La Fortuna is a region famously known for its outstanding outdoor activities and natural beauty. The place has so many enjoyable events for travelers of any age, that deciding what to do first, can be difficult. Here, visitors enjoy exploring the Arenal Volcano area, which features a lush rainforest, waterfalls, rivers, a volcano, and a lake.
Below are the top 5 activities to do in La Fortuna.
1. Dip In The Natural Hot Springs
La Fortuna is home to over a dozen hot springs resorts. In its Arenal region, you’ll explore the vast variety of wonderful hot springs. The Arenal Volcano heats underground aquifers and rivers, causing the region’s hot and steamy mineral pools to form naturally. As per visitors, some of the most well-known thermal resorts in this area include The Springs Resort, Baldi Hot Springs, and Tabacon Resort Thermal and Spa. Although visitors love to flock to almost every hot spring resort within the area, Rio Chollin is the river, they won’t need to pay for. The river is free of charge.
2. Visit Arenal Volcano National Park
The Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most famous travel destinations in Costa Rica. Its Arenal volcano is an active volcano that towers over La Fortuna in a perfect shape of a cone. There, you can hike through old lava fields, watch the lava flow from a vantage point, and trek through rare vegetation like wild orchids, trek through historic Ceiba trees, and spot wildlife along with the sprawling network of trails.
3. Kayaking In The Lake Arenal
A journey to Lake Arenal is ideal for combining land and water activities into a multi-sport experience. Boating across this lake provides a common and scenic route to connect to La Fortuna if you are traveling to or from the Monteverde region. The Sunset cruises and lake kayaking are amazing, offering visitors spectacular views of the volcano and opportunities for bird watching. If you enjoy fishing, then you should try the lake’s traditional fly fishing. It’s an adventure for many, and a lovely sport too.
4. Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna waterfall is known as the most powerful waterfall in the region, which cascades 200 feet (65 meters) and can be reached within a 15-minute hike through the lush rainforest. The waterfall is one of Costa Rica’s most spectacular and easily accessible waterfalls. The trailhead for the falls is just 5.5 kilometers (3 miles) from the falls, making it a popular bike or horseback ride. Also, the falls crash into a beautiful, relaxing, turquoise-colored lake, which is ideal for swimming. The best part is, that It’s not a long or challenging hike from the parking lot to the jungle, as it takes only 20 minutes to travel.
5. Hike on Volcano Tracks
La Fortuna de San Carlos is a popular destination for hiking in Costa Rica. Here, visitors can enjoy volcano treks or go for some relaxation in calming waters. Also, the Arenal volcano is the most well-known volcano in the town, however, Arenal Volcano National Park is home to two volcanos, about which many visitors to this town are still unaware The most popular and accessible path for hiking from Arenal Observatory Lodge has been closed since 2018. However, A new, and more difficult route is now available (for extreme adventurers). The hike is difficult, but those who complete it are rewarded with the opportunity to walk downhill to the volcano’s crater lake.
