La Fortuna is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Costa Rica, home to Arenal Volcano – one of the most renowned attractions in this tropical country. I’m sure you’ve already read a lot about this place and have an idea of what you can find and see there. I’ll just share my experience of visiting this place. And let me start by saying that La Fortuna is definitely worth your attention if you have enough time, and I would dedicate at least three days for a first visit.
Where to Go and What to See
Let me begin by saying that you won’t find recommendations for super expensive hotels or activities here, only what I believe offers good value for the price and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Personally, I visited two parks in La Fortuna – the first is Arenal Volcano National Park, which is very convenient for hiking. It is located right at the base of the volcano and has a very promising entrance area. However, to be honest, I wasn’t particularly impressed by it. There are probably several trails or levels to explore, but the first and simplest one took us a couple of hours to walk. There wasn’t much to photograph, and besides birds, I didn’t encounter any animals. Maybe I was just unlucky, but it seemed to me that there are more interesting parks in Costa Rica. So, I wouldn’t specifically recommend it unless you opt for a guided tour or some form of entertainment, or you just simply want to enjoy walking in the fresh air, which isn’t bad either.
The second place is Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, and this one I definitely recommend. It is very beautiful, with convenient walking paths, lots of greenery, and wildlife. You will spend most of your time walking on hanging bridges, of which there are plenty. The entire park consists of bridges that offer stunning views and allow you to get a good look at the wildlife of this area. There are many different monkeys that make their presence known, so you don’t have to look for them yourself. Entrance to the park during my visit was around $25 per person, which was the most expensive park entrance fee of all the places I visited. But it’s definitely worth it.
Overall, La Fortuna is an exceptionally beautiful place to travel. The views that open up to the places you want to explore are breathtaking. But please, don’t speed too much while driving, as animals occasionally run onto the road, and it’s sad to see little bodies along the roadside. Unfortunately, many travelers often feed the little animals by stopping by the road, and they get used to such treatment and stop being afraid, venturing onto the road. There they face danger from speeding drivers. Be careful and protect the fauna of this unique country.
Hot Springs
Moving on, La Fortuna is famous for its hot springs, and although I regretfully did not visit any of them, I recommend new travelers to check out Tabacón: Spa y Resort from all those I researched. It seemed the most beautiful with the option for guest visits. Despite the many different spa hotels, there is also an open hot spring available, which is located near all the spa hotels, including Tabacón itself. Just enter this resort into your navigator and head towards it. Unfortunately, I can’t give you precise instructions on where this open hot spring is located, but you definitely won’t miss it. Look for the number of cars parked along the roadside where it seems like there is nothing. Another sign that you are close is the annoying parking attendants who will be bustling around these cars. I dislike these idle people who have turned a business out of nothing. They simply ask for money for parking your car where you could easily park it yourself. If you’ve been to Costa Rica before, you know exactly who I’m talking about.
Where to Stay
Around Arenal, there are many different hotels and cottages available for rent, catering to various budgets and tastes. I recommend choosing a place with its own terrace and a VIEW of the volcano. Not only will you enjoy the volcano view during your stay, but the scenery outside your window will always be different. The weather in La Fortuna is very changeable, and the view of the volcano changes literally every ten to thirty minutes. Just sitting with a cup of coffee on the terrace is something unforgettable. I stayed in a small bungalow, Vista Elita Casita, rented on Airbnb, and I was very satisfied with it. It is ideal for one or two people for a couple of days.
Where to Eat
I prepared all our breakfasts myself, as I find they suit my taste better than the classic ones you’ll find in Costa Rica. Fresh fruit and a couple of boiled eggs with delicious coffee are more than enough for me. For lunch, I stopped by random local cafes – Sodas – and had snacks there. One worth mentioning is Soda La Palma; if nothing has changed since my visit, you should be pleased. The classic dish Arroz con Pollo was simply wonderful.
Good luck with your trip, and I hope my experience was helpful to you.