La Fortuna de San Carlos Attractions

Top Things to Do in La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica

Things to Do in La Fortuna de San Carlos

La Fortuna's must-do: hiking to La Fortuna Waterfall. Soaking in the natural springs is a close second—Baldi Hot Springs or Ecotermales Fortuna are the popular picks.


Top Attractions in La Fortuna de San Carlos

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.
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Other Top Attractions around La Fortuna de San Carlos







*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

  • Radiohead319
    Olveston, UK163 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a brilliant, relaxing and educational tour of their animal sanctuary. We learned all about how they rehabilitate the animals that come to them, and why some that have been raised as pets cannot be rehabilitated. A really engaging presentation style which was pitched just right for adults and children.

    I don't think they are big enough to accept coach tours, so this tour is with just a few people, so no crowding to see the animals. Lovely gardens too. Paths are level with loose stone - so mostly suitable for wheelchairs and baby buggies, except the odd patch where stone is deeper/looser.

    A really lovely trip. Although it seems expensive I think overall it was good value compared to other tours, plus it is supporting a great project
    Written 4 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • wanderlust
    88 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I'm torn about this waterfall. It was definitely pretty, but it was highly overpriced. That's probably a result of it being right near La Fortuna and easy for a lot of tourists to get to. The walk to the waterfall is easy (just a lot of stairs). I liked doing it and viewing the falls, but if you're on a tight budget, there are other waterfalls that are also really pretty that are more budget friendly. Also we went during a time with a lot of rain so swimming was not an option. There was so much water coming over the falls it looked cool!!
    Written 12 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • carol
    Weare, NH25 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A trip to Costa Rica is not complete without a visit to La Fortuna, Arenal, and the hot springs. La Fortuna is a hopping tourist town with an abundance of shops and restaurants. Arenal stands above it all smoking majestically and pumping out prodigious amounts of hot water, which a variety of resorts divert into their facilities. We visited Ecotermales Fortuna in the evening for a tasty buffet dinner before exploring the variety of hot spring pools. We met some nice people during our soak and emerged totally relaxed.
    Written 14 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kevin T
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What an amazing experience! We saw many more animals and birds than I anticipated. William and Jason were knowledgeable and friendly and all around expert guides.
    Written 18 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Charlene C
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very nice place to visit, this is must in a fortuna, no schedule, free entrance fee, very nice forest and river. go for it.
    Written 14 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Keegan R
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Leonela was a wonderful guide! She helped us find wildlife like poison dart frogs we never would have seen otherwise! She was very knowledgeable about the animals in the park and a very patient guide!
    Written 19 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • annika_lucky13
    Salamanca, NY439 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had another great stay at Arenal Oasis. Our cabin was comfortable and we loved the jungle setting. We had lunch and dinner at the restaurant and walked around the garden. All our food was excellent. We saw some great wildlife right on the property. The staff was always friendly and helpful.

    We did the Night Walk and saw a lot of nocturnal species. We would highly recommend this tour.

    We had a great visit and will definitely be returning in the future.
    Written 16 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • NikNak2368
    Jersey, UK27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a great day relaxing at the hot springs. We had been warned it gets really busy and maybe we were just lucky but it was perfectly fine!
    We got there just before opening time at 11am and stayed till about 2pm.
    The pools were lovely and clean apart from a few leaves that fall during the day. All areas were spotlessly clean but special mention must go to the bar area at the back with the most fabulous views of the countryside with an uninterrupted view of the volcano - superb.
    Written 18 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GinaBif
    Metuchen, NJ94 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We stopped here on our way from Liberia airport to La Fortuna! What a way to start our trip. The views are absolutely beautiful! I will warn the roads are super windy and definitely made me car sick but still worth it!
    Written 7 March 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Redwings88
    Brookfield, WI94 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enjoyed the various pools with different temperatures. Did not feel too crowded since there were many pools. Drink prices at the bar were very reasonable. Free towel (deposit required though). Changing rooms were clean and well appointed. A few of the pools had water slides. Sometimes hard to find a place to put your towels and shoes at the pools. Have a gift shop and food at the bar.
    Written 9 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • grotunno
    Windsor, Canada12 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place a little pricey though.
    We went in the evening and lighting was quite low so traversing through the pools i scraped my leg and bumped my toe a lot, also not every stairway in and out of pools had handrails beware,it was very relaxing under the waterfalls.
    Written 18 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mimi C
    Seattle, WA48 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is the closest thing you can get to feeling like a local. This is where many locals swim and cool off. The rope swing is very fun and the water is so refreshing. You can explore the river on your own or stick around the main swim hole. It is very close to town, walkable maybe 20 mins from the Central Park area. I recommend coming here it's one of the few places that are free. My friends and I loved it
    Written 18 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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