La Fortuna family guide
La Fortuna is a small town at the foot of Arenal, a near-perfect volcano cone that often wears a cap of cloud. Families walk over old lava flows, cross hanging bridges through the treetops, swim below a tall waterfall and end the day in warm volcanic hot springs. At night, guides with torches find red-eyed tree frogs, and sloths are a common sight by day.
Create a La Fortuna activity book
Best ages
Ages 5-12 handle the trails and the waterfall steps best; zipline and canyoning operators set their own minimum ages and weights, often from about 5-8 years.
Stroller
Trails are muddy, rooty and full of steps, and the waterfall path has hundreds of stairs. A sturdy carrier is essential, and a stroller only helps in the town centre.
Take this guide on the trip
Signal and roaming are not guaranteed abroad. Print this guide or save it as a PDF, then add a La Fortuna travel journal and packing list. All three are free and are made in your browser.
Travel journal for La Fortuna Packing list for La FortunaTop things to do in La Fortuna with kids
La Fortuna Waterfall Ages 6+
Walk down roughly 500 steps to a 70-metre waterfall and swim in the calmer side pools; adults pay about USD 18-20 and young children enter free or cheaper.
Arenal Volcano National Park Ages 4+
Easy trails cross the 1968 lava flow, where kids clamber on black rocks and look up at the cone; go early, before clouds hide the summit.
Mistico Hanging Bridges Ages 4+
A 3 km loop of suspension bridges over the rainforest canopy, best with a guide whose telescope spots sloths, toucans and sleeping bats.
Hot springs afternoon Ages 3+
Resorts such as Baldi, Paradise and Tabacón have warm river or pool soaks, some with kids' pools and slides; day passes vary widely in price.
Night frog walk Ages 5+
Guided night walks at reserves like Arenal Natura reveal red-eyed tree frogs, glass frogs and sleeping birds by torchlight in about two hours.
Rainy-day and cold-day options
Rainforest chocolate tour
A covered farm tour from cacao pod to tasting bar, hands-on for kids.
Hot springs in the rain
Warm pools feel even better in a light shower, as long as there is no thunder.
Arenal EcoZoo
A serpentarium near El Castillo where snakes, frogs and reptiles are seen safely behind glass.
A simple first day
- Morning
- Walk the lava trails in Arenal Volcano National Park while the cone is clear.
- Afternoon
- Swim below La Fortuna Waterfall, then relax in town.
- Evening
- Join a night frog walk, then soak in a hot spring.
Getting around
A rental car gives the most freedom, and the main roads are paved. Shared shuttles connect San José in about 3-3.5 hours, and most tours include pick-up from La Fortuna hotels.
Food kids like
Breakfast is gallo pinto with eggs and plantain, lunch a casado plate at a small soda, and fresh fruit batidos are everywhere. Dinners are early, around 6-7 pm, because darkness falls soon after six.
What La Fortuna costs for a family
About CRC 125,000-200,000 (about €215-345) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| La Fortuna Waterfall (adult) | USD 18-20 / CRC 9,000-10,000 (about €15-17) |
| Mistico Hanging Bridges (adult) | USD 30-40 / CRC 15,000-20,000 (about €26-34) |
| Hot springs day pass (adult) | USD 40-100 / CRC 20,000-50,000 (about €34-85) |
| Casado lunch at a local soda | CRC 3,500-6,000 (about €6-10) |
Most tours are priced in US dollars, but paying in colones at local sodas and shops is fine, and those meals are the best value. Prices are typical ranges checked for 2025–2026; confirm current prices before you book.
Safety notes
- Rivers and waterfall pools rise quickly after heavy rain, so swim only where guides or signs say it is safe and stay out after storms.
- Snakes, bullet ants and spiny plants live along the trails, so keep kids on the path, wear closed shoes and never pick up animals.
- Roads are narrow and wet, and it gets dark around 6 pm all year, so drive in daylight; tap water in town is generally safe.
What's inside the La Fortuna activity book
A personalized printable book for one child (or up to three with Family), built around La Fortuna: landmark spotting, a 12-item scavenger hunt, a local food tasting page, local phrases and a quiz. Print it at home before you leave and bring a pencil.
Missions
- Rainforest frog finder
- Hanging bridge explorer
Landmarks to find
- Arenal Volcano
- La Fortuna Waterfall
- Lake Arenal
- Mistico Hanging Bridges
Foods to spot or taste
- gallo pinto
- casado
- fresh pineapple
- fruit batido
Words to try
- Hola Hello
- Gracias Thank you
- Por favor Please
- Pura vida All good (Costa Rican greeting)
Mini €5.90 (10 pages), Adventure €9.90 (25–28 pages) or Family €14.90 (up to three children). One-time purchase, no subscription; the book is printed at home in English.
Create a La Fortuna activity bookQuestions parents ask
Is La Fortuna good for young children?
Ages 5-12 handle the trails and the waterfall steps best; zipline and canyoning operators set their own minimum ages and weights, often from about 5-8 years.
Can you use a stroller in La Fortuna?
Trails are muddy, rooty and full of steps, and the waterfall path has hundreds of stairs. A sturdy carrier is essential, and a stroller only helps in the town centre.
How much does a family day in La Fortuna cost?
About CRC 125,000-200,000 (about €215-345) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging. Most tours are priced in US dollars, but paying in colones at local sodas and shops is fine, and those meals are the best value.
When is the best time to visit La Fortuna with kids?
Best months: January, February, March, April, July.