Where is La Fortuna? How to Get There
DIRECTIONS
Fortuna Waterfall is located 6 kilometers from the town of La Fortuna, which itself is about 69 km north of downtown San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. Getting there is generally done by car or shuttle. The ride to La Fortuna from San Jose (by car, which is what I did) takes about 3.5 hours, and Fortuna Waterfall is just a 10 minute drive from there, once you get into town.
GOING BY SHUTTLE
A standard shuttle van ticket typically costs between $45-50 USD, while a private van can cost up to $200. You can take a shuttle directly from San Jose airport or from your hotel. There are a variety of companies to choose from, so look around to see what you prefer. If you didn’t already know, Costa Rica is much more expensive that it’s neighboring countries.
RENTING A CAR
Renting a car isn’t cheap, but it’s a very efficient way to travel in Costa Rica. I purchased my rental online the night before I arrived to San Jose through Economy Rent a Car, which had a location right next to the airport, easily accessible by Uber. No complaints! The general advice is to some kind of small SUV hybrid at the least. Sedans might give you some trouble over rough terrain, depending on where you’re driving.
What to Expect at Fortuna Waterfall
Fortuna Waterfall is probably the most popular waterfall in all of Costa Rica, and for very good reason. It’s STRIKING. I sat in awe as it forcefully crashes from 75 meters high into a pool.
Before getting down to the dazzling cascade, from the ticket booth and changing area you’ll descend down the beautiful open jungle canopy, down more than 500 metal steps, with rest spots along the way. I enjoyed the descent, gradually approaching the main attraction. It’s like entering a hidden world! Taking the steps back up can be a challenge, but I saw people from all ages get it done.
Most people ask if you can swim in the pool. The answer is YES, you can swim at Fortuna Waterfall. Getting too close to the crashing point of the waterfall itself is not advised, considering how powerful it is, but feel free to swim in the sizeable pool and experience some current! There’s a lifeguard present just in case. Not to mention, the water is a nice temperature, not nearly as cold as you would think! You’ll have to carefully navigate through some boulders to reach the water, but it’s not difficult. Water shoes would be nice to have, but not necessary.
For those that feel threatened by the somewhat intimidating water, there’s a great viewpoint for photos, huge rocks to sit on, and even another side to the space with a second natural pool to swim in, undisturbed by the waterfall.
TICKETS, OPERATING HOURS, AND FACILITES
Fortuna Waterfall is the perfect mid-day excursion, open from 7 am to 4 pm daily. If you arrive before 3 pm you’ll be able to get in just fine with no issues. The entrance fee is $20 usd for foreigners and children under the age of 8 enter free. Is there a parking lot? Yes, there is a parking lot and parking is free.
You’ll find adequate bathrooms to change into your swimsuit before you head down the stairs. Once you get to the bottom though, there’s nothing of the sort. If you need lockers, they’re available for a small fee. I just brought a backpack and it was enough for all my belongings.
Additional Info
- The park is popular, but not too crowded. I’d suggest going during the week
- No issues parking. It’s a very well managed space
- You must sign a waiver to go down and see the waterfall
