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La Fortuna Waterfall, La Fortuna de San Carlos

4.5
#1 of 698 in Wildlife in Costa Rica
Must see · Waterfall · Nature / Park
A short drive from town, La Fortuna Waterfall offers an idyllic place for swimming, picnicking, and relaxing. Fed by the Arenal River, which winds its way through the rainforest before plunging dramatically over a steep cliff, this waterfall forms a large pool at the base of a dormant volcano. Lifeguards remain on duty throughout the day, while modern facilities like restrooms and showers ensure a comfortable visit in a lush area noted for thick vegetation and abundant wildlife. Prepare for a short but arduous hike to the base of the waterfall by wearing shoes suitable for slippery and uneven terrain. Use our La Fortuna de San Carlos attractions planner to add La Fortuna Waterfall and other attractions to your La Fortuna de San Carlos vacation plans.
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Tours to La Fortuna Waterfall

FROM $55 BOOK WITH VIATOR La Fortuna Waterfall Hike
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes
Tours from $55 »

La Fortuna Waterfall reviews

Rate this attraction
TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
9,244 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • By FamilyTravelersCO
    Wonderful waterfall. Almost 500 stair steps down and then back up, so not for everyone. Swimming available near the waterfall. Highly recommend!  more »
  • By ducharmi
    We visited in late March during a rainy few days. Despite the rain, the hike down to the waterfall was beautiful and the stairs are very safe. While we could not swim due to the strong current...  more »
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Google
  • By Carly Stingl
    We came to La Fortuna with two little kids (4 and 1) and were able to do this outing on our own (we had a rental car) with no problem. It was easy to find and navigate. We took our 1 year old in a baby carrier but our 4-year-old walked the whole way down and UP the stairs. The path down to the falls is very well maintained and beautiful. Definitely worth it and worth the slightly steep price.
  • By Steve S
    Stunning, beautiful, surreal would not even begin to describe this place!! It’s a long stair hike( be ready for that) totally worth it! It feels like being in a beautiful painting! The sounds of the water and birds in the trees was indescribable!! What a majestic place!! Water is refreshingly cold! So neat!!!!
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