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La Fortuna is famous for lush rainforest, beautiful waterfalls, and the iconic Arenal Volcano. With so many different attractions to see and adventures to experience, La Fortuna is a great destination for nature-lovers and thrill-seekers. Here are the best things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica!
Arenal Volcano Hike
If you’re up for hiking, head over to Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal 1968, or Mirador el Silencio. All three spots offer great hiking trails, and depending on the weather, you might get a good view of Arenal Volcano! This is also a great way to spot wildlife. Keep an eye out for monkeys and sloths in the trees!
We went to Arenal Volcano National Park and spent about two and a half hours there. We did the Las Coladas Trail to the Old Lava Flow Lookout and did the El Ceibo Trail on the way back.
La Fortuna Waterfall
Spend some time in La Fortuna visiting the iconic La Fortuna Waterfall. It’s 1,000 steps round trip to get to the base of the waterfall and back, but the view is worth it! Depending on how rainy it’s been lately, you might be able to swim there.
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Spend a few hours learning how coffee and chocolate are made and trying some samples. Check out North Fields Cafe or Don Olivo for great tour options in La Fortuna. If you want to bring coffee and chocolate home as a souvenir, we recommend buying it from these farms instead of airport duty-free.
Hot Springs
One of the best activities to do in the La Fortuna area is taking a dip in the hot springs. There are a ton of different hot spring options including Tabacon, Baldi, and Ecotermales. We purchased a day pass to Tabacon and loved it! There are over 20 natural pools at Tabacon for guests to explore. If you’re looking for a free option, check out El Choyin for public hot springs.
Zip Lining
One of the most thrilling activities to do in the La Fortuna area is zip line over the rainforest with great views of Arenal Volcano. We highly recommend zip lining at Sky Adventures, where you go across the tallest zip line in Costa Rica!
Hanging Bridges
Mistico Hanging Bridges are a must-do in La Fortuna! The trail through Mistico Park is a little over 2 miles long and has 6 hanging bridges and 10 regular bridges. You can walk through the park on a self-guided tour or pay extra for a guided tour. If you’re interested in seeing a lot of wildlife, go for the guided tour. Tickets for both tour types can be purchased in advance on the Mistico Park website. We recommend getting there as early as you can.
Bird Watching
Take an early morning tour to look for hummingbirds, toucans, and more! One of the best spots for bird watching in La Fortuna is the Arenal Observatory Lodge and Trails. Check out their Birdwatching Tours Page for more information and a list of birds that can be seen in the area around the Observatory.
Sloth Tour
La Fortuna is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see sloths in their natural habitat. Check out Bogarin Trail or Sloth’s Territory for their guided sloth tours.
Safari Float
This is a fun activity if you like to get out on the water! Float down the Penas Blancas River while looking for wildlife. This tour on Viator is a highly-rated option.
Night Wildlife Tour
With many animals only coming out after dark, a nighttime wildlife tour is a great way to spot all kinds of critters, including frogs, snakes, and spiders.
What else is there to do in Costa Rica?
Depending on how much time you have in Costa Rica, we recommend heading to Manuel Antonio after visiting La Fortuna. Check out our 9-Day Costa Rica Itinerary for more information!
Disclaimer: All information presented in this post was accurate at the time of our trip. Attractions, availability, circumstances, operating hours, prices, etc. are subject to change and this post may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Readers are advised to do their due diligence in researching the location prior to travel. Hyperlink content may be out-of-date and is not sponsored by or affiliated with Scenic Sites unless otherwise noted.
Visited January 2025 | Posted April 2025
