3-Day Itinerary for La Fortuna, Costa Rica
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Day 1:
7:00 AM: La Fortuna Waterfall
Stop at this gorgeous blue waterfall right at their opening time to explore the spot before the tourist descend later in the day! You'll take a short "hike" which consists of a couple hundred stairs down to the falls, but all and all its fairly easy.
11:00 AM: Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges
Head out to Mistico Park to explore the iconic Hanging Bridges with views of the Arenal Volcano. You'll see plenty of wildlife and have the option to take a guided tour to help you spot them! After the hike, grab a lunch at the restaurant with a stunning view of the volcano.
3:00 PM: Hot Springs
La Fortuna is home to countless Hot Springs and it will sure be well-deserved after a day of exploring. I'd recommend Ecotermales as they have timed tickets, so you avoid the overcrowding of other locations, and it tends to be more relaxing vs. family vibes. But you can't really go wrong with any of them!
6:00 PM: Dinner/Drinks & Rest
Head back into La Fortuna town for dinner/drinks and rest. A full list of recommended spots can be found in my complete guide (link below).
For easy planning: You can book a guided tour that will cover the top sights!
Day 2:
9:00 AM: Arenal Volcano Hike
Start the day strong with a hike and stunning views of Arenal Volcano. You can go directly to the trails in the national park, or explore the trails on some of the private reserves located around town, which offer equally stunning (and sometimes better) views. More details in the complete guide (link below)
1:00 PM: Coffee & Chocolate Tour
After lunch, head out on a Coffee & Chocolate tours from one of the local providers that grow onsite! It's said that the best coffee beans are grown at higher elevations, and the La Fortuna area provides a great opportunity for some of the best coffee and chocolate!
5:00 PM: Take a Night Tour Hike
This has got to be one of the most unique experiences. You take a guided walk through the rainforest to experience all the creatures that come out only at night. Frogs, snakes, spider, etc. - you'll see it all!
7:00 PM: Dinner/Drinks & Rest
Head back into La Fortuna town for dinner/drinks and rest. A full list of recommended spots can be found in my complete guide (link below).
Day 3:
9:00 AM: Rio Celeste
On your last day, take the drive out to Rio Celeste to view the unbelievably blue waters. Take a hike through the rainforest to see bubbling waters, waterfalls, wildlife, and more! Don't forget to stop at some of the roadside stands for food and snacks along the way! You can easily spend the whole day here, or opt to hike faster and head back mid-afternoon to sneak in another activity! (Zip-lining, anyone?)
Get the Complete Guide:
I've done all the research you need for your trip to La Fortuna so that you don't have to! You'll learn:
-How to get to La Fortuna
-Where to stay
-What to do
-Where to eat & drink
-Must know tips
Includes 39 hand-picked places with notes, 10 links to easy-to-book activities, digital map, and tips you need to explore the area!
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