Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in La Fortuna de San Carlos

THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in La Fortuna de San Carlos

Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in La Fortuna de San Carlos

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  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.


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What travelers are saying

  • Radiohead319
    Olveston, UK163 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a brilliant, relaxing and educational tour of their animal sanctuary. We learned all about how they rehabilitate the animals that come to them, and why some that have been raised as pets cannot be rehabilitated. A really engaging presentation style which was pitched just right for adults and children.

    I don't think they are big enough to accept coach tours, so this tour is with just a few people, so no crowding to see the animals. Lovely gardens too. Paths are level with loose stone - so mostly suitable for wheelchairs and baby buggies, except the odd patch where stone is deeper/looser.

    A really lovely trip. Although it seems expensive I think overall it was good value compared to other tours, plus it is supporting a great project
    Written February 4, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • wanderlust
    88 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    I'm torn about this waterfall. It was definitely pretty, but it was highly overpriced. That's probably a result of it being right near La Fortuna and easy for a lot of tourists to get to. The walk to the waterfall is easy (just a lot of stairs). I liked doing it and viewing the falls, but if you're on a tight budget, there are other waterfalls that are also really pretty that are more budget friendly. Also we went during a time with a lot of rain so swimming was not an option. There was so much water coming over the falls it looked cool!!
    Written March 12, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kevin T
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    What an amazing experience! We saw many more animals and birds than I anticipated. William and Jason were knowledgeable and friendly and all around expert guides.
    Written March 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Charlene C
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very nice place to visit, this is must in a fortuna, no schedule, free entrance fee, very nice forest and river. go for it.
    Written January 14, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Keegan R
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Leonela was a wonderful guide! She helped us find wildlife like poison dart frogs we never would have seen otherwise! She was very knowledgeable about the animals in the park and a very patient guide!
    Written February 19, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • annika_lucky13
    Salamanca, NY439 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had another great stay at Arenal Oasis. Our cabin was comfortable and we loved the jungle setting. We had lunch and dinner at the restaurant and walked around the garden. All our food was excellent. We saw some great wildlife right on the property. The staff was always friendly and helpful.

    We did the Night Walk and saw a lot of nocturnal species. We would highly recommend this tour.

    We had a great visit and will definitely be returning in the future.
    Written February 16, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • NikNak2368
    Jersey, UK27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a great day relaxing at the hot springs. We had been warned it gets really busy and maybe we were just lucky but it was perfectly fine!
    We got there just before opening time at 11am and stayed till about 2pm.
    The pools were lovely and clean apart from a few leaves that fall during the day. All areas were spotlessly clean but special mention must go to the bar area at the back with the most fabulous views of the countryside with an uninterrupted view of the volcano - superb.
    Written February 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • GinaBif
    Metuchen, NJ94 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We stopped here on our way from Liberia airport to La Fortuna! What a way to start our trip. The views are absolutely beautiful! I will warn the roads are super windy and definitely made me car sick but still worth it!
    Written March 7, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Redwings88
    Brookfield, WI94 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enjoyed the various pools with different temperatures. Did not feel too crowded since there were many pools. Drink prices at the bar were very reasonable. Free towel (deposit required though). Changing rooms were clean and well appointed. A few of the pools had water slides. Sometimes hard to find a place to put your towels and shoes at the pools. Have a gift shop and food at the bar.
    Written March 9, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mimi C
    Seattle, WA48 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is the closest thing you can get to feeling like a local. This is where many locals swim and cool off. The rope swing is very fun and the water is so refreshing. You can explore the river on your own or stick around the main swim hole. It is very close to town, walkable maybe 20 mins from the Central Park area. I recommend coming here it's one of the few places that are free. My friends and I loved it
    Written March 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • MJ
    United States4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We can’t say enough good things about our visit of the farm. Huberth was an amazing tour guide and walked us through the property- we learned so much about the vegetation and saw a lot of animals including a very cute sloth. Another highlight was making sugar cane juice with herbs from the garden and eating fruit from the cacao tree - we have been looking at the pictures we took multiple times and are so glad we found this gem. Bless Huberth senior and his family!
    Written January 28, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Amy J
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    WOW what an amazing experience we had for only $49/each! Our guide Hainir was absolutely fantastic! He was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about a wide array of plants- including their medicinal uses- growing on the farm in addiction to involving us in pressing sugar cane for juice and making drip coffee after dinner for us before our eyes while describing the process. I wrote down at least ten different plants I learned about on the tour ranging from a stevia bush and peppermint plant to mimosa, bibida fruit, mimbro fruit, and more! For a nature junkie, I saw and experienced things I’d never even heard of on this tour!

    What’s more, we got to taste many of these plants as we went or rub them on our skin such as the citronella and lemongrass!

    Before the farm tour, we chopped vegetables for our salad and blended vegetables like chayote and carrots with herbs like culandro (not cilantro- never tried this before either!) and garlic to make one of the most delicious natural salad dressings I’ve ever tasted. We also made corn tortillas on a hot stove from scratch after mixing and patting them out ourselves! We tasted those with queso cheese immediately which was a fantastic snack. After the tour, there was a buffet waiting for us in addition to our salad and dressing which included a savory papaya hash, gallopinto, juicy chicken dish, and super flavorful beef dish. We were even brought dessert in the form of a fried tortilla covered in delicious molasses.

    I cannot recommend this tour highly enough. The delightfully friendly woman who helped us cook/prepare food and Hainir were above and beyond in service and expertise. Must try!!!
    Written January 22, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ms_lotus
    Redlands, CA68 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Outstanding host (Johnny) and staff (Rachel and others). They were so warm and caring. Johnny went the extra mile to make sure we had a wonderful experience. He organized custom meals to meet our special needs. He helped with logistical arrangements (not part of his job) and acted more like a good friend. We stayed in Harmony Dome, which was great. We were surrounded by the forest and had interesting animal and bird visitors every day. The property has great trails that we could explore without a crowd. I cannot praise the place enough - a total gem. Johnny is interested in conservation and in living in harmony with nature, which I think is a big plus. The property has only a few places to stay which are private. It is one of the most memorable places I have stayed in.
    Written March 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Benjamin Z
    Camarillo, CA9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was a great place to hike to experience the rainforest and lava rocks. I enjoyed a nice, quiet solo hike on the trails. It wasn't crowded at all, went through some beautiful rainforest, then up to some of the lava rocks from the 1968 eruption. It was pretty cloudy the day I visited and the volcano was shrouded in the clouds. But on a clear day, I'm sure there are some excellent views. I saw lizards, ants, monkeys, and birds. Trail markings were a little confusing (some places marked as exit, when actually a continuation of the longer trail). For $10, it was definitely worth it. I highly recommend.
    Written March 7, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Shannon P
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had a great day hiking the trails and seeing the volcano. Finished our day with fantastic food and drinks (smoothie, coffee, and beer) at the Lava’68 restaurant served by the great staff Jeremy! Something for the whole family.
    Written February 28, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.