Is La Fortuna worth visiting?
Yes, you'll find numerous reasons to visit La Fortuna, and it's a town that everyone should see. We had an amazing time here. We first visited in 2007 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its beautiful landscapes and stunning natural beauty.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this town has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the great resorts and amazing hiking.
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.
Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica
5 Reasons to Visit La Fortuna
1. Resorts
There are many larger international resorts in the area. Many offer spectacular views, spas, and beautifully maintained pools that take advantage of the area's hot springs.
2. Hiking
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.
3. Food
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.
4. Nightlife
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.
5. The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, La Fortuna might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for La Fortuna here or see if La Fortuna is expensive here.
Is La Fortuna worth visiting in the Summer?
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 28°C (82°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
The low season for travel in La Fortuna is during the summer. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
The gorgeous scenery this time of year is the main attraction. This is the perfect time to hike around the area and take in the amazing scenery. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to La Fortuna looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Get out into the wilderness to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. This is a great time of year to go hiking, enjoy the amenities of a resort, and take advantage of the local nightlife. Also, you can take in the beautiful scenery.
Summer Weather in La Fortuna
Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
July | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
August | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
September | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
Is La Fortuna worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in La Fortuna. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 27°C (81°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to La Fortuna looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Get out into the wilderness to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. The gorgeous scenery this time of year is the main attraction. This is the perfect time to hike around the area and take in the amazing scenery. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, discover the nearby hiking trails, and relax at a luxurious resort.
Autumn Weather in La Fortuna
Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
October | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
November | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
December | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Is La Fortuna worth visiting in the Winter?
The high season for travel in La Fortuna is the winter, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 27°C (81°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to La Fortuna looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Get out into the wilderness to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. The gorgeous scenery this time of year is the main attraction. This is the perfect time to hike around the area and take in the amazing scenery. During this season it's fun to experience the cuisine, the nightlife scene, and the resorts. Also, you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery and get out into nature.
Winter Weather in La Fortuna
Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
January | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
February | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
March | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Is La Fortuna worth visiting in the Spring?
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 29°C (85°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
The peak season for travel is spring in La Fortuna, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
A visit this time of year should definitely be on your list, as the natural scenery is just breathtaking. Get out into the wilderness to take in the views, admire nature up close, and enjoy the fresh air. Resorts are quite popular in the area, so you might want to prioritize staying at one. Many visitors choose to come to La Fortuna looking for a relaxing vacation, so the resorts have plenty of nice amenities. The gorgeous scenery this time of year is the main attraction. This is the perfect time to hike around the area and take in the amazing scenery. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, dance the night away, and enjoy the amenities of a resort. Also, you can experience the hiking.
Spring Weather in La Fortuna
Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
April | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
June | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting La Fortuna
Museums and Attractions: La Fortuna isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. Most people spend their time outdoors exploring the area, but there are also some museums that highlight local art and culture.
Shopping: La Fortuna isn't exactly a shopper's destination. You'll find a couple of good souvenir shops around town where you can pick up some locally made items.
Lots of Tourists
La Fortuna sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Getting Around
The area is not very walkable, and public transit is not great here, so it might be difficult to get around without arranging your own transportation.
Related
What is La Fortuna most famous for?
La Fortuna is most famous for its hot springs, luxury resorts, and volcanic views. The town is very popular for its resorts. It's also known for hiking. And many travelers come for the food and nightlife, as well. It is often described as stunning, scenic, and popular.
What is the most famous sight in La Fortuna?
The most popular sight in La Fortuna is Arenal Volcano. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in La Fortuna on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Arenal Volcano and other attractions here.
How touristy is La Fortuna? Is it a popular town to visit?
La Fortuna is a very touristy town that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Lake Arenal Private Paddle Board Experience: $70
- Canyoning and Arenal Rafting (COMBO TOUR): $160
- White Water Rafting Class 4 with Lunch - Arenal Tours: $122
- Safari Tour along the Peñas Blancas River: $70
- Rainforest Night Walking Tour (Private property): $76
- Experience Canyoning Rafting and Water Tubing in Costa Rica: $180
- Hanging Bridges Nature History Private Walking Tour: $97
- Early Bird Watching Tour: $107
How long should I spend in La Fortuna?
The ideal length of time for a trip to La Fortuna is two to four days. Since La Fortuna has a variety of activities such as resorts, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in La Fortuna?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in La Fortuna?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in La Fortuna?.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about La Fortuna.
What was your favorite thing about La Fortuna?
We loved the rafting here, it was a nice surprise after seeing the volcano and hot spring resort stuff. I didn't think it was going to be so great, but it was so much fun and we ended up meeting some great people along the way, too.