LA FORTUNA WATERFALL ULTIMATE
VISITORS GUIDE 2024

La Fortuna Waterfall Ultimate Visitors Guide

Located in the Arenal Volcano National Park, in northern Costa Rica is one of the country’s most spectacular natural wonders: La Fortuna Waterfall. This stunning cascade, plunging an impressive 76 meters, attracts visitors from around the globe. To reach the roaring waters below, you’ll descend 500 steps through a vibrant rainforest, alive with colorful flowers and birds. This area, shaped by volcanic activity over 4,000 years ago, offers an unforgettable journey into nature’s beauty.

In this post we have carefully curated and shared all the important details for you to plan the perfect visit to La Fortuna Waterfall.

Tickets + Opening Times

La Fortuna waterfall is open every day from 7 AM to 5 PM, perfect for a peaceful and scenic nature getaway. It costs 18USD per person, and that covers parking, restrooms, restaurants, and a beautiful orchid garden. The last entry is at 4 PM, giving you a full hour to explore the waterfall. For the best experience and fewer crowds, try visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon. You can buy your ticket right at the waterfall, but it can get pretty crowded and the lines can be long, depending on when you arrive. We suggest grabbing your La Fortuna waterfall tickets online beforehand to save time and skip the wait.


How To Get To La Fortuna Waterfall

La Fortuna waterfall is open every day from 7 AM to 5 PM, perfect for a peaceful and scenic nature getaway. It costs 18USD per person, and that covers parking, restrooms, restaurants, and a beautiful orchid garden. The last entry is at 4 PM, giving you a full hour to explore the waterfall. For the best experience and fewer crowds, try visiting early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

You can buy your ticket right at the waterfall, but it can get pretty crowded and the lines can be long, depending on when you arrive. We suggest grabbing your La Fortuna waterfall tickets online beforehand to save time and skip the wait.

If you decided to rent a car in Costa Rica, it’s pretty straightforward following Google Maps or waze. To get to the La Fortuna Waterfall, just head south from town, cross a little bridge, and drive about 4KM. When you see the waterfall sign, turn right and keep going for another 5KM (around 3 miles) until you reach the parking lot.

Just a heads up, there’s no direct public bus service to the park. Driving from La Fortuna’s town center takes only 10 minutes, but if you’re coming from a hotel, expect about 30-45 minutes. The road is paved, so you don’t need a 4Γ—4. There are signs guiding you from La Fortuna town to the entrance and parking lot. The area is very safe, and there are security guards in the parking lot but it’s always a good idea to take your valuables with you.

There is no public bus directly to the waterfall park.

La Fortuna Waterfall is a bit tricky to get to since there’s no public transport. If you’re not renting a car, your best bet is to book an organized tour from La Fortuna. These tours not only get you there but also let you explore the stunning area around the waterfall and learn about the local wildlife and ecosystem with a guide. Usually, they cover park entrance, round-trip transport, and a knowledgeable guide.

Even if you don’t necessarily need a tour for the waterfall itself, it can still be a great option. If you’re staying outside La Fortuna and want to make the most of your time, a tour is super convenient since it often includes other activities in the area. Plus, it can be more cost-effective and save you the hassle of arranging your own transport and separate entrance fees.

Tours & Tickets

La Fortuna: Half-Day Waterfall Tour with Lunch

Duration: 6 hours

La Fortuna: Waterfall Hike + Transportation

Duration: 2 hours

La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano + Bridges Combo

Duration: 8 hours

Visiting La Fortuna waterfall

To reach the breathtaking La Fortuna waterfall, you must navigate a steep path with roughly 500 paved steps. The hike, which takes around 30 minutes, winds through stunning greenery and includes some hanging bridges before you arrive at the base of this majestic waterfall.

La Fortuna waterfall is a great spot year-round, so you can visit anytime. But similar to other waterfalls in the area, the dry season is your best bet to avoid muddy waters. In the rainy season, the rain can make the hike more difficult but the rainforest is magical anyway time you visit it.

TIP | Whatever you do remember to wear your bathing suit under your clothes for the hike to the waterfall. If you need to use the restrooms or changing rooms, you’ll have to climb back up those 500 steps!

The Hike to La Fortuna Falls

Once you get your ticket at the entrance, just cross the bridge to find the trailhead. There’s a gift shop, bathrooms, and an observation platform with an amazing view of the waterfall. 

Start your hike by admiring the waterfall from above. The hike is all on well maintained concrete and metal stairs and there are handrails too. As you head down the steps, you’ll experience the powerful sound and sensation of the water crashing into the rocks below.

Hiking down to the base of La Fortuna can be done easily, however the trek back up is a bit more challenging due to the steep incline and numerous stairs.

Swimming at La Fortuna Waterfall

Reaching the bottom of the trail you’ll be amazed by La Fortuna Waterfalls size and power. Standing at about 75M (240 feet) tall, the waterfall crashes into a pool of chilly, crystal-clear water surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant tropical plants. The mist and roar will give you chills and leave you with your draw dropped, understanding why this is one of the best waterfalls in all of Costa Rica.

At the bottom of the trail, you’ll find the waterfall on your right, with rocks and boulders perfect for sitting while you admire the falls. On your left, beautiful, refreshing pools await, ideal for swimming. We enjoyed sitting on the boulders with the mist gently blowing over us.

Just remember, you’ll need to hike back up those 500 stairs, so don’t wear yourself out swimming.

Where to stay near la fortuna waterfall

Explore the surroundings of the La Fortuna waterfall by staying overnight in the area. The nearby town of La Fortuna offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every budget. Check out Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails. It’s the closest hotel to the Arenal Volcano National Park. Danta Santa Lofts is a more affordable options located in La Fortuna town, only 4KM away from the waterfall. If you are look for luxury The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal offers spectacular views of the Arenal volcano and valley.

Hotels

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

See Prices

Danta Santa Lofts

see Prices

The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal

See Prices

Looking for more hotels in costa rica?

Check out our top accommodation picks in the area!

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