The 10 Best Things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos, Province of Alajuela

May 28, 2021 Kelli Reichel

La Fortuna de San Carlos is at the center of an array of geological wonders.  The nearby Arenal is Costa Rica's most active volcano, routinely bursting with lava and ash, and the Catarata de La Fortuna is a waterfall pouring from a seventy-meter cliff.  The Tabacon Hot Springs are a relaxing intermission in the midst of the various spectacles, and the Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat is a blissful end to any day's excursion.
Restaurants in La Fortuna de San Carlos

1. Proyecto Asis

Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 4400 Costa Rica +506 4000 1553 [email protected] http://www.institutoasis.com
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,698 reviews

Proyecto Asis

Previous Reservation is required. Proyecto Asis is a Wildlife Shelter and Environmental Education Center located very close to La Fortuna. Wild animals which have been found wounded, forsaken or are rescued from the black market by the local forest rangers are brought here. Those that cannot be released are used within our educational programs. In order to finance our shelter, we offer daily tours and volunteer activities. Schedules: Monday to Saturday at 8:30 am or at 1:00 pm. Sundays Closed. Easy access facilities and trails for all ages.

Reviewed By connierussell - Thunder Bay, Canada

My husband and I spent the full day at Proyecto Asis. We had a guided tour of the Sloth Rescue Centre in the morning (which ended up being a very good idea since it was a hot day and rescued sloths' enclosure requires standing in the sun so better to do that early), walked down to the local 'soda' for lunch, then had a guided tour of the main rescue centre in the morning, finishing with a short volunteer stint where we helped prepare and deliver food to some of the wildlife. Both guides were very good, explaining the reasons various animals were at the centre, which ones would be able to released, and rehabilitation/release process. We very much appreciated the philosophy of the place and were impressed with the good work they were doing. (One has to be careful in Costa Rica not to be sucked in by shady places who pretend to be doing wildlife rescue but are in fact exploiting animals for profit.) Spending time at Proyecto Asis was one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommended!

2. Bogarin Trail

Calle 480, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica +506 8420 3661 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/BogarinTrailLaFortuna/
Excellent
90%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 578 reviews

Bogarin Trail

Our private trail offer a lot of wildlife just 5 minutes away from downtown La Fortuna, this tour is for nature lovers, we oofer a selfguided tour or a guided tour with pur experts guides. To make a reservation with us please contact us directly!

Reviewed By nkrul - Rehoboth Beach, United States

We had gone hiking on other trails in the area without a guide, and hadn’t seen any wildlife yet. So we went with a guided tour by William at Bogarin trail and it was one of the best tours I’ve ever done!! William has an amazing eye to spot the wildlife. We caught a mom and her baby sloth on video and poison frogs and many other animals. A must do tour when you are in Arenal!

3. Lake Arenal

Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos Costa Rica
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,892 reviews

Lake Arenal

Reviewed By keithc989 - Lake Orion, United States

My wife and I recently visited La Fortuna and Arenal to see the volcano and beautiful waterfall. After our stay, we took the ferry across Lake Arenal on our way to Monteverde. The boat ride across the lake was quite tranquil and the Arenal Volcano provided the most scenic of backdrops!! Beautiful views surrounded us from each of 360 degrees. The countryside was lush and the rolling hills were breathtaking! Quite the bonus on our transfer between locations!

4. Los Lagos Hot Springs

Hotel los Lagos, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos Costa Rica +506 2479 1000 http://www.hotelloslagos.com/hot-springs-costa-rica.html
Excellent
58%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 678 reviews

Los Lagos Hot Springs

Reviewed By jodyk339 - Richmond, United States

Excellent facility Well worth the time Enjoyed the different pools, Hoping from cool to hot, Loved the water slides, a huge attraction Very clean facility, well maintained

5. Ecotermales Fortuna

3.5 Km Este de la Iglesia Catolica, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica +506 2479 8686 [email protected] http://ecotermalesfortuna.cr/
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,843 reviews

Ecotermales Fortuna

The family owned and operated natural hot springs, which allow only a limited number of guests each day, provide a private, relaxing oasis during your vacation.There are five pools, one with a cascading waterfall, which reach up to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no better way to unwind after a long day than by visiting the hot springs and treating your body to its naturally replenishing effects. When taking a break from the soothing hot springs, you can dine in the authentic, home-style Costa Rican restaurant.

Reviewed By pennybaker42 - Taunton, United Kingdom

We did a fair bit of research about which was the best hot spring to go to. Tabacon and Baldi were the most expensive and Tabacon is the most popular, but looking at Baldi, it didn't have the natural look that we wanted from the hot springs. Tabacon was the most expensive at $77 per person (including lunch or dinner). We reviewed Ecotermales was a much cheaper alternative and had the natural look that we wanted ($40 per person, without lunch or dinner), you could stay here all day from 10am until 4pm and leave and come back later at Ecotermales, which I didn't think you could do at the other two sites. The water was so warm! The warmest pool being 40.5 degrees Celsius, there was also a colder pool with a small waterfall for cooling off. We saw a lot of nature whilst at the hot springs, howler monkey, basilisks, our first frogs, iguanas, a range of insects and big birds including the prettiest turkey I've ever seen! I would definitely recommend coming here instead of the two more popular sites as it was nice a quiet when we visited, not overcrowded at all. There is a bar and options to have meals included, but we didn't feel like we needed to use these services. They provide lockers, changing rooms and towels included in the entry fee.

6. La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 106-4417 Costa Rica [email protected] http://www.cataratalafortuna.com/
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,261 reviews

La Fortuna Waterfall

The Fortuna River Waterfall is a natural area managed sustainably by Integral Development Association of La Fortuna (ADIFORT), a non-profit organization, having as its main objective to ensure the well-being and growth of La Fortuna community; projects that are possible to run thanks to funds raised by the visit of each tourist to this natural space. La Fortuna Waterfall is located in a biological reserve with an area of 210 acres of transition premontane tropical wet forest, part of the Arenal Volcano National Park and is located at 520 meters over the sea level, where there are sources of our mountains and the waters of La Fortuna River. To observe this splendid 70 meters high waterfall, visitors must pass a path of approximately 530 steps, which offers greater security to its passage and comfortable areas for rest and hydration through a forest with native trees of the area.

Reviewed By Diogomarcel - Foz do Iguacu, Brazil

the is a nice atraction in la fortuna, easy to get there and for sure a grear place to spend some time with nature, be ready for a long walk all the way to the falls , the conservation area is very nice and the park is well organized. high reccomended

7. Paradise Hot Springs

3.1 MI Northwest From Downtown la Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica +506 2479 1380 [email protected] http://www.paradisehotspringscr.com
Excellent
55%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 877 reviews

Paradise Hot Springs

Great for relaxing without the crowds, perfect for couples and for friends looking for a special revitalizing experience. Spend a day at Paradise Hot Springs Resort and relax in natural thermal water pools and jacuzzis of different temperatures (35ºC/95ºF to 41ºC/104ºF) with focused hydromassage for back, legs, and feet. The Resort also respects a maximum capacity of visitors to provide a peaceful atmosphere. There is a parking area within the property, changing rooms and toilets, showers, massages and body treatments service, food and drink, as well as reclinable beds, sun umbrellas, and relaxing music along the pool areas. All of the necessary elements for a magnificent and relaxing experience.

Reviewed By DebbieK2003 - Potomac, United States

We were staying in Santa Clara and went to La Fortuna for the day and found Paradise Hot Springs which permits day visitors - we had a wonderful few hours of soaking our soar muscles from prior days' hikes to Rio Celeste, etc. The grounds are so lovely and well kept and the people so nice. Plus the lunch and service were great - I wish I could remember our waiter's name (he worked the lunch shift on August 3, 2019). :)

8. Rio Chollin

Next to Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos Costa Rica
Excellent
65%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,091 reviews

Rio Chollin

If you talk with the locals they will tell you to go to Scratch River or the Free hot springs. This is perfect if you are travelling on a shoestring budget as it is FREE! To get there go to the yellow gate next to Tabacon Springs. You can park on the road shoulder and you will definitely see it. Walk down the path behind the gate and in a very short walk you will arrive at a bubbling hot creek. You can go 24 hrs a day but keep your items in your site. Leave your valuables at the hotel and just bring a towel and prepare to relax.

Reviewed By bye_jules - Athens, United States

I read about the free hot springs before I came to Costa Rica and to be honest I thought that it would be hard to find them and if I found them that I would feel unsafe. Well, neither was the case. Driving down the road back to La Fortuna from Cerro Chato it was very easy to spot the row of cars lining the road and hear the sound of rushing water. I confirmed with the guy, an unofficial parking attendant, who helped me park properly and legally on the mountain road and took $2 in exchange for "watching my car" and then I followed a few locals carrying towels. This place is a good mix of locals and travelers and it wasn't too busy when we went. You are basically sitting in a shallow river of warm water. The water feels clean and perfectly warm, like a bath that never runs cold but it was a great place to spend an hour after a long day of hiking!

9. Arenal 1968 Volcano View & Trails

1.5 km al Sur de la interseccion hacia El Castillo, La Fortuna, San Carlos, Alajuela, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica +506 4001 1968 [email protected] http://www.arenal1968.com
Excellent
52%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 473 reviews

Arenal 1968 Volcano View & Trails

Enjoy the immersive nature experience provided by our trails over the Lava Flow remains of the 1968 eruption, explore across our intern lake and the forest, either by walking or MTB, that would give you 2 completely different options of this experience. Get amazed by the spectacular views from our viewpoints with 360° sights of the Arenal Volcano and the Arenal Lake.

Reviewed By Z7072VTmarcoc - Santa Cruz, United States

Excellent.. worth it. Even better if you have access to a Mtn Bike as the trails are world class.. I even saw a Jaguarundi (Central American Mountain Lion) on my ride... Great hike with teh family... keep eyes open to see Tucans, Ant Eaters, Sloths, tree-prcupines...

10. Baldi Hot Springs

Ruta 142, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos Costa Rica +506 2479 2190 [email protected] http://arenalonline.com/2017/05/02/baldi-hot-springs/
Excellent
45%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
5%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3,747 reviews

Baldi Hot Springs

Reviewed By thomasgG1831EK - Washington DC, United States

Fantastic hot springs pools cascading from one to the next!!! Clean and beautiful grounds and impeccable service and friendly!! Swim up bars and waterfalls everywhere

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