Central America
Costa Rica
Province of Alajuela
Arenal Volcano National Park
La Fortuna de San Carlos
Things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos

Top Things to Do in La Fortuna de San Carlos

Things to Do in La Fortuna de San Carlos

Ways to tour La Fortuna de San Carlos

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Top Attractions in La Fortuna de San Carlos

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Day Trips

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • Pattie
    18 contributions
    Review of: La Fortuna Waterfall
    Beautiful waterfall.
    Before you enter the area you are asked to washing your hands. Then you are given a wrist band. The hike to the bottom is about 500 steps. The steps are metal and evenly spaced making it easy to walk down. There are several places to stop and take a break if necessary. Below the waterfall is an area you can take off you shoes and wade in the water, Remember to take a towel to dry off your feet. If you are so inclined you can wear a bathing suite and get in but you will wear your bathing suite back up to the top as there are no changing rooms at the bottom, or bathrooms for that matter. The waterfall is definitely worth the walk down and back. Very beautiful.
    Written 8 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • Pattie
    18 contributions
    Review of: Ecotermales Fortuna
    Relaxing
    We went in the evening, in the rain and it was magical. They are very safely conscience. We had to wash our hands before going up the the counter. Towels and a locker were supplied. You were asked to choose a time for dinner so it was not overcrowded and the food was very good. Great place to relax in several different temperature pools. They even had a pool to cool you off. Showers and a hair dryer were supplied also. Great way to spend an evening.
    Written 8 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • Andraparrell
    Philadelphia, PA93 contributions
    Review of: Baldi Hot Springs
    Family Friendly hot spring resort
    We purchased day passes to Baldi and enjoyed our time immensely. We went with our 15 month old baby and our 3 year old and felt that this was an experience that we were all able to appreciate. There are many many pools, a kids area, at least 3 different swim up bars and a ton of water slides. The location is great and so many of the pools had fantastic views of the Volcano. There was a convenient locker room/changing area and towels were made available. The food was also great. We brought a life jacket and floaties for our kids which was a good call because there weren't any available at the resort.
    Written 18 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • timpys
    Toronto, Canada144 contributions
    Review of: Proyecto Asis
    A wildlife rehabilitation centre
    We did the wildlife and the sloth tours. Others visitors were participating in the volunteeering program. In the wildlife session we saw and learn about all the animals which area brought to the Center either because they were household pets (illegal in Costa Rica) or were injured. Our guide was a wealth of knowledge. After that we went cloth watching with Adriana and a powerful scope. Even though there were no sloths in the rescue centre, we area able to see many on the property. This is a non-profit that deserves a visit. Fantastic!
    Written 26 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • RT
    2 contributions
    Review of: Bogarin Trail
    Great guide, great tour
    William was a great guide, with tons of local knowledge and history. 10/10
    William made sure we saw all the animales we wanted to see.
    Written 17 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • bryney
    columbus10 contributions
    Review of: Lake Arenal
    Beautiful area
    A great view of the volcano. Lots of activities. Perfect spot in CR. Our food at La Mansion was the best. It was hard to find a good local restaurant so ask a local tour guide. We could not find any ATM to dispense dollars. They had two banks but neither could allow us access to cash.
    Written 8 January 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • Judith O
    43 contributions
    Review of: Arenal 1968 Volcano View & Trails
    Challenging Experience Made Good
    Our guide, Andres, was excellent. Had a lot of information and conveyed it well. The trails were more challenging than we had thought (we are aged 70+) due mostly to the heat and humidity. Andres was helpful and understanding. We were lucky that the cloud cleared from the volcano just as we reached the end of the trail.
    Written 1 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • Thomas K
    4 contributions
    Review of: Rio Chollin
    Warm
    This is a wonderful place to visit. Entrance is free, but just be cautious. You will find guys asking to be paid to keep your car safe. Do it. Definitely recommend.
    Written 28 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • stonebm
    Nottingham, UK122 contributions
    Review of: Paradise Hot Springs
    Relaxing Thermal Spa
    Choose to visit Paradise Hot Springs due to its smaller size, rather than one of the bigger resorts, whilst staying in La Fortuna.

    A short taxi (uber) ride from the town centre. Able to hire locker and towel when we arrived and stayed for six hours (1pm - 7pm).

    Two main thermal pools (one with a bar) along with half a dozen small (3 or 4 people) jacuzzi type pools, all of varying temperatures. Plenty of loungers and quiet areas to relax.

    For tge majority of our stay it felt like we had the hot springs to ourselves (and about a dozen other guests). Around 4:30pm it did start to fill up with hotel guests(?) and/or a tour group (?) but they stayed for no more than 45mins before we had the place to ourselves again as dusk fell.

    An in all a relaxing day in sight of the Arenal volcano.
    Written 16 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • Rosie B
    10 contributions
    Review of: Los Lagos Hot Springs
    Which hotspring?! Los Lagos.
    My partner and I were super unsure of which hot springs to go to. There are SO many that all seem to do the same 'thing' but have miniscule differences which feel like whichever you choose will be the difference between a good or a bad day. We spent what felt like days researching which hot springs to go to. We wanted affordable, romantic (it was our anniversary), a natural-like feel, aesthetic and we wanted to be able to spend the whole day there to be able to sunbathe and have the peaceful atmosphere of night. We ended up going with Los Lagos- the others were silly expensive (Tabacon & The Springs), sounded too kid-focused (Baldi) or were only for day OR night (eco-termales).

    First of all, the pictures don't do it justice. The image of the pool with the bridge is actually more just a swimming pool with a water slide, not really part of the hot-spring experience and rather, just a bonus as the slide is quite fun. The hot springs themselves were beautiful, of varying temperatures (some a bit too hot for me!), with smaller, more private pools and 2 larger ones. We arrived at 2:30 and it was really quiet which we hadn't expected. There was loads of room and lots of explore. The swim up bar was a nice novelty and they have a food menu too. In total there was over 10 pools, which was more than enough. I do have to add that the service at the bar was terrible- they only had one member of staff on which seemed entirely unfair on them and so you had to wait 20 minutes for a drink. We got the Blue Hawaiian and the Volcan Arenal cocktails and they pretty horrible - too strong and artificial tasting.

    We got dinner included for $35 p.p including the springs which we thought was a really great price. It came with a drink, starter, main and dessert from a set menu. The food was pretty below average, it felt cheap and tasteless, so in hindsight, I'd recommend just going to the hot springs and ordering food from the bar (wood fired pizzas etc). However, the service was really good and a nice restaurant.

    You also get to visit the ant, butterfly and turtle gardens included in the hot spring price which we were really impressed with. I wasn't expecting much but the ant and butterfly houses were particularly interesting and really educational. The Los Lagos grounds are really beautiful.

    Overall, if you are unsure on which hot springs and don't want to spend loads, Los Lagos is the one. We were really pleasantly surprised and wish we had had someone to just tell us to go there straight away to save us all the time researching!
    Written 21 April 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • OmanRob
    Canmore, Canada1 221 contributions
    Review of: Free Natural Hot Springs River
    Amazing spot - anyone seen my wife’s Apple Watch ?
    We visited late in the day and loved the natural beauty and relative lack of crowds

    Some tips

    - parking is tricky but some dudes will guide you for a few bucks tip
    - parking - if you park where there is yellow markings in Costa Rica the police will take your plate and charge hundreds to get it back
    - water shoes are a must on slippy rock
    - make your way downstream a few pools for more quiet
    - bring a drink to enjoy but don’t bring bottles to somewhere they could break ?
    - don’t let your Apple Watch fall off your wrist

    Rob
    Written 22 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • Corey H
    Billings, MT12 contributions
    Review of: Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge
    Unforgettable!!!
    Did the night walk. Beautiful area. Saw so many different types of frogs especially the one my wife had been wanting to see, the blue jean frog. Two different types of vipers including the fer-de-lance.
    Written 11 September 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • MARK P
    5 contributions
    Review of: Natura Eco Park Costa Rica
    Amazing Wildlife Night Tour in Arenal
    We did the night tour with Brandon as many of the animals are nocturnal. It was amazing and Brandon helped my 17 year get some unbelievable photos that his fiends tagged as National Geographic. I think what made the tour even better was Brandon's passion as a guide. He LOVES his "office"! It was pitch black and he would say look over here and there was a viper hanging on a big leaf and the same color as the leaf. Great tour.
    Written 26 June 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • Dennis Gaughen
    Quesada, Costa Rica11 contributions
    Review of: Termales Los Laureles
    Termales Los Laureles
    These termales are one of the best in the area. Not too expensive. Opens at nine in the morning until 9 at night. Hot and cold pools. It is big so there is room for everybody. You can barbecue there and spend the entire day if you wish. Very nice atmosphere. One of the best places to go for an economical thermal experience.
    Written 6 November 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
  • Emmhyrrhmints
    Massachusetts10 contributions
    Review of: Mirador El Silencio
    Beautiful Land
    Great varied hiking terrain. There was jungle, open pasture, lava flows, steepish stairways in both the forested areas and on the rocks. Multiple lookout points with gorgeous views of the volcano. Lovely flora and fauna. Moderate level hiking, kid friendly- I passed a family with two young children doing the hike with ease.
    5,000 C when I went and I thought that was fair for the paths and upkeep. I really, really like that it’s not paved.
    Written 14 February 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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