Two Days in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

La Fortuna is a popular tourist town in the north of Costa Rica, just under a three hour drive away from the country’s capital of San José. Literally translated to “the fortune,” La Fortuna is supposedly named for the good fortune it experienced during the 1968 eruption of Arenal Volcano – the city’s neighboring attraction.

Having been dormant for over four centuries, Arenal Volcano took its surrounding villages by surprise that year with an unexpected and relentless eruption that lasted several days. Ash and lava wreaked havoc on the area’s crops, livestock, and properties, with the volcanic activity ultimately burying the towns that sat to the west of Arenal’s peak and killing at least around 90 locals. El Burío, a village located on the eastern side of the volcano, fared more favorably during the natural disaster than its western counterparts – and even began to attract many tourists looking to marvel at the now active volcano.

Through luck avoiding the devastation that fell upon its neighbors, El Burío was renamed “La Fortuna” from that point on, and is now also nicknamed the “adventure capital of Costa Rica.” Read below for our recommendations of the best things to do during your stay in La Fortuna.

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1. Glide Down the Sky Trek Zip Lines

One of the most popular tourist activities in Costa Rica, you don’t want to leave La Fortuna without completing the Sky Trek zip line hosted by Skyline Adventures. This series of cables is set amid canopies of dense rainforest with overviews of both the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal.

Your adventure will start with a gondola ride up to your first platform, where your instructor will show you how to use the zip-line and allow a small practice run on your way to the bigger series. You will also get the chance to take some photos in front of the lake, trees, and volcano before you begin your descent.

The zip-line course is made up of seven cables in total, with a maximum height of 200m (656ft) and the longest line around 750m (2460ft). Adult tickets for the Sky Trek cost $87.36 USD (59,000 colones) and include transportation to & from your hotel.

La Fortuna Zip Lines

2. Swim in La Fortuna Waterfall

La Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata La Fortuna), is one of the most impressive and beautiful waterfalls around La Fortuna. With a drop of around 70 meters (230 ft), this waterfall is too forceful to swim directly under, but is a stunning setting to swim around.

To get to the falls, you’ll have to hike down a short but steep path and cross through La Fortuna River. Once there you can climb up to a small wooden landing to view the waterfall or leave your things on the surrounding rocks and jump into the pool!

Since the waterfall is located within the Arenal Volcano National Park, tickets are required to access the trail. The standard entrance price is $18 USD (12,000 colones) for one adult and $5 USD (3,300 colones) for kids.

Group Tour With Waterfall

Check Availability

3. Hike the Arenal 1968 Volcano Trail

Views of the Arenal Volcano are often blocked by cloudy skies, but if you’re lucky enough for some good weather there is no better place to see the Arenal Volcano than the Arenal 1968 Volcano Trail. This loop will take you through green fields, dense forest, and up to a clearing with an open view of the volcano. It also showcases blackened lava rocks that are still hanging around from the 1968 eruption.

This hiking trail again is located in Arenal Volcano National Park, so has a $16 USD (10,000 colones) associated with it.

4. Explore the Hanging Bridges

When you’re done hiking around the volcano, transition to a more relaxed hike through the self-guided hanging bridges in the park. From here you’ll be able to see wildlife and the canopy layer of the rainforest!

Entrance fees for the bridges hover around $26 USD (17,000 colones) for one adult. If you prefer to explore the hanging bridges through a guided tour as opposed to doing it solo, you can check tour availability through the link below.

Hanging Bridges Group Tour

5. Visit the Maléku Indigenous Reserve

The Maléku are an indigenous people of northern Costa Rica, with a small living village near La Fortuna. Today the reserve relies heavily on tourism, so be sure to stop by to learn about Maléku culture, their reforestation initiatives, local medicinal plants, and support the village.

Other activities include a traditional Maléku ceremony performance, a guided night walk through the forest, and painting. You can also pick up handmade souvenirs from the gift shop to commemorate your trip.

Maléku Guided Tour

Day tours to the Maléku Village start at $65 USD (44,000 colones).

6. Soak in La Fortuna’s Hot Springs

You have two primary options when it comes to La Fortuna’s hot springs: resorts or natural springs. If you’re interested in hiking to the free natural hot springs in the river, ask your hotel guide for brief directions then take a taxi to Tabacon and walk from there. You’ll come across a serene section of the river that breaks into several small pools. The water is warm and relaxing – and if you want to give yourself your own facial, the river mud is supposed to be amazing for your skin.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, there are many hot spring resorts to choose from in La Fortuna. While still fueled by the natural hot springs below them, the heated water is funneled into saunas, pools, and even waterslides. Some of the most popular options include the Baldi, Tabacón, and Eco-Termales resorts.

7. Visit the Butterfly Conservatory

The Butterfly Conservatory of La Fortuna is a free exhibition dedicated to the preservation and study of its surrounding rainforest and wildlife. Walk through the botanical gardens, butterfly habitats, and frog house to learn all about Costa Rica’s native animals, insects, and fauna – including the striking Red Eyed Tree Frog pictured below.

The Butterfly Conservatory is a national Nature Regeneration Project and is funded through donations only.

8. Explore La Fortuna

Being one of the most popular tourist stops in Costa Rica, La Fortuna is full of restaurants, souvenir shops, and cafes to explore. Let us know in the comments what spot in town you wouldn’t want the next visitor to miss!

Travel Tip:

While all of the activities listed above can be organized individually, if you want to make your trip a bit more hassle free, we recommend joining a Combination Day Tour to cover the La Fortuna Waterfall, Maléku Indigineous Village, Arenal 1968 Volcano Trail, Natural River Hot Springs, Hanging Bridges, and Butterfly Conservatory all in one fell swoop.

Where to Stay:

To get the most for your money, we recommend staying in El Hotel Secreto La Fortuna. Read our full hotel highlight for a complete walk-through.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is La Fortuna worth visiting? Absolutely! If I had to recommend only one place to make camp in Costa Rica it would be La Fortuna. With its hikes, waterfalls, volcano, and hot springs – La Fortuna is a great destination for both active & leisurely travelers alike.
2. How many days do you need in La Fortuna? This mostly depends on your travel style. If you like to stay busy, you should be able to hit most of the main attractions in a couple of days. If you prefer to travel at a more relaxed pace, I would recommend saving three to four days for La Fortuna.

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