Itineraries for Your Trip to La Fortuna
3 Days in La Fortuna for First Timers
If you're anything like me, the draw of La Fortuna is the rainforest animals. I had always dreamed of seeing a sloth in the wild, and I did just that when I visited with my daughter. With three days in La Fortuna, you'll have plenty of time for sloth spotting on your Costa Rica itinerary, plus all the other activities the area is known for—ziplining, rafting, rappelling, hot springs swimming, and hiking. I highly recommend spending at least one day exploring Arenal Volcano National Park and visiting La Fortuna Waterfall. This 3-day La Fortuna itinerary for first-timers has everything you need for a fun-filled visit to Costa Rica's Northern Highlands.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a night tour of the rainforest.
Rain and heat are typical for this area of Costa Rica.
If you've made your way to Costa Rica's tropical rainforest, you're going to see some fascinating creatures living there, including the slow-moving sloth. The good news is that there are plenty of nature tours that take you out to spot sloths, toucans, and other animals in the trees.
Arenal Volcano provides the area around La Fortuna with gorgeous natural hot springs, which you can visit on a guided tour. After you've taken a dip in these rejuvenating waters at a hot springs resort, you'll be ready for the next day's adventures.
Costa Rican cuisine is characterized by its abundance of rice, tropical fruits, and beans. Taste some of the country's top products on a coffee and chocolate tour, where you'll learn how these products are grown and harvested. Tasting the products at the end is all part of the experience.
Once you've visited a local farm, you'll want to get hands-on and learn how to prepare traditional Costa Rican dishes. Not only will you get to taste your creations at the end, but you can take the recipes home to recreate the meal.
For your last day in La Fortuna, up the adventure level. The rainforest is the perfect natural playground for a day of ziplining or rappelling, offering stunning views. Some tours take you to the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, where you can walk between the treetops.
Once darkness descends, the creatures of the night emerge. This is the perfect time to visit the rainforest for a night hike with a knowledgeable nature guide who is ready to point out all the nocturnal creatures that inhabit the area.
