La Fortuna
A town at the foot of Arenal Volcano in northern Costa Rica, known for hot springs, a waterfall about 70 m high and views over Lake Arenal.
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La Fortuna is a town in Alajuela province in northern Costa Rica, at the foot of Arenal Volcano. The volcano's cone rises above the town. Arenal was active for decades and has been quiet since 2010, so the scenery now is mostly forest, lake and warm springs.
Visitors come for hot springs warmed by volcanic activity, a waterfall about 70 m high reached by a trail through rainforest, and hanging bridges over the canopy. It suits travelers who want nature with easy soaking and a few active days. The dry season, roughly December to April, is the most comfortable time for trails. The rainy season, roughly May to November, brings frequent afternoon rain. Pack a rain layer and shoes with grip for the trails. Plan at least two to three days.
La Fortuna in five
- Base in town if you travel without a carRestaurants, tour desks and shuttle stops cluster in La Fortuna itself, so every outing starts at your door. Lodges on the volcano road suit travelers who mainly want a quiet pool and a view.Where to stay in La Fortuna
- Choose a hot spring for the kind of soak you wantCosta Rica's tourism board lists several hot-spring developments here, plus a river spring averaging 37 °C. Pick by crowds, children and evening hours, not by the biggest slide.Hot springs compared
- Look at the cone before lunchCloud tends to gather around the summit as the day heats up. Costa Rica's tourism board says Arenal's activity has decreased significantly since 2011, so the view is the cone itself, not lava.La Fortuna in 3 days
- Check volcano news and heavy rain before hikingUK government advice asks visitors to read the news and follow local guidance near volcanoes, and to avoid volcanic areas during and just after heavy rain.Arenal park
- Give Monteverde a full day of transferArenal and Monteverde sit on opposite sides of the lake, so the jeep-boat-jeep link or the road around it takes most of a day once packing and waiting are counted.Monteverde and Santa Elena
Need to know
- Airport
- San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR), roughly 3 hours by road
- Getting there
- Shuttle, private transfer or rental car; no airport in town
- Getting around
- Walk in town; taxi, shuttle or tour pickup for the volcano road
- Best base
- Town center for tours; volcano road for quiet and views
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 nights, plus a transfer day if you continue
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Drier, showersJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, showers
- FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Dry, clearerFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clearer
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°DriestMarchRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest
- AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Dry, hotAprilRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MayRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Rains startMayRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 362 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Green seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 486 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Green, brief lullJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 494 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, brief lull
- AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Green seasonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 389 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- SeptemberRain29 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low23°WetSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 354 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wet
- OctoberRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°WettestOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 454 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Wet, windyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 448 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Showers, holidaysDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 234 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, holidays
Average daily high and low in La Fortuna, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in La Fortuna
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 97%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
La Fortuna
02:39 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°22°100%Monday: Rain. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue28°21°93%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Wed28°23°97%Wednesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Thu24°22°92%Thursday: Rain. High 24°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri24°21°96%Friday: Rain. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat23°21°96%Saturday: Rain. High 23°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sun27°22°94%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 94%.
Updated 10:15 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Arenal Volcano National Parkabout 25 minutes by carShort trails cross the old lava flows to views of the cone.Read the guide
- Monteverde and Santa Elenaabout 3 hours by jeep-boat-jeep or roadBetter as a move than a day trip, since it ends in cloud forest.Read the guide
- Río Celeste and Tenorioabout 2 hours by carA river whose sky-blue color comes from two mineral-rich streams meeting.
Before you go to La Fortuna
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Rules for La Fortuna, checked
- Near volcanoes, check the news and local advice, and avoid volcanic areas during and just after heavy rain (UK FCDO advice).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around La Fortuna
Parks, coasts, seasons and entry rules for the whole country
Read the guideArenal Volcano National ParkLava-field trails and the summit view
Read the guideMonteverde and Santa ElenaThe cloud-forest town on the far side of the lake
Read the guideWhen to go to Costa RicaDry season, green season and coasts
Read the guideLa Fortuna FAQ
How many days do you need in La Fortuna?
Two nights cover the waterfall, one hot-spring evening and a morning at the park. A third night suits rafting, the lake or a slower pace. Fewer than two nights turns the trip into a transfer.
What can you see of Arenal from La Fortuna town?
On a clear morning the cone rises above the town, but cloud usually gathers by midday. There is no lava to watch, so evening hot-spring tours sell the soak, not an eruption view. For the trails, see the Arenal park guide.
Are La Fortuna hot springs worth it in the rain?
Yes, soaking in warm water under rain is part of the appeal, and rain makes the evenings quieter. Skip the walk to open-air viewpoints if lightning is around, and keep your phone in a dry bag.
Do you need a car in La Fortuna?
Not for the town, the springs or the tours, which collect guests. A car helps for Lake Arenal and Río Celeste, but downpours in the green season can close roads, so drive in daylight and ask your hotel about the route first.
Is La Fortuna or Monteverde the better first stop?
La Fortuna suits warm days, springs and adventure tours; Monteverde suits cool forest walks and wildlife. Most routes do both, with La Fortuna first when you land at San José and Monteverde last before the coast.