Arenal and La Fortuna
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Arenal does not need a visible lava flow to dominate the landscape. Its high cone, old lava fields and geothermal water keep the volcano present throughout almost every part of a stay.
Days can be built around clear contrasts. One morning might be spent walking through the forest, the afternoon at the waterfall, and the evening in the hot springs. The next day, hanging bridges, kayaking or a river excursion can show the region from completely different levels.
La Fortuna has well-developed tourism infrastructure but still feels manageable in scale. Restaurants, small hotels and guides are close together, and most excursions begin without complicated logistics.
That makes it easy to fill the days with nature experiences without letting transport take over. With a few days to work around the weather and the light, the region becomes one of Costa Rica’s most rewarding combinations of rainforest, volcano and relaxation.
Plan your trip to Arenal and La Fortuna
Tell us when you would like to travel and what you would like to experience. We help you put together hotels, transport and activities that suit your trip.
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Send an enquiry with your preferences. We will get back to you with a proposal and go through the itinerary with you before you decide to book.
Planning a trip to Arenal and La Fortuna?
We help you combine the right hotels, transport and experiences into a well-planned journey.
Arenal Volcano National Park and the lava fields
The national park protects the volcano’s slopes, lava landscapes and several types of tropical forest. Trails cross areas transformed by eruptions and where vegetation is now gradually returning.
Read more Show less La Fortuna Waterfall and the green ravine
Viewpoints open towards both the volcano and Lake Arenal. Clouds may linger around the summit even on an otherwise clear day, so an early start and some flexibility are valuable.
A good guide adds more than better wildlife sightings. They can also explain the differences between lava types, forest regrowth and how the ecology changed after the eruptions.
La Fortuna Waterfall and the green ravine
La Fortuna Waterfall drops through a steep forested ravine. The upper viewing platform gives a first view of the falls before the long staircase continues down to the river.
At water level, both the force and temperature become clear. Swimming is limited to designated areas and depends on current and weather. The main waterfall should be viewed from a safe distance.
The visit is physically demanding because of the steps but easy to combine with lunch or a quieter afternoon. Early morning often means fewer visitors and softer light in the ravine.
Hot springs from simple bathing to spa complexes
Geothermal heat around Arenal feeds several hot-spring complexes near La Fortuna. Some use more natural river settings, while others have gardens, waterfalls, bars and numerous pools.
Read more Show less Hanging bridges and life in the canopy
Temperatures vary between pools, allowing visitors to alternate between hotter and cooler water. Rain does not necessarily diminish the experience and can make the steam and tropical setting even more atmospheric.
Choose based on the atmosphere you are after. Smaller complexes offer quieter bathing, while the largest are suited to a full afternoon with meals and more facilities.
Hanging bridges and life in the canopy
The hanging-bridge trails move between ground level, ravines and the canopy, opening up several perspectives on the rainforest. Higher sections also offer views towards Arenal when the clouds allow.
Birds, monkeys, sloths, coatis and smaller species may appear along the trails. Sightings vary, and wildlife is often easier to find with a guide and spotting scope.
The walk is less technical than a mountain hike but includes slopes and bridges that can move underfoot. At a slower pace there is more time to listen and search for movement in the vegetation.
Journeys including Arenal and La Fortuna
Lake Arenal by kayak and boat
Lake Arenal is a large reservoir between the volcanic landscape and the Tilarán mountains. From the water, the volcano’s isolated form is especially clear during cloud-free periods.
Read more Show less Rafting, canyoning and ziplining
Kayaking and small-boat trips open up sheltered bays, birdlife and quieter stretches of water. Winds can strengthen later in the day, and local conditions determine the best timing.
The lake is also important for hydroelectric power, irrigation and nearby communities. It is therefore both a nature experience and a central part of Costa Rica’s modern energy landscape.
Rafting, canyoning and ziplining
La Fortuna has become a centre for several adventure activities. Ziplines run above the forest and across valleys, while canyoning combines walking, ropes and waterfalls.
Rafting takes place on different rivers and at different difficulty levels depending on experience and water conditions. Reputable operators adapt routes, equipment and guiding to the day’s conditions.
Choose the activities that genuinely appeal to you rather than stacking several into a single day. One substantial experience with time for the natural setting is more rewarding than a schedule in which every hour must deliver the next adrenaline hit.
Book your trip to Arenal and La Fortuna
Night walks and the rainforest’s smaller life
After dark, the soundscape of the forest changes. Frogs begin calling, insects become visible and guides search for nocturnal birds, lizards, snakes and small mammals.
Read more Show less La Fortuna, food and a good travel rhythm
Tours follow established trails and require a headlamp, long sleeves, trousers and shoes with good grip. Rain is common and often increases frog activity.
A night walk complements the sweeping scenery of the day. It reveals how much rainforest life happens on a small scale and would otherwise pass unnoticed.
La Fortuna, food and a good travel rhythm
La Fortuna has restaurants ranging from simple local diners known as sodas to more ambitious restaurants that focus on local produce. Casado, ceviche, grilled fish, plantain and tropical fruit are staples that give the food a distinctly Costa Rican character.
Coffee, cacao and sugar cane can be explored on smaller farms in the area. These visits put products that might otherwise appear only at breakfast into a wider local context.
Four nights provide three full days and work well within a touring itinerary. Arenal combines naturally with Monteverde, Río Celeste, Sarapiquí or the Pacific coast.
See trips to Arenal and La Fortuna
Flights and hotels
Flights and hotels for Arenal and La Fortuna can be booked as one coordinated arrangement, with trip length, budget and standard considered together from the outset.
We match the flights to your hotel location and travel dates rather than selecting each element in isolation. This makes planning easier and reduces the risk of poor connections or impractical arrival times.
Where useful, we can also add transfers, extra nights or other practical elements that make the journey smoother.
Book flights and hotels for Arenal and La Fortuna as one coordinated arrangement. We match the flights with accommodation that suits your budget, preferred location and trip length. Transfers can also be added.
Flights
For flights to Arenal and La Fortuna, we look at more than the lowest fare. Journey times, connections, ticket rules and arrival times often affect the trip more than they first appear to.
This may be a straightforward return journey, but it can also involve flying into one city and home from another or adding stops along the way. For more complex itineraries, we can also assess air-pass and multi-flight options.
A good choice when accommodation is already arranged or when you plan the rest of the journey independently.
We help you find the right flights to Arenal and La Fortuna, for both straightforward journeys and more flexible itineraries. A good choice if you want to arrange the rest of the trip yourself.
Hotels
Hotels in Arenal and La Fortuna should be chosen on more than price and star rating. Location, neighbourhood, standard and the purpose of the journey often determine whether a property actually works well.
In some places a central hotel is best; elsewhere quiet surroundings, views or character matter more. We therefore suggest options that fit the way the journey is planned.
That can mean good-value mid-range hotels or more distinctive properties where the accommodation becomes part of the experience.
We help you book hotels in Arenal and La Fortuna according to neighbourhood, standard and budget. Whether you want to stay centrally or somewhere quieter, we find an option that fits.
Guided tours
Guided tours in Arenal and La Fortuna work best when the subject, pace and level of detail reflect what you genuinely want to see and understand. Your focus might be a city, wildlife, culture or a particular practical excursion.
A good guide does more than identify landmarks. They provide context, explain telling details and draw attention to things that are easy to miss when exploring independently.
We help you choose the type and format of tour that best suits your interests.
Discover Arenal and La Fortuna with a private tour shaped around your interests. We help choose the right guide, content and format.
Images from Arenal and La Fortuna
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10 quick facts about Arenal and La Fortuna
- Arenal is a 1,633-metre stratovolcano near La Fortuna in northern Costa Rica.
- Its long eruptive period began in 1968 and visible eruptive activity ceased in 2010.
- Arenal is still considered an active volcano and is continuously monitored.
Show all facts (10)Show less
- La Fortuna Waterfall is about seventy metres high and lies in a forested ravine.
- The hot springs are heated by geothermal activity in the area.
- Lake Arenal was expanded during the 1970s and is important for both hydroelectric power and irrigation.
- The lake covers more than eighty square kilometres and is Costa Rica’s largest reservoir.
- National park trails pass through both tropical forest and lava from earlier eruptions.
- The rainforest around Arenal supports monkeys, coatis, sloths and rich birdlife among many other species.
- The road around Lake Arenal is one of the most common connections between La Fortuna and Monteverde.