La Fortuna in 7 days

The adventure capital beneath the perfect cone of Arenal Volcano. Best time to visit: December-April (dry season). Average daily budget: $50 to $120 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Downtown La Fortuna, The walkable town centre with the church, park, restaurants and tour offices.

Morning: Hike Arenal Volcano National Park. Walk the 1968 lava-flow trails with volcano and lake views.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown La Fortuna, The walkable town centre with the church, park, restaurants and tour offices.

Evening: Soak in volcanic hot springs. Unwind in natural thermal waters, from free rivers to luxury resorts.

Eat: Casado, the classic Costa Rican rice-beans-plantain plate

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: El Castillo, A quieter rural village on the lake's south side with jungle lodges and volcano views.

Morning: Visit La Fortuna Waterfall. Descend the steps to the powerful 70-metre jungle cascade.

Afternoon: Explore El Castillo, A quieter rural village on the lake's south side with jungle lodges and volcano views.

Evening: Cross the Arenal hanging bridges. Walk suspension bridges through the rainforest canopy.

Eat: Gallo pinto for breakfast with fresh fruit

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Arenal Volcano National Park area, The forested zone of trails, lava fields and hanging bridges near the volcano.

Morning: Go white-water rafting. Tackle the Balsa or Sarapiquí river rapids.

Afternoon: Explore Arenal Volcano National Park area, The forested zone of trails, lava fields and hanging bridges near the volcano.

Evening: Zipline through the cloud forest. Fly across canopy cables with volcano views.

Eat: Fresh tropical fruit juices (batidos)

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Hot springs corridor, The stretch of road east of town lined with thermal resorts and free river springs.

Morning: Free natural hot springs in the El Tabacón river beside the road.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Hot springs corridor, The stretch of road east of town lined with thermal resorts and free river springs.

Evening: Sunrise volcano views from the quiet village of El Castillo.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Local soda eateries for cheap, hearty Tico meals

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Lake Arenal shore, The scenic lakeside with kayaking, windsurfing and panoramic viewpoints.

Morning: The Bogarín Trail for almost-guaranteed wild sloth sightings.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Lake Arenal shore, The scenic lakeside with kayaking, windsurfing and panoramic viewpoints.

Evening: Kayaking on Lake Arenal with the volcano as a backdrop.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Casado, the classic Costa Rican rice-beans-plantain plate

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Downtown La Fortuna, The walkable town centre with the church, park, restaurants and tour offices.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Downtown La Fortuna, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Downtown La Fortuna, The walkable town centre with the church, park, restaurants and tour offices.

Evening: Dinner at Gallo pinto for breakfast with fresh fruit, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Downtown La Fortuna.

Eat: Gallo pinto for breakfast with fresh fruit

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: El Castillo, A quieter rural village on the lake's south side with jungle lodges and volcano views.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in El Castillo, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore El Castillo, A quieter rural village on the lake's south side with jungle lodges and volcano views.

Evening: Dinner at Fresh tropical fruit juices (batidos), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in El Castillo.

Eat: Fresh tropical fruit juices (batidos)

Hidden gems

Free natural hot springs in the El Tabacón river beside the road.
Sunrise volcano views from the quiet village of El Castillo.
The Bogarín Trail for almost-guaranteed wild sloth sightings.
Kayaking on Lake Arenal with the volcano as a backdrop.

Getting around

La Fortuna town is small and easily walkable, but the volcano, waterfalls, hot springs and tour sites are spread out around it, so you'll need transport for most activities. Many travellers rely on tour operators who include hotel pickup and drop-off, which covers most needs. Renting a car gives you the most freedom, especially for the hot-springs corridor and Lake Arenal, and roads are paved and reasonable. Taxis are available in town for shorter hops. To arrive, most people drive or take a shuttle from San José (about three hours) or use the popular jeep-boat-jeep transfer across Lake Arenal to and from Monteverde.

Safety

La Fortuna is very safe, a small, friendly tourist town where solo travellers, including women, generally feel comfortable day and night. Petty theft is uncommon but secure valuables and don't leave items unattended at waterfalls or springs. The main risks are activity-related: choose licensed, insured operators for rafting, ziplining and canyoning, follow guides on volcano and waterfall trails, and take care on wet, slippery steps. Heed currents at the waterfall base, stay hydrated in the heat, and drive carefully on rural roads at night. Tap water is generally safe to drink.

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