La Fortuna is the main town at the foot of Arenal Volcano in the Arenal and Monteverde region, about three to three-and-a-half hours' drive northwest of San José.
La Fortuna is the main town at the foot of Arenal Volcano in the Arenal and Monteverde region, about three to three-and-a-half hours' drive northwest of San José. You come here because the Arenal Volcano National Park, the Río Fortuna waterfall, and the surrounding hot springs are all easily accessible from the town.The town was founded in the mid-1930s by settlers from Ciudad Quesada, Grecia, and Alajuela, and was originally called El Burío. It owes its current name to the fertile soil, not, as is often recounted, to the 1968 eruption which hit the villages west of the volcano and spared La Fortuna.The town center spans just a few streets. Most accommodations, restaurants, and tour operators are located along the main road and around Parque Central with its church, behind which the cone of Arenal rises on clear days.The range of activities is wide: horseback riding, rafting, canyoning, ziplines, and hanging bridges are all available, as are the warm springs, which emerge at around 30 to 50 degrees Celsius, including along the Río Tabacón. Plan at least two full days, as the peak region is often shrouded in clouds.
Sights in La Fortuna
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Natural Feature
1La Fortuna Waterfall
The approximately 70-meter-high Río Fortuna waterfall plunges at the foot of the extinct Cerro Chato volcano into a lush green pool, about a ten-minute drive from the town center. You descend approximately 530 steps to the base of the falls; swimming is permitted in the pool when currents are calm, and lifeguards are on duty. The facility is operated by a non-profit development association from La Fortuna, which charges an entrance fee. Good footwear is advisable as the return path leads uphill.
The Catholic Church is located at Parque Central in the center of La Fortuna. On a clear day, the cone of Arenal appears behind it, making the square in front of the church a popular photo spot. For a quick stop when exploring the town, a detour of just a few minutes is enough.
La Fortuna's central square is the town's meeting point and a landmark for visitors. All around are restaurants, tour operators, and the taxi stand on the main street. In the evening, a stroll is worthwhile, when locals sit on the benches and traffic quiets down.
The private park is located about 25 to 30 minutes' drive west of La Fortuna, above Lake Arenal. A circular trail, approximately 3.2 kilometers long, leads over 16 bridges, including six suspension bridges, through the rainforest canopy; a shorter version is wheelchair accessible. Mornings offer the best chance for bird sightings, and the park opens early in the day.
The upscale restaurant on Main Street combines Costa Rican cuisine with Asian and Mediterranean influences. The open street-facing bar is popular for a pre-dinner drink.
The simple soda near the bus stop, a block from the main street, serves Costa Rican home cooking like Casados, Gallos, and rice & beans. It's a cheap spot for a quick, typical lunch.
The small family restaurant in the center serves Peruvian-Chinese Chifa cuisine with many vegetable and seafood dishes. It offers an alternative to the typical Casados from the local Sodas.
A Young Place in the Shadow of the VolcanoLa Fortuna only emerged in the 1930s as a farming settlement in the canton of San Carlos. The eruption of Arenal on July 29, 1968, buried the villages of Tabacón, Pueblo Nuevo, and San Luís on its west side. The subsequent activity, which continued for decades, made La Fortuna one of the country's most important tourist destinations.Life After the Active PhaseSince the end of the eruptions in 2010, the town has reoriented itself: hiking, hot springs, and nature observation are now the focus. A non-profit development association from the town manages the Río Fortuna waterfall.
Arrival and On the Road
Getting ThereBy car, it takes about three to three and a half hours from San José, either via Ciudad Quesada or via San Ramón and La Tigra. Direct buses depart from the Atlántico del Norte station in San José, taking approximately four hours; make sure the bus goes via Ciudad Quesada. Shuttle buses from providers like Interbus offer pick-ups from hotels and the airport. For Monteverde, there are shuttles as well as the 'jeep-boat-jeep' combination across Lake Arenal.Getting AroundYou can explore the small town center on foot. For hot springs, the national park, and the waterfall, you'll need a car, a taxi, or a booked tour; taxis wait on the main street by Parque Central. Ride-sharing apps are not available in the area.
