In the past, La Fortuna was mainly an agricultural area where farming was one of their main sources of income. However, in the year 1968, the volcano known as Arenal started erupting and spewing molten lava until the year 2010. Although dangerous, the volcano gave such a grand view that tourists from all over the globe began visiting and taking pictures and recordings of the volcano. Today, although the volcano is inactive, La Fortuna has managed to become a town of progress through tourism. Turns out the volcanic eruption was able to create beautiful landscapes and was able to give minerals to the soil, making the land a haven for plants and flowers to grow. La Fortuna today is visited for its picturesque beauty and natural attractions. If you are visiting this destination and you’re currently planning what activities you should do during your visit, then continue reading down below for a list of the best things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.
1. Hike the Arenal Volcano (from USD 71.0)
Do you love the mind and body connection that you get out of hiking? Well, this tour is the perfect hiking experience you’ll never forget. This tour will allow you to hike and discover the Arenal Volcano National Park. There, you will explore the stunning landscapes within the volcanic range, where you will walk in beautiful forests and have a chance to cross the rocky fields and hot springs (in which was once a basin of molten lava). The hike is around 2 miles (3.2km) and will take you 3 hours to finish. This hiking tour includes a guide, a dinner, hotel pick up and drop off, and a round-trip shared transfer.
La Fortuna to Arenal Volcano National Park Hike, Hot Springs
Duration: 4 hours
2. Go white water rafting on the Balsa River (from USD 68.0)
Is relaxation not your thing? This Balsa River white water rafting activity will truly test your abilities as well as the abilities of the others who come with you. In this activity, you together with a small group will paddle down the class I and class II waters of the Balsa River. Feel the rush as you glide along the 6 miles (10 kilometers) of the unpredictable river while having a chance to peek at some wild animals such as monkeys, sloths, and various types of birds. This rafting event shall include a professional guide, transportation, a lunch, beer, towel, bottled water, snacks, as well as all the pieces of equipment you will need to finish the event safely.
La Fortuna to Balsa River White-Water Rafting Adventure
Duration: 5 hours
3. Ride a horse to La Fortuna Waterfall (from USD 96.0)
Take your jungle exploration experience to a whole new level by horse-back riding your way around the Arenal Volcano. This tour will allow you to view the marvelous La Fortuna Waterfall and the tropical rain forest of Arenal. Aside from visiting such beautiful attractions, you can also take your time to chill at the base of the falls and learn about Costa Rica’s history and culture. The trip does not require any experience in horseback riding and it is suitable for ages as young as four years old. Upon signing up for the tour, you can expect a professional tour guide, a horse, a helmet, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall
Duration: 4 hours
4. Learn about Costa Rican farming (from USD 80.0)
Would you like to learn more about the traditional farming lifestyle in Costa Rica? This half-day tour in La Fortuna will allow you to learn about the traditional ways a family farm can produce crops such as bananas, cacao, and corn, as well as a walk through a privately owned rain forest. In the rain forest reserve, you will be able to spot wildlife that is propagating through the area. After the tour, enjoy the hearty Costa Rican meal that has been cooked fresh and on a wood-burning stove. The tour is inclusive of a traditional Costa Rican lunch, bottled water, snacks, a professional guide, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
Costa Rica Campesino Farm Tour
Duration: 5 hours
5. Go on a mountain-bike tour to the Arenal Lake (from USD 83.0)
Is venturing around the Arenal Lake on a bike your thing? This mountain biking tour will allow you to cycle your way around Arenal Volcano National Park and Arenal Lake with proper safety and a knowledgable guide. Be ready to spot lots of boats, different trees and plants, the beautiful lake, and wildlife such as iguanas and tropical birds. The half-day mountain biking tour is inclusive of all necessary pieces of equipment to start your tour, a guide, fruit, snacks, water, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
Arenal Volcano National Park and Lake Full-Day Cycling Tour
Duration: 3 hours
6. Learn how chocolate is made on a chocolate tour (from USD 30.0)
If you love chocolate and would love to learn about the process of making it, then this rainforest tour should be a trip you should consider. On this tour, you will learn about the history of chocolate production in La Fortuna, how cocoa is harvested, how it’s processed, and at the end, have a taste of the finished product. The tour will last about two hours and it is inclusive of all the food you are to taste, and a professional guide.
La Fortuna Rainforest Chocolate Tour with Cocoa Farm Admission
Duration: 2 hours
7. Visit Galeria Onirica Art Shop
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you are interested in contemporary Costa Rican art, then Onirica Art Gallery is a place you may want to consider visiting. The art gallery features work from various artists from the different regions of Costa Rica. Their collections include paintings, jewelry, and sculptures made with different styles and mediums. If you feel like purchasing some of the artwork but don’t like to carry them throughout your visit, the gallery will gladly ship it to any specified address you give them, such as your home address.
Galeria Onirica Art Shop
Address: Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 10am - 7pm; Fri: 10am - 4pm; Sat: 11am - 7pm
8. Eat at Restaurante Don Rufino
With over a decade of experience in serving the locality of La Fortuna, Don Rufino Restaurante is a place that has gained a great reputation from both locals and tourists. They serve authentic Costa Rican cuisines and seafood. Some of their popular dishes would be Grandma’s Roasted Chicken, Kabocha squash risotto, Don Rufino’s Ceviche, and the Costa Rican trout fillet. The place is nicely lit, well-spaced and ventilated, polished and very classy in its overall aesthetic. If you are looking for a place to eat and want to actually enjoy the experience, then Don Rufino Restaurante is a place you should consider visiting.
Restaurante Don Rufino
Address: 142 94, Provincia de Alajuela, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Website: Restaurante Don Rufino
Opening hours: 11:30am - 10:30pm (daily)
9. Enjoy local cuisines at Soda Mima
Posted by Soda Mima on Thursday, July 23, 2020
If you are visiting La Fortuna on a budget and you’re looking for a restaurant that won’t take much from your budget, Soda Mima restaurant has got your back. They serve Latin, Central American, and Costa Rican cuisines. The place is known and has become popular for its hospitality and speedy service, as well as the competitive pricing of their food and drinks.
Soda Mima
Address: Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6:30am - 8pm; Sun: 6:30am - 12pm
10. Embark on an Arenal River tubing adventure (from USD 70.0)
Don’t want to go paddling but still want the rush and excitement that rafting has got to offer? This tubing tour will do exactly that! Clear your mind amidst the rain forest of Costa Rica, navigate through the mix of calm and rushing rivers, and finish your day by relaxing at the natural hot springs near the volcanic range of Arenal. This tour is inclusive of hotel pick up and drop-off as well as all the tubing equipment you’ll need while tubing on the river.
Arenal River Tubing Adventure and Hot Springs included
Duration: 2 hours
11. Get a bird's eye view of the Arenal Rainforest with Sky Adventures (from USD 84.0)
View the Arenal rainforest from a bird’s eye view via zipline or/and air gondola. Sky Adventures allows you to relax on a two and a half-hour air gondola ride where you can get a good view of the beautiful rainforest in a slow and relaxing way. They also have a zip line option where you can zip through the rainforest in a fast and exhilarating manner. Both of the rides allow you to view the Arenal Lake and Volcano. They also have a platform where you can take your time to observe wildlife such as toucans, iguanas, and howler monkeys without interfering or disturbing them.
Tip from Content Creator
This incredible view that I had while visiting Costa Rica made me feel on top of the world! I got to take a sky tram up a mountain through the lush rainforest to get to this breathtaking photo spot, La Mano Del Arenal, with epic views of Lake Arenal. It’s definitely an experience I will never forget.
Sky Adventures Park Unmatched Zipline Course & Aerial Tram @ Arenal
12. Have fun at Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park (from USD 20.0)
If you are visiting La Fortuna together with your friends and family, a great way to spend your time with them would be through a safe, fun, relaxing, and family-friendly activity. Kalambu Hot Springs water park is a place located at the center of the Arenal region where you and your family can enjoy the scenic view of the garden, have fun in the hot pools, play area, and water slides. Tickets will grant you access to parking, towels, and lockers to secure your belongings.
La Fortuna Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park Day Admission Ticket
Duration: 11 hours
13. Discover Costa Rica's wildlife at Natura Ecological Park (from USD 55.0)
Explore Costa Rica’s rainforest in a two-hour guided tour at the Arenal Natura Ecological Park. On the tour, you will discover and get a better understanding of Costa Rica’s wildlife and their habitat. A few of the wildlife available for observation are different species of snakes, crocodiles, turtles, butterflies, and frogs. Each of the wildlife is located in different areas such as the snake garden, frog garden, butterfly garden, turtle pond, and the crocodile lake. The tour is family-friendly and it is open to all ages, perfect if you are visiting with children.
Natura Premium Tour (butterflies frogs snakes crocodiles turtles nature.trails)
Duration: 2 hours
A place of natural beauty and adventure
La Fortuna is a place blessed with natural beauty and resources. It is a place where you can view wildlife in their natural habitat without bothering them. A place where you can enjoy, relax and appreciate the natural gifts of La Fortuna such as its rainforest, its rivers, lakes, the marvellous volcano, and hot springs. La Fortuna is progressing in a way that it doesn’t abuse the environment, in fact, taking care and harmonizing with the forest is probably the main reason for their progress. If you love to relax, have fun, and connect with nature, La Fortuna is the place to be.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
15 Best Things To Do In Mt. Juliet, TennesseeSwadeep Singh -
Create an account to