Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket
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La Fortuna, Costa Rica
- 1 to 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
More than 100,000 visitors flock to La Fortuna Waterfall each year, but this admission ticket to the natural attraction lets you head straight inside Arenal Volcano National Park to see it. After admiring the falls from a distance, hike down a steep path to stand at the base of the mesmerizing 230-foot (70-meter) cascade, where you can feel the power of the Fortuna River and feel its mist spraying into the surrounding jungle.
- Prebooking your ticket guarantees your entry to this popular attraction
- No hidden costs: Admission tickets are included
- Hike down to the base of the falls to swim in the river or simply admire the scenery
- Explore the area at your own pace with your ticket
What's Included
- Skip-the-line admission ticket to La Fortuna Waterfall
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Guide service
Meeting and Pickup
Operating hours
Select your preferred ticket/pass option to see hours.
Departure Point
- La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica
What To Expect
1
La Fortuna Waterfall
Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or high blood pressure
- Children under 8 years old are free
- Swimming is permited as long as the weather conditions permit it
- The last entrance time is 4:00pm
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 639 reviews
Cassandra_K, Apr 2026
Very cool experience and very busy, but that didn’t bother us. My 66 year-old mom and I swam at the base of the waterfall. It’s SUPER cold and the water is powerful. There are lifeguards to ensure no one gets hurt. It was worth the business for the experience.
Catherine_S, Apr 2026
I wish I had planned to stay longer but I had another tour scheduled. Wear good water shoes (closed toe or sneakers) flip flops would not be ideal.
Lauren_V, Apr 2026
This was a great experience and skipping the line on Easter Sunday was well worth it! We got right in and were able to swim at the waterfall. This was great afternoon excursion for our family! We loved this tucked away area of La Fortuna where sloths and monkeys put on a show in the trees overhead!
Jennifer_A, Apr 2026
A must see. It was pouring rain and it was still beautiful. You can swim near the waterfall or downstream a bit for a safer swim with kids.
Chantel_M, Mar 2026
This was a fun adventure! Our guide was fantastic! We loved being out in nature and rock jumping and swimming in the river.
This is an active excursion. Be prepared to climb and be in the water.
Elena_P, Mar 2026
Must visit waterfall! There are guards at the bottom, which made it feel safer and benches to lay your stuff on. Tough climb back up, but worth it!
Marcus_C, Mar 2026
So much fun water feels great and worth the leg shaking walk. The waterfall is much better in person.
robert_l, Mar 2026
Great experience and well worth the 500 steps down (and back up). We paid for fast track, although it was relatively quiet with no queues, and it worked well. The steps are actual staircases ie uniform and not slippy, which is also a plus. Getting into the water is a challenge, having to negotiate wet rocks and boulders, so grippy shoes are a must if you’re going in. The force of the waterfall also creates a strong current. All in all a great full body workout
Erin_C, Mar 2026
Beautiful spot. To the left of the falls there’s a nice swimming spot with lots of fish. Get there early to avoid the crowds.
Jeremiah_B, Mar 2026
This was the best chocolate tour ever. Very informative and very informational about all things fruit. I had a blast.
Julie_C, Mar 2026
I would say find a location you can get a view of this waterfall without taking all of the stairs down & then back up. A lot of work for very little payoff. The water is extremely cold so it's not like you'd want to stay down there playing in the water all day. But it is a beautiful waterfall.
Betty_A, Mar 2026
Don’t let the 500 steps deter you from doing this. It isn’t that bad and you can take at your own pace
Myriah_B, Feb 2026
Fortuna waterfall is worth the hype, but it was the busiest place we saw during our stay in Fortuna. We went early in the morning too. Got to see the raging waterfall and as we were leaving a security guard pointed out a sloth in a tree
Kelley_C, Feb 2026
Rene, our tour guide was very knowledgeable of the animals, friendly, and funny. We saw a viper snake, spider monkey with baby, howler monkey, lizards, many kinds of birds, and tarantula. The hanging bridges were amazing and even my husband who is afraid of heights made it across. We had yummy pineapple and was visited by a coatimundi. We ended the tour at the Arenal volcano with lovely views. I highly recommend this tour!!
Kokyee_L, Feb 2026
500 steps down. 15 mins down 30 mins up. Beautiful waterfall! My friends and I enjoyed the view. It was rainy so we didn’t go in the water. Regardless, we enjoyed it!
Michael_R, Feb 2026
Straightforward pre-purchasing of a mandatory ticket though there was no line when we went. Waterfall was beautiful but understandably closed for swimming due to heavy rain.
Kevin_O, Feb 2026
This waterfall was so fun to visit!
Pulling-up there was a parking lot with buses and a "strip mall" of shops and office, which did not give a good first impression. But, the 500 steps down (then back-up) were beautiful. The roar of the waterfall was fantastic. What a treat to swim in a jungle waterfall.
Of note, it was not crowded on our visit. I didn't need advance or "skip the line" tickets, and it was easy to swim in the waterfall's plunge pool. I could imagine it getting busy and being less enjoyable - so plan your timing well.
And, finally, visit before they install the planned gondola to the bottom.
Doug_B, Jan 2026
Beautiful waterfall! We enjoyed the hike and views - a bit touristy but fun! Would recommend to others!
Kim_V, Dec 2025
It was a beautiful spot. I suggest going right when the park opens as it gets crowded quickly. If you plan to swim make sure you have good water shoes to safely navigate the rocks.
Surya_D, Dec 2025
Good Views, About 500 Steps to get to the water fall. Has plenty of parking.Lot of people are getting into the water.
Jan_N, Dec 2025
It was nice to have an advance ticket although we didn’t need it since it ended up raining that morning.
Suresh_K, Dec 2025
The experience itself was excellent — the waterfall is truly unique, especially since you can actually swim in it. Booking through Viator worked fine, but since it was the off season there were no lines at the ticket counter anyway, so it didn’t make much of a difference this time. I can see Viator being more valuable during the busy season when crowds are heavier. Overall, a great experience and definitely worth visiting.
Lourdes_B, Dec 2025
We had such a wonderful experience. Our guides were great. Definitely recommend this tour. It was so much fun and the guides were very reassuring and extra patient with some of the family members who were anxious during this activity.
Michelle_S, Dec 2025
Very crowded and touristy, but worth it if you want a quick well maintained waterfall experience. We enjoyed getting in the pools at the bottom of falls.
Stacey_R, Nov 2025
Beautiful waterfall. Be prepared for all the stairs as it is not for everyone. The restaurant and gift shop were also nice. 4 stars only because of the stairs, but that’s not a reflection on the excursion. We did not swim at the base which might have given more rest
Sofia_G, Nov 2025
Beautiful spot. Can be crowded and hard to get pics. Be prepared for 15 min stairs all the way down and back up! Quite the workout lol. But nonetheless, deff worth the visit!
Josh_M, Oct 2025
This was the best thing we did in Costa Rica, better than snorkeling, better than zip lines, better than tubing the river!! It was epic! The last waterfall was legit, but I'm glad i did it!!
Kaitlyn_M, Sep 2025
Easy hike down to a beautiful picturesque waterfall where you can swim ! So worth it! We got awesome pics and were able to swim. 500 steps down and 500 down so just be aware of that. But paved and easy
David_K, Sep 2025
One of the best experiences in La Fortuna! It’s a hike down and up but it’s 100% worth it and I highly recommend!
Brenda_R, Aug 2025
Beautiful views. Perfect for people who love nature. The way back is intense since you have to go up thru 500 stairs, but there is various places to take a rest, enjoy nature and to continue. There is potable water fountains.
From $20.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Skip-the-Line La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket
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