Tabacon, Arenal, Costa Rica
Why visit La Fortuna
For most of its history, La Fortuna has been a quiet agricultural town, about 4 miles (6km) from the base of Cerro Arenal (Arenal Hill). In 1968, Arenal erupted violently after nearly 400 years of dormancy and buried the small villages of Pueblo Nuevo, San Luís and Tabacón. Suddenly, tourists from around the world started descending en masse in search of fiery night skies and that inevitable blurry photo of creeping lava. La Fortuna remains one of the top destinations for travelers in Costa Rica, even though the great mountain stopped spewing its molten discharge in 2010.
Meet your new travel partner
Stay connected in La Fortuna
Holafly eSIM provides unlimited mobile data with no hidden fees, giving you peace of mind wherever you travel. Stay connected even after your plan ends with Always On. Use code LONELYPLANET for an exclusive discount.
Take your Costa Rica trip with Lonely Planet Journeys
Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.
bookable trip
Wild Whitewater and Rugged Rainforests: Adventurous Costa Rica
8 days / 7 nights
highlights
- 1 Whitewater rafting down the rushing Pacuare River on an exciting and exhilarating guided tour
- 2 Searching for elusive and colorful quetzal birds during a San Gerardo de Dota birdwatching hike
- 3 Visiting the archaeological ruins of Guayabo National Park to uncover the secrets of the past
from $3,845
per person
Explore more trips
Explore more trips

12 days / 11 nights
Daring Adventures and Cultural Gems: Costa Rica's Rainforests, Volcanoes, and Coastal Oases
FROM $3,914
per person
Top places to visit in La Fortuna
Discover the best attractions in La Fortuna from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.
Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.
in partnership with getyourguide
