This adventure guide to La Fortuna, Costa Rica is the result of over 1 month spent exploring Costa Rica, dozens of hours of planning, and my in-person experience. This area areas include a variety of waterfalls, hot springs, hikes, wildlife, and much more! 

This guide includes fun features such as an interactive map, directions that connect directly to your phone’s Google or Apple Maps app, and the exact coordinates to some of my favorite hidden gems & activities. 

It lays out instructions to help you plan your perfect trip to this area including over 15 accommodation suggestions plus where I stayed myself, 6 waterfall locations (including one of my favorite in all of Costa Rica!), 4 hot spring experiences, 2 hiking trails, dozens of direct links to every resource you could need, exclusive photos and videos from me, and so much more! It’s mobile friendly when you download the Thatch App for free so you can easily access all of the info right from your phone! 

I have hand-crafted this guide specifically for adventure travelers (like me!) and feel so confident you will have an amazing trip with this guide by your side 😏 As a part of your purchase of the guide, here are a few promises I can make you:

1. This is a LIVING guide: I will update it as I find more information and discover more places which means you have lifetime access to all updated information as it’s added!

2. I only make guides based on areas I have not only been to but know well! I have spent over 4 weeks exploring Costa Rica in order to narrow down the destinations & experiences I share in this guide. I include both activities that I have done myself as well as those that are on my bucketlist for next time I visit! I will always call out the ones I have not done yet and provide you the exact resources you need to experience them yourself!

3. These guides are completely transparent! You can be sure that all unfiltered opinions I provide are my own 🙃 If I include any sponsored information or affiliate links, I will be sure to call these out directly. I will only include these if they benefit you (such as a discount code or coupon!)

Finally, this is the first time that I am releasing one of my photo presets!!! The preset comes for free included with this guide so you can edit all of your trip photos with that Costa Rica vibe - think rich blues, deep forest greens, and just a touch of grain. These are exclusively for my travel guides as I do not nor have I ever sold them anywhere else! 

This guide truly is everything you need to plan your La Fortuna trip all in one place. I can’t wait to hear & see your adventure! Feel free to send me a DM with your feedback, fill out the feedback form at the bottom of this guide & tag me in your photos! @katbennettphoto

La Fortuna, Costa Rica: The Ultimate Adventure Guide

This guide includes “Places” that you can and should click into! Within these “Places” you will get directions directly to either Google or Apple Maps (by clicking “Get Directions”) as well as my additional notes and very important links about the location (in the “Notes” and “Links” sections). So make sure to click into those! You can can click on the map icon in the upper right hand corner to see all of these places laid out on a map as well (if you’ve downloaded the Thatch app - which is free ☺️)

Welcome to Costa Rica! This country is full of tropical beaches, wild jungles, towering volcanoes, steaming hot springs, literally hundreds of waterfalls, and incredible wildlife (it contains one of the most biodiverse places on the planet!!). It really is the perfect place for an adventure! And it’s also why I find myself returning to this country time and time again - I can’t wait to show you around one of my favorite places! 

Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica! While it is always helpful to know at least a little bit of the local language, it’s pretty easy to get by here without knowing any Spanish. Almost everyone in the country speaks some amount of English and those in the tourism industry really know their stuff! You will have no problem getting around here with English and definitely bonus points if you know Spanish!

Costa Rica uses the Colon as its national currency. It's equivalent to about 650 colones per dollar but this conversion can vary so make sure to check it on Google! I would suggest pulling out colones at the airport ATMs as soon as you land. You can find ATMs at each of the locations I outline below as well so you do not need to pull out all of your money at once but I do recommend having some on hand as soon as you land. Plus pulling out money from ATMs typically costs around $5 each time you do so - plan accordingly. DO NOT go to a money exchange office you will often see at airports, they have higher exchange rates as they take a fee in order to exchange your money. Instead, go to an ATM. 

You can check with your bank to see if your debit card has a foreign transaction fee (usually between 1-3%) which will be charged when you purchase items in a different currency from your own. If you travel often, it may be worth looking into a foriegn transaction fee-free debit card such as Charles Schwab. I’ve used their card for almost 10 years while traveling because it also refunds all ATM fees from any ATMs around the world. 

A number of places in Costa Rica also accept the US dollar so if you are coming from the US, having some cash on hand is never bad to have either. Although I would still suggest pulling out Colones since not everywhere will accept USD. 

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Costa Rica so you dont have to worry about having enough cash to cover everything! Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, especially in tourism hubs but you will definitely run into small shops, markets, and some restaurants that are cash-only. You will also need cash for highway tolls! Once again, it's worth checking with your credit card company if they have foreign transaction fees before putting everything on your card! 

Costa Rica has 2 major airports, one in its capital city of San Jose, SJO, which is the country’s main air hub and another in the northern part of the country called Liberia, LIR. You can find flights to SJO from almost any major airport in the US and much of the world. For that reason, I suggest flying into SJO. Flights are typically cheaper than ones to Liberia and it has a more centralized location in the country. 

Costa Rica is considered a very safe country for tourists in general! What does that mean? Well according to the 2021 Global Peace Index, Costa Rica is ranked the #1 most peaceful country in its region (Central America and The Caribbean) and is ranked #39 out of 163 countries worldwide. It has no standing army and has had no civil wars unlike many of its neighbors. Out of the over 30 countries I have visited around the world, Costa Rica is high on my list in ones that I have felt the safest visiting. 

That being said, that doesn't mean you shouldn't take precautions! Petty crime is the predominant threat for tourists but its important to always be aware of your surroundings and practice common travel safety when visiting. Read up on some Costa Rica travel safety trip before your trip at the link below:

Is Costa Rica Safe in 2020? Everything You Need to Know

ALWAYS check your country’s travel advisories before traveling to another country as safety conditions can change quickly. I have linked the US’s website page for Costa Rica travel below so that you can check before your trip!

Costa Rica Travel Advisory 

Since COVID travel requirements literally change all the time, I am just going to link to where you can find the most up to date information 

Entry Requirements

Tourist visa requirements depend on your nationality. Travelers from the US do not need a Visa when visiting Costa Rica but they must have a valid passport and a return ticket to exit the country within 90 days (your flight back home works for this!). For travelers from outside of the US, you can check the visa requirements for your country at the link below:

Visas by Nationaliy  | Embajada de Costa Rica en DC

Costa Rica has 2 main weather patterns when it comes to seasons: rainy season vs dry season. Rainy season runs from May through November while dry season runs from December through April. I will outline the pros and cons of traveling during each below!

Rainy season is also called green season since it's when the driest areas of the coast come to life with greenery. This time of year is beautiful due to all of the greenery as well as generally cheaper and less crowded, since it's the “off season.” However, it will most likely rain during your trip, typically everyday but only for a few hours usually in the afternoons. In addition, if you're traveling during the rainy season, it's even more important to rent a 4X4 vehicle. The dirt roads, especially in more remote areas like Santa Teresa, turn to mud and are impassable without a 4x4 vehicle. 

Dry Season is also known as peak season because its when most travelers plan their trips which means more crowds, higher prices (especially on rental cars!!), and the need to make reservations further out in advance. You will enjoy much less rain, dry and typically sunny weather if you're on the coast!

Ultimately, I have been to Costa Rica during both seasons and have enjoyed them equally! I definitely saw way more rain during rainy season (basically everyday) but it was kind of relaxing and we still got a good amount of sun. The dry season was nice because I never once worried about the weather (and actually never saw rain for 2 weeks!) but the prices were significantly higher. We paid at least double for our rental car during peak season and paid more for accommodations but we also did not plan far in advance. It's up to you which is more important for your trip! 

I suggest starting your trip by flying into the SJO airport (described above!) and booking a rental car to begin your trip! I would try to fly in with enough time to drive to pick up rental car and drive to your first destination before dark rather than spending a night in San Jose. 

If you do need to spend a night in San Jose because you are arriving in the evening (or flying out early in the morning for your return flight), I suggest getting a hotel right next to the airport. There are several to choose from but I have personally stayed at The Courtyard and the Hampton Inn and had great experiences at both. I have linked them below in case you need them!

Courtyard

Hampton Inn

I highly suggest renting a car for this trip! Not only does it give you the freedom to explore at your own pace, but it also lets you set your own schedule, drive to the off-the-beaten-path locations I share below that tour buses won’t get you to, and probably will end up costing less than needing to take tourist shuttles or taxis everywhere. 

When picking a rental car, I’d suggest getting a 4X4 rental car if possible! Its necessary for driving some of the dirt roads you may encounter heading to the hikes and waterfalls I include below and you will absolutely need it for Santa Teresa if you decide to include that in your itinerary. You can usually sort vehicles by this if your using a search engine to find your rental car such as Expedia or Kayak which is what I usually use! I always try to pick cars from big, well-known rental companies rather than the cheapest option from a more obscure rental company. Many people swear by Adobe Rental Car in Costa Rica so I will link it below but I have not personally rented a car with them. I have rented with Budget in Costa Rica and had a good experience. 

Adobe Rental Car

Make sure you have insurance when renting a car! Oftentimes your personal car insurance will cover rentals and even your credit card will sometimes! Call around to ask before you pick up your car so you know whether or not you will need to buy insurance from the rental agency. 

Speaking of insurance, Costa Rica has a government-issued liability insurance that they require you to purchase when renting a car. Your own car insurance or credit card policies from home will NOT have this covered because it is specific to Costa Rica. So basically you are forced to purchase it - there's really no way around it. So do not be shocked when you go to check out your rental car and the price is higher than you were quoted online - this is most likely the liability tax. It can cost between $10 - $20 a day so make sure to build that into your budget! 

You can read more about the ins and outs of rental cars in Costa Rica at the link below if you want to dive a little deeper!

How Not To Fall For Costa Rica Car Rental Scams - The Official Costa Rica Travel Blog

I know this probably seems like more hassle than it's worth to rent a car but I promise you, after paying a lot of money to sit on tourist shuttles for hours on end, I have found it the best way to get around the country! 

Now onto our itinerary! I suggest scheduling at least 3 days to experience La Fortuna, but think 4-5 is better to fully explore what this area has to offer!

⚠️ A note on waterfalls & other activities in this guide below: Do every activity at your own risk! Make sure you know the proper safety precautions and protocols at each location and follow instructions of the location. While I choose to swim (and even jump) into a few of the waterfalls mentioned below, it is important to make sure that swimming is still allowed and that the water is safe to enter at the time of your visit. Especially during the rainy season when rivers can flood, the condition of waterfalls can change quickly, making them not always safe to swim in even if others have done so before or in photos. Only you know your limits! 

La Fortuna is known as the adventure capital in Costa Rica. And for good reason, this is where you’ll find waterfalls, volcanoes, lush rainforests, hot springs, and many other outdoor activities! It is one of the most popular areas, if not the most popular, to visit in Costa Rica so also be prepared for more crowds and many other tourists. That being said, as someone who typically avoids touristy areas, I actually really enjoyed my time in La Fortuna! Plus there’s still a number of places that most tourists aren't traveling to, as I’ll share below, so it is possible to find hidden gems in this area still! 

Alajuela Province, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Driving to La Fortuna is pretty straightforward especially if you are coming from San Jose (if you are traveling from one of the other destinations first, I provide additional instructions on those sections ☺️). If you know where you’re staying, type in your accommodation option to your maps app and away you go! You can always click on the La Fortuna “Place” button above to get directions straight to your map app to the general town area as well. 

La Fortuna has some really cool accommodation options! From luxury tent hotels to hot spring resorts to more affordable jungle lodges, its up to you to decide what kind of budget and experience you are looking for! I’ll share a few suggestions below including the awesome accommodation I stayed at (if you're looking for something a little more affordable!)

We stayed at the Tifakara hotel in one of their jungle bungalows! I loved this place for a number of reasons, the first being that it is probably the closest place you can stay to La Fortuna waterfall (you can actually walk there!) which means you can beat the crowds and be the first one at this incredible spot. A few other reasons include:

2. A stand-alone bungalow right in the middle of the jungle complete with a private outdoor shower and balcony (make sure you book the Tropical Forest Bungalow room!)

4. Affordable restaurant onsite in case you want to do room service or don't feel like driving into town for food

5. Easy drive into the main town of La Fortuna (less than 10 minutes)

It’s a mid-range level of affordability (around $215 a night) - you can check out more details  as well as book your own bungalow at the link once you click into the Place below! 

This extremely luxury accomodation is one of the most famous resorts in the area and one that you have probably seen in many pictures of their private hot springs on Instagram. It is pricey (over $500 a night typically) and you can actually purchase a day pass to the resort's hot springs without having to stay there! But if you’ve got the budget, you can book at the link in the Place below: 

Imagine staying in a 5-star luxury tent accomodation with your own private infinity pool… this is that spot! Honestly this place is one of my dream resorts to stay at one day. Since its priced at right around $1000 a night, its a very distant dream for me! If you're able to, it comes highly recommended! You can book at the link in the Place below:

Ok now on to some really incredible budget options/finds from Airbnb! I haven't personally stayed at any of these but they were on my wishlist and all have good reviews! 

Stay in a modern-day treehouse with an outdoor bath tub: 

Airbnb: Vacation Rentals, Cabins, Beach Houses, Unique Homes & Experiences

Shower with full views of Arenal Volcano:  

For even more Airbnb options, check out my wishlist:

In the list below, I will make note of the things that I personally did and things that I didn't have time for last time I visited but were on my bucket list! 

Also, remember that some of these activities are closer to La Fortuna than others so make sure you look at driving times when planning out your days! (You can do so by clicking into the locations I have added below, clicking on Get Directions, and opening up the exact locations in your maps app). Nothing is further than a 2 hour drive, but if you aren't interested in the further away activities, there are plenty that are close to town as well! We tried to mix one longer driving activity with a closer to town activity per day.

La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the most popular waterfalls in the area so I suggest getting there early! Its open from 7 AM to 5 PM everyday and is a short but steep “hike” - meaning that the whole thing is basically just a series of steps down into a canyon. Its 530 steps to be exact! 

Swimming in the falls itself was not allowed when I visited but that may have been due to COVID (I went in September 2021). But I would be lying if I said that everyone was following the rules and no one was swimming because realistically almost every person there was swimming in the falls when I arrived… so you can make that decision for yourself! There is a spot were swimming was allowed further down river so bring your bathing suit regardless - be prepared because the water is chilly! Tickets are $18 a person and can be purchased online or in person. 

Located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, this is the very famous bright blue waterfall you’ve probably seen on Instagram! Rio Celeste had been on my bucket list for years after seeing photos of it online. It is a further drive from La Fortuna so you have to really want to see the falls to make the trip! You absolutely cannot swim here so your trip will include a 3.5 mile out and back hike to the falls where there are 250 stairs down to a viewing platform. If you have the time and the energy, its worth continuing the hike after the falls to see the point where 2 rivers collide and make the famous blue color! Plus you get to cross some fun suspension bridges. The park is open from 8 PM to 4 PM (although you must enter by 2 PM at the latest) and costs $12 to enter, $2 for parking. 

People say it's best to go during the dry season since the rain can sometimes dull the bule color but I went in September (right in the middle of rainy season) and that was not the case for my visit! 

This adventure guide to the Dominical/Uvita area of Costa Rica is the result of over 1 month spent exploring the country, dozens of hours of planning, and my in-person experience. This region includes a variety of waterfalls, national parks, wildlife, beaches and much more! 

This guide includes fun features such as an interactive map, directions that connect directly to your phone’s Google or Apple Maps app, and the exact coordinates to some of my favorite hidden gems & activities. 

It lays out instructions to help you plan your perfect trip to this area including over 15 accommodation suggestions, 6 waterfall locations (including one you can sleep behind!!), 2 hiking destinations, 3 beautiful beaches, sunset horseback riding, direct links to every resource you could need, exclusive photos and videos from me, and so much more! It’s mobile friendly when you download the Thatch App for free so you can easily access all of the info right from your phone! 

I have hand-crafted this guide specifically for adventure travelers (like me!) and feel so confident you will have an amazing trip with this guide by your side 😏 As a part of your purchase of the guide, here are a few promises I can make you:

1. This is a LIVING guide: I will update it as I find more information and discover more places which means you have lifetime access to all updated information as it’s added!

2. I only make guides based on areas I have not only been to but know well! I have spent over 4 weeks exploring Costa Rica in order to narrow down the destinations & experiences I share in this guide. I include both activities that I have done myself as well as those that are on my bucketlist for next time I visit! I will always call out the ones I have not done yet and provide you the exact resources you need to experience them yourself!

3. These guides are completely transparent! You can be sure that all unfiltered opinions I provide are my own 🙃 If I include any sponsored information or affiliate links, I will be sure to call these out directly. I will only include these if they benefit you (such as a discount code or coupon!)

Finally, this is the first time that I am releasing one of my photo presets!!! The preset comes for free included with this guide so you can edit all of your trip photos with that Costa Rica vibe - think rich blues, deep forest greens, and just a touch of grain. These are exclusively for my travel guides as I do not nor have I ever sold them anywhere else! 

This guide truly is everything you need to plan your entire trip all in one place. I can’t wait to hear & see your adventure! Feel free to send me a DM with your feedback, fill out my feedback form at the bottom of this guide & tag me in your photos! @katbennettphoto

Dominical/Uvita, Costa Rica: the Ultimate Adventure Guide

This guide to Santa Teresa, Costa Rica is the result of over 1 month spent exploring the country, dozens of hours of planning, and my in-person experience. This off-the-beaten-path beach town is made for surfers, yogis, and people looking to connect with other like-minded travelers. The area includes a variety of outdoor experiences, including waterfalls, beautiful beaches, island boat trips, bioluminecnse bays, and much more! 

This guide includes fun features such as an interactive map, directions that connect directly to your phone’s Google or Apple Maps app, and the exact coordinates to some of my favorite hidden gems & activities. 

It lays out instructions to help you plan your perfect trip to this area including over 15 accommodation suggestions plus where I stayed myself, 1 waterfall location, 4 beautiful beaches, boat tours & island day trips, surfing lessons, ferry instructions, direct links to every resource you could need, exclusive photos and videos from me, and so much more! It’s mobile friendly when you download the Thatch App for free so you can easily access all of the info right from your phone! 

I have hand-crafted this guide specifically for adventure travelers (like me!) and feel so confident you will have an amazing trip with this guide by your side 😏 As a part of your purchase of the guide, here are a few promises I can make you:

1. This is a LIVING guide: I will update it as I find more information and discover more places which means you have lifetime access to all updated information as it’s added!

2. I only make guides based on areas I have not only been to but know well! I have spent over 4 weeks exploring Costa Rica in order to narrow down the destinations & experiences I share in this guide. I include both activities that I have done myself as well as those that are on my bucketlist for next time I visit! I will always call out the ones I have not done yet and provide you the exact resources you need to experience them yourself!

3. These guides are completely transparent! You can be sure that all unfiltered opinions I provide are my own 🙃 If I include any sponsored information or affiliate links, I will be sure to call these out directly. I will only include these if they benefit you (such as a discount code or coupon!)

Finally, this is the first time that I am releasing one of my photo presets!!! The preset comes for free included with this guide so you can edit all of your trip photos with that Costa Rica vibe - think rich blues, deep forest greens, and just a touch of grain. These are exclusively for my travel guides as I do not nor have I ever sold them anywhere else! 

This guide truly is everything you need to plan your entire trip to Santa Teresa all in one place. I can’t wait to hear & see your adventure! Feel free to send me a DM with your feedback, fill out my feedback form at the bottom of the guide, & tag me in your photos! @katbennettphoto