17 BEST La Fortuna Costa Rica Hotels (2024)
Looking for the best La Fortuna Costa Rica hotels? You’ve come to the right place. La Fortuna is one of the most beautiful and diverse places to visit in Costa Rica, with lush rainforest, volcano, hot springs, and wildlife.
Even though La Fortuna is a small place (with a population around 19,000) there are hundreds of hotels and accommodations in or just outside of it. I’m here to narrow it down to the best 17 hotels based on location, amenities they offer, and little highlights that make them special.
As you will see when you look at my list – the best La Fortuna hotels are actually not right in the town area, but in the outskirts of town; often surrounded by lush rainforest.
Staying in one of these hotels outside La Fortuna allows you to swim and soak in hot tubs in the middle of the rainforest, experience peace and quiet, tropical birds and wildlife, while you relax and rejuvenate.
There are budget-friendly options, adult only, and family-friendly – some hotels even have hot springs right attached to them. The variety of accommodation styles as well as adventurous activities in and around La Fortuna makes it a great a great place for couples, but also families and solo-travellers.
So, let’s jump in – La Fortuna Costa Rica hotels!
17 Best La Fortuna Costa Rica Hotels
Here are the La Fortuna hotels that I recommend that are safe, well-situated and offer a lot of the qualities that tourists are looking for such as air-conditioning, private bathrooms, TV and comfy beds
1. Tifakara Boutique Hotel & Birding Oasis
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tifakara is made to feel like you’re staying right in the jungle. Its located in the middle of lush rainforest, just outside the Arenal Volcano National Park.
There’s a frog sanctuary on-site where you can see colourful (non poisonous) frogs. A delicious buffet breakfast is included, as well as a cappuccino machine available 24/7.
- ✅ Free parking
- ❌Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
2. The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort (Adults Only)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Royal Carin reminds me of an adult-only resort I stayed at in Nicaraga. It features a hydromassage shower, spa services on site, free buffet breakfast, and balconies with gorgeous views of the Arenal Volcano.
Its the perfect honeymoon destination with excellent service (with staff who will try to remember your name), lots of birds and wildlife in the lush gardens on-site. Here you will rejuvenate and have your skin be the softest its ever been.
- ✅ Free parking
- ✅Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-sight
Click HERE to book
3. Cabañas del Rio
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cabañas del Rio provides you with your own apartment in a quieter area with garden views, to give you the peace and quiet.
You have a complete kitchen to prepare some of your own meals, as well as a living area with a couch and TV. Just a 3-minute drive into town, and a 7-minute drive from the La Fortuna waterfall.
- ✅ Free parking
- ✅Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
4. Sangregado Lodge
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This rainforest lodge provides you with a comfortable room with wall-wide windows that look out into the jungle.
Sangregado Lodge is just steps away from Mistico Hanging Bridges National Park, which is one of the top things to do in La Fortuna because of the hanging suspension bridges that give you birds eye views of the jungle. Choose between continental or American breakfast.
- ✅ Free parking
- ❌Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
5. La Finca Lodge
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
La Finca Lodge is beautiful, clean and peaceful – away from it all but close enough to visit the key attractions in La Fortuna. The staff go above and beyond to see you happy, and really try to connect with their guests. The food in the restaurant is fresh and delicious.
- ✅ Free parking
- ✅ Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
6. La Fortuna Waterfall Bungalows
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you’re looking for something more simple – maybe to spend peaceful time as a couple, or on your own to read, write or reflect – then this is the best La Fortuna hotel. These bungalows are wooden and rustic, and simple but have everything you need. Located on a quiet road, close to the La Fortuna waterfall.
- ✅Free parking
- ❌Airport shuttle
- ❌Swimming pool
- ❌Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
7. Apartamento Equipados Rya del Volcan
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
These comfy comfortable apartments are perfect for couples and small families. They’re beautiful decorated and include a kitchenette to prepare some of your own meals. The apartments right in town, and only a 5 minute drive to hot springs, and to the La Fortuna waterfall.
- ✅Free parking
- ❌Airport shuttle
- ❌Swimming pool
- ❌Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
Best Hotels In La Fortuna With Hot Springs
There are several hotels that have hot springs right on the premises. You don’t need to leave your hotel or go anywhere else to enjoy them, they’re right on site for you to enjoy any time of day. Here are the best hotels in La Fortuna with hot springs
1. Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Perfect for couples and solo travellers, Arenal Manoa Resort & Hor Springs resort has volcano views from its sun terrace, gardens and swimming pool. Spa treatments are available on-site, and its just a short 10 minute drive from town and the Arenal Volcano National Park.
- ✅ Free parking
- ✅Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
2. Arenal Paraiso Resort Spa & Thermo Mineral Hot Springs
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Arenal Paraiso Resort is more than just a hotel – its a wellness centre with hot springs, swimming pools, saunas and a fitness centre. For coupes and solo travellers looking for the perfect place to rejuvenate among natural lush beauty, this is the place.
- ✅Free parking
- ❌Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site (x2)
Click HERE to book
3. Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tabacon is the perfect honeymoon destination. You’ll be given a robe to wear, as you relax in the thermal pools. There’s a swim-up bar, two restaurants on-site that serve gourmet food, sauna, swimming pool, and luxury spa treatments available in the wellness centre.
- ✅Free parking
- ✅Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site (x2)
Click HERE to book
Best Hotels For Families In La Fortuna Costa Rica
Having travelled in La Fortuna with two kids, from 0 to 9 years old, I know how important it is to find a hotel that caters to the needs of families and makes our stays more comfortable. Here are our picks!
1. Hotel Heliconias Nature Inn & Hot Springs
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hotel Heliconias provides bungalows with glass walls that look out into rainforest where you can spot colourful birds and other wildlife. There’s a children’s playground and an outdoor pool. Fresh fruit is offered daily. Its a bit of a ways from town ( 25 minutes) but is considered by many to be worth the extra drive.
- ✅Free parking
- ✅Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool (heats up at night)
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
2. The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
10 minutes drive from La Fortuna, The Springs has 28 thermal pools in a relaxed setting where you can disconnect and spend time with your partner or family. There are a variety of massages (including a floating water massage) on site, steam rooms, and 5 different restaurants to choose from. Kids as young as 3 will enjoy the games room. You can also book with The Springs to do activities like rock climbing, horseback riding and visiting rescued animals.
- ✅Free parking
- ✅Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site (x 5)
Click HERE to book
3. Baldi Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Baldi Hot Springs is the ultimate hot springs resort in La Fortuna with 25 thermal pools, waterslides, a small kid’s play area. While some of the other hotels with hot springs are more geared towards adults only, this resort is perfect for families with kids and teenagers.
- ✅Free parking
- ❌Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
4. Hotel El Silencio Del Campo
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just a 6 minute drive from downtown La Fortuna, Hotel El Silencio has rustic, wooden chalet-style bungalows from which you have views of the volcano. The landscaped grounds are filled with lush plants, and you see many tropical birds and lizards. Its very family friendly, with attentive and kind staff. Bonus: there is a little farm where kids can visit on-site to collect eggs and cow’s milk!
- ✅ Free parking
- ✅ Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
5. Hotel Villas Vilma
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hotel Villas Vilma is a budget-friendly, family friendly hotel in the north part of La Fortuna. Its located in a quieter area, so you have the peace and quiet. Its close to the rainforest and hot springs, and has a gorgeous view of the Arenal Volcano from the garden.
My family and I stayed here with my youngest when she was a baby. We enjoyed eating at the two Costa Rican restaurants across the street which serve Costa Rican staples and locally brewed beer.
- ✅ Free parking
- ❌Airport shuttle
- ✅ Swimming pool
- ❌Restaurant on-site (but there are two great restaurants right across the street)
Click HERE to book
6. Chachagua Rainforest Hotel & Hot Springs
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This resort is ‘tucked away’ in the jungle, but still close enough to town to grab anything you need. You have your own cabin with an outdoor seating area and large walk-in shower. Organic food is served in the restaurant on-site.
*Tip: If you choose this place, ask for your room to be as far from the restaurant as possible, so that the music doesn’t disturb you
- ✅Free parking
- ✅Airport shuttle
- ✅Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
7. Arenal Roca Suites
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great food, and unbeatable view. It feels very quiet, like you’re the only ones here because of its location in a secluded area just outside of La Fortuna, close to Mistico Arenal Park. There is one thing to keep in mind though – the road to get here is very rocky and bumpy, and you’ll need a 4×4 to get here (don’t try with a regular car.)
- ✅Free parking
- ❌Airport shuttle
- ❌Swimming pool
- ✅Restaurant on-site
Click HERE to book
To see more of my recommendations for family hotels in Costa Rica, read my post on Best Family Hotels in Costa Rica
La Fortuna Costa Rica Hotels: Map
Here is a map of the 17 best La Fortuna Costa Rica hotels that I recommended. If you are visiting Costa Rica during the most popular months (December and March) then I recommend making your selection as soon as possible.
How To Get Around La Fortuna
Here’s my honest advice about the different options for getting around La Fortuna. Many of the attractions are a 5-30 minute drive outside the town, so its important to know how you’ll make your way around while you’re there.
La Fortuna is about a 2 hour drive from San Jose airport, and also 2 from Liberia. We picked up a rental car and drove to La Fortuna from the San Jose airport.
Driving in Costa Rica is generally safe, and a popular way to get around by many tourists. But if you don’t have a car, there are other ways to get around La Fortuna. Here is what you need to know about the other options:
Walking Around La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Walking around the downtown area. However, many of the attractions (hot springs, rainforest, Arenal Volcano, etc) are located just outside the city so it would be hard to get to them without some sort of vehicle, such as taking a taxi or private tours.
Renting a Bicycle
Renting a bike is an inexpensive way to explore La Fortuna and the surrounding attractions, but because of the distance its best recommended for people who are used to biking long distances.
Here is the distance to some of the highlights you may want to bike to:
- La Fortuna waterfall (4.9 km/ 3 miles)
- Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park (20 km/12.4 miles)
- Arenal Volcano National Park (18 km/11 miles)
- Don Olivo Chocolate Farm (7 km /4.3 miles)
Be careful of the winding roads and the speed at which many of the cars are travelling. We found the roads leading out of La Fortuna really busy when we were there.
But, you will pass some pretty scenery – mountains, rainforest, and even some farm animals.
Of course, you could also just rent a bike to explore around town too. La Fortuna has a population of 19,000, so it isn’t a huge place. Bike Arenal is a great place to rent bikes in La Fortuna.
Taking Taxis
There are many taxis in La Fortuna, and its a convenient way to get around the town as well as the attractions outside of town.
The taxi companies are open from 6am to 11:30pm – you can visit their website, email, call or send them a message on WhatsApp (which is commonly used throughout Costa Rica.) You can also find taxis parked outside of Central Park in the centre of town.
Its good to know ahead of time however that taxis in La Fortuna are not super cheap. Getting from the centre of town to the Arenal Volcano, for example (10 minute drive, and 5.8 km) can cost about $40 USD one-way.
Visiting La Fortuna: FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions and honest answers regarding everything you need to know about visiting La Fortuna
Is La Fortuna, Costa Rica worth it?
La Fortuna Costa Rica is definitely worth a visit. Visiting La Fortuna allows you to experience natural phenomenon that make Costa Rica unique, such as hot springs, volcano and tropical rainforest. The Arenal Volcano outside La Fortuna is known for being the most beautiful volcano in Central America.
How many days is enough in La Fortuna?
You will need about 3 days in La Fortuna. Three days will give you enough time to enjoy the hot springs and visit rainforest and waterfall, as well as any other activities in the area that you want to do – such as a sloth trail or a chocolate farm.
Is La Fortuna too touristy?
La Fortuna is a popular place for tourists, but since there are no beaches, there are many tourists that choose to spend their time elsewhere in Costa Rica. The high season of Costa Rica (December through April) is when La Fortuna will be the busiest with tourists. However, most businesses in town are owned by Costa Ricans, so you can still get a good taste of the local vibe.
How far is La Fortuna from the beach?
It depends on which beach you want to go to, but La Fortuna is located in the Centre Valley, which means its at least a 3 hour drive from each coastline. So it will be a minimum of 3 hours to drive to the beach from La Fortuna, likely more. If you’re in Costa Rica with a family, read my post on family-friendly beaches in Costa Rica.
Conclusion: La Fortuna Costa Rica Hotels
By now, you have a complete list of the best hotels in La Fortuna, Costa Rica . Whether you’re looking for a romantic escape where you can disconnect and rejuvenate, or a place to spend quality time with your family, or on your own, La Fortuna has some truly amazing hotels and is worth a spot on your Costa Rica itinerary.
There are spectacular gardens and volcano views, surrounded by the lush rainforest as well as the added benefit of thermal pools and steam rooms is an added touch that can’t be found elsewhere in Costa Rica. One thing to keep in mind though – because of tall the preserved forest there, are bugs in La Fortuna – be sure to bring mosquito repellent stickers or spray.
Of all the places to visit in Costa Rica, La Fortuna is my personal favourite. If you’re looking for hotels elsewhere in Costa Rica, we had a good experience as a family at Parador outside of Manuel Antonio.