La Fortuna & Arenal
We visited the La Fortuna / Arenal area for Chris' 40th birthday. We stayed one night in the town of La Fortuna, grabbed lunch and then a sushi dinner, and spent the next couple of days at Baldi Hot Springs resort — which is a must-visit when you're in Costa Rica.
We got lucky and saw the volcano with no clouds around it; the view from Baldi is amazing, since the resort sits right at the base. Baldi was a great stay, with pools ranging from very hot to just warm, good food, and waterslides the boys loved.
Watch La Fortuna & Arenal
What we'd tell a friend
- Stay at Baldi, but get out and do some activities too.
- Eat in town a few times.
- If you can, do a hike.
Who should come here?
- You like adventure
- You want to see the famous volcano
- You want a local town wrapped in tourism
- You like hiking
- You like hot-spring resorts
- You want beaches
- You're not looking for adventure
- You don't like rain
The Dufresnes Verdict
Questions we actually get
Is La Fortuna / Arenal worth visiting?
Yes — Baldi Hot Springs is a must when you're in Costa Rica, and seeing the Arenal volcano cloud-free was a highlight. This is adventure and hot springs, not beaches.
How many days do you need?
About five. That gives you time for the town, the hot springs, the volcano, and a hike or two without rushing.
Do you need a car?
We'd recommend it. We drove our own; renting is the easiest way to reach the area and get around to the activities.
Where should you stay?
We stayed at Baldi Hot Springs resort, right at the base of the volcano — pools from very hot to warm, good food, and waterslides for kids. Spend a night in La Fortuna town too.