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La Fortuna Costa Rica is located in the Alajuela Province, 11 miles (or 18 km) from the Arenal Volcano National Park and 87 miles (140 km) from San Jose, which is 2.5 hours from San Jose’s international airport and from Liberia’s international airport.

 

This is a small town in Costa Rica full of beautiful wildlife places, natural pools such as hot springs, and Arenal Volcano. But, of course, the most famous sights to visit in the La Fortuna area are the famous Arenal Volcano, the hanging bridges in Mistico, the La Fortuna waterfall, and the beautiful La Fortuna hot springs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This area can’t be missed as it is the perfect destination for all travelers to explore wildlife and mother nature.

To learn more about this beautiful must-see place, read my La Fortuna Costa Rica travel guide further.

 

La Fortuna Costa Rica Travel Guide

Things to Do in La Fortuna

1. La Fortuna Mistico Hanging Bridges

These famous hanging bridges are located in the nature preserve park, where you can enjoy some mother nature, wildlife (if you are lucky), and beautiful views.

 

Some tours are available to explore the area, but if you want to save money, you can pay an entrance fee of $26 and take a self-guided tour (cc accepted); you won’t see any animals or birds. Just keep that in mind, only if you are lucky, and they will be there once you are there :). So it is only worth it if you would like to see different plants, trees, and hanging bridges.

 

NOTE: You might need to make an appointment before you go there. When I arrived, there were only a few people, but they request appointments now to avoid the crowd because of the current situation in the world.

 

Also, remember that if you go there by Uber, it will be hard to come back by Uber again unless the driver can give you his number, and you can call him when you are ready. This is because when you are looking for Uber, you see that there is no Uber around, and the only way will be to get a taxi, which will cost $25.

2. Birds Watching (Bogarin trail) in La Fortuna

Bird-watching opportunity sounds so exciting and promising, isn’t it?! But the truth is that the chances to see the birds are minimal as it is hard to predict when they will be there, but as a note, remember that more chances to see them are early morning and late evening.

 

In my opinion, this specific trial is not worth it. The entrance fee is $10 (cash only), but even if I went at 8 am, I only saw a few birds. The good thing is that the tickets are valid for the whole day. So you are free to spend as much time as you want or leave and come back any time the same day before they close.

 

Also, if you go very early morning, I heard you can have a better chance to see the birds as they feed them with bananas and all birds come to eat. I was surprised that they didn’t do it at 8 am because they said they didn’t have bananas anymore. Which is weird, but it is what it is.

So, you might consider other places to see the birds.

 

Tip: If you want to do the self-guided tour, I HIGHLY SUGGEST BRING BINOCULARS, as, without them, you won’t see any animals or birds at all. I am so sad that I didn’t see it in any of the articles mentioned when searched for tips in Costa Rica, so I spent money on nothing. Also, keep in mind that all tours are so expensive in Costa Rica, and unfortunately, there is not much to see without them. So think ahead about what time you want to take a tour if you plan to take many.

3. Horseback Riding in La Fortuna

I’ve never ridden a horse before and decided La Fortuna is the best place to do that :). I wasn’t disappointed at all. Since some people didn’t show up for a tour, I was the only one, so I had the private tour after that. I was scared at first, but after a while, I got used to my horse and enjoyed the ride very much.

 

I booked it with a Viator here.

4.  Costa Rican Coffee and Chocolate Crafting Experience in La Fortuna

Omg, I could never imagine that such a tour could be so entertaining and informative. That was the best investment. The tour was exciting and useful, and the tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly as well. I learned so much about how cacao, coffee, and various fruits were grown.

 

How chocolate and cacao were made in the back day, what the difference is between several sorts of coffee, and much more. I loved loved loved this tour. We also tasted organic chocolate and cacao, and at the end, they gave me some treats with the coffee of my choice. You won’t be disappointed for sure. Consider spending at least 2 hours there.

 

5. El Salto Rope Swing in La Fortuna

That is a free-swimming hole near La Fortuna. You do not need to drive there as you can walk and it will take you only 15-20 minutes.

 

The place is nice, but there is nothing special about that. That seemed dangerous, as it was full of rocks, and there was no actual walking path. If you travel solo, I do not recommend going there alone as when I checked it in the middle of the day, there were only guys who were either smoking or hanging in groups, and I was feeling not very comfortable, so I took a quick photo, grabbed an Uber and left home :).

 

If you skip it, you won’t miss much.

6. La Fortuna Waterfall

I didn’t have a chance to visit it, but the place looks beautiful from the pictures I saw. Unfortunately, you will have to pay the entrance fee of $18, and you will have to get an Uber or drive there as it is not within walking distance from La Fortuna.

 

You can access it through a Visitors’ Center, about 10 minutes from downtown. Remember that you might have to walk 500 steps down to the falls, so wear comfortable shoes.

 

How to Get to La Fortuna From San Jose

How to get from San Jose airport to La Fortuna. If you arrive early morning, I highly suggest taking a bus. It is very cheap. It will only cost you $3-6, and the whole trip will last from 3 to 5 hrs. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance to take the bus from the airport as I arrived in the afternoon. So instead, I took an Uber to the San Carlos bus terminal  ($43) and took a bus to La Fortuna from there ($3).

 

The direct bus from San Jose to La Fortuna leaves at 6:15 am, 8:40 am, and 11:30 am from Ave 7-9, Calle 12, and the whole trip takes about 4 hours.

 

Uber in Costa Rica is illegal, so they can’t come directly to the airport. To get an Uber, you must go inside, turn left from the airport entrance, cross the street, and go around the corner. You will end up on the main road, and there will be a bus stop right after.

 

So Ubers will be picking you up near. Also, you can’t sit in the back because Uber is illegal.

On the way to La Fortuna from San Jose Airport, we passed by the Zarcero. So if you plan to visit it, there might be no need anymore if you take the same route. I just asked the driver to stop for a few minutes so that I could take pictures.

The picture is for reference :).

 

So the trip from the airport to San Carlos will take about 2-2.5h and cost $43. Once you arrive at the bus station, you can look for the bus to La Fortuna and pay the driver. It cost me only $3, and in an hour, I was in downtown La Fortuna. Also, there are other options to go to La Fortuna:

• By private or shared shuttle (from $54). A shared shuttle is available with Interbus, Easy Ride, Caribe Shuttle, and Ride CR.
• Rent a car (the price depends, I’ve read that the minimum price starts from $30 per day)

Check out my post about San Jose, Costa Rica

Where to Eat in La Fortuna

There are around 100  places to eat in La Fortuna, but most are intended for tourists, and the quality and price won’t be even.

 

I’ve personally eaten at Soda Viquez, a very plain avocado salad, and going to tell you that it wasn’t that good. I haven’t tried anything else, but if the salad was so-so, I’m not sure how the rest of the food would taste. On the other hand, the place is small and clean; the owner is friendly, and the prices are very cheap. So if you are not very picky, try it out…maybe some other dishes are better.

 

Also, I ate sushi at Kappa Sushi. Overall, everything was good. I ordered the Volcano Roll. The prices there are more like in the USA, so keep that in mind. The place was very nice, too!

I would even suggest eating at the Secreto hotel I stayed in. I ordered a chicken with mashed potato and vegetables, and it was the most delicious meal I ever ate:).

La Fortuna Restaurants Recommendations

• Rancho Perla – Great food selection and nice views

• Restaurante Tierra Mía – A very casual place with tasty food and good portions

• Restaurante Garra Pata – A family-owned, it offers friendly service and fantastic food

• Organico Fortuna -Offers great vegan and non-vegan options.

• Pizza Ranch Fortuna – A good place with delicious pizza for pizza lovers

• Kappa Sushi – A cute little sushi place with a nice variety of seafood and sushi

Tip. If you need to buy some small things which you usually purchase in CVS or Walgreens in the States, there are several small market stores where you can look for those, but there are no guarantees that you will find what you are looking for.

 

If you go to the other side of the church inside the street and turn right after the bus terminal, there is a giant supermarket, just in case you need to buy some food.

Banks in La Fortuna

There are many banks with 24-hour ATMs. In addition, there is a bank located across the park.

How to Get Around in La Fortuna

Getting around is very easy. The La Fortuna downtown is small enough so that you can walk there. But to navigate outside the city, I suggest renting a car as that will be the best option.

 

The bus station is also in the city, so if you need to use a public bus going from La Fortuna to San Jose, that is your best choice.

 

What to Pack to La Fortuna, Costa Rica

1. Always try to travel light (with only a backpack is ideal)
2. Take a few warm clothes (at least one light jacket and one pair of jeans), as evenings in Costa Rica are chilly
3. Pack comfortable walking shoes, sandals, and flip flops
4. Take at least one swimsuit
5. The hat is good to have as it is very hot and sunny in Costa Rica
6. Pair of sunglasses
7. Light shirts, dresses, and shorts
8. Beach bag or tote
9. Makeup accessories and your usual face cleaning/moisturizing creams
10. Empty water bottle
11. If you have a small sunscreen, take it with you; if not, buy it there.

 

TIP: Very important to take a few warm clothes. Yes, you read that right. Despite the hot temperature in Costa Rica, nights are usually a little chilly. I barely took any warm clothes, but I was thrilled that I had a light jacket with me.

Where to Stay in La Fortuna

As La Fortuna town is not significant, all accommodation places are located near each other in the city’s center. I’ve personally stayed at Secreto La Fortuna, and I must admit that the hotel was perfect.

 

It is located a bit outside the center (you have to walk inside the streets), but it faces the Arenal volcano, which is fantastic. Every day I woke up with a beautiful view. What else do you need in the morning before the delicious breakfast :).

 

Speaking about breakfast..I was surprised at how good it was. Usually, the complimentary breakfast is very plain, but the plate was full of food, and for the dessert, they offered some local fruits.

 

So, everything from the location, my room, and the customer service at this hotel was great. I definitely recommend checking the Secreto La Fortuna out the next time you are in Costa Rica.

 

La Fortuna Budget Hotel/Hostel Recommendations

• Selina Fortuna – Very popular hostel chain in Costa Rica with fancy tents and regular rooms
• San Bosco Inn – Located in the center of La Fortuna and offers charming views of Arenal Volcano.
• Secreto La Fortuna – Offering fantastic views of Arenal Volcano, delicious breakfast, and excellent service.

• Mussaenda – Arenal – Offer spacious rooms, garden to walk, and more

• Arenal Volcano Inn– a nice hotel with volcano views

La Fortuna Tips

La Fortuna Tip #1

Navigating in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, is costly if you always use Uber or Taxi, so I highly recommend renting a car. I never rent a car when I travel solo, as there was never a need, but I regret I didn’t do it this time.

 

Public transport is not available everywhere, but whenever it is possible, use it, as it will only cost you $3 -5. Uber can be pricey, too, if you are going far, but it can be pretty cheap in the city. Avoid taking taxis as I heard they can be even more pricey.

La Fortuna Tip #2

Locals say that the raw water from the sink is safe to drink. I haven’t tried that, but as they say, that seems to be true. So instead of buying water, you can fill your empty water bottle.

 

La Fortuna Tip #3

Definitely recommend learning basic phrases to be able to understand and ask for some things in Spanish. Unfortunately, not many people speak English, so you will have to use a translator most of the time.

How Long to Stay in La Fortuna

2-3 days is an excellent time to spend in La Fortuna.

 

The closest airport to La Fortuna is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)

3 Days La Fortuna Sample Itinerary

Day 1 (if it is a half-day)

1. Check-in at the Hotel/Hostel
2. Walk around La Fortuna town
3. Eat at some local restaurants
4. Go back to your hotel and relax

Day 2

1. Walk to Bird watching trail (7 min)
2. Head to Mystique national park and take a self-guided tour of hanging bridges
3. Get lunch
4. Go souvenir shopping in the town
5. Get some rest at your hotel

Day 3

1. Check out some La Fortuna waterfalls
2. Take a coffee & cacao tour
3. Take a horseback riding tour
4. Check out from the hotel and go to your next destination.

 

Bonus Information

What to Do Before You Go to Costa Rica

1. The first and most important thing is to buy insurance. Like always, I purchased it through Insubuy, which cost me less than $20 weekly.
2. Forty-eight hours before, you will need to fill out the health pass, which you can find on their official website here. 
3. While you check in at the airport, you must show them the QR code confirming that you bought insurance and complete the health questionnaire.
4. That is all you need to go to Costa Rica (unless you need a visa, please find this info upfront)*These were the conditions when I went there, but as you know, the rules are constantly changing, so make sure to check such info upfront.

If you want to have a more luxurious stay, I suggest checking out these beautiful Costa Rica vacation rentals.

 

Final Thoughts

La Fortuna is beautiful, with lots of greeneries, wildlife, and things to do. I enjoyed my stay so much. The only drawback was that I didn’t rent a car, and navigating around was inconvenient, as I had to take Ubers everywhere. Despite that, my stay was perfect, and I had a fantastic time in La Fortuna.

 

I hope my La Fortuna Costa Rica travel guide was helpful to you and made planning your trip easier. Thank you for stopping by.

 

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