Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in La Fortuna?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in La Fortuna?
Not sure how much time you'll need in La Fortuna, Costa Rica? Most people spend two to four days in La Fortuna during their visit. After all, the scenic town will let you take a hike, admire the wonderful scenery, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and enjoy the evening activities.
La Fortuna is the gateway to Arenal National Park. It is surrounded by stunning natural beauty with views of the spectacular and still active Arenal Volcano. It's also home to impressive waterfalls and many luxury spas and hot springs.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit La Fortuna? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in La Fortuna?
For many visitors, three days here would be just the right amount of time. In fact, lots of tourists spend roughly two to four days in the scenic town to check out the amazing hiking and terrific beautiful scenery. Below we have some suggestions on how to spend your time here.
How to spend 3 days in La Fortuna
When visiting La Fortuna, you absolutely can't miss Arenal Volcano as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.
La Fortuna is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The town is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, lush rainforests, and dramatic views of the volcano. There are countless hikes and a plenty of opportunities to soak up the natural setting.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small Group Twilight Wildlife Boat Tour in La Fortuna ($70)
- Exclusive Night Walk in La Fortuna and Natural Frog Garden . ($70)
- La Fortuna Birds, Butterfly Garden, sloths GROUP Guided Tour 2hrs ($55)
The public transit in La Fortuna is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. There are public buses throughout the area as well as private transportation services, taxis, and car sharing.
Known for it's hiking, La Fortuna sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The area is filled with stunning hikes that take you through different landscapes and ecosystems. You'll likely see some wildlife, visit spectacular waterfalls, and, of course, catch views of the impressive Arenal Volcano.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Wildlife Safari Experience by Raft ($85)
- Pure Trek Canyoning & Sky Trek Zip Line Combo ($247)
- Río Celeste Combo: Blue River Tubing+Blue Waterfall+Wildlife ($149)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. It's a touristy mecca, and there are a number of decent restaurants around town. The area has some of the freshest local ingredients and the food reflects that. You'll find restaurants both in the center of town and along the road between the town and the hot springs.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private cooking class in organic farm at La Fortuna ($75)
- Private typical cooking class with a Costa Rican family ($70)
- Farm to Table Cooking Class ($45)
After you've explored most of La Fortuna, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Day Trip to Caño Negro Including Río Frio Boat Experience from La Fortuna ($99)
- Discover the Magical Blue Falls in a Day Trip Adventure ($90)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The larger resorts usually have a couple of bars onsite. There are also local bars and pubs throughout the town. While things often quiet down by 9:00, you will probably be able to find a laid back place to enjoy a drink with friends.
Is 4 days enough time in La Fortuna?
Four days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to the scenic town, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Take a hike, admire the wonderful scenery, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and enjoy the evening activities on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel and use it as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica
How to spend 4 days in La Fortuna
Having 4 days in La Fortuna will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around La Fortuna. Plenty of amazing options are available.
Is 5 days enough time in La Fortuna?
Five days is more than enough time to see everything in the area. Many visitors prefer to spend two to four days here, so you'll be able to take a hike, admire the wonderful scenery, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and enjoy the evening activities at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the region.
How to spend 5 days in La Fortuna
With 5 days in La Fortuna, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time hiking. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Day Trip to Caño Negro Including Río Frio Boat Experience from La Fortuna ($99)
- Discover the Magical Blue Falls in a Day Trip Adventure ($90)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about La Fortuna, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.