Costa Rica: La Fortuna Dream

Costa Rica is truly a dream vacation destination, offering breathtaking natural beauty and endless adventure. We flew into Liberia International Airport and rented a car, which allowed us to explore at our own pace. Our first stop was La Fortuna, a town renowned for its hot springs and stunning views of Arenal Volcano. The drive from Liberia to La Fortuna was long but incredibly scenic, winding through lush green hills and local villages. A helpful tip: make sure your flight arrives early in the day so you can avoid driving in the dark, as some of the roads can be tricky to navigate at night.

In La Fortuna, we chose to stay at Hotel Los Lagos. While it’s not a luxury resort, this charming property offers everything you need for a relaxing and memorable stay. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, and the highlight is the thermal pool, heated by the nearby Arenal Volcano — a perfect spot to unwind after a long day of hiking. We also loved watching the horses being led through the property each day, adding a touch of local color to our mornings.

The hotel’s location is ideal for exploring the area. From our room, we had spectacular views of Arenal Volcano, which made for some unforgettable sunrise and sunset moments. During our stay, we packed in as much adventure as we could. We hiked the trails around Arenal, walked across the famous Arenal Hanging Bridges, white-water rafted on the local rivers, and trekked to the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall. Oh and so much could be said about the food! We had a fantastic meal every days.

After four wonderful days in La Fortuna, we drove to Tamarindo, a laid-back beach town on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. The contrast between the volcano region and the beach was incredible — from mountain adventures to sandy shores, Costa Rica truly has it all!

If you’re planning your own trip, I’d recommend giving yourself at least a few days in each region to fully soak in the experience. Let me know if you’d like more tips on planning your Costa Rican adventure! I will write a different post about our time in Tamarindo.