Things to Do in La Fortuna
50 curated spots from La Fortuna itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Walk a well-marked loop through dense rainforest over multiple suspension bridges, spotting birds, monkeys, and maybe sloths; choose a morning guided tour for better wildlife viewing and cooler temperatures.
3h · $30-40 entry (more with guide)
La Fortuna Waterfall
Walk the rainforest steps down to the falls, spend time at the viewing area, and swim if conditions are safe and you want a cool-down.
2h 30m · $18-20 per person
Ecotermales Hot Springs
Spend the evening moving between a series of beautifully landscaped thermal pools surrounded by dense foliage, with soft lighting and a natural, intimate feel; book a night slot and just show up with swimwear and sandals.
3h · $46-60 (entrance, without dinner)
La Fortuna Waterfall Visit
Take a short taxi or tour shuttle from town, descend the steep steps (200+ each way) into a lush canyon, and swim in the cool river below the waterfall; bring water shoes and light clothes.
2h 30m · $20 entrance + transport
Arenal 1968 Volcano View & Trails
Private trail system over old lava flows with several loop options, volcano viewpoints, and a small cafe overlooking Arenal.
2h 30m · $20-25 entrance fee per person
Arenal Volcano National Park
Walk a marked trail section for volcano views, lava-field scenery, and forested stretches.[1][5]
2h 30m · $15-20 per person
La Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata La Fortuna)
Take a taxi from town (about 10–15 minutes) and hike down the 500+ steps through lush jungle to the base of the 70-meter waterfall; swim in the designated area and enjoy the viewpoints on the way back up.
2h 30m · $18-20
La Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata Río Fortuna)
Take the staircase down through thick greenery into a deep canyon where a powerful waterfall plunges into an emerald pool; swim only in the calmer lower area and take plenty of photos from the viewing platforms.
2h 30m · $18
Sky Adventures Arenal Park
Book a zipline circuit with a reputable operator for a safe, scenic adrenaline session over the forest canopy.
2h · $75-95 per person
Arenal 1968 Trail
Walk scenic lava-trail loops with open volcano views and dense forest edges.
2h 30m · $15-20
Arenal Mundo Aventura Night Walk
Guided after-dark rainforest walk focused on frogs, insects, and nocturnal animals. Bring closed shoes and be ready for humid, muddy paths.
1h 30m · $35-45 per person
Arenal Natura Ecological Park
Walk through a compact, lush park with naturalistic enclosures and ponds where guides help you see frogs, reptiles, and other wildlife up close in a jungle‑like setting.
2h · $35-45 (with guide)
Arenal Natura Ecological Park Night Walk
Join a guided night walk through a private jungle reserve to spot frogs, reptiles, insects, and possibly sloths and other nocturnal animals; pick-up is typically available from La Fortuna hotels.
2h · $40-60
Arenal Volcano Hike
Take a guided hike on the volcanic slopes and forest trails for viewpoints, geology, and wildlife spotting.
3h · $45-70
Arenal Volcano Lava Trail Hike
Join a guided hike on established trails across old lava flows with viewpoints over Arenal and Lake Arenal, often combined with wildlife spotting.[1][2][3][4]
2h 30m · $40-60 (guided hike)
Arenal Volcano National Park – Main Sector
Explore easy trails over old lava fields and through secondary forest with viewpoints facing the volcano and Arenal Lake; go slow, take photos, and enjoy the feeling of walking on old lava flows.
2h 30m · $17-20
Arenal Volcano National Park – Short Trails
After the waterfall, head to the national park’s main entrance and walk one of the short lava or viewpoint loops with clear volcano vistas and lava rock fields.
2h · $15-20 per adult, $5-10 per child
Arenal Volcano National Park (Main Sectors)
Walk well-marked trails through secondary forest and across old lava fields with frequent volcano viewpoints; choose easier loops suitable for kids and bring water, hats, and rain gear.
2h 30m · $15-20 entry
Arenal Volcano National Park (Sector Arenal 1968-style Trails)
Spend the afternoon on well-marked trails crossing old lava flows and secondary forest with multiple miradors facing the volcano and Lake Arenal; trails like Arenal 1968’s lava loop are moderately challenging but manageable.
2h 30m · $17-25 (park or private reserve entry; more with guided tour)
Arenal Volcano National Park (Sendero Las Coladas Sector)
Walk easy to moderate trails through secondary forest and old lava flows with clearings that open to wide volcano views; stop at miradores (viewpoints) for photos and quiet time.
2h 30m · $17-20 entry plus taxi
Arenal Volcano National Park or Arenal 1968 Trails
Spend the afternoon on well-marked trails through former lava fields and secondary forest with periodic miradors facing the perfectly conical volcano. Choose the official national park or the nearby Arenal 1968 reserve; both offer a mix of open lava rock sections and shaded jungle paths.
2h 30m · $17-25 entry + $20-30 taxi or included in combo tour
Baldi Hot Springs (Afternoon & Evening)
Spend the late afternoon soaking in multiple temperature-controlled pools, kid-friendly slides, and lushly landscaped hot springs with volcano views; shower and relax between pools.
3h · $45-60 (day pass, no dinner)
Baldi Hot Springs Resort
Large hot springs complex with many pools of varying temperatures, slides, and swim-up bars; lively atmosphere.
3h · $40-60 per person (entrance, optional dinner)
Best of La Fortuna Combo Tour (Volcano, Waterfall & Hanging Bridges)
Join a small-group tour that includes Arenal 1968 or similar volcano trails, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Mistico Hanging Bridges with hotel pickup, guide, and lunch; you’ll hike, swim, and walk canopy bridges in one full day.
8h · $120-150
Bogarin Trail
Stroll a flat loop trail through secondary rainforest known for frequent sloth, bird, and frog sightings; consider a late-morning guided walk for better wildlife spotting and bring a light rain jacket and insect repellent.[1]
2h · $20-35 per person (more with guide)
Bogarín Trail
A gentle, wildlife-focused trail that is often good for sloths, birds, and other jungle creatures. This is your calmer, less crowded nature stop.
2h · $20-25 per person
Bogarin Trail Night Walk
Join a guided night walk on a flat jungle trail known for sloths, frogs, birds, and insects; guides provide flashlights and help you spot wildlife safely. It’s a short taxi or even walk from town depending on where you stay.
2h · $30-45 (guided, with equipment)
Downtown La Fortuna Free Explore
Use a flexible block to browse the central streets, look for clean geometric storefronts, framed volcano views down side streets, and a relaxed café-break rhythm; this is also a good backup if rain arrives. For indoor shelter, focus on coffee shops, small stores, and covered viewpoints rather than long outdoor walks.
2h 30m · Free or $5-10 per person
Eco Termales Hot Springs
Spend the afternoon soaking in lush, smaller-scale thermal pools with a more relaxed atmosphere.
3h · $45-65
Ecocentro Danaus Twilight Visit
Take a taxi 10 minutes from town to this small private reserve with dense vegetation to spot sloths, birds, and frogs at the edge of night (join their guided early-evening walk).
2h · $30-40 including guideRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Soda la Hormiga
Refuel with a simple casado or rice-and-beans plate after the zipline morning.
1h · $7-12 per person
Soda Viquez
Classic La Fortuna soda popular with locals and visitors; try the fish casado or arroz con pollo.
1h · $12-18 per person
Organico Fortuna
Health-focused café-style restaurant with many vegetarian and some vegan options such as veggie bowls, wraps, salads, and smoothies; specify you need fully vegetarian dishes prepared without alcohol.
1h 15m · $12-18 per person
Muslim Friendly Food Arenal
Return for a simple halal-friendly breakfast—think eggs, rice and beans without meat, fruit, and juices; reconfirm no pork or alcohol in your order.
45m · $8-15 per person
Don Rufino
Choose one upscale but still approachable dinner with fresh fish, local produce, or a Costa Rican-style special.
1h 30m · $18-25 per person
Restaurante Don Rufino
Upscale but relaxed restaurant with a warm, wood-and-greenery atmosphere; focus on vegetarian starters, salads, and fish dishes, asking specifically for no pork, no alcohol in sauces, and confirming ingredients to keep it halal-friendly.
1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Restaurante Nene's
Greenery-filled restaurant on a quiet side street; focus on vegetarian pasta, vegetable rice, salads, and sides like patacones (fried plantains). Clearly tell staff you only eat halal and will choose vegetarian dishes—no meat stock, lard, or alcohol-based sauces.
1h · $12-22 per person
Restaurante Tierra Mía
Popular Costa Rican restaurant; request a fully vegetarian casado plate (rice, beans, salad, plantains, vegetables, cheese, no meat, no broth) and confirm beans and sides are cooked in vegetable oil without pork.
1h · $12-18 per person
Soda La Parada
Busy, central soda near the main crossroads; choose vegetarian plates, grilled fish, or plain chicken and ask specifically for no alcohol in cooking and no pork products—rice, beans, salads, and fried yucca are safe picks.
1h · $10-18 per person
Soda Mima
Cozy, home-style soda with daily specials and fresh juices that’s popular with locals.
1h · $10-15 per person
Cafe Mediterraneo
Casual Italian spot with pizzas, pastas, and salads plus volcano views from some tables.
1h · $15-25 per person
Chifa La Familia Feliz
Cozy spot offering Peruvian-Chinese fusion dishes, ceviches, stir-fries, and creative cocktails.
1h 15m · $18-35 per person
My Coffee La Fortuna
Coffee shop and light-meal café with sandwiches, pastries, and desserts; focus on vegetarian sandwiches (e.g., cheese and vegetables) and cakes, verifying there is no gelatin from pork and no alcohol in any desserts.
1h · $8-14 per person
Nanku Restaurant
Relaxed open-air restaurant just off the main park; come after your hike and order a casado with fish or chicken plus a fresh fruit smoothie or local craft beer.
1h 15m · $15-25 per person
North Fields Cafe
Craft specialty coffee and chocolate tour with tastings of high-quality beans and cacao grown in Costa Rica.[1]
2h · $35-45 per person
Red Frog Coffee Roasters
Modern café with quality Costa Rican coffee, light breakfasts, and pastries; sit by the window to watch town wake up.
1h · $10-15 per person
Soda Víquez
Order gallo pinto, eggs, fresh fruit, and black coffee; ask for a simple vegetarian plate if preferred. Halal-friendly options: rice, beans, eggs, fruit, plantains, and vegetable plates with no pork or alcohol-based ingredients.
1h · $8-15 per person
Tierra Mia
Cozy Costa Rican restaurant with wooden interiors and lots of plants. Choose vegetarian casados (rice, beans, salad, plantains, veggies, eggs) and fish casados cooked simply in oil; verify no alcohol or lard is used in cooking, and skip any pork or unclear meats.
1h 30m · $15-25 per person
Anch’io Pizzeria
Leafy, romantic pizzeria with garden atmosphere; order vegetarian pizzas (e.g., Margherita, veggie) and salads, requesting no meat, no alcohol-based sauces, and confirming the dough and cheese contain no pork or lard.
1h 15m · $15-22 per person
Chifa La Familia
Choose vegetable stir-fries, chicken dishes, or rice plates; confirm no pork, no lard, and no alcohol in sauces or marinades.
1h · $12-25 per person