12 Cheap or Free Things to Do in La Fortuna (Max. $40)

La Fortuna doesn’t have to break the bank! In this post, we’ll share 12 cheap or free things to do in La Fortuna, that can be done independently without costly tours. 

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About La Fortuna

La Fortuna is the adventure capital of Costa Rica and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. 

We weren’t sure we would like it because of this, but I can totally see why people love it. 

The perfectly conical Volcan Arenal looms over the town from wherever you look, the dense, green rainforest spills out onto the roads, and you don’t even need to leave your hotel room to spot wildlife. 

Whilst it is a beautiful area with a wealth of natural attractions, there’s no escaping the fact that La Fortuna is a tourist town, through and through. 

There is every kind of tour imaginable on offer here. If you can dream it, you can do it in La Fortuna. Ziplining, white water rafting, ATV tours, waterfall rappelling, we even saw signs for zorbing! 

In a country like Costa Rica, these tours can have price tags well into the hundreds of US Dollars and can blow out your budget quickly if you want to add all these activities to your itinerary. 

But you don’t need to spend big to enjoy the best of La Fortuna!

Many of the aforementioned natural attractions are free, or only have a small entry cost, and don’t require a guide or a tour. 

Whether you’re on a shoestring budget or not, we always prefer to DIY as many activities as possible, so we’re not being shuttled around with a herd of other tourists on somebody else’s schedule. 

In this post, I’ll share 12 free or cheap things to do in La Fortuna, most of which don’t require a guide. The most expensive activity on the list is $40 USD, and there’s even a cheaper alternative to that too. 

La Fortuna quick facts

• 🚙 How to get there – drive a rental car, take the direct public bus (once per day) from San Jose or take a tourist shuttle from any destination around Costa Rica.
• 🛏️ How long to stay – nothing less than 3 nights, there are so many great cheap things to do in La Fortuna and its surroundings. 
• 🗓️ Best time to visit – is during the dry season, which is typically November – April.

12 Cheap or free things to do in La Fortuna

• ♨️ 1. Soak in the free hot springs (free)
• 🌋 2. Hike around Volcan Arenal ($9)
• 🪢 3. Swing into the El Salto rope swing (free)
• 🌁 4. Visit the magical Mistico Hanging Bridges ($32)
• 🦥 5. Walk on a sloth trail ($16 or $40)
• 🌿 6. Visit Catarata La Fortuna ($20)
• 🛶 7. Kayak on Lago Arenal ($20)
• ⛪️ 8. Explore La Fortuna town (free)
• 🐶 9. Take a rescue dog for a walk ($30)
• 🥾 10. Hike the trails at Arenal Observatory Lodge ($15)
• 💦 11. Visit spectacular and secluded waterfalls in Bajos del Toro ($25)
• 💙 12. See the Gatorade blue waters at Rio Celeste ($12)

🚗 Rather than talking about transport options for each activity, I’ve got a dedicated section about how to get around in La Fortuna. It might make sense for you to read that first, so you can understand how to get yourself to all these attractions. 

1. Soak in the free hot springs

• 💰 Cost: Free + possibly up to 3,000 Colones / $5 USD for parking
• 🔭 Guide required: No

The geothermal activity around the Arenal Volcano has created an abundance of steamy hot springs. 

While most of these are behind the doors of fancy resorts with a very high price tag, there is also a completely free hot spring! 

The Rio Choyin (sometimes called El Choyin or El Chollin) is a naturally hot river where you can sit and soak in steamy pools without paying a cent. 

Because it’s free, El Choyin has become very popular and can get extremely busy, especially on weekends.

If you’re okay with waking up early, you can have this mystical place all to yourself. We arrived at 6 am, and there was no one else in sight. It was the perfect way to start the day, and so peaceful and relaxing. 

Plus, it’s better to visit in the morning before the sun comes out. Even in winter, La Fortuna can get pretty warm, and soaking in hot springs in the heat of the day isn’t really fun. 

The only cost you may have to factor in for the hot springs is your parking. 

The local ‘parking mafia’ (aka random local guys in high-vis shirts with no official capacity) will ask for a tip (sometimes demand payment) to watch your car while you’re gone. Budget for at least 3,000 Colones / $5 USD, but negotiate what you feel is fair.

♨️ I’ve got a complete guide to the El Choyin free hot springs, where you can read more info about how to find the river, where to park and how to navigate the trail. 

2. Hike around Volcan Arenal

• 💰 Cost: 5,000 Colones / $9 USD for the cheapest option
• 🔭 Guide required: No

No matter where you are in La Fortuna, you’ll be in the shadow of the looming Volcan Arenal. 

This perfectly cylindrical volcano has been dormant since 2010, so don’t expect to see any lava spewing out (you’ll need to head to Acatenango in Guatemala or Volcan Masaya in Nicaragua for that!) or gassy crater lakes (like at Santa Ana Volcano in El Salvador).

However, you can go hiking around the base of the volcano, to get some up-close views and see the old lava flows. 

*Note: It’s not possible to hike to the summit of Volcan Arenal. It’s illegal, for safety and conservation reasons. 

There are multiple different nature parks on the slopes of the volcano, so you have a few choices. The most common parks are the Arenal Volcano National Park, Arenal 1968 and Mirador El Silencio. 

All charge a fee to enter the park and hike their trails, as is standard in Costa Rica. 

I was a bit confused by the options at first, but after researching the different trails, vantage points and costs, this is the conclusion we came to: 

🌋 ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

• $15 USD + tax = $16.95 USD entry fee
• Very crowded
• Has some lava flows
• Views are not the best 

🌋 ARENAL 1968

• $25 USD entry fee 
• Great views of the volcano
• Lots of old lava on the trails
• Super expensive

🌋 MIRADOR EL SILENCIO

• 5,000 Colones / $9 USD entry fee
• Fantastic view of the volcano
• Lots of lava flows
• The longest trail option

Based on price alone, we opted for Mirador El Silencio, and we’re so happy that we did! 

While we didn’t get lucky with the weather, and clouds covered the summit of the volcano the entire time, we really enjoyed the hike. If you had a clear day, the view would be exceptional. 

We opted for the longest circuit, combining a couple of different trails for a 7 km / 4 mi hike. The forest was gorgeous and very dense, and besides the lookout area (which you could drive to if you wanted), we didn’t see anyone else on the trails. 

3. Swing into the El Salto rope swing

• 💰 Cost: Free + possibly up to 3,000 Colones / $5 USD for parking
• 🔭 Guide required: No

One of the most popular free things to do in La Fortuna is the El Salto rope swing. 

Occupying a section of the Rio Fortuna, El Salto (meaning jump in Spanish) is a fun activity for a hot day. 

It’s totally free and is very popular with locals and backpackers, so don’t expect to have this place to yourself, but it’s fun to watch everyone swinging in (some more gracefully than others!). 

Even if you don’t want to jump, the river is a great place to cool off. There are some pretty waterfalls and natural pools at different levels to swim in. It’s one of the only free waterfalls in La Fortuna. 

The swing drops into a very deep part of the canyon, so it’s safe to jump in, but it can be a bit tricky to get out scrambling up the slippery rock ledge. 

Give it a go even if you’re nervous! It’s a thrill and the water is so refreshing. Some of the locals were amazing acrobats doing flips and all kinds of funky tricks. 

You can walk further upstream to find a quieter section to hang out on the rocks and laze in the shallows if it’s too crowded at the swing. 

There is the same situation with the parking mafia here if you’re driving. You’ll park just above the bridge over the river and follow the trail down. 

However, you can easily walk here from town if you don’t have a car, or want to park elsewhere and avoid the fee. 

4. Visit the magical Mistico Hanging Bridges

• 💰 Cost: $32 USD
• 🔭 Guide required: No

The hanging bridges were one of the more expensive activities we did in La Fortuna, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. 

The Mistico Hanging Bridges is a private nature park outside La Fortuna, with a series of hanging bridges suspended up to 55 metres (147 ft) over the forest floor. 

The main circuit trail around the park is 3.5 km (2.1 mi), covering all 16 bridges. Of these, 6 are hanging. The longest bridge is 97 metres (368 ft), and the tallest is 55 metres (147 ft). 

It was so magical to be up around the canopy of the forest, looking down at the forest floor. The day we visited was very humid and cloudy, so thick mist hung around in the air, it was so atmospheric. 

But, there are a few caveats to mention about this activity, and to make sure it is worth the investment for you: 

• ⏰ GO EARLY – we visited on the first entry slot at 6 am and practically had the park to ourselves. We didn’t see another soul on the bridges, and that’s what made it so special. Book online in advance to secure an early time slot (6:00 am, 6:30 am or 7:00 am).

• 🚫 Don’t do it if you can’t arrive early – if you leave it until later, it feels like a theme park and is absolutely chokers with tourists. When you’re all following the same trail, and trying to go on something as small and restricted as a hanging bridge, it will be crowded and frustrating. If you can’t go first thing, I wouldn’t go at all. By the time we finished up at 8 am, there were people everywhere. 

• 🐒 You probably won’t see a lot of wildlife – there is wildlife around, and the forest is spectacularly dense and beautiful. But I’ve never seen a review of Mistico that raves about all the wildlife someone saw. You can take guided tours, which will certainly increase your chances, but given how busy this place gets, and the physical development of the area, I’d save your pennies for a guided tour in a national park if you want to see animals. 

🌁 Book your Mistico Hanging Bridges ticket online in advance and secure the first 6:00 am slot

5. Walk on a sloth trail

• 💰 Cost: $16 USD (non-guided) or $40 USD (cheapest guided option)
• 🔭 Guide required: Not for some trails, but very valuable

Anyone travelling to Costa Rica wants to see a sloth in the wild. I know we were desperate to spot one of these sweet, sleepy creatures.

Luckily La Fortuna is one of the best places to see sloths in Costa Rica. 

It is possible to spot a perezoso anywhere around La Fortuna. We saw a couple up in trees on the side of the road as we were driving between town and our accommodation at Sangregado Lodge. (Hint: if you ever see cars or people on the side of the road, pull over ASAP, chances are it’s a sloth!). 

For the best chance of seeing a sloth (relatively) up close, you should join a specific sloth watching tour. 

There are a handful of private nature reserves around La Fortuna where sloths are known to hang out. Most offer guided sloth spotting walks, but some will let you walk the trails on their property without a guide. 

Unless La Fortuna is one of your last stops in Costa Rica, and you’ve had some experience spotting wildlife in other national parks around the country, you need a guide. 

Sloths are one of the toughest creatures to spot in the wild. They rarely move, they don’t make noises and they are quite camouflaged. Most of the time, the only way you can get a good look at one is through a guide’s telescope.

So while doing a self-guided walk might save you money, it’s kind of a waste if you don’t see a sloth at all. 

I’m not usually a tour gal, but I do love nature-related tours. I am a wildlife and animal nerd, and I love learning more about the flora and fauna of the places we visit. All the guides we had around Costa Rica were so passionate about the animals and the environment, and we learnt so much that we never would have on our own. 

The best and most affordable options for sloth watching tours in La Fortuna are: 

🦥 SLOTH’S TERRITORY

• $43.80 USD or a guided walk
• No self-guided options available
• 90-minute guided tour
• Book online here via Viator for only $40 USD and avoid the extra taxes 

🦥 BOGARIN TRAIL 

• 25,000 Colones / $48 USD for a guided walk
• 2-hour guided tour
• 8,500 Colones / $16 USD for a self-guided walk

We opted for a guided walk at the Sloth’s Territory. We saw 6 sloths, including some babies. We got to see both species, the two and three-toed sloths and we learnt a lot about sloths that came in handy for the rest of our time in Costa Rica. 

6. Visit Catarata La Fortuna

• 💰 Cost: $20 USD
• 🔭 Guide required: No

The most famous waterfall in the area, Catarata La Fortuna is a thundering 70 metre (230 ft) waterfall inside the Arenal Volcano National Park. 

I’ll admit, we didn’t actually visit the La Fortuna Waterfall. We had just come from three days in Bajos del Toro, exploring magnificent waterfalls that were more affordable without any crowds. So we opted to skip this, as I don’t think it could have lived up to what we had just seen. 

But if you don’t have time to visit Bajos del Toro, this waterfall truly is beautiful. It’s just that it can get very busy and crowded, so go early!

You start your experience at La Fortuna Waterfall above the waterfall. You get an elevated view of the waterfall dropping down through the rainforest, and you’ve then got a 500-step descent to reach the base of the falls. 

Whilst swimming is permitted at most times of the year (they close it if there has been very heavy rain), you can’t really swim per se. The waterfall is so strong, it’s churned up like the ocean and the current pushes you straight back to the edge of the pool. If you head a little further upstream, there’s a calm place to swim. 

The hike back up can be tough, but there are plenty of places to rest on the way. 

Entry to the waterfall is $20 USD. You don’t need to book in advance, although it is possible to buy your ticket online for the same price, which gives you the ability to skip the line when you arrive. If you can’t visit early, I would 100% recommend this. 

💧 Book your La Fortuna Waterfall skip-the-line ticket

7. Kayak on Lago Arenal

• 💰 Cost: $20 USD
• 🔭 Guide required: No

Sitting at the base of Volcan Arenal and claiming the title of Costa Rica’s largest lake, Lago Arenal is a great cheap activity to do in La Fortuna. 

The lake is manmade and provides hydroelectricity to large parts of the country. It spans over 85 square kilometres (33 sq mi). 

When creating the lake in the 70s, the government had to flood a town. It gives a bit more context to one of the towns on the lake, Nuevo Arenal, meaning New Arenal in English. Old Arenal is flooded at the bottom of the lake!

You can simply drive out to Lago Arenal and check it out for free if you don’t particularly want to get out on the water. There are lots of different bays around the lake to pull in and park, and different lookouts to enjoy the amazing views of the volcano. 

There are also lots of watersports you can do on the lake, from fishing, boat cruises, windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding. 

The town of El Castillo is the best place to go for rentals. You can grab a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard for $20 per hour. 

You can book your rental date online in advance, and just let the rental company know what time you want to come on the day. 

Just be sure to check the wind. The lake is one of the best places in the world for windsurfing, which is great if you’re a windsurfer, and not so great if you’re looking for a leisurely (and not incredibly strenuous!) kayak on the lake. 

8. Explore La Fortuna town

• 💰 Cost: Free
• 🔭 Guide required: No

Most of the best cheap things to do in La Fortuna are scattered around the broader Arenal region. There are also lots of accommodations on the outskirts of town, in the rainforest or near the volcano, so it’s possible you might not even come into La Fortuna town at all!

The town is quite cute though, so it’s worth spending an hour or two wandering around. 

It’s pretty touristy, but the central park Parque de La Fortuna is lovely, and on a clear day, has one of the best views of the volcano! 

You don’t have to spend a cent, but if you’re looking to do some shopping, there are all the usual souvenir shops around town. 

There are some fantastic cheap local restaurants in town, and we ate some of our tastiest and cheapest casados in La Fortuna. I’ll touch more on cheap eats below, but even if you’re staying outside of town, it’s worth coming in for a few meals and a wander around. 

9. Take a rescue dog for a walk

• 💰 Cost: $30 USD 
• 🔭 Guide required: No

Costa Rica Dog Rescue is a local shelter that takes in sick, injured and abandoned street dogs and cats. They give them the medical treatment and love that they need to recover and be ready for their forever home, with an adoption in Costa Rica, the USA or Canada. 

While you’re in La Fortuna, you can volunteer to take a dog for a walk and give them some love and socialising. The centre does have a mandatory donation amount of $30 USD if you want to participate. 

I know this seems a bit strange when you’re volunteering, but it takes a lot of coordination to manage ‘volunteers’, who really don’t provide that much value for just one day. So the financial donation makes it more beneficial for the centre to coordinate the volunteer program. 

I’m always looking for some doggies to love and cuddle while we’re away, and these sweethearts need all the affection and attention they can get! 

They’re located just near Catarata La Fortuna, so you could easily combine these two activities. Contact Costa Rica Dog Rescue directly with 24 hours’ notice to organise a visit.

10. Hike the trails at Arenal Observatory Lodge

• 💰 Cost: $15 USD 
• 🔭 Guide required: No

Arenal Observatory Lodge is one of the best eco-lodges around La Fortuna. This sprawling 800+ acre property is located right next to the volcano, and has miles of trails to explore that are full of wildlife. 

Guests have free reign of the property, but even if you can’t afford to stay here, you can still spend a day here hiking. They offer a day pass for $15 USD. 

This gives you access to 11 km (6.8 mi) of trails, as well as their birdwatching observation tower, a small waterfall and hanging bridges. 

While I don’t think these trails are necessarily any more worthwhile than hiking at one of the more popular volcano trails, more time spent out in the rainforest = more chances of encountering wildlife. Plus, the trails here should be pretty quiet if you’re looking for some peaceful time in nature. 

The property is a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna. The final stretch of the road can be pretty bumpy. If you don’t have a 4×4 and you’re concerned about the roads, just check in with the lodge in advance and they can let you know the current conditions. 

11. Visit spectacular and secluded waterfalls in Bajos del Toro

• 💰 Cost: $25 USD 
• 🔭 Guide required: No

You’ll need to have a rental car to make this a cheap and feasible activity, but I wanted to include it here as Bajos del Toro was our favourite place in Costa Rica, and it is so underrated!

We spent a few nights here (and I suggest you do too), but it is possible to visit on a day trip from La Fortuna.

If you’re feeling the pressure and overwhelm of the crowds around La Fortuna, spend the day in Bajos del Toro.

A waterfall wonderland, you can find those Gatorade blue-coloured waterfalls you see in pictures of Costa Rica – but with half the amount of people! 

The drive is 1.5 hours each way. It will be a long day, but it’s worth it. 

There are dozens of waterfalls to choose from, but with just one day, I would recommend visiting Catarata del Toro and the Blue Falls of Costa Rica. 

Catarata del Toro is the tallest waterfall in the area and one of the largest in Costa Rica. You can’t swim because it’s so strong, but it is a truly impressive site. 

The owner of this waterfall also owns the large jungle property where the Blue Falls are located. You buy a combo ticket to both sites for $25 USD. 

The Blue Falls is a collection of six waterfalls spread along a blue river in a dense cloud forest. Be prepared for quite a lot of walking, but it is an amazing jungle adventure.

There are three falls clustered together that are easier to access, and another three deeper in the property if you’ve got the time and energy. 

Note that both these waterfalls are closed on Sundays. Choose a weekday for the best chance of having some of the falls to yourself! We did. 

12. See the Gatorade blue waters at Rio Celeste

• 💰 Cost: $12 USD + $5 USD for parking
• 🔭 Guide required: No

This is my second, less preferred option for seeing the famous vibrant blue waters. Rio Celeste has become an icon of Costa Rica, and although it’s quite a while away, most people visit from La Fortuna. 

Rio Celeste is located just as far from La Fortuna as Bajos del Toro, 1.5 hours, is 10 times as busy and you can’t swim in the waterfall. 

That’s not to say it’s not so beautiful, but people get fixated on going there because it’s what they see the most on Instagram, and I’m not sure the experience is as good. 

Anyway, if you want to visit, it’s only an economical activity if you’ve got a rental car. Otherwise, you’ll most likely need to join a tour ($90 USD), as public transport isn’t feasible to get there and back in a day. 

The river and waterfall are located inside the Tenorio Volcano National Park. The entrance is very affordable at $12 USD, payment is only via credit card. To reach the waterfalls and see other attractions in the park, take the Rio Celeste Trail. 

Further up the river outside the boundaries of the national park, there is a place where you can swim in the blue river for free. It’s called ‘Rio Celeste Free Pool’ in Google Maps. 

*Note: after heavy rain, the blue water won’t be blue. The same applies in Bajos del Toro.

Where to eat in La Fortuna (on a budget!)

La Fortuna had some excellent and inexpensive restaurants. It also had a ton of pricey touristy places, so skip those and instead opt for the local sodas. These were our favourites: 

• 🍛 Soda Viquez: this was our first taste of a Costa Rican casado, and Brayden still daydreams about it! A delicious spread of elements on the plate, for just 4,000 Colones when we visited. The staff are so friendly, and they even bring you a free dessert (rice pudding, yum!). 
• 🍚 Soda la Hormiga: one of the cheapest sodas in town, casados are just 3,000 Colones. Very delicious, and their fried rice was also excellent. 
• 🍕 Panaderia La Principal: a local bakery with tons of sweet and savoury snacks that are great value for breakfast, or a picnic lunch for a hike or a day of activities. Their pizza slices are enormous and very filling. 
• 🥩 Soda Mima: the casados weren’t as good here in our opinion. But if you want some variety, it’s still a very cheap option at 4,000 Colones. 
• 🍍 Frutas Y Verduras Hnos Lazo: batidos (smoothies) are my budget-blowing guilty pleasure. This fruit and vegetable shop in La Fortuna has a smoothie bar at the back, with pretty affordable and delicious smoothies! You can mix and match your fruit combo.

Where to stay in La Fortuna

There are some very great and very cheap places to stay in La Fortuna, and some very average and very expensive places too. It’s a real mixed bag here accommodation-wise. 

I’ve listed some of my top recommendations below. Budget doesn’t always have to mean hostels, and just because you want to save on activity costs doesn’t mean you want to skimp on accommodation, so I’ve included my usual range of accommodation prices. 

If you’ve got a car, I would actually recommend staying outside La Fortuna, somewhere that has a more forest or volcano environment. 

I actually think it’s worth splurging a bit on accommodation here because if you stay in an eco-lodge kind of place, you usually get access to trails on the property. And, in a place like La Fortuna, you can see wildlife from your bedroom! 

💰 BUDGET

• SantaFe Hostel – well located, top-rated, with friendly and helpful staff and a great social traveller vibe. 
• La Choza Inn – a solid and very cheap option within walking distance of town. The hostel itself is a bit outdated, but they offer a hearty free breakfast and a free shuttle to attractions around town. Dorms and private rooms are available. 
• Casa Torre Eco Lodge – if you’re happy to stay outside of town for a more natural experience, this is an eco-lodge without the price tag! The cabins have spectacular volcano views and you will be totally immersed in nature. 

💰💰 MID-RANGE

• Suwa Villa Arenal – a luxurious and modern option in the heart of La Fortuna. Despite its location, it still feels like a quiet, natural retreat. So many other options in this price range are outdated with a 70s vibe, but Suwa is almost brand new!
• Villas las Palmas – located about halfway between La Fortuna town, and the volcano/hot springs activities, these fully equipped apartments offer ultimate convenience and amenities, while still having a natural feel. Great value for money. 
• Princesa de la Luna Eco Lodge – if you want a serious jungle experience, stay here. The cute wooden cabins are nestled into the forest, and you’ll wake up to the sound of toucans. Swing in a hammock on the balcony and watch wildlife wandering around the property. It’s not fancy, but it’s the real deal for nature lovers. 

💰💰💰 BOUTIQUE

• Sangregado Lodge – a splurge, but worth every cent. We stayed here, and it was like staying in a treehouse in the jungle. We had the most incredible views of the volcano and watched toucans, monkeys, peccaries and agoutis from our balcony. 
• Arenal Glamping – luxury tents with private bathrooms scattered around gorgeous tropical gardens with the volcano looming overhead. The pool area is a tranquil oasis, perfect for resting between activities. 
• Arenal Observatory Lodge – more than just a beautiful room, the property has hundreds of acres of rainforest right next to the volcano. You could stay on the grounds your entire time in La Fortuna and still experience all the highlights of the area!

How to get to La Fortuna

How to get to La Fortuna is also very linked to how to get around once you’re there, so read the next section too before you make any decisions.

• 🚙 By car – arriving by rental car is the easiest way to get to La Fortuna. It takes around 2.5 hours from San Jose. Most people make La Fortuna their first stop, but I would suggest Bajos del Toro first and then La Fortuna.

• 🚌 By bus – it is very easy to take the bus from San Jose to La Fortuna. There is a direct bus run by Autotransportes San Jose San Carlos, however it only runs once a day. Currently, it departs at 8:40 am, but this has changed in the past. The bus leaves from Terminal 7 10 in San Jose and you’ll need to get there quite early to secure your seat, as you can’t prebook tickets. If you’re coming from other destinations around Costa Rica, taking the bus is possible, but usually will require at least one change. 

• 🚐 By tourist shuttle – otherwise, you can opt for a tourist shuttle. More expensive than the bus, but more reliable and stress-free, especially if you don’t want to go via San Jose, a shuttle will pick you up from your accommodation and drop you off in La Fortuna. There are direct shuttles from many different destinations around Costa Rica, like San Jose, Puerto Viejo, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio.

👉🏼 Browse all La Fortuna shuttles here

How to get around in La Fortuna

Okay, this is the part that really matters. All these free things to do in La Fortuna are ONLY free if you’ve got your own car. Which I know, is not free, but in this case, it does save you money compared to doing tours. 

La Fortuna is a walkable town, but the problem is all the best things to do are not in town. They’re spread up to an hour around town, and there is basically no public transport. 

The way I see it, you have two valid (and semi-affordable options) to get around in La Fortuna:

• 🚗 By car – I recommend renting a car for your entire Costa Rica trip and driving yourself to La Fortuna. Then you’ve got total freedom, problem solved. If you didn’t drive to La Fortuna, you can rent a car in town for a day or two. It is generally more expensive to rent here than in San Jose, but if you look at the cost vs a tour, you’ll probably still come out ahead. 

• By shuttle – if you’re not interested in driving, there is a local shuttle company called EasyHop. It’s kind of like a hop-on-hop-off service that runs a route to different tourist attractions in the area. It’s $3 for one trip, or you can buy a daily pass for $13 for 4 trips. It goes to attractions like the waterfall, free hot springs, volcano parks, hanging bridges etc. 

As a backup, there are taxis all over La Fortuna. They can be pricey, but any accommodation can call you one if needed. There is also Uber in La Fortuna but it can be really inconsistent and hard to find a driver, even when ordering from town, let alone from further attractions.

La Fortuna is worth all the hype! We were completely captivated by the density of green everywhere we looked, all the wildlife we saw from our accommodation, on the trails and even on the side of the road, and we couldn’t take our eyes off Volcan Arenal! All the free things to do in La Fortuna made it possible to experience one of Costa Rica’s most popular tourist destinations without breaking the bank or changing our independent style of travel. 

MORE LA FORTUNA GUIDES

• Mistico Hanging Bridges La Fortuna: Worth It?
• How to Visit El Choyin: Free Hot Springs La Fortuna

OUR COSTA RICA TRAVEL GUIDES