About The Port Of La Fortuna
Set on the northern flank of the dormant Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna is one of Costa Rica's premier gateways to the country's celebrated rainforest and adventure-tourism scene. The town itself is small and low-key, but it anchors a landscape of cloud forest, waterfalls, and Lake Arenal, formed by a hydroelectric dam and now a hub for boating and lakeside dining. Coffee farms and cattle ranches dot the surrounding foothills, a reminder of the region's agricultural roots before ecotourism took hold.
Visitors typically arrive by road from the coast, a scenic multi-hour transfer through the Costa Rican interior. Options range from ziplining through the forest canopy and crossing suspended hanging bridges for treetop views of the volcano, to gentler pursuits like coffee tours, cooking classes, and soaks in mineral-rich hot springs fed by volcanic activity. The area rewards those with a full day to spare, as its highlights lie well beyond any single stop.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in La Fortuna .
Zipline or Hanging Bridges
Ride a gondola into the rainforest canopy, then zipline between platforms or walk the suspended bridge trail for eye-level views of Arenal Volcano and its surrounding jungle; allow a half day.
Soak in Volcanic Hot Springs
Unwind in mineral-rich thermal pools heated by Arenal's volcanic activity, many set amid tropical gardens with swim-up bars; a relaxing counterpoint to a day of adventure.
Cross Lake Arenal by Boat
Combine a scenic boat crossing of the reservoir lake with a stop at a coffee farm or cooking class in the surrounding hills, a favorite way to see the region's agricultural side.
Last Minute Cruise Deals From La Fortuna
| Departs | Cruise Line | Ship | Itinerary | Nights | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 2027 | Windstar | Wind Star | 11 | $6,375 | ||
| Jan 5, 2027 | Windstar | Star Legend | 11 | $6,188 | ||
| Jan 19, 2027 | Windstar | Star Legend | 11 | $5,348 | ||
| Jan 31, 2027 | Windstar | Wind Star | 12 | $7,770 | ||
| Feb 2, 2027 | Windstar | Star Legend | 11 | $5,698 | ||
| Dec 6, 2027 | Windstar | Star Pride | 11 | $5,588 | ||
| Dec 20, 2027 | Windstar | Star Pride | 11 | $5,623 | ||
| Jan 3, 2028 | Windstar | Star Pride | 11 | $5,483 | ||
| Jan 17, 2028 | Windstar | Star Pride | 11 | $5,553 | ||
| Jan 31, 2028 | Windstar | Star Pride | 11 | $5,693 | ||
| Feb 14, 2028 | Windstar | Star Pride | 11 | $5,413 |
Cruise Lines That Call Here
Click a cruise line to see its La Fortuna sailings and Pavlus pricing.