The La Fortuna Waterfall is probably the most popular thing you can do in La Fortuna that doesn’t require a guide.
If you are staying in La Fortuna for a few days, check out this 3-day La Fortuna itinerary.
Costa Rica feels like a Latin version of Queenstown in New Zealand. Adrenaline junkies can get their kicks here for sure:
There are no public bus running to the La Fortuna Waterfall from town, so your options are:
- Visit as part of a tour
- Take an UBER, taxi
- Rent a car
- Walk
Of course, you can probably guess how I got there.
It’s a very hot and sweaty 6.4 km road walk, with little shade. Take lots of water.
It’s a very developed and popular spot, so don’t think you’ll have the place to yourself.
Another waterfall, which is well worth visiting, is the Leona Waterfall in Guanacaste Province.
La Fortuna Waterfall Entrance Fee & Opening Hours
The La Fortuna Waterfall is open 7-days a week from 7 am to 5 pm.
The entrance fee is now (2025) 20 USD.
Be warned. There are 500 steps to go down (and then back up) and it’s commonly 30 degrees with 90% humidity:
With Junior, security and lifeguard at the La Fortuna Waterfall:
I asked him if he ever had to go in and rescue anyone.
“Yes. The current is very, very strong. It will suck you in (and spit you out some later, I guess, or maybe not). Quite a few aren’t as good swimmers as they thought they were”.
It’s a very nice spot indeed.
There is also a little swimming spot. I don’t do water very well and was content to just bathe my feet.
​Returning down the same road, I stopped for an Agua de cocos:
And later, to try the Hecho en Costa Rica BIG COLA:
And for dinner, a Vegetariana Burger at the Yellow Bark restaurant with a YELLOW BEER, a craft beer. Hmm. Not my thing. The Imperial is better. Each to their own. I’m probably a philistine anyway.
Ask Miss CDMX about my sense of taste (or lack of it):
