The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in La Fortuna

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to La Fortuna

Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica Volcan Arenal, Costa Rica

Are you looking for a hotel for your first trip to La Fortuna, Costa Rica? With plenty of activities and sites, this is a great destination for first-time visitors. So if you're deciding where to stay on your first trip to La Fortuna, don't worry, we've got you covered. We've analyzed the hotels in La Fortuna to find out which are the best for first timers based on price, amenities, location, reviews, and guest ratings. In this guide, we'll be showcasing the best hotels for first-time visitors in La Fortuna, taking into consideration all of these important factors. Whether you're traveling solo, with family, or with friends, there's a hotel that caters to every traveler's needs to make the most of your first trip here. So, if you're visiting La Fortuna for the first time, the hotels below will be great options, as many of them have pools, breakfast, and plenty of comforts to help you relax. So, here they are, the best hotels in La Fortuna for first time visitors.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Hotel Arenal Springs Resort & Spa

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $177 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to La Fortuna
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

Located at 5 km west from La Fortuna Central Park, Hotel Arenal Springs Resort & Spa has great rooms from $177 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. It has a terrific 9.27 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 4.2 km from the city center, first time visitors will especially love a bar, breakfast, hiking, mountain views, and laundry services at this relaxing hotel. The room service is especially nice after a long day.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $157 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

A great place to stay is Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs which has nice rooms starting at $157. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and a kid-friendly buffet, it also has a great guest rating of 9.10 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at Del Centro de la Fortuna 7 km oeste, carreretara al Volcan. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers breakfast, hiking, mountain views, laundry services, and a free breakfast which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 3.8 km from the city center. Everyone loves a nice pool, and you won't be disappointed with this one.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator


Nepenthe B&B

Bed & Breakfast with prices starting at $84 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

We found Nepenthe B&B to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $84. We loved that is has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.10 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at El Castillo, 100 m este y 1,6 km de la Escuela.. You'll also find breakfast, hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchens, and rooms with kitchenettes which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 12.6 km from the center of town. Unwinding at the restaurant after sightseeing is a nice way to end the day. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Infinity pool


Casa Luna Hotel & Spa

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $93 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to La Fortuna
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

With terrific rooms from $93, Casa Luna Hotel & Spa, at La Fortuna De San Carlos provides an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a bar. Its terrific guest rating is 9.00 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers a kid-friendly buffet, breakfast, hiking, mountain views, and child care. It's located just 3.1 km from the city center, too. That hot tub is terrific after a long day of sightseeing. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Encantada Guest House

Guest House with prices starting at $117 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Encantada Guest House has a great guest rating of 9.60 out of 10, and offers an outdoor pool, a water park, a restaurant, a fitness center, and hiking. The great rooms here start at $117 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at Via Encantada, 1. Furthermore, it also offers mountain views, rooms with kitchens, rooms with kitchenettes, child care, and laundry services, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 12.9 km from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. The water slides are especially fun!

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Water park
  • Kitchen
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Horse riding
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

5-star Resort with prices starting at $352 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in La Fortuna
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

The great guest rating of Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa is 9.40 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $352, and it's located at 13 km West of La Fortuna. We also love the breakfast, hiking, mountain views, child care, and laundry services which are great for visitors. And since it's just 7.9 km from the center of the town, the location is great, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Breakfast in the room


Lost Iguana Resort and Spa

3-star Resort with prices starting at $236 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Heated pool

A cool place is Lost Iguana Resort and Spa because it has great rooms that start at $236. It has an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a bar, it also earned a great guest rating of 9.12 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 8km Lake Arenal Dam. Only 11.6 km from the city center, travelers will especially love breakfast, hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchens, and rooms with kitchenettes at this convenient hotel. The heated pool is comfortable, relaxing, and fun for everyone.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Kitchen
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Kitchenette
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

3-star Resort with prices starting at $96 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to La Fortuna
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a bar which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $96 (before taxes). It's located at 6km Oeste De La Fortuna De San and has earned a guest rating of 9.00/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers breakfast, hiking, mountain views, laundry services, and a free breakfast which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 4.2 km from the city center. The indoor pool at this hotel is very nice, and is a great place to unwind and relax on your trip. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator


Nayara Gardens

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $374 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at La Fortuna de San Carlos, Nayara Gardens has great rooms from $374 (before taxes). It offers an outdoor pool, a pool bar, room service, a restaurant, and a fitness center. It has a terrific 9.70 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find a bar, breakfast, hiking, child care, and laundry services which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 4.7 km from the center of town. Being able to relax at the pool bar is a great way to spend your time here.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Pool bar
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Babysitting / Child Care
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Fishing
  • Family rooms
  • Private pool


Hotel El Silencio del Campo

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $175 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Family-Friendly

A great place to stay is Hotel El Silencio del Campo which has nice rooms starting at $175. Offering an outdoor pool, room service, a restaurant, a bar, and breakfast, it also has a great guest rating of 9.50 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 5 Km West Of La Fortuna Central Park Off Arenal Volcano Road. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers mountain views, a free breakfast, a hot tub, a spa and wellness center, and a spa. It's located just 3.5 km from the city center, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
  • Child pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator


Also, take a look at the First Time Trip hotels in nearby destinations: San José, Monteverde, Alajuela, and Escazú.

For more terrific hotel ideas in La Fortuna, make sure you also see Best Family-Friendly Hotels in La Fortuna, Best Cheap Hotels in La Fortuna, Best Luxury Hotels in La Fortuna, Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in La Fortuna, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in La Fortuna, Best Hotels for One Week in La Fortuna, Best Hotels for One Night in La Fortuna, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in La Fortuna, or Best Business Hotels in La Fortuna.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in La Fortuna?

La Fortuna Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$107

Travelers to La Fortuna, Costa Rica will have a large number of terrific first time trip accommodation options with a variety of great prices. The price of first time trip hotels here can vary by amenities, dates, and the neighborhood. Based on thorough data from 49 first time trip hotels, their average price is a very reasonable $107. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in La Fortuna.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 5-star hotels: $352
  • 4-star hotels: $250
  • 3-star hotels: $102
  • 2-star hotels: $59


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