What to do in La Fortuna – Volcán Arenal
What to do in La Fortuna – Volcán Arenal
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La Fortuna’s main attraction is the Volcán Arenal. A few years ago, the volcano regularly erupted, though unpredictable. The Arenal Volcano suddenly stopped erupting in 2010. Today, only a small amount of smoke can be seen escaping from the volcano’s crater. However, the view of the volcano is still very beautiful and you can experience some of the hot springs at the food of the volcano, go hiking and visit the famous Mistico Hanging Bridges Park. You can also go zip-lining, canyoning and much more. We would recommend to stay at least 2 nights in La Fortuna, belonging to the district Alajuela of Costa Rica.
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1. Viewpoint for sunset with the perfect volcano view
We didn’t find a perfect official viewpoint. But we found this horse pasture on the way from La Fortuna up north next to the road on the left side (somewhere around here 10°30’12.1″N 84°42’01.4″W) and got the perfect view of the volcano at sunset. We were lucky on our first sunset since there were only a few pink clouds. The next evening the volcano was completely covered by heavy dark clouds and it rained.
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2. Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges
La Fortuna was a vast farming area once, because of the fertile and rich soil, perfect for growing crops. With the first unexpected eruption of the Arenal Volcano in 1968 this place got more interesting for tourists.
The idea of the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges park is to protect flora and fauna while visitors learn about the rain forest in a sustainable way. Next to the 3.2 km very easy and well maintained hiking trails in the park, the 6 hanging bridges up to 45 meters from the ground are the highlight. The bridges allow spectacular views of the rain forest and if you are lucky with the clouds, you can see the Arenal Volcano. One of the highest bridges, the Arenal View Hanging Bridge has a great view of the volcano and rain forest.
You will probably see a lot of birds such as toucans, as well as mammals like sloths and monkeys. The sound of the howler monkeys is unforgettable. The entrance fee is 26 USD per person. You can leave you car at the parking space or get a taxi from La Fortuna town. On the street to the entrance we saw at least 30 cute coatis directly next to the road, so keep your eyes open! You hear them grunting!
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3. La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall drops 75 meters into a bright blue pool. You can swim in the pool, but I have to tell you the water is pretty cold :D. The current is super strong where the water falls into the pool. Although it’s forbidden to swim to the fall, it’s not even possible.
The waterfall is just 6 km away from the town. You can drive there with you rental car (no 4×4 needed) or you take a taxi or an Uber from the town. The entrance fee is 18 USD per person. It’s open from 7am to 5pm and we highly recommend to come as early as possible to beat the crowds!
The first observation platform gives a great view of the waterfall from above. Then you have to go down many steps. In the rainy season it can be possible that the water comes with a brown color. However, we’ve been there in the rainy season in August and had a nice blue color. At the food of the waterfall a little further down, there are some nice calmer outdoor pools. After swimming you have to walk 480 steps back up.
The sloth experience
On the road leading to the waterfall entrance, we saw a sloth sloooowly crossing the street. The sloth was very trusting. After arriving on the other side of the road on the grass ground, it was crawling in my direction. I only wanted to take some pictures, but it came closer and closer. It seemed to be interested in me or in my camera. Just 30 cm in front of me the sloth suddenly stopped and stretched out his arm in my direction. I intuitively stretched out my arm, too. And, I still can’t believe it, the sloth put its hand into mine, like it wanted to welcome me with a handshake. The whole time the sloth seemed to grin very friendly. The local behind me said, I should be careful they have sharp claws, so I pulled back my hand. The sloth went on and climbed on a tree. I still can’t believe this wonderful moment had happened. A free and wild sloth came to me and grabbed my hand. I never hassled this animal, it was its own will all the time. Unbelievable.
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4. The town La Fortuna and the Hot Springs
La Fortuna is a cute little town at the foot of the volcano. You can find nice cafés here, supermarkets, a lot of hotels and a lot of hot springs often belonging to the different hotels.
Hot springs are incredible to relax your muscles. The hotels having their own hot springs offer passes for different day times, if you don’t want to stay there for the night. However, the day passes aren’t cheap. If you stay at the hotel for the night, you can go to the hot springs any time.
Tabacon Hot Spings
The most well known one in this area with a beautiful garden!! My favorite one, but expensive.
The Springs Resort and Spa
The Springs Resort and Spa has their own on-site adventure park open to outside guests. They offer hot spring day passes and a multi adventure package.
Other ones are
Baldi Hot Springs, Titoku, Kalambu, Ecotermales
Free Hot Springs at Tabacon River
That’s were the locals go. It’s across from the Tabacon Resort.
El Salto
A free swimming hole with a swing.
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5. Hikes at Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal
For hundreds of years there wasn’t any eruption until the volcano suddenly erupted in 1968. It destroyed towns and many buildings. Lava flowed from the crater until 2010, then it stopped erupting. It’s save now to hike around the volcano, but you still can’t climb up to the crater. There are two different hiking trails, both offer similar views:
Arenal Volcano National Park
On these trails you will walk through the original lava fields of the big eruption of the volcano. There is a beautiful viewpoint, where you can see the volcano and the lake. You can do this hike on your own or take a guide. The entry fee is 15 USD.
Arenal 1968 Volcano View and Lava Trails
The pictures of this two trail loops look really good! The entry fee is 15 USD, too.
Hike the neighbor volcano Cerro Chato with the lake on the top
Unfortunately we didn’t have the time for this hike, although we would have loved to do it. Other travellers told us this:
If you want to hike the volcano neighbor of Volcano Arenal with the green lake on the top surrounded by forest, you have to drive to La Fortuna Waterfall. Before entering the parking space you have to turn right until you reach the Green Lagoon Lodge. Officially this trail is closed for environmental reasons since 1998, officially it’s not allowed to climb Cerro Chato. But the Green Lagoon Lodge sell in-official tickets anyway. They let you pay 10 USD per person for “parking” and then sometimes let you sign a waiver saying you aren’t supposed to do the illegal hike.
After parking you will be told to walk down the hill and take the U turn back up the hill. When you see a house the trail begins. For the whole 7.2 km hike and 640m of elevation you will need around 4 hours. It’s a very tough hike, very slippery and you get very dirty. You definitely need good shoes! The first 45 minutes are pretty easy on a stone trail. Then there are two left arrow signs for the longer hike. The direct hike is the small trail going up behind those signs, most people take that one. There is a blue sign saying that the trail ends there, but the barbed wire is not fully blocking and the trail continues to the left of the small fence. After another 1.5 hours you will reach the top. There is a direct short trail down to the lake, but it is very steep down. The left trail is longer but better to walk on. You can swim in the green lake, which is much bigger than expected.
Hike the Sloth Trail – The Bogarin Trail
It’s a short hike directly in the town La Fortuna and you can see many sloths, but also toucans and hummingbirds.
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6. Laguna de Arenal
The biggest lake in Costa Rica, Laguna de Arenal, is man made and created to produce hydro electric power. You can go hiking there, do a boat ride, go kayaking, sailing and windsurfing. With the car you have to drive around the whole laguna to get from Volcano Arenal to Rio Celeste or Monteverde. With a boat it’s much more direct to get there.
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7. Restaurants
The town La Fortuna has some good cafés. Our absolutely favorite one Café Organico Fortuna is very popular amongst young tourists.
Café Organico Fortuna
We loved the furniture and style of the Café Organico Fortuna, it’s very modern and boho. Also they have great vegan options. They support local smaller farmers with buying fruits and vegetables from them.
Arábigos Coffee House
This café is perfect for coffee and breakfast in the morning. We also tried a Ceviche there.
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8. Stay in a nice hotel in La Fortuna
We stayed at the Selina la Fortuna hostel in a private room. The rooms were pretty small, but more affordable then the famous Tabacon Hot Springs resort or another resort offering hot springs. However, if you want to visit hot springs anyway, you might consider to stay in such a hotel like Tabacon hot springs, since a night including the hot springs is often not that much more expensive then the simple day pass for the hot springs.
9. Visit Rio Celeste on a day trip
North-west of La Fortuna and 1 hour by car, you can visit the famous Rio Celeste waterfall with its light blue water.
↠ Read more: “Visit Rio Celeste in the Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio”
10. Visit Monteverde on a day trip
You can visit Monteverde also on a day trip, but you will need 3 hours to get there, since you have to drive a detour all the way north of the Laguna.
↠ Read more: “Cloud Forests and hanging bridges in Monteverde“
More time left?
Canyoning
Jump down waterfalls and cliffs in the rain forest.
Venado Caves
Climb through the Venado Caves, 45 minutes from La Fortuna. Be prepared for the bats.
Ziplining at SkyTrek, Arenal Canopy Tours or Ecoglide
For extreme zip-lining canopy tours SkyTrek is amazing. The view of the lake and the volcano are great. Arenal Canopy Tours or Ecoglide are slower zip-lines.
Safari Float on the Rio Frio in the Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve or along the Peñas Blancas River
Float down the river on a raft while you are looking for wildlife.
White Water Rafting
You can do white water rafting at Rio Pacuare or Rio Balsa for example.
Horseback Riding
Ride into the country side, cross rivers on a horseback and soak in the surrounding hills.
Kayaking on the Laguna de Arenal
Explore the laguna on a kayak!
Experience the swing at El Salto
It’s a local swimming spot outside the town. The swimming hole El Salto has a rope swing. It’s free to visit!
Anzeige / ad: The hotels, restaurants and companies we mentioned above didn’t sponsor us. All our recommendations are always based on our own opinion.
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