The 25 Best Things to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica (by a Local Guide)

No trip to La Fortuna is complete without walking the lava-field trails at the base of the volcano. The 1968 trail crosses an old lava flow with the classic cone towering above you, and the park's forest trails are excellent for wildlife. Go with a naturalist guide — the difference between seeing a quiet forest and spotting toucans, coatis and a sleeping sloth is entirely the guide's trained eye.

👉 Our Arenal Volcano Hike Tour ($78) includes transport, guide and park entrance.

The La Fortuna Waterfall plunges 70 meters into a turquoise pool inside a jungle canyon. It's about 500 steps down (and back up), and yes, you can swim at the bottom — bring water shoes and go early to beat the crowds and the heat.

👉 See our Fortuna Waterfall Hike ($75).

Arenal's volcanic activity feeds dozens of natural hot springs. Options range from free rivers to luxury resorts — we ranked them all in our hot springs guide. For a splurge, Tabacón and Baldi are the big resorts; Ecotermales is the quiet local favorite.

A network of suspension bridges lets you walk through the rainforest canopy, eye-level with birds and howler monkeys. Easy, family-friendly and one of the most photogenic activities in the area.

👉 Hanging Bridges Hike ($85).

La Fortuna is one of the most reliable places in Costa Rica to see wild sloths. A guide with a spotting scope will find both two- and three-toed sloths that you'd walk right past on your own.

👉 Sloth Quest Hike ($78).

The surreal sky-blue river inside Tenorio Volcano National Park is a ~2-hour drive away and makes an unforgettable full-day trip. The color comes from a natural mineral reaction where two rivers meet.

👉 Río Celeste Day Tour ($130).

Combine a rainforest hike with a boat ride on Costa Rica's largest lake, with the volcano as your backdrop. A relaxed way to see the region from the water.

👉 Arenal Lake Experience ($112).

Depending on your pace and interests, round out your trip with:

• White-water rafting on the Balsa or Sarapiquí rivers
• Waterfall zipline & canyoning for adrenaline seekers
• Night walk to see frogs, snakes and nocturnal wildlife
• Coffee & chocolate tour for a cultural, family-friendly morning
• Caño Negro wildlife refuge (caimans, birds, monkeys)
• Venado Caves for underground adventure
• ATV, horseback riding and a safari float on the Peñas Blancas river
• Cooking class & local farm visit for a taste of rural Costa Rica

Short on time? Our Fortuna One Day Highlights COMBO ($198) packs the volcano, waterfall and hot springs into a single day.

Two full days covers the essentials (volcano + waterfall + hot springs). Three days is the sweet spot and adds a day trip like Río Celeste. Four+ days if you want to slow down or add rafting and wildlife tours. See our how many days in La Fortuna guide, or skip the planning and book a ready-made multi-day package.

La Fortuna is about 3 hours from San José (SJO) and 3 hours from Liberia (LIR). Options are a shared shuttle, a private transfer, or renting a car. We offer private transport and can build the whole trip for you via Create Your Trip.

What is La Fortuna, Costa Rica known for?

La Fortuna is known for Arenal Volcano, the La Fortuna Waterfall, and its natural volcanic hot springs. It's considered the adventure and eco-tourism capital of Costa Rica.

How many days should I spend in La Fortuna?

Most travelers spend 2 to 3 full days in La Fortuna. Two days covers the volcano, a waterfall and hot springs; three days lets you add a day trip such as Río Celeste.

What is the best thing to do in La Fortuna?

The top experiences are hiking Arenal Volcano National Park, swimming at La Fortuna Waterfall, and soaking in the hot springs. A guided combo tour lets you do all three in one day.

Is La Fortuna good for families with kids?

Yes. Hanging bridges, sloth tours, and a chocolate or coffee tour are all family-friendly, along with the gentler hot springs. See our La Fortuna with kids guide for a full family itinerary.