La Fortuna.
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Overview

La Fortuna de San Carlos is a small town in the north of Costa Rica. It is known mainly for the nearby Arenal Volcano (1,633 m), a destination for scientists and tourists. See volcanoes for general information.

Understand

La Fortuna was called "El Borio" before an eruption in 1968 that destroyed 3 villages: Tabacón, Pueblo Nuevo and San Luís. El Borio (La Fortuna) is on the east side of the volcano and was untouched. After the eruption of the volcano, El Borio was renamed "La Fortuna", which means "the fortunate", referring to the town's luck during the eruption.

Get in

Also, buses from San Ramon (Costa Rica). There is one local bus per day from Tilaran.

When leaving La Fortuna, bus schedules seem to be highly arbitrary and unreliable. The more often you ask, the more departure times they will tell you. Some touts will try to exploit this situation. It is best to approximately have a bus departure time, arrive a little earlier and plan for 1 hr waiting or so.

By shared shuttle There are several companies, such as Daytrip, offering direct shared shuttle buses to La Fortuna from San Jose a few times a day. They depart from Selina San Jose, San Jose International Airport, or custom pickup locations either in the morning (7:45AM Selina San Jose, 9AM SJO) or afternoon (1PM Selina San Jose, 2:15PM SJO).

Available from San Jose to Arenal and other destinations.

By car It is a 3½-hr drive from San José, but the junctions are not very well marked, so bring a good map.

By plane Domestic flights are available with Aerobell Airlines, or Sansa Airlines.

Get around

By road There are one or two buses that go around the volcano. Generally, tourists rely on taxis or their own cars (everywhere you will have to pay for parking).

By thumb Hitch-hiking is actually a reasonable option and quite easy if you are travelling on a tight budget. This way you can reach the park entrance, trails or hot springs time independently and fast.

See

Arenal Volcano. The photos at the right of this article are views from the village of El Castillo, on the southwest side of the Volcano, about west of La Fortuna and about up the road from the Arenal National Park entrance. There are great views of Lake Arenal and the Monteverde Cloud Forest from road up above El Castillo. In October 2010, the volcano ceased its activity and the famous flowing lava has been gone since. Seeing some smoke during the day is possible, however, do not expect to see lava/eruptions in the night, regardless of clouds. This could change at any time. Tours to the National Park usually start out in the early afternoon and include walking for about an hour through lava rocks before reaching El Mirador, the best place to view the eruption of the volcano. There are also possibilities of skipping the lava rock walking and go straight to El Mirador. Most tours state that they will stay for 1-1½ hr at this place, but if there is nothing to be seen, probably a lot less. It might be chilly, so bring a jacket.

Lake Arenal. Just west of the Arenal Volcano and can be seen as you drive over the dam on the main highway to Tilaran. Much better views of the lake and volcano can be seen from the hills above the village of El Castillo, which is located from the main highway on the Arenal National Park road. Activities on lake include boat tours, fishing, kayaking, and wind surfing.

Fortuna Waterfall. Stone steps lead to the bottom. Take a swimsuit for the pool in the lovely stream below. The entrance is accessible by road, so a cab works fine too. Once you pay to go in, you are free to stay as long as you'd like. It's about a 10-min hike down to the waterfall and 20 min back up.

Do

River pool. Take a dip in the refreshing waters of Río Fortuna and use the El Salto Rope Swing to jump into the water.

Arenal Butterfly Conservatory. A visit to the Butterfly Conservatory offers a practical educational experience about nature with diversified exhibits of how butterflies, frogs, insects, and plants are reproduced in this natural environment. There are six large atrium habitats that provide representation of the plants, trees, butterflies, and frogs that live within the four micro-climates surrounding Lake Arenal; the lowland habitat, highland habitat, edge of forest habitat, and inside of forest habitat. You will also see laboratories, reproduction greenhouses, the exotic frog habit, host plant gardens and orchid atrium. If you want more adventure, then take the Rainforest River Walk along Quebrada Mariposa, the creek running through the primary forest on the property, where it’s often possible to spot animals such as sloths, tayras and monkeys; or toucans and parrots. Or, just take time to reflect at the Volcano View Gazebo, overlooking the botanical gardens, with views to the Arenal lake and volcano beyond.

Canyoneering (Waterfall-Rappelling) – In the Lost Canyon. This is a gorgeous 2½-hour horseback ride along the beautiful Lake Arenal on wonderful, and hopefully healthy horses. Fishing, kayak, etc. at the lake – For entertainment a boat navigates around the Arenal lake, so that you can appreciate the unparalleled views. Also, kayaks and other water activities can be done at the lake. Of course the main attraction is the fishing. The lake has many species of fish but the "Guapote" Bass is most prevalent; this fish is a close relative of the peacock bass and is just as strong. Other fish like the Mojara are also prevalent, think 'kin to the piranha but fruit eaters'. White water rafting – On the Mighty Río Toro (Class 3-4), with over 45 exciting and continuous rapids that move through of deep-canyon gorges passing waterfalls in a tropical canyon. Another option is the Beautiful Río Balsa (Class 2-3).

FlyZone Wakeboard Center on Lake Arenal. Lake Arenal is starting to develop into the wakeboard center of Costa Rica. Here you can learn how to wakeboard while the monkeys are watching you from the shore; an unforgettable experience. Always calm water to be found, and year round good air- and water temperatures.

During the rainy season, colder rainwater meeting warm spring water creates a breeding ground for bacterial infections. It's best to visit the springs when the weather is dry.

Tabaconcito Hot Springs. Very popular and crowded. It is across the road from Tabacon Springs used to be Tabaconcito Hot Springs. It was administered by the Tabacon Hotel, but after losing a lawsuit—rivers belong to the public—they had to leave the complex and is now free to enter. There are no facilities except for some ranches and tables. This is a great place to enjoy a natural river, with even some waterfalls and places to relax within it. Since no one controls the site, you can take inside any food or drinks. Beware that after sunset there is no electricity in that place, so if you are planning on staying late at night bring with you a good flashlight (torch).

Baldí Hot Springs. 16 hot springs of various temperatures. Like Tabacon Hot Springs, this too is often included in volcano viewing packages.

EcoTermales Fortuna. More relaxing and a bit more discreet than either Baldi & Tabacon. Reservations definitely recommended as they limit to 100 guests. Good dinner and drinks. Friendly service and feels like you're a guest of the family rather than a customer.

Tabacon Hot Springs. The fee includes modern changing rooms with locks, towels, and access to the multi-level hot spring with a slide, artificial waterfalls, view of the volcano, and bars for drinks without leaving the water.

In spite of expectations, all hiking opportunities are just at the foot of the volcano with often not very great views of the volcano. Of course, the journey is the reward, but if you really want to see a volcano, head to Poas. Otherwise, great views (and pictures) of the volcano are from the southwestern side near the lake.

Arenal Volcano Night Hike. Around a two-hour hike through secondary rainforest which contains lots of habitat of monkeys, spiders, congos, some cariblancos and not leaving behind the toucans, turkeys, and the big quantity of different flora that's in the outskirts of the volcano. There are some emerald green hot springs, colored from copper deposits.

Buy

Standard souvenirs, photos of the erupting volcano, machetes at the hardware store, Costa Rican coffee.

Eat

Que Rico Arenal. toward the lake from the Catholic Church of La Fortuna. Italian and international menu. Great location for viewing the volcano with an excellent meal!

Don Rufino. A welcoming break from traditional Costa Rican food. International cuisine, extensive menu, fantastic ambiance.

La Choza de Laurel is 3 blocks away from the park. Fantastic menu selection. Tasty food, cheerful service, open to the breeze. Los Nenes, not a very attractive setting one block from the main street and two blocks from the park (when entering from east), but reasonably priced food (but not as good or big portions as Lava Rocks). The nachos with everything is really good.

Lava Rocks Café. Good food, generous portions. Try the Casado de pollo (₡2950).

Lava Lounge is on main street just getting into town before the park. Good food, a break from typical Tico food.

Travelers looking for more local and inexpensive food can go to any of the numerous 'Soda' restaurants.

Soda La Hormiga. Excellent breakfast and food for little money.

D´Mi Tierra Restaurant. Traditional, home-style cuisine from Costa Rica and the Caribbean.A wide selection of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes.

Sleep

Arenal Backpackers. Air-conditioned rooms, hot water, restaurant and a really nice pool.

Oriuma Hotel. Gated parking is available.

Arenal Rabfer. Family-run, decent, very modern, tiny but comfortable double room with balcony & bath & breakfast, friendly hosts, good view of volcano from landing, occasional iguanas.

Arenal Manoa Hotel & Hotel Resort. Volcano views from all rooms. The hotel includes a swimming pool, Jacuzzi and a nice restaurant. Also, free farm tour. Spa service.

Lomas del Volcan. Volcano views from all rooms.

Hotel Arenal Paraíso Resort & Spa. Each room has a small patio and offers a view of the volcano as well as double bed, TV, fridge, coffee pot, hot water.

Arenal Volcano Inn. 15 rooms. The deluxe rooms feature two queen size beds, mini fridge, a/c, private bathroom with hot water, coffee maker and safety deposit box. Every room has its own private terrace with direct view to the volcano. The hotel has swimming pool, a small spa for body treatments and a very good Italian/international restaurant.

Finca Luna Nueva Lodge. Organic/biodynamic certified ginger and turmeric farm with rustic lodgings on the edge of the rainforest. Steven, the farm manager is a walking encyclopedia of medicinal plants, sustainable farming and rainforest ecology. They have a variety of lodging options from individual cabins to air-conditioned master suites. All have overwhelmingly comfortable beds and nice views. The food is all organically grown on the site (including the meat) and is alone worth the trip. They have a natural pool and solar jacuzzi, wireless internet, rainforest hikes, options for day-tours both on and nearby the farm.

Hotel La Fortuna. A five-story hotel in downtown. Good views from the upper rooms. Several rooms and most of the hotel are wheelchair accessible. On site restaurant, sports bar and offers "No Limits Tours" for senior and physically challenged and disabled tourists.

Jardines de Arenal. 15 rooms, all with AC and fan, 1 double and 2 single beds. A typical breakfast with gallo pinto, egg, ham, cereals, fruit, bread, coffee and juice is included. The owner Hernán Blanco can help you order tours to the surrounding attractions, and if you're lucky, he might give you a free ride to the volcano (and back). Friendly and helpful staff.

La Mansion Arenal La Mansion Arenal overlooks the vast Lake Arenal and is located just minutes from the volcano and hot springs. The hotel includes an infinity pool, wireless internet and free canoes for your enjoyment.

La Roca Virgen. La Roca Virgen is a surprisingly cheap yet clean and comfortable place to stay. Off the beaten path but only a couple minutes walk to the center of town. 6? Off season discounts. Wireless internet. TV, fan, and refrigerator in rooms. Tours arranged. Property patrolled/inhabited by friendly dogs.

Volcano Lodge. The lodge has 65 rooms with two double beds, a/c and private bathroom with hot water. One of the better views of the lava flow of the Arenal Volcano, also features an open air jacuzzi with a magnificent view of the volcano and swimming pools.

Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge & Wildlife Refuge. Located at the base of Arenal Volcano and managed by a local family. Rooms are rustic fancy cabins in the woods. The lodge has its own wildlife refuge where you can walk in flat trails inside the rain forest, visit a butterfly garden, frog ponds and terrariums with local reptiles, insects and poison dart frogs.

Magic Mountain. A colonial modern hotel, facing the Arenal volcano. Scenic location provides visitors with a stunning view of the volcano.

Hotel Los Heroes. A few meters from Lake Arenal. Features Swiss chalets, a rotating restaurant and a small railroad track.

Arenal Country Inn. In the foothills of the Arenal volcano, it has 20 rooms with view of the volcano. The hotel has swimming pool, beautiful gardens, restaurant service and conference room.

Chachagua Rain Forest Hotel. One of the most biologically diverse in the entire country, the Chachagua's 50 acres (20 hectares) spread nestles up against the Children's International Rain Forest which has great potential for bird and wildlife viewing. Chachagua is fairly self-sustaining: it grows its own fruit and other produce is grown on the ranch. Overall the hotel provides nature guides, nature tours, walks, breakfast, dinner, and a transfer to or from San José. The best times to visit are November through March.

The Springs Resort & Spa. One of the newest resorts in Costa Rica and one that has incredible views of Arenal Volcano. The hotel premises includes hot springs, three restaurants, a wildlife preserve, a fitness center and a casino. Easily one of Costa Rica's most extravagant hotels.