Ultimate 3-Day La Fortuna Itinerary: How to Plan the Perfect Trip
A good La Fortuna itinerary doesn’t need to be packed hour by hour. The town’s right by Arenal Volcano, with jungle, hot rivers, and easy roads all around.
And when planning a great Costa Rica trip itinerary, this is one stop you just can’t miss. 3 days in La Fortuna is plenty to hit the big stuff without rushing.
You’ll swim under a waterfall, walk across hanging bridges in the clouds, and wind down in hot springs every night. Wake up early, bring a rain jacket, and just go with the flow. Trust us, you’ll love this part of the country.
La Fortuna Itinerary – Overview
Before going through the complete Fortuna itinerary, let’s talk about some essentials you probably want to know when traveling to this part of Costa Rica.
Is 3 Days in La Fortuna Enough?
Three days in La Fortuna is actually the sweet spot. You have just enough time to hike around the volcano, swim under the waterfall, hit a few hot springs, and squeeze in an adventure or two.
It’s not a huge area, so you won’t waste time getting around. As long as you plan your days right and start early, you won’t feel rushed.
What are the Must-do Things in La Fortuna?
First off, don’t skip La Fortuna Waterfall, it’s a short but steep walk down, and the view’s worth every step. Then there’s Arenal Volcano, which you can’t climb, but the trails around it are solid.
You should also visit one or more hot springs, which La Fortuna is especially famous for, and you can go for the free river or a fancy resort.
Hanging bridges are another favorite, especially if you’re into nature and want a chance to spot sloths. Of course, this itinerary covers all this and more.
3-Day La Fortuna Itinerary
This plan divides your stay into the arrival day, a full volcano day, and a flexible final morning. Base yourself in town to make transfers smoother, drive under thirty minutes to every tourist attraction, and pre-book any tour that needs a guide. Also, keep cash for park gates and tips.
Day 1 – Arrival, Waterfall & Hot Springs
Day 1 eases you in. After reaching town, you stretch your legs at the waterfall, sample local food, and end with warm river water or a resort pool. Every stop sits within a short drive of the centre.
Morning
Arrive from San José in about three hours or Liberia in under two and a half. Check in, then walk to Soda Viquez or Red Frog for coffee and gallo pinto.
Buy water, reef-safe sunscreen, and insect repellent before you reach the waterfall gate.
If your room isn’t ready, just leave your bags at reception and get going! Keep swimwear under your clothes so you can jump straight in later. Early entry brings cooler air and easier parking.
Late Morning / Early Afternoon: La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall charges an $18 entry fee that you can pay at a kiosk (they accept cards and cash). Follow the concrete staircase, about 530 steps, down through rainforest dripping with moss and orchids.
At the bottom, a seventy-meter curtain crashes into a jade pool. Snap a photo from the deck, switch to water shoes, and ease over slick rocks for a brisk swim.
The current grows stronger near the base, so weaker swimmers stay downstream. Lifeguards watch from shore. Bring a dry bag for phone and towel; spray drenches everything.
The climb back up takes twenty sweaty minutes, so pace yourself and sip water, but again, it’s worth it.
Afternoon
Return to town for lunch. Pollo Fortuneño serves roasted chicken with plantain and salad in under ten minutes. Organico Fortuna offers vegetable bowls and cold smoothies if you prefer something lighter.
After eating, walk across the central park, check the simple church, or have a delicious chocolate at Chocolate Fusión.
Use the break to refill your water bottle and apply fresh sunscreen. This pause lets your legs recover before the evening.
Evening: Enjoy the Hot Springs in La Fortuna
Pick a hot spring that matches your budget. Río Chollín, free and natural, sits under a bridge ten minutes from town. That said, bring a headlamp and leave valuables at home.
EcoTermales caps entry at 100 people and provides lockers, showers, and a small bar, book the 5 pm slot online. They close at 9:30 PM, so you have plenty of time to come and enjoy.
Baldi Hot Springs Resort Hotel & Spa has multiple pools and slides, good for families. Lastly, Tabacón is the upscale favorite with landscaped streams and a buffet dinner in some packages, but reserve days ahead.
Plan two hours in the water, drink plenty, and change into dry clothes before heading to dinner in La Fortuna.
Day 2: Arenal Volcano & Hanging Bridges
Day 2 is trail day! Start early at the volcano to catch clear views, pause for a scenic lunch, then head to Mistico’s bridges when the canopy wakes with afternoon wildlife.
You’ll walk on cooled lava, spot howler monkeys, and still finish with dinner back in town before night tours. How does that sound? Here’s day 2 of this 3-day La Fortuna itinerary.
Morning: Breakfast and Travel to Arenal Volcano Park
Have breakfast at the lodge or Arábigos Coffee House by 7:00 AM. Pack one litre of water, a light rain jacket, and binoculars.
Drive fifteen minutes to the entrance of Arenal Volcano National Park or the private Arenal 1968 reserve.
Pay the $15–$20 fee, sign the registry, and start walking before buses and crowds of tourists arrive. Early light paints the cone and birds stay active, so you’ll score better photos and cooler temperatures for the win.
Trailheads close at 4 pm, so coming in the morning is the way to go.
Arenal Trails
The Lava Flow loop at Arenal 1968 covers 4.5 kilometers across rugged basalt and takes about two hours. Interpretive signs explain the 1968 eruption and the plants that reclaimed the ash.
The National Park’s Las Coladas trail is shorter and flatter, good for families. Both routes offer clear volcano lookouts and distant lake views on a sunny morning.
Stick to marked paths; climbing the cone is illegal and dangerous. Wear closed shoes because loose gravel rolls under sandals. Bring snacks, but leave drones behind because the park bans them.
If clouds roll in, listen for howler monkeys and focus on birdlife instead of summit shots. This is a magical moment.
Lunch
Drive to SelvaRustica By Perla for grilled tilapia, rice, and vegetables under a shaded roof. If you prefer a more casual moment, continue to Sloffee and order a cinnamon roll with strong coffee.
Both spots accept cards, but keep colones for tip jars and fruit stands along the way. Use the break to check the afternoon weather and download offline maps before service drops on rural roads. Next step: Mistico Park.
Afternoon: Mistico Hanging Bridges
Arrive at Mistico by 1:15 pm. Pay the $28 entry if you didn’t pre-pay and grab the map. The 3.2-kilometer loop crosses sixteen bridges, six of them long suspension spans that sway gently but feel secure.
Walk clockwise to hit the tallest bridge before most groups. Look for capuchins above and poison dart frogs near the path edges.
Metal decking gets slick, so wear treaded shoes. Refill water at the midpoint station. The circuit takes about two hours with photo stops.
Tree cover shields light showers, yet carry a poncho for heavy bursts. Finish with iced coffee or coconut ice cream at the exit café. Guides at the gate also rent telescopic binoculars for a fee.
Evening: Dinner and Night Walk Tour
Return to town and enjoy dinner at La Street Burgers for delicious burgers. Yes, we love food in Costa Rica, but this is such a wonderful place for dinner.
If you still have energy, join a guided night walk in a nearby reserve. Guides supply flashlights and point out red-eyed tree frogs, sleeping birds, and glowing fungi.
The tour lasts two hours and ends with hot cocoa. Otherwise, relax at your hotel, prepare bags for the next morning, and wear long sleeves to avoid mosquito bites.
Day 3: Adventure Day or Relax
Your last day offers a choice: seek one more burst of adrenaline or slow down and enjoy the scenery. Both options finish early enough to reach your next stop before dark. Confirm checkout time and watch road reports for delays.
Option A: Adventure Mode
Book an 8 am slot. Zip-lining at Sky Adventures sends you over forest valleys on seven cables, the longest nearly a kilometer. Guides fit your harness, explain braking, and handle transport.
Prefer water? Raft the Balsa River for class II–III waves and jungle scenery. Both tours finish around noon and include fresh fruit or a typical lunch plate.
Wear secure shoes, sunscreen, and a strap for action cameras. Reserve ahead; same-day spots disappear in high season. Lockers keep wallets dry, but take only what you need.
Lunch
Most tours include a simple lunch of rice, beans, chicken, and salad. If you return to town, stop at Soda El Rio for a quick casado or pick up empanadas from a bakery for the road.
If you go back to San José after that, keep the meal light because mountain roads between La Fortuna and San José curve sharply.
Fill your flask with water, grab plantain chips for the highway, and pay cash to speed things up.
Afternoon
If you still have an hour, book a short sloth walk at Bogarin Trail, where you can see sloths, join a fifteen-minute chocolate tasting, or take a final dip at the El Salto rope swing.
Finish by 2:30 PM so you can shower, pack, and leave before evening rain. Allow three hours to San José and slightly less to Liberia. Check road conditions on Waze, keep headlights on through rolling clouds, and keep snacks close for the drive.
Option B: Chill Day
The second option is a relaxing day, which is what La Fortuna is all about. A slow start changes the mood. Sleep until birds wake you, then enjoy pancakes and fruit on the hotel terrace.
Reserve a late-morning session at EcoTermales or Tabacón for quieter pools and softer light. After a long soak, schedule a fifty-minute massage or mud wrap. Return to town for iced coffee, then browse craft stalls near the park for wood carvings and locally roasted beans.
Photograph the volcano from the church garden before clouds settle in. Pick up chocolate-covered macadamia nuts for the road and sit on a bench to watch local life.
When ready, settle the hotel bill, load the car, and aim to cross the mountains before the afternoon storm gathers, no matter if you continue your Costa Rica itinerary to Monteverde or elsewhere.
La Fortuna Itinerary – FAQ
Last but not least, let’s talk about some more factors that you should know when planning your trip.
When is the Best Time to Visit La Fortuna?
The dry season runs from December to April. You’ll get more sun, less mud, and clearer skies, but it’s also the busiest and priciest time to visit.
May to November is the rainy season, but honestly, it has its perks, fewer crowds, lower prices, and the whole place looks extra green.
Just know it’s humid all year, and quick showers can pop up any day, so don’t stress too much about the forecast.
Where to Stay in La Fortuna?
If you’re on a budget, check out Selina La Fortuna or Arenal Container Hostel, they’re solid, social, and right in town.
Mid-range spots like Casa Luna Hotel or El Silencio del Campo give you more comfort without breaking the bank.
And if you’re going all in, Nayara Gardens or Tabacón are hard to beat. For quieter nights and volcano views, stay just a little outside the center. It’s worth it.
Can You Visit La Fortuna Without a Car?
Yes, you can, it’s definitely doable if you plan ahead a bit. Taxis and shared shuttles will get you to most places, and a lot of tours include pickup.
That said, renting a car gives you more freedom, especially if you want to hit the trails early or hang out in hot springs late without worrying about rides.
Quick Packing List for La Fortuna
Here are some items we highly recommend packing for your trip to La Fortuna.
- Quick-dry clothes
- Swimsuit for springs and waterfall
- Waterproof sandals or trail shoes
- Bug spray, high-SPF sunscreen, compact poncho
- Reusable water bottle
- Binoculars for wildlife spotting
Conclusion
Three days in La Fortuna is just right. With early starts, a smart backpack, and a bit of flexibility, you’ll squeeze in a bunch without it feeling rushed.
You’ll leave with sore legs, great photos, and probably already thinking about your next trip back.
