La Fortuna is known as the Adventure Capital of Costa Rica. Not only will you find a surplus of outdoor adventures, but you’ll also discover unparalleled beauty. Keep reading to discover 6 of the best things to do in La Fortuna Costa Rica!
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6 of the Best Things to do in La Fortuna Costa Rica
Table of Contents
- 1. Zipline over La Fortuna Falls
- 2. Visit Mistico Hanging Bridges Park
- 3. Stay in a Treehouse
- 4. Go hiking at Arenal Volcano
- 5. Soak in hot springs at The Springs Resort and Spa
- 6. Eat dinner in La Fortuna
- A few more of the best things to do in La Fortuna
1. Zipline over La Fortuna Falls
Costa Rica is known for having some of the best zip lines in the world.
There are quite a few zipline tour companies in La Fortuna, but after doing some research we decided to book the Adrenaline Combo tour with Arenal Mundo Aventura and loved it!
The tour begins with a safety and instructional demonstration before taking an open-air tractor ride up the mountain.
Once you reach the top, your adventure begins with seven different thrilling zip lines reaching speeds of up to 60 mph.
You’ll even soar over two waterfalls, including the majestic 230-foot La Fortuna Waterfall. It truly is an unforgettable experience!
The combo tour also includes the opportunity to rappel down the side of a waterfall.
One of the cable lines will take you to the top of the waterfall where you will then rappel over 260-feet to the base of the rushing falls.
Once you reach the bottom, you will be standing in solitude surrounded by ethereal beauty with the rushing falls and the towering cliffs carpeted in vegetation.
After taking time to savor the moment, you’ll ascend out of the base via a 100-step ladder. If you have a fear of heights, this may not be the tour for you!
But if you can handle heights, then it is such a surreal experience.
Once you reach the top, you’ll continue along the rest of the zipline course.
After completing all of the ziplines, you’ll then take a horse ride back to the Arenal Mundo Aventura Center along a dirt road through the jungle.
Our guide even spotted a mama and baby sloth while we were riding along!
If you are hungry, there is a restaurant located at the center. The food is decent and it is a convenient spot to grab a bite to eat after your tour.
After ziplining over the La Fortuna Waterfall, take the time to hike down to see the waterfall up close.
Just be prepared to hike the steep 500 steps down to the base of the falls where you’ll be rewarded with its magnificent beauty.
You can even swim in the waterfall if the water is not too rough. There is also a smaller calmer pool on the left.
Admission is $18 per adult and $5 per child. The trail is open from 7 am – 5 pm with the last entry at 4 pm.
If you have time, I would recommend booking a combo tour where you can visit La Fortuna Falls, a Maluku Indian Village, eat lunch, and soak in hot springs at a local resort for only $88 per person.
*Related post: Be sure to visit the nearby Rio Celeste Waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall in Costa Rica!
A few things to note:
- Backpacks are not allowed on the tour, but belt bags are okay to carry your phone, keys, etc.
- Water jugs are available at a few of the zipline stops.
- If you want to bring a GoPro, be sure to bring a wrist attachment. You will need both hands on the zipline and the helmets are not equipped with mounts.
- Be sure to wear tennis shoes and comfortable clothes. I would recommend leggings and a light jacket in case it rains.
- You won’t get wet when rappelling by the waterfall, so a swimsuit is not necessary.
- The tour was expected to last 4 hours, but we had a smaller group and were done in about 2 1/2 hours.
- The cost is $114 per person. There are also other combo tours available.
- A photographer will tag along and take photos of your adventure with the option to purchase them at the end.
2. Visit Mistico Hanging Bridges Park
The Mistico Hanging Bridges Park is a private rainforest reserve with a 2-mile network of trails and bridges.
It is known for its 6 suspension bridges that hang high above the jungle canopy with views of Arenal Volcano.
There is also a waterfall that you can take a short spur trail to reach.
The forest sanctuary is home to a wide array of animals including sloths, anteaters, coatis, monkeys, snakes, ocelots, peccaries, lizards, frogs, snakes, tropical birds, and more.
Admission is $26 for a self-guided tour where you can explore at your own pace.
However, if you want to make the most of your time there I would recommend taking a guided tour with a licensed naturalist.
Your tour guide will be able to point out animals and insects that you may not otherwise be able to see on your own.
We opted to do the self-guided tour due to time restraints, but we didn’t see any animals on our own and regretted not doing a guided tour.
If you have time, the Mistico Park Restaurant also offers local dishes and spectacular views of Arenal Volcano.
3. Stay in a Treehouse
Staying in a treehouse should definitely be on your Costa Rica bucket list!
The Sangregado Lodge is a small family-owned boutique hotel located right across from Mistico Hanging Bridges. It offers a collection of modern rooms perched over the rainforest.
There is just something so magical about falling asleep and waking up to the sounds of the rainforest.
Each of the rooms boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with sliding glass doors that open up to a spacious deck.
However, my favorite feature is the bathroom with a soaker tub situated under a wall of glass.
Not only did the room exceed our expectations, but we were impressed with the service and care that we received at the Sangregado Lodge. We were even greeted with a fresh coconut when we arrived!
Breakfast is also included at the Blue Hibiscus Restaurant just down the road at the Lost Iguana Resort.
This open-air restaurant offers a delicious continental breakfast with local dishes and fresh fruit.
You’ll also most likely spot the resident family of raccoon-like pizotes that hang around the property.
If you don’t have a vehicle, Sangregado Lodge will coordinate a complimentary shuttle to the Blue Hibiscus Restaurant.
4. Go hiking at Arenal Volcano
The Arenal Volcano is an iconic landmark that punctuates the landscape near La Fortuna.
The nearly 5,500-foot cone can be seen from miles away. It is actually quite rare to see the volcano in its entirety as the tip is usually covered in a blanket of clouds.
If the top emerges from the clouds you’ll see people pulled over on the side of the road just to snap a picture and catch a glimpse.
Arenal is considered one of Costa Rica’s most active volcanos. The last major eruption happened in 1968 and lasted for a duration of 15 days. It even destroyed three towns.
The activity has significantly slowed down since 2010, but if you look closely on a clear day you can still see steam coming out of the top!
It is prohibited to hike up the volcano, however, there are several trails around the base that lead through the rainforest and across the lava fields.
Two of the most popular trails include the Main Lookout which offers the best viewpoint, and the Sendero Las Coladas Trail which follows the lava flow to the base of the volcano.
All of the hiking trails are relatively short and easy to traverse.
For an enriched experience, consider booking a guided hike.
Your guide will share the history of the area while pointing out interesting plants and elusive animals. You may even spot armadillos, monkeys, sloths, tree frogs, and more.
5. Soak in hot springs at The Springs Resort and Spa
After spending the day hiking, there’s nothing better than relaxing in hot springs. There are several hotels in the area that offer day passes to enjoy their hot springs.
We chose to make reservations at The Springs Resort and Spa and were so impressed with the property.
In fact, it was one of our favorite stops on our 5 Day Costa Rica Itinerary!
If you are a fan of The Bachelor, you may even recognize this resort from Peter’s season in 2020 and Brad’s season in 2011.
With secluded hot springs and dreamy views of Arenal, it really is such a romantic destination!
There are three different levels of hot springs. The first is located just steps from the hotel and features a swim-up bar with jaw-dropping views of Arenal.
You’ll also find the springs with the hottest temperature on this level.
The second level can be accessed by a walking path leading down to the right. You’ll find a collection of hot springs nestled deep in the rainforest as well as a pool with a waterslide.
The third level is referred to as “Club Rio” and can be reached by a complimentary shuttle bus.
The bus will take you about a mile down a dirt road where you will find even more remote hot springs hidden in a jungle setting on the banks of a river.
Other activities are also offered at Club Rio for an additional charge, including river tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, rock climbing, rappelling, and animal enclosures.
The current rate is $78 for a 2-day pass (single-day passes are not available).
The hot springs are open from 8 am – 10 pm (however, Club Rio closes at 5 pm) so you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy soaking in the springs well after you’re done hiking and exploring.
There are also a few restaurant options on-site. The food is average and the prices are a little high, but it is convenient and the patio views are stunning.
*Related post: Discover two incredibly unique waterfalls in one place Hidden Gems of Costa Rica: Catarata del Toro and Blue Falls
6. Eat dinner in La Fortuna
La Fortuna is a small town located in the Northern Highlands of Costa Rica.
The main street is a bustling thoroughfare with mopeds zipping through the dusty streets, peddlers hocking souvenirs, small shops selling local goods, tour operators vying for the attention of tourists, and a handful of hotels and open-air restaurants known as sodas.
At night the town really comes alive with music spilling out of outdoor patios hung with lights and the smell of smoked meat permeating the air.
For a true Costa Rican experience, mingle with the locals and grab dinner in La Fortuna.
We chose to eat at Pollo Fortuneno. It is a budget-friendly option specializing in grilled chicken and barbecue ribs. The food was delicious and the service was friendly.
Here are a few more of the best places to eat in La Fortuna:
- Lava Lounge Bar and Grill: A lively atmosphere with delicious ceviche. Be sure to try the mango cheesecake!
- Yellow Bark: Serving homemade local comfort dishes.
- Restaurante Travesia: A casual atmosphere with an elevated cuisine. Their specialty is smoked meat and seafood dishes.
- Restaurante Selva Rustica: Enjoy classic Costa Rican dishes on the outdoor patio.
- La Parada: Be sure to try the patacones appetizer, fajitas, and papaya smoothie!
- Alfa Venezuelan Food Truck: This food truck serves the best empanadas (try the plantain and queso!) with nice outdoor seating.
- Jalapas Restaurant: This restaurant is located a little outside of town but is worth the drive. Jalapas serves upscale Costa Rican food and is perched on a hill with sweeping views of the valley and Volcan Arenal.
*Related post: Visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens for a high concentration of waterfalls and Costa Rica’s largest animal sanctuary.
A few more of the best things to do in La Fortuna
- Lake Arenal: Explore Lake Arenal with a paddleboarding tour or, enjoy a serene sunset cruise.
- Free hot springs: If you don’t want to splurge on a day pass at a resort, you can find free hot springs located just down the road from the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. You’ll find cars parked all along the road and a path across the road from the entrance that leads to the river and free hot springs.
- Sloth Tour: On this sloth tour, a local guide will drive you through the rainforest to find the best places to spot sloths, toucans, and tree frogs in the wild.
- Gravity Falls: For an extreme adventure, take this waterfall jumping and canyoning tour that includes jumping and rappelling down a series of waterfalls deep in the canyon.
- ATV and Rafting: For an adrenaline-filled day, take an all-day tour that includes class 2 & 3 white water rafting, an ATV tour to La Fortuna waterfall, and dinner at a local farmhouse.
- El Salto River: A local swimming hole with a rope swing and rocks to jump from. It is located about 1 mile down the road from La Fortuna Waterfall under the La Fortuna Bridge. You can also put “El Salto rope swing” into Google Maps and it should pull up.
- La Roca Canyoning: This canyoning tour was recommended by our Airbnb host. On the tour, you’ll rappel down 4 spectacular waterfalls and jump into 3 natural pools within the walls of the Arenal River Canyon. The tour also includes 2 zip line cables that cross the canyon, a hike through the rainforest, and lunch.
I hope this guide has helped you discover the best things to do in La Fortuna Costa Rica!
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