La Fortuna Hotspots

The literal “hotspot” in La Fortuna is the Arenal Volcano, and basically everything in the town is focused on the national park. New hotels and restaurants pine for the perfect view, tour operators try to out-do one another, and the tourists that stay there are in town to see the volcano. From hot springs to canopy tours to windsurfing, the area offers it all!

Hot Springs score high as far as activities are concerned. There are two choices. You may want to be pampered, receive a delightful massage, and soak in the beautiful Hot Spring pools of the Hotel Tabacon. In fact it is really a marvelous place to stay. I personally prefer the wild hot springs, just on the other side of the road. The place has been well organized to accommodate visitors, complete with changing rooms, but it is not a man made pool. So you may sit, and sit for hours in the hot springs, between rocks where the power of the current massages your stress away, with nothing but nature around you. I have been known to spend up to 3 hours in there!

If you prefer fresh cool water, La Fortuna Waterfalls are just a small ride away from the town. Horse riding is the perfect way to go, either as a morning or afternoon activity, as it takes about one hour to get there. The scenery is, as always in Costa Rica, beautiful. The 120 feet high waterfall is rewarding, and even more so is the sensation of the fresh water as you dive into it.

The Rio Celeste and the Tenerio Volcano hike is slightly more demanding, physically speaking, I think that good stamina and strong will are all it takes. I found that the freshness of the jungle made it easy, and that it is too beautiful to be missed. The 7km hike will take you through what seems to be an enchanted forest, full of out of this world tropical flowers, beautiful Toucans and Humming Birds, and dense tropical fauna. If you have an eye for amazing butterflies, this is the perfect place to be. You will soon reach the spot where two rivers, the Buena Vista and the Roble merge into the eerie blue Celeste River, which is really blue in color and almost unreal in appearance. You will hear water fall before you can see it, and be again rewarded with a wonderful swim in the crispy, fresh and delicious water.