort Hot Springs Pass to save some $$. Plus, their pass is good for two consecutive days.
Baldi is another option that is great for families as they have water slides, caves and a dedicated kid section. It’s also super fun with friend groups. Our friends loved the water slide, caves and swim up bar with music and tvs.
All of these hot springs resorts are within a 15 minute drive from downtown La Fortuna. If you do not have a car, you can call an Uber.
Dinner
Tabacon, Ecotermales and Baldi offer an option to add dinner to their hot springs pass. If you do not opt for their dinner pass, you can grab dinner somewhere else in La Fortuna.
Recommendations: We recommend La Fortuna Pub, Pollos Fortueñoes or Kenkos. Nice places for families and adults alike, moderate prices. Kenkos has sushi, pizza, local food and burgers. Their rice with chicken is delicious. La Fortuna Pub has sandwiches, burgers, salads. Pollos Fortueñoes has a chicken specific menu with nachos, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads and the like. Vegetarian options available at all places.
Day 2 of This La Fortuna 3 Day Itinerary: Safari Float, La Fortuna Waterfall, Night Walk
Today is a day of nature and wildlife! Get to see some of La Fortuna’s most prized animals.
What to bring: day pack, rain jacket if rainy season, hat, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, swimsuit, towels, comfortable clothes, comfortable walking shoes/cloed toed hiking sandals and water shoes. You will not return to the hotel until late afternoon.
Morning 8 AM: Peñas Blancas Safari Float
In the morning, you’ll get picked up to go on a safari float down the Peñas Blancas river. This is a leisurely 3 hour excursion to see wildlife and nature. The Peñas Blancas safari float is an awesome tour for families and adults alike. Kids must be 4 years of age to participate.
You’ll have opportunities to see animals like howler monkeys, white face monkeys, iguanas, caimans, bats, river birds and sloths. After the float, you’ll stop by a local house for some tasty snacks and fruit juice.
You will return back to La Fortuna around 11 AM.
1130 AM: La Fortuna Waterfall
Next, you’ll visit La Fortuna waterfall. From downtown La Fortuna, the waterfall is a 10 minute drive (5.3 km or 3.3 miles) and it has free parking. For those without a car, call an Uber which costs ~$5 USD per way for Comfort.
If you are a little hungry after the float, grab a few empanadas from Empanadas Argentinas “El Buen Guesto” or pastries from Panaderia La Principal La Fortuna in town.
As one of the gems in the entire Arenal area, La Fortuna waterfall is the quintessential postcard perfect waterfall in the jungle.
What to know: There are changing rooms and bathrooms so you may bring your swimsuit to change into. Towels are not provided, bring your own. $18 USD entrance fee per adult.
To get to the waterfall pool, you must walk about 400 steps down. Go slow and enjoy the walk. If you’re not in the best shape, there are hand rails and places to rest along the way. The steps may take you around 10-15 minutes.
You will spend about 1.5-2 hours at the waterfall.
Alternative option: If you are on an extremely tight budget, you can visit the free rope swing in the La Fortuna River. You do not see the waterfall, but it’s the same river from the waterfall. Lots of locals come here to swing on the rope, bathe in the river and hang out. It’s called “El Salto (Rope Swing) on Google Maps.
130 PM Lunch
Recommended lunch options are Organico Fortuna (veg/organic options), Soda La Hormiga (local food) and Restaurant Garra Pata (great Costa Rican barbecue restaurant). Garra Pata is one of our favorites for meat. La Hormiga is cheaper.
Hotel
Now you’ll head to your hotel to rest before the night time activity: a night walk.
530 PM Night Walk
Tonight you will experience the jungle come alive when the sun goes down. As the La Fortuna has primary and secondary rain forest, it is a great place to see nocturnal animals such as frogs, snakes and insects.
Our partners run an exclusive night walk on their private reserve, they tend to have a lot more frogs and snakes. Kids must be 6 years of age for this tour. Click here to book the tour with our La Fortuna tours discount! If you have kids younger than 6 years, make a night walk reservation with Ecocentro Danaus as they allow young children. 8 minute drive from downtown La Fortuna.
Walking through the rainforest in the pitch black, with nothing but your local guide and a flashlight to guide you is a wild experience!
Even though some people may be scared of snakes, I thought it was fascinating to see them out in the wild and learn about them. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and knew exactly how to handle every encounter with each snake, as we saw quite a few.
Must bring: Long pants, completely closed shoes, rain jacket in rainy season (although I recommend it in dry season too, to protect against mosquitoes). The guide will give you a flashlight.
Duration: 2.5 hours. Return back to hotel around 8 PM.
Dinner
Head to Mercadito Arenal. They have sushi, burgers, tacos, pizza and ice cream. Something for everyone. They close at 945 PM.
Day 3 of This La Fortuna 3 Day Itinerary: Cooking Class
Day 3 is a relaxing day. Wake up whenever, sleep in, lay on your hammock, nap. Just relax and chill for the morning. If you have kids, go to the pool, swim and enjoy the morning.
Morning: Canyoning (Optional)
If you want to do something, we recommend a La Fortuna canyoning tour for adventure. This is a waterfall rappelling tour that is SUPER fun! Jump down four waterfalls, deep in the rainforest. I LOVE this tour when it comes to adventure because it is non stop heart pumping fun!
Kids must be at least 5 years old to participate on this tour. Transportation included.
This is a half day tour with pick up around 730 AM and return around 1130 AM. Lunch is included. Must bring your swimsuit, clothes that can get wet, water sandals or water shoes and change of clothes.
Lunch/Brunch
If you decide not to do anything in the morning, Cafe and Restaurant Raul Castaño Fortuna Mirador is a nice spot for lunch with a view. Free parking on site.
Afternoon 230 PM Cooking Class
Today you’ll learn how to be a Costa Rican cook for a day. You’ll spend a couple hours touring an organic farm and learning about important Costa Rican crops and sustainable farming practices. Then you’ll pick your ingredients, bring them to the kitchen and start the fire!
For the afternoon tour, you will be making a traditional Costa Rican dish, called the casado. It’s made up of rice, beans, salad and a protein, for this class it will be chicken. Vegetarian options available.
Minimum age to join this class is 3 years. If you have children younger than 3, you can book this as a private tour and all the little ones can join the fun. Click here to book the cooking class with our La Fortuna tours discount. If you require a private tour, just write it in the comment section.
The afternoon cooking class ends around 530 PM. You will get to eat your yummy dish at the end so that’ll be like an early dinner. Cooking portion is outdoor, under roof. Farm tour is completely outdoors.
Bring a rain jacket, closed toed shoes, comfortable clothes. Transportation included.
Evening/Night
Tonight, you have a free night. Here are our recommendations.
The Park Downtown: We love this little park. Many locals go there to hang out after work and school, hang out with family and friends, walk their dog and just wind down the day. It’s a very safe and relaxing place to grab an ice cream from Chocolateria Fusion and sit in the park.
Hot Springs: You can go back to the hot springs if you want. Highly recommend it!
Massage: La Fortuna is a hub for wellness and there are many local spas in town. Many of them close at 8 PM, like Asiel Spa. We like this one as they normally run a $35 USD for 1 hour relaxing massage promo and they are super nice.
Day 4 of This La Fortuna 3 Days Itinerary
If you have four full days, then lucky you! Here are our ideas for the fourth day.
Morning 10 AM: 3 Hour ATV Tour
Gear up for some adventure! Rev up your engine and ride through muddy rainforest trails and backcountry roads for epic views of Arenal Volcano on this 3 hour Arenal Volcano ATV tour.
Children with a minimum age of 5 years will ride with a guide. Must be 16 to drive own ATV. If you have little kids, we recommend the 2 hour Arenal Volcano ATV tour instead.
Must bring: Wear your swimsuit if you want to swim in the river, towels, camera, adventure camera with mount, closed toed shoes. A neck covering like Buff will be helpful in dry season.
Transportation is included. You can also drive yourself to the ATV headquarters, 12 minute drive from downtown La Fortuna. We went with Outback.
Lunch
The Open Kitchen. They have a sandwiches, shawarma, souvlaki, hummus, shakshuka, salads, soup and all day breakfast. Their bread is delicouis. One of our favorites in La Fortuna. They also have one in Monteverde.
Afternoon
Drive to one of our favorite viewpoints of Arenal Volcano. It’s called “Shailee’s Arenal Volcano View Point” on Google Maps. It’s a free spot by the Agua Caliente Rio and every time we go, there’s never many people there so it feels like a private river.
When the volcano is clear, it is spectacular! Back when Arenal Volcano used to spew lava, this is the spot tour guides would bring tourists as you’d get the perfect view of the lava coming down on this side of the volcano.
Here, you can park your car by the bridge and walk down to the river. You might see toucans flying around or some coatimundos scavenging nearby! Be careful not to leave any belongings visible in your car here.
You can spend an hour or so here.
If you do not have a rental car, you can take a red taxi but I recommend to call an Uber. You should also be able to call Ubers back to Fortuna from this spot (although you might need to wait a bit).
Optional Activity: Sloth Walk
If you want to see sloths, there is an easy trail right near downtown La Fortuna called Bogarin Trail. They offer self guided and guided walks through this reserve, mainly to see sloths. You can show up without reservations for self guided walk. In high season, best to make reservations. We saw 5 sloths during this walk!
10 minute walk from downtown La Fortuna. You can Uber there from the viewpoint.
Dinner
Travesia. Best to make reservations. Excellent Costa Rican-fusion food.
End of Your La Fortuna 3 Day Itinerary
And your 2 and 4 day La Fortuna itinerary!
We hope this post La Fortuna 3 day Itinerary helps you plan your trip. You do not have to follow this itinerary exactly, you can switch activities depending on what you want to do because believe me, there is a LOT to do in La Fortuna!
That is why we highly recommend the very least, three nights in La Fortuna to have two full days. Even with two full days, it really isn’t enough to experience all of La Fortuna but you will have a great time nonetheless.
Note: I did not include ziplining in this itinerary, but you can go ziplining in La Fortuna. There are a ton of ziplining tours that are very fun. The reason I did not include it is because there are a lot of ziplining tours throughout Costa Rica, particularly in Guanacaste and Monteverde. If you plan to visit those places, you have opportunities to zipline there as well.
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