Exploring the Beauty of La Fortuna: A 2D1N Budget Trip

It’s no wonder why La Fortuna is always on the top list of websites about Costa Rica tourism. This small town has natural wonders that simply attract both local and foreign tourists. The range of fun activities is endless. Plus, budget travelers will definitely find some quality and affordable hostels and local sodas. In this spontaneous 2-day, 1-night budget trip, my friends and I explored the best of La Fortuna’s nature and people. Read on and let’s do this!

Check this short video out to watch a sneak-peek of the trip:

From San Jose, it took us around 5 hours to reach the bus terminal in La Fortuna. The bus is not the most comfortable kind but I guess it’s okay for the friendly price. Crowding the bus stops are foreigners eager to experience what La Fortuna can offer; local tour agency staff who are actively handing out tour package fliers also adds to the crowd. We took some fliers but we are “economical” students so priorities are the free destinations—el salto and piscina de los pobres.

El Salto

El Salto is located few kilometers away from our hotel so we decided to walk. It took us around 20 minutes to reach the waterfall. We did not get lost because signages are stationed by the road and we bumped into wet and cold-looking people (obviously from the falls). And yeah, Google Maps was our friend all throughout this trip.

The waterfall is under a bridge and from afar, we could hear the gushing sound of the waterfalls. It was surprising to see a lot of people still dipping and diving at 5PM. They have a Tarzan rope tied to a big tree for brave souls who likes hanging and swinging into the water. The spring was cold and fresh so we “transformed” into our swimsuit right away. We were ready for this!

Like in any other waterfalls, the big stones are slippery so a caution is advised. As a Filipino, I found it interesting to be with locals casually smoking weed. They even offered me a stick and of course, I smoked! Just kidding, no I did not because Duterte’s Drug War is real.

Piscina de los Pobres

Piscinade los pobres literally means spring of the poor. The name is so telling that it’s free. From La Fortuna centro, it took about 15 minutes to reach the spring. The hot spring is courtesy of the thermal energy of the nearby volcano. Honestly, it was nothing special but it’s a good hot spring to soak and reflect on life (and we did that). The hot stones and water current were perfect for back massage.

A caution here because the stones are slippery (not to mention the muddy soil). Also, there is no place to put your belongings so it was hard for us to find a spot because it was raining at that time. By the way, there’s a hot spring for the “rich” somewhere so if you are not on budget mode, then spend away and experience a better one.

Volcan Arenal

Okay, so this one is not free but it’s inexpensive. For 15 USD you can tire yourself out and walk to the viewing area of Volcan Arenal. We didn’t mind the payment or the long hiking trail because Volcan Arenal is a must when you visit La Fortuna! It’s their main icon here; it’s their major claim-to-fame among other things. I can see why because the volcano is truly majestic. It stands 1 633 meters high overlooking the small town of La Fortuna and surrounding pueblos.

From the starting point at the entrance, we walked for 20 minutes to get to the mirador—viewing place of the Arenal volcano and the lake. It was a surreal beauty except that the volcano was covered a little by some thick fog. I mean, what the fog! Lucky us (in my most sarcastic voice)! But more than the destination, along the way, we witnessed true nature in its wild and raw status. We passed by green trees of varying heights; we saw fruit-bearing plants of different colors. This, I thought, was what we paid for and what the walk was all about.

El Centro La Fortuna

The center of La Fortuna is a vibrant town with hotels, local sodas, souvenir shops, supermarkets, coffee shops, among others. Being a famous tourist destination, it is normal to see people from all nationalities. Amenities and services for tourists are available and accessible. But with the significant number of tourists, the local vibe is not compromised. Pura Vida was still felt everywhere. As we were walking around the center, we noticed locals chilling around the park. I personally love this laidback atmosphere.

Choco Museo

This impressive museum lives up to its reputation of having great chocolates. They have different kinds and mixtures of chocolates that guests can try. They also serve beverages (coffee, shake, etc.) and pastries which I loved! Inside the museum is a very colorful interior that matches the display of the things they are selling apart from chocolates. Customers can enjoy the incredible of the centro view from this shop.

Souvenir Shops

Lined up in different areas, souvenir shops are thriving in La Fortuna. From colorful shirts to affordable keychains to fancy pieces of jewelry with La Fortuna symbols, name it; they have it all. These souvenirs are perfect for presents for your friends and family.

Hostels

Hostels are one of the main sources of income for the locals. With thousands of visitors every day, a wide range of affordable accommodations can be found all over the town. For our trip, we stayed in Arenal Hostel Resort. It's a good pick for 10 USD per night. The hostel has various rooms for guests. The cheapest one is the dormitory type so we took that. I love that this low-key place has a heated pool and a bar for relaxation. The best part inside is the hammocks. The rooms and bathrooms are clean. They have functional airconditioning and wifi was fast which I thought was great for 10 USD. Their service though is not excellent. They can improve on that. But I guess, I would still recommend this hostel for the price and the available amenities. 

Local Restaurants

The gastronomic experience in La Fortuna is unforgettable. Their local sodas are understated despite the tasty comida tipica they serve. For less than five thousand colones, we feasted on the delicious cuisines. One soda that stands out in particular is Soda La Hormiga and its casado meals. There are also numerous fancy restaurants around.

The Locals 

Like any other Ticos, the locals of La Fortuna are hospitable and kind people. They know how to accommodate their guests (except for the front desk lady of Arenal Hostel Resort). They were patient in answering our questions. And they tried their best to communicate with us in English. These Ticos were very conversant and really knowledgeable about La Fortuna and its history and culture. They are the prized asset of this town, I argue.

Overall, it's no doubt that La Fortuna is one of Costa Rica's wonderful tourist spots. It deserves all of the praises from blog entries--La Fortuna: What to expect from Costa Rica's most popular destination, La Fortuna City Guide: The lucky tourist town by Arenal Volcano--which also helped us navigate our way around. Clearly, our trip was short and sweet. We will definitely come back to enjoy all the fun we missed.