Costa Rica is a vacation spot well-known for its lush vegetation, lovely seashores, lively volcanoes, and unbelievable waterfalls.
Waterfalls in Costa Rica are scattered everywhere in the nation, typically in distant places deep within the forest. Whereas most are off the crushed path, there are just a few waterfalls that may be simply accessed from predominant routes.
One of many best rainforest waterfalls to go to in Costa Rica is La Fortuna Waterfall, and it’s additionally among the best waterfalls in Costa Rica. This pure attraction is situated within the city of La Fortuna, on the base of the Arenal Volcano.
Guests flock right here from everywhere in the world to expertise the vibrant waters of this hidden tropical oasis. In the event you’re planning to go to the La Fortuna Waterfall path, remember to try the following pointers for one of the best expertise.
La Fortuna Waterfall. Arenal, Costa Rica.
Greatest Time to Go to La Fortuna Waterfalls
The highly effective waterfall flows all yr spherical, and each the dry season and inexperienced season add their very own attraction to the total rainforest expertise.
Basically, the La Fortuna space sees common rain throughout the yr. The wet season, or inexperienced season is from Could to November. Folks naturally are likely to keep away from the rain, however the inexperienced season in Costa Rica is when nature involves life. A light-weight tropical bathe whilst you go to the waterfall is just not too unhealthy, and it makes a dip within the swimming space much more refreshing!
In the event you do expertise a little bit of rain if you go, be particularly cautious on the hike down. When the rain is robust, actions like swimming or climbing rocks should not advisable. It’s all the time higher to remain protected and belief your judgment when happening forest adventures.
In the meantime, December till April is called the dry season–however that doesn’t imply there gained’t be any rainfall in any respect. Gentle showers may occur right here and there, so it’s finest to pack rain gear whatever the season.
Most individuals say that the dry season is one of the best time to go. There’s no threat of heavy downpours, slippery rocks, or muddy trails. On the flip facet, the dry season occurs to be the height time for vacationers, so you’ll take care of massive crowds—particularly in one of the vital well-known waterfalls in Costa Rica. The realm surrounding the Arenal waterfall, the Arenal Volcano and Arenal Lake attract a number of locals and vacationers alike.
Be aware of main holidays like Christmas in December and Semana Santa in March or April, that are week-long celebrations. Costa Ricans typically rejoice their holidays by going to the highest sights, so anticipate heavy visitors on the highways, absolutely booked lodges, and many individuals in nationwide parks and seashores. In case your journey falls on these holidays, remember to plan accordingly.
An insider tip to beat the crowds is to go to the attractive waterfall very first thing within the morning. The La Fortuna waterfall hours are from 7:00am to five:00pm. Not solely will the temperature be cooler, however you’ll seemingly be the one ones there.
La Fortuna city, getaway to Arenal Volcano
About La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna River Waterfall, also called Catarata La Fortuna, is situated on the base of Cerro Chato Volcano. It’s simply exterior of Arenal Volcano Nationwide Park within the province of Alajuela, and is perched at 520 metres above sea stage.
The waterfall is about 70 meters (230 ft.) tall and feeds in from the Arenal River. The river travels via the thick, lush rainforest of the Arenal Mountain Vary earlier than plunging right into a deep, giant pool.
In English, la fortuna means “fortune” and getting to leap into this waterfall after a brisk hike is strictly that. The cool water on the base of the waterfall is the proper place for a refreshing dip on a scorching day.
La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall Entrance Payment
The La Fortuna Waterfall entrance payment is USD $18 for adults and USD $5 for kids. All proceeds from the sale of tickets go in the direction of the conservation and preservation of Arenal Nationwide Park.
The pure magnificence within the space is managed sustainably by the Integral Improvement Affiliation of La Fortuna (ADIFORT). This group goals to defend the attractive panorama and hold visiting the falls protected for everybody.
All entrance charges are put again into the infrastructure, tradition, and progress of the area people. In a nutshell, your small entrance payment helps fund tasks that hold the waterfall and surrounding organic reserve lovely!
La Fortuna Waterfall Opening Hours
La Fortuna Waterfall opens at 7:00 a.m and closes at 5:00 p.m. Since this park may be very common, we advocate arriving early within the day to keep away from the crowds.
La Fortuna Waterfall entrance payment data
How Lengthy Is The Hike To La Fortuna Waterfall?
On the entrance, there’s a parking zone, a rest room, a small cafe, butterfly and orchid backyard trails, and a small reward store or memento retailer.
From the doorway workplace, the La Fortuna waterfall hike takes about Quarter-hour–that’s over 500 steps. The hillside staircase is newly constructed with handrails and benches and has spectacular lookout factors over the jungle and waterfall. Hold a watch out for the small waterfall proper earlier than you get to the bottom of the falls!
The stroll down is straightforward, but it surely’s vital to all the time watch out as the steps could also be slippery and moist. It takes about 10-Quarter-hour to stroll down the steps and 20-Half-hour to return again up. In the event you want a break, there are small relaxation areas with benches each 100 steps or so.
Take note of your environment and take your time on the best way down. The underside steps will be particularly slippery, so security is essential. Swap flip-flops for water footwear or every other pair with a stronger grip. You’ll want it whereas happening all the steps and even whereas strolling alongside the bottom of the waterfall. In the event you’re fortunate, you might be able to spot some birds and even monkeys proper from the staircase!
Can You Swim in La Fortuna Waterfall?
Bathing within the chilly water on the waterfall is very beneficial and gives a pleasant reduction from the warmth! However watch out as you go in; relying on the rain, the water could also be excessive, and the present will be robust.
In the event you’re in search of a extra enjoyable swimming space, observe the path slightly additional. Previous the bottom of the waterfall is a river with a number of calmer pure swimming pools downstream. These pure swimming pools have crystal clear water, and from there, you’ll have unbelievable views of the rainforest.
How To Get To La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica
One of the best and best method to get to La Fortuna waterfall is by driving. The waterfall is situated simply 5 km exterior of the city of La Fortuna. It’s going to take you beneath 10 minutes to get there by automobile, and La Fortuna waterfall parking is free.
The waterfall is a must-see place on any journey to the Arenal Volcano. Due to their shut location, guests can typically try each in someday. The roads are nicely paved, and Google Maps can provide you all of the route data you want.
From San Jose, the drive to La Fortuna is 140 km (87 miles) and takes about 3 hours. It’s barely shorter when you’re coming from Liberia, however San Jose airport remains to be the closest to fly into.
La Fortuna Waterfall entrance
Attending to La Fortuna With no Automotive
Contemplating that Costa Rica doesn’t have an excellent public transportation system exterior of its massive cities like San Jose, the place you may catch taxis and buses, the journey to achieve La Fortuna Waterfall is likely to be a problem.
Uber was launched to the nation just a few years in the past, but it surely’s simply steadily turning into extra widespread exterior of San Jose. In the event you don’t have a rental automobile and want to rent a taxi to get to La Fortuna Waterfall, search Uber. There are sometimes drivers that may take you straight from San Jose airport to La Fortuna.
One other various is ordering a taxi. A taxi to La Fortuna Waterfall from La Fortuna city will value round $10 every method. You’ll be able to probably negotiate with the driving force to attend for you within the parking zone whilst you discover the falls. If you’re staying exterior of city, be ready to pay extra.
Sadly, there isn’t any public transportation to La Fortuna Waterfall.
La Fortuna Waterfall Excursions
If you’re travelling by yourself and need to be a part of a gaggle for a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, take into account a tour. La Fortuna Waterfall excursions are additionally an effective way to mix a go to to the falls with another enjoyable actions within the space. Listed below are just a few choices:
- Half-Day Waterfall Tour with Lunch: This distinctive tour gives a possibility to go to the La Fortuna Waterfall and luxuriate in a typical Costa Rican lunch, in addition to a go to to slightly village of the Maluku Indians.
- Nature Lovers Combo Tour: Go to La Fortuna Waterfall, hike the paths of the Arenal Volcano, and stroll the hanging bridge of the Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. This combo tour lasts 8 hours and departs from La Fortuna city. Lunch is included within the worth, so you may take pleasure in being out in nature with out worrying about meals alongside the best way!
- 4 Actions Tour: This combo tour consists of all of the stops within the Nature Lovers tour however consists of an extra go to to one of many pure scorching springs on the town. The recent springs in La Fortuna should not solely lovely however are additionally a pure and enjoyable method to finish your day. We extremely advocate Tabacon, however different scorching springs are simply as gratifying.
- Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling Expertise: Slightly extra excessive than the others, this tour takes you into the guts of the rainforest. You’ll repel down canyons and really feel the splash of cascading waterfalls.
La Fortuna Waterfall hike path
Ideas For Visiting La Fortuna Waterfall
Keep Hydrated
Contemplating that attending to La Fortuna Waterfall requires mountaineering, swimming, and even repelling down cliff sides, one factor it’s worthwhile to take into account is hydration. Costa Rica is scorching and humid on any given day and staying hydrated whereas on a hike or spending time within the scorching solar is vital. So remember to refill a reusable water bottle so you may keep hydrated all through the day.
Our best choice is the LARQ, a self-cleaning water bottle that neutralizes as much as 99.9% of dangerous, odour-causing micro organism. It has 2 modes which might be extremely helpful: Regular Mode on your each day cleansing cycle and Journey Mode for brand spanking new locations the place you’re uncertain concerning the high quality of consuming water.
Pack Proper
Be sure to put on snug garments, together with correct mountaineering footwear with good grips. Take word that you just’re strolling via stairs and hanging bridges. In the event you’re planning on swimming, make sure that to carry correct swimwear.
Swim shorts for males are nice. Water footwear additionally make an enormous distinction, as the underside of the waterfall pool will be fairly rocky.
Additionally, when you’re planning to carry your digicam or telephone on the La Fortuna hike, it’s a good thought to carry a dry bag. The path ventures via the moist forest, and the bottom of the waterfall will be fairly misty. To us, it’s all the time finest to carry a dry bag or depart something you don’t need to get moist within the automobile or at your lodge.
There’s a restaurant on the guests centre, but it surely’s all the time good to carry snacks. You’ll greater than seemingly want some gas after the waterfall hike and a day of swimming. Packing a picnic lunch (and many water!) can be a pleasant method to benefit from the space.
Max round La Fortuna Waterfall Orchid Backyard
Shield Your Pores and skin
La Fortuna Waterfall is in a comparatively shady space, but it surely’s a good suggestion to carry sunblock. The placement could also be moist, however the solar remains to be very robust on this a part of the world.
Be sure to carry mosquito repellent as nicely. Mosquitos are all over the place, and they’ll come at you in swarms. DEET is horrible for the surroundings and for our our bodies, so pack a extra pure mosquito repellent.
Mountain climbing path vital reminders
How A lot Time Do You Want At La Fortuna Waterfall?
A go to to the La Fortuna Waterfall takes up about half a day. That’s with further time to discover the encircling areas, in addition to the butterfly backyard and orchid path. It could take even much less when you simply need to stroll right down to the pool, take just a few pictures and head again.
If you’re seeking to mix your go to to La Fortuna Waterfall with different actions in Arenal, we advocate staying within the space for at the least 3-4 days to absorb the pura vida.
Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna Waterfall is probably the preferred waterfall in Costa Rica. It’s on the base of two dormant volcanoes with lush vegetation and unbelievable websites round each nook. This picturesque place can be as tame or as excessive as you need it to be.