Arenal Volcano Hike
Walk old lava fields to viewpoints with a naturalist guide.
Overview
Why visit La Fortuna
La Fortuna began as a farming town at the foot of a mountain locals thought was dormant — until Arenal erupted without warning in 1968, burying nearby villages. The volcano rumbled and flowed for 42 years before falling quiet again in 2010, and its near-perfect cone still dominates the town.
The heat never really left. Underground volcanic activity feeds the hot springs resorts that line the road to the national park, from luxury rivers at Tabacón to simpler pools where locals soak. Above the forest, hanging bridge parks like Místico string walkways through the canopy where sloths, toucans and howler monkeys live.
The town is Costa Rica's adventure hub: whitewater rafting on the Balsa river, rappelling down canyon waterfalls, zip-lining over the jungle and hiking the old lava fields. The 70-metre La Fortuna Waterfall plunges into a jungle pool minutes from town, and vast Lake Arenal draws windsurfers and kayakers.
Things to do
Top things to book in La Fortuna
Popular tours and tickets. Compare prices and book ahead to skip the lines.
Hot Springs Day Pass
Soak in volcano-heated rivers and pools at a resort.
Hanging Bridges Tour
Cross canopy walkways for sloths, birds and volcano views.
Waterfall & Rafting Combo
Swim under La Fortuna Waterfall and raft the Balsa river.
Plan your trip
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Fun facts
Things you didn't know about La Fortuna
- 01
It Erupted In 1968
Arenal exploded after centuries asleep, wiping out two villages and staying active for 42 more years.
- 02
The Name Means Lucky
Locals renamed the town La Fortuna — 'the fortunate one' — because the 1968 eruption flowed away from it.
- 03
Naturally Heated Pools
Arenal's underground heat warms the hot springs resorts to around 38°C without any pumps or heaters.
- 04
A 70-Metre Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall drops into a jade pool reached by about 500 jungle steps.
- 05
Sloth Capital
The Bogarín Trail and nearby forests are among the easiest places on Earth to spot sloths in the wild.
- 06
Costa Rica'S Biggest Lake
Lake Arenal, enlarged by a dam, generates a large share of the country's hydroelectric power.
- 07
Bridges In The Canopy
Hanging bridge trails rise over 40 metres, putting visitors level with monkeys and toucans.
- 08
Half The Country'S Birds
The Arenal region hosts hundreds of bird species — nearly half of all found in Costa Rica.
- 09
A Young Volcano
Arenal is geologically young, only about 7,000 years old, which is why its cone is so symmetrical.
- 10
Chocolate Country
The foothills around La Fortuna grow cacao, and farm tours show chocolate made by hand.
Random La Fortuna fact
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FAQ
Quick answers about La Fortuna
Where is La Fortuna located?
La Fortuna is in Costa Rica, in North America.
What is the population of La Fortuna?
The greater La Fortuna area is home to about 20,000 people.
What is La Fortuna famous for?
The adventure capital of Costa Rica sits beneath the perfect cone of Arenal Volcano, ringed by rainforest, hanging bridges and resorts built around natural hot springs.
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