Trip Planner:
Central America
/
Costa Rica
/
Province of Alajuela
/
Arenal Volcano National Park
/
La Fortuna de San Carlos
/
La Fortuna Waterfall
A short drive from town, La Fortuna Waterfall offers an idyllic place for swimming, picnicking, and relaxing. Fed by the Arenal River, which winds its way through the rainforest before plunging dramatically over a steep cliff, this waterfall forms a large pool at the base of a dormant volcano. Lifeguards remain on duty throughout the day, while modern facilities like restrooms and showers ensure a comfortable visit in a lush area noted for thick vegetation and abundant wildlife. Prepare for a short but arduous hike to the base of the waterfall by wearing shoes suitable for slippery and uneven terrain. Use our La Fortuna de San Carlos attractions planner to add La Fortuna Waterfall and other attractions to your La Fortuna de San Carlos vacation plans.
Create an itinerary including La Fortuna Waterfall

Unable to display map at this time. Please try again later.
© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors
La Fortuna Waterfall Tours
La Fortuna Waterfall Reviews
-
Beautiful waterfall of course but loads of people go there and I find it quite expensive to pay $15US just for the access. Nice to be able to go for a swim but I found it annoying to go around with al... more »
-
Por si no lo saben este lugar es administrado por la asociación de desarrollo de fortuna, la cual a hecho un gran manejo de los recursos económicos logrados reinvirtiedo en la infraestructura del send... more »
If they don't know this place is managed by the Association of development of fortune, which in fact a great resource management economic attained reinvirtiedo on the trail and community infrastructureView original -
It’s 500 steep steps, but totally worth it! Don’t get too close to the waterfall, it will suck you in. Also, it’s best to bring a surfer or diver’s shirt, the water is pretty cold. more »
-
It's a great place to visit. I like this waterfall specifically because you can swim here. It's beautiful too, super tall and has great photo opportunities. There's more than 500 steps (each way) but there's spots along the way to take a rest. Kid friendly, I brought my 3 year old and she did fine the whole time, though down at the base its kind of rocky, so you'd want to keep an eye on them the whole time. But yeah again, would definitely recommend checking out this waterfall, it's worth it.
-
Such a beautiful a beautiful place. The waterfalls are stunning and worth all the stairs. The swimming area has a very nice, covered bench to leave your belongings while you swim. The changing rooms/showers and the bathrooms are well kept and very clean. The orchid and butterfly walks are nice little extras to explore once you've been to the waterfall. We saw a ton of butterflies while it rained!! Everything was well worth the entrance fee!!
-
A beautiful waterfall very close to La Fortuna. Often offered as "tour" by travel agencies, but you can easily discover it on your own - especially if you have a car (~5km from town). The admission is $15, there is a free parking. There are lockers and even showers at the entrance which is extremely convenient. Keep in mind that there are 500 stairs to take to get t waterfall, going back is a bit of exercise. You can also swim at the waterfall which is a great experience on own.
-
Breath taking! From the sound of the waterfall to the animals and just everything around it. Just a gorgeous place. There's about 500 steps to go down. Quite a work out but totally worth it. The water is extremely cold but just so inviting. This is a must! (PS. All photos taken from a Google Pixel 2XL)
-
Trail to the waterfall is well done. It is not a typical dirt trail but instead stairs that follow the steep slope. Great viewing stops along the way and the platforms at the bottom allow for good views of the waterfall. There is a swimming area to the left of the waterfall. Cost is $15 per person. Price is pretty high but if you don’t mind that you can get some wonderful photos of a waterfall.
Places to stay near La Fortuna Waterfall
Plan your trip to La Fortuna de San Carlos
-
Get a personalized plan
A complete day-by-day itinerary
based on your preferences -
Customize it
Refine your plan. We'll find the
best routes and schedules -
Book it
Choose from the best hotels
and activities. Up to 50% off -
Manage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Popular things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos
View all >Duration: 6h
Duration: 3h
Duration: 4h
Duration: 2h 30min
Side trips from La Fortuna de San Carlos
Kids friendly things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos
View all >Duration: 2h 30min
Duration: 4h 30min
Duration: 2h 30min
©
Duration: 4h
Hidden gems in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Duration: 1h 30min
Duration: 2h 30min
Duration: 1h 30min
©
Duration: 8h
Wildlife in La Fortuna de San Carlos
View all >Duration: 2h 30min
Duration: 2h 30min
Duration: 2h 30min
Duration: 2h 30min
Nearby attractions in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Duration: 4h 30min
Duration: 4h
Duration: 4h
Duration: 3h
Featured attractions
Duration: 2h 30min
Duration: 5h 30min
Duration: 1h 30min
©
Duration: 4h
Plans to La Fortuna Waterfall by other users
8 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM CANADA
April, outdoors, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: April, outdoors
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Slow & easy
8 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM CANADA
April, outdoors, beaches, popular sights
PREFERENCES: April, outdoors, beaches
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
8 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM EGYPT
July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, popular sights
PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
8 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM CANADA
March, kids, outdoors, beaches, wildlife, popular sights
PREFERENCES: March, kids, outdoors, beaches, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
8 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM EGYPT
July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, popular sights
PREFERENCES: July, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
12 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM INDONESIA
February, popular sights
PREFERENCES: February
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
12 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
May, popular sights
PREFERENCES: May
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
5 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
May, popular sights
PREFERENCES: May
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
8 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
June, teens, kids, popular sights
PREFERENCES: June, teens, kids
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular sights
PACE: Medium
7 days in Costa Rica
BY A USER FROM CANADA
May, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, wildlife, slow & easy, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: May, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Slow & easy
49 days in Central America
BY A USER FROM ISRAEL
June, fast-paced, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: June
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Fast-paced
55 days in Central America
BY A USER FROM ISRAEL
June, culture, outdoors, romantic, beaches, historic sites, wildlife, popular & hidden gems
PREFERENCES: June, culture, outdoors, romantic, beaches, historic sites, wildlife
ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems
PACE: Medium
View more plans
Are you the owner of this business?
Click here for promotion tips.