Fortuna Waterfall is located 6 km from the town of La Fortuna, which itself is about 165 km for downtown San Jose. Getting there can be done by car or minivan. A minivan ticket typically costs between $45-50 usd, while renting a car isn’t cheap either. I rented a vehicle for my Costa Rica trip online the night before through Economy Rent a Car, which had a location right next to the airport, easily accessible by Uber. No complaints!
The ride to La Fortuna takes about 3.5 hours, with the waterfall being just a 10 minute drive from downtown.
What to Expect
Fortuna Waterfall is probably the most popular waterfall in all of Costa Rica, and for very good reason. It’s striking! Sit in awe as it forcefully crashes from 75 meters high into a pool that you are actually allowed to swim in. 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.
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!
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.
To get 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.
Taking the steps back up can be a challenge, but I saw people from all ages get it done.
Operating Hours & Facilities
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.
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
