How much does it cost to travel to La Fortuna?
You should plan to spend around $104 (₡52,550) per day on your vacation in La Fortuna. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $27 (₡13,923) on meals
- $21 (₡10,645) on local transportation
- $102 (₡51,915) on hotels
A one week trip to La Fortuna for two people costs, on average, $1,451 (₡735,707). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to La Fortuna has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is La Fortuna expensive to visit?
Prices in La Fortuna are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Central America, La Fortuna is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Central America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, La Fortuna is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is La Fortuna Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to La Fortuna?
The average La Fortuna trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these La Fortuna travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
₡51,915
($102)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
₡10,645
($21)
|
|
Food 2
|
₡13,923
($27)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
₡22,292
($44)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
₡2,813 -
8,438
($6 - 17)
|
Accommodation Budget in La Fortuna
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in La Fortuna is $51 (₡25,957). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in La Fortuna is $102 (₡51,915). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in La Fortuna? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in La Fortuna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in La Fortuna is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $21 (₡10,645) per person, per day, on local transportation in La Fortuna.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$21
₡10,645
How much does it cost to go to La Fortuna? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in La Fortuna will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in La Fortuna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in La Fortuna can vary, the average cost of food in La Fortuna is $27 (₡13,923) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in La Fortuna should cost around $11 (₡5,569) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in La Fortuna is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$27
₡13,923
Entertainment Budget in La Fortuna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in La Fortuna typically cost an average of $44 (₡22,292) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$44
₡22,292
Alcohol Budget in La Fortuna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $11 (₡5,625) on alcoholic beverages in La Fortuna per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$11
₡5,625
Water Budget in La Fortuna
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.95 (₡991) on bottled water in La Fortuna per day. The public water in La Fortuna is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.95
₡991
Last Updated: Jan 20, 2024
La Fortuna On a Budget
Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica
La Fortuna is in San Carlos, in the province of Alajuela. It is the closest town to
Arenal Volcano, and the area is often simply refered to as Arenal. The volcano itself is active and has been constantly erupting since 1968. It erupts on average 41 times a day. This area of northern Costa Rica is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country.
The best time to view the erupting volcano is at night when the lava is glowing. There are a handful of relatively expensive hotels that offer direct views of the volcano. If you're desperate to see the eruption at night, these are the best places to stay.
Sights
Most people travel to La Fortuna to see Arenal Volcano. It is often cited by scientists as being one of the top ten or top twenty most active volcanoes in the world.
Other sites near La Fortuna include Fortuna Waterfall, which can be reached by either horse or car, and Lake Arenal. Head to the village of El Castillo for the best views of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano. The Arenal Butterfly Conservatory is also popular, as is canyoneering and whitewater rafting. There are also some nearby hot springs which are wonderfully relaxing. If you book a volcano viewing tour, it may include a visit to a hot springs spa. It is best to inquire about this ahead of time. For even more ideas, check out this list of
20 awesome things to do in Arenal.
If you're looking to enjoy the natural river and a few nearby waterfalls, head to Tabaconcito Hot Springs. It's free to enter. Alternatively, there are several developed, spa like pools that take great advantage of the hot springs as well. The most popular are
Tabacon Hot Springs, Ecothermales Hot Springs, and Baldi Hot Springs. Each facility includes several pools, some with water slides. You'll also find a poolside bar which livens up the atmosphere at night.
Neighborhoods
La Fortuna is a small town that sees many tourists. As such, there are a decent number of amenities available to visitors. The town has a medic station, but serious enjoys require evacuation from town. There is also a police station, gas station, three banks, three grocery stores, a decent number of restaurants, a post office, and a hardware store.
You'll also find no shortage of hostels and hotels in town. There is a dramatic range of prices and quality, so whatever your travel style, you can be assured you will find something to meet your needs in La Fortuna.
Activities
There is no shortage of adventure activities available around La Fortuna. Visitors enjoy white water rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, mountain biking, ziplining, horseback riding, bungee jumping, and zip-lining. For those who wish to relax, there are several spas and hot springs in the area that are well worth a visit.
It's possible to book organized tours that take you to many places in the area. This can be an efficient way to explore the sights if you're on a tight schedule. Confirm what is included in your tour, including food and equipment, before finalizing arrangements.
Food and Dining
There are a handful of cheap places to eat in La Fortuna. These include Que Rico Arenal, which is Italian and offers views of the volcano, Kioro, also near the volcano, and Los Nenes, which is known for its cheap options.
The town has three small grocery stores where you can pick up snacks or food to carry with you on a hike. It's also possible to prepare your own meals if you're on a particularly tight budget.
Transportation
There is an airport in La Fortuna. This is the closest airport to Arenal Volcano, but flying to the area is not common. Most visitors arrive via car or bus. The town is less than ten kilometers from the volcanoes peak and less than twenty kilometers from the entrance to Arenal Volcano National Park. It is helpful to have a vehicle to make the trip. Alternatively, it is possible to organize tours to most sights in the area. Many tours visit multiple sights in one day and often include activities such as spa visits, whitewater rafting, or zip-lining. Inquire at any of the area's tourist offices or within your hotel.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.