La Fortuna | Costa Rica - A Backpacker’s Guide
Free Things to Do
💦 El Salto
El Salto is a swimming spot in the river which has a rope swing. It is free to go and is about a 20-25 minute walk from town if you want to go by foot. It is enjoyed by locals and tourists and is a great spot to enjoy the water and cool off on a hot day.
💦 El Choyin Hot Springs
El Choyin is a free spot to enjoy hot springs La Fortuna has to offer. It is a little way out of town so to get there you will need to take an Uber or drive but it is free to go. An Uber* should only be a few dollars each way so it is still a budget friendly option. Be aware there are no lights and the track is a little rough in patches so be careful if visiting towards the end of the day or if travelling solo.
Things to do
🦥Wildlife and Sloth Tours
When it comes to tours to see sloths there is no shortage in La Fortuna and the options can be a bit overwhelming. Here are three to consider:
La Fortuna Hikes and Trails - $32
This is the tour I chose and I am very glad I did. A guide will walk you through their trails with a scope and will help you spot various wildlife that it would be incredibly difficult to find on your own! The guide I had was amazing and very knowledgeable. We spotted 5 or 6 sloths, bats, frogs and various birds. At then end you make sugar cane juice and tortillas for a local snack to finish off which is a nice touch.
This tour included everything I was after and was at a decent price. It is also only a 15-20 minute walk from town which means that you can reach it without any additional cost.
Sloth's Territory - $40
Located on a private reserve and run by a family Sloth’s Territory offers tours multiple times a day. The family works to protect and maintain the area as well as reforest. They will guide you through trails on the property spotting wildlife with you as they go.
This property is a bit out of town and will require driving or an Uber* to reach, this shouldn’t be expensive but is something to keep in mind when selecting which tour suits you best.
Bogarin Trail - ₡8.500 to ₡25.000 + Taxes
💦 La Fortuna Waterfall
The La Fortuna waterfall hike involves 500 steps down to the base of the waterfall. Enjoy a swim at the base of the waterfall or in the calmer water slightly downstream. The walk itself is surrounded by lush greenery, be sure to keep a look out in the trees for monkeys, iguanas, and other wildlife.
🎟️Entrance fee: $20 by cash to card (no additional fee).
🚌Getting there: Unfortunately there is no public bus that runs from town to the waterfall so you will need to get an Uber* if you aren't driving. It is only a short drive but a long walk and should cost a few dollars each way. There is free wifi at the waterfall entrance so you will be able to connect to order one back to town.
🌿Arenal Ecological Park
This ecological park offers beautiful trails to explore and views of Arenal Volcano.
The entrance is close to El Choyin hot springs so it a great opportunity to visit them when you're done in the park rather than paying for an Uber* again another time.
🎟️Entrance fee: $15
🚌Getting there: Unfortunately there is no public bus that runs from town to the park so you will need to get an Uber if you aren't driving. It is only a short drive but a long walk and should cost a few dollars each way.
*One of my drivers did inform me Uber is illegal in Costa Rica but it does still work. Don’t be surprised if you’re driver asks you to sit in the front seat, they ask this so that it looks less obvious to any police.
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