La Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata Río Fortuna)
Waterfall · Arenal & La Fortuna
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A 70-meter ribbon of water drops out of the jungle into an emerald pool at the foot of Cerro Chato. It's the postcard shot of La Fortuna, and you can swim right below it.
- Cost
- about $20
- Time there
- 2 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 5 / 10
- View
- 9 / 10
- Crowds
- 8 / 10
- Swimming
- 7 / 10
- Effort
- 6 / 10
- Location
- 10.43919, -84.66933 — Google Maps
Tip
Get there at opening (around 7 a.m.) to beat the tour vans, and save some energy for the ~500 steps back up.
Be careful
The current right under the falls is strong: swim in the calmer side pool and watch your footing on wet rocks.
Places nearby
- Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge (night frog tour)Parks & Wildlife · from $15A small eco-lodge and wildlife refuge five minutes from downtown La Fortuna, with rainforest, gardens and spring-fed ponds.
- Rainforest Chocolate TourParks & WildlifeGuided cacao farm tour near the road to the La Fortuna waterfall that follows chocolate from the tree through drying, grinding and tasting, with a view of Arenal Volcano.
- North Fields Café — Coffee & Chocolate TourFood & Coffee · from $29Small family coffee and cacao farm near the La Fortuna waterfall road: walk the coffee rows, brew in a chorreador and make your own chocolate.
- El Chante VerdeFood & CoffeeModern, clean restaurant on the south side of La Fortuna mixing plant-based dishes with traditional Costa Rican plates; the tableside guacamole and grilled pineapple get the most praise.
- El turnitoSodas & Local FoodSODA El Turnito is a family-run Costa Rican soda in La Fortuna serving authentic typical dishes such as casados, empanadas, patacones, and fresh fruit juices and smoothies.
- Arenal Mundo AventuraTours & AdventureAdventure and nature park founded in 2005 on the road to the La Fortuna waterfall, combining ziplines and rides with guided night walks, birding, horses and a Maleku cultural visit; guides are ICT-certified.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/432065397 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/432065397 · https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/La_Fortuna · https://vamosrentacar.com/blog/la-fortuna-waterfall/ · https://www.nomadicbackpacker.com/la-fortuna-waterfall-costa-rica.html