In a nutshell
- The La Fortuna Waterfall is genuinely impressive and one of the most popular attractions in Costa Rica — and the most visited waterfall in the country.
- Honest take: we don’t think it’s really worth it. It’s very touristy, not authentic at all, and the admission fee is steep. But we get why you might still want to go.
- This guide has everything you need to know before your visit — tickets, getting there, what to expect, and our personal tips.
- Want to keep your options open? Buy your ticket through Get Your Guide — free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
- The best place to stay is in La Fortuna town. Our top pick: the Roca Negra Del Arenal — affordable, with a pool and great volcano views.
What You Need to Know About La Fortuna Waterfall
The La Fortuna Waterfall is a 70-meter-tall, genuinely impressive waterfall. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Costa Rica and the most visited waterfall in the country.
If you ask us, a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall isn’t really worth it. It was way too crowded, too expensive, and the path leading there felt anything but authentic — pretty underwhelming, honestly.
Even though the waterfall itself is genuinely cool, for us it falls into the category of: I’m only going so I can say I’ve seen it. We enjoyed the Montezuma Falls on the Pacific coast much more — and those are even free.
That said, we totally understand that you want to see the waterfall for yourself — that’s exactly how we felt too.
The weather for a trip to the waterfall is pretty good all year round. During the rainy season, from May to November, the waterfall is usually really powerful and a lot of water comes rushing down.
Between December and April — technically the best time to visit Costa Rica — the waterfall may carry a bit less water, and the crowds could be even larger.
Where Is La Fortuna Waterfall Located?
La Fortuna Waterfall is located inland in Costa Rica, in the region around the Arenal Volcano National Park. It’s about 140 kilometers north of the capital city of San José.
The nearest town is La Fortuna, about five kilometers away. So you know exactly where everything is, we’ve marked the catarata La Fortuna on a map for you.
What You Can Do at La Fortuna Waterfall
The reason for your visit is of course the waterfall itself, which you can take in from two viewing platforms or from the pool at the bottom.
You’re actually allowed to swim in the pool. Super cool! We definitely did that too, and it was hands down our highlight. You should be a confident swimmer and be careful, though — the water pressure is really strong and can easily pull you under.
In front of the waterfall and a few steps further along, there are some rocks in the shallow water where you can relax.
To reach the waterfall, you’ll need to walk down roughly 500 steps. It’s manageable and not really strenuous. The paths are very well maintained.
If you’re only in the Arenal Volcano area for a short time and you definitely want to see La Fortuna Waterfall, we recommend a day tour that combines the Arenal Volcano, the hot springs, and the waterfall.
La Fortuna Waterfall Combo Tour
How to Buy Your Ticket for La Fortuna Waterfall
Admission to La Fortuna Waterfall costs $20 for adults. Children under 8 get in free. You can buy your ticket either directly on-site at the entrance or online in advance.
Online, you can purchase your ticket on the official La Fortuna Waterfall website or through Get Your Guide. We recommend Get Your Guide — everything is clearly laid out and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.
Get Your La Fortuna Waterfall Ticket on Get Your Guide
Hotels and Accommodations in La Fortuna
The best base for your day trip to La Fortuna Waterfall is the small town of La Fortuna. You’ll find places to stay here for every budget.
The hotels with views of Arenal Volcano are especially cool, though you’ll pay a bit more for those.
Casona Rústica: Very affordable bungalows with a lovely garden, pool, and delicious breakfast.
Hotel Roca Negra: Bungalows with a pool, volcano views, and great value for money.
Arenal Observatory Lodge: A lodge inside a protected area with its own hiking trails and stunning views of the volcano.
Hotel Arenal Glamping: Cozy luxury tents with a fantastic pool area and incredible volcano views.
Getting to La Fortuna Waterfall by Car and Bus
However you’re traveling, you’ll always pass through the small town of La Fortuna on the way to the waterfall. If you’re taking the bus, you’ll need to head into town first.
Getting There by Car
Driving there is super easy. Just enter La Fortuna Waterfall into your GPS. Right in front of the main entrance you’ll find a large parking lot where you can park for free.
Getting There by Bus
If you’re exploring on your Costa Rica road trip by bus, you’ll need to travel from San José to La Fortuna first. Once a day, there’s a direct bus departing at 8:40 AM.
The bus departs from Terminal Atlántico Norte in San José (view on Google Maps). You can buy your ticket directly at the bus terminal. The journey takes about four hours and costs around $8.
If that’s too early for you, there’s also another connection where you’ll need to transfer once. These buses run several times a day.
For this option, you also depart from Terminal Atlántico Norte. Take the bus to Ciudad Quesada, which runs several times a day between 5 AM and 7 PM. You can buy the ticket directly from the bus driver.
In Ciudad Quesada, transfer directly onto the bus to La Fortuna — those also run several times a day, from 4 AM to 10 PM. In total, the journey takes about six hours and costs roughly $10 combined.
Getting There by Minivan
The more relaxed option is a shared minivan. It costs a bit more, but only takes three hours and is much more comfortable. Depending on the provider, you’ll be picked up at your hotel in San José and dropped off directly at your accommodation in La Fortuna.
You can book the minivan online in advance — the easiest way is through the booking platform 12Go.
View Minivan Connections to La Fortuna
Our tip: On 12Go you can also easily search for connections to La Fortuna from other parts of Costa Rica — whether you’re coming from Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park, the Atlantic coast, or directly from the airport in San José.
From La Fortuna, there is no bus to La Fortuna Waterfall. Your best bet is to grab a taxi or an Uber.
Checklist for Your Visit
- Check the official website before you go for the latest opening hours. They’re typically daily from 7 AM to 5 PM, but can change.
- Pack your swimsuit and a towel if you want to swim at the base of the waterfall — there are even showers and lockers on-site.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the trail.
- Bring drinking water, sunscreen, and bug spray.
- Book your ticket and a tour online in advance if you’d like.
Get Your La Fortuna Waterfall Ticket on Get Your Guide
La Fortuna Combo Tour with Waterfall and Hot Springs
Our Personal Tips for La Fortuna Waterfall
Arrive as early as possible. Your chances of beating the crowds are much higher first thing in the morning.
It also gets especially busy on weekends, when many Costa Ricans make a day trip out here. So aim for a weekday if you can.
After your visit, refuel at our favorite restaurant in La Fortuna: Soda Víquez (view on Google Maps). We absolutely loved the food there — especially the Piña y Coco milkshake, which is seriously incredible. So good!
