Go on an adventure and fill yourself with spiritual and physical health on the slopes of an imposing volcano, La Fortuna of San Carlos is a privileged place because of the diversity of attractions and beauties. The Arenal Volcano stands majestically over the northern plains, throws incandescent lava at short intervals, offering a spectacle unique in the world. The hotels are scattered bordering around the Volcano, offering a spectacular view.
La Fortuna de San Carlos
More than 30 years ago, La Fortuna was a placid region of cattle breeders and farmers. The volcano slept a centuries-long night. Suddenly, it explodes from the entrails of the earth; the fury that vomits incandescent stones and lava surges. What in the beginning caused fear and death, soon became a spectacle that attracted national and foreign tourists. The fame of this spread abroad and people came from all over to enjoy that spectacular and marvelous phenomenon of Nature.
The cattle breeder’s good and generous people strengthened with the best human values that are the essence and prestige of the Costa Rican people and which continued to grow, accepted the challenge of keeping their land in the face of the tourism avalanche and slowly became entrepreneurs. Some of them confess to have had a divine inspiration, like don Oscar Villegas, who when driving a cart with a load of milk through those roads, formerly muddy ones, saw the grass flourish, and gardens grow in a marvelous supernatural inspiration. This was how the Hotel Arenal Paraiso was built and has continued to grow.
The thermal waters of the volcano were taken advantage of to offer warm water baths in natural pools or in spas where the hot water full of minerals, shoots out tumultuously from the very entrails of the volcano. And after the aesthetics both the Arenal Paraiso and the Arenal Kioro, Mountain of Fire, Los Lagos, Tabacon and others, have achieved worldwide credit for the health and beauty treatments. Those cattlemen of old and their families have now incorporated into the tourism business, flourishing more and more each day.
And one value that distinguishes La Fortuna and makes it different from the other successful destinations of Costa Rica: the Costa Rican idealism, the excellence and professionalism of the Costa Rican people. They love and are attached to their and with fervor, enthusiasm and faith. There are no hotel chains and we can assure that almost 99% are Costa Rican investors. With these paradigms Costa Rica becomes great.
Arenal Volcano
The Hotels are splendidly located and all the guest rooms have a view of the imposing Arenal Volcano so that one can delight oneself with its intermittent eruptions, red colored during the night and early morning and take it inside. Ah! But not only can you enjoy the Colossus from the terrace or window of your room, you can enjoy it while you eat, walk, read or are immersed in a relaxing and medicinal thermal, hot, lukewarm or cold water, no matter, they are all beautifying for your face and skin. The Spa, with their massage therapies and treatments with volcanic and natural creams for all types of skin, will rejuvenate your appearance.
Among the many good foods you can savor are the tilapias of barges of the Rio San Juan, the marvelous view from Linda Vista of the North, or the excellent homemade food of “Las Cabañitas”, the stupendous breakfasts with a variety from “Volcano Lodge” yogurts to the “Que Rico” pizzas.
If you want to take good advantage from your visit we recommend Jacamar Tours, a tour operator with ample experience with trained guides with more than 14 years of experience, their focus on conversation and nature will allow you to value and learn more about each place.
Among the more popular tours the following are mentioned:
Hike to the Arenal Volcano: The hike takes place in the northeaster part of the Volcano and, depending on the side where the lava flows, one goes to the Tucanes trails in the National Park or the trail to the viewpoint El Silencio. One can observe a great variety of flora and fauna, magnificent formations of lava and the Arenal Lake; everthying on time to see the sunset. During the journey, the guides will provide the educational information about the history of the Volcano and the National Park.
La Fortuna Waterfall
Night Hike in the forest: This hike takes place in the Eco Center Danaus, a patch of forest in recovery process focused on the area of conversation and education. This tour will allow you to learn about and enjoy the nocturnal activity of some animals such as: sloth, spiders, porcupines, caimans and other the Volcano and the nationals birds like the Chocuaco.
Horseback riding to the waterfall in La Fortuna: This is a good combination of horseback riding with a hike and a beautiful scenario. There are trained horses that that will take you up to the entrance of the Waterfall through grazing areas, forest and high hills.
We will go down to the waterfall walking through a natural trail. This fantastic area is very peaceful and special for relaxing and swimming for a while. The waterfall measures 70 meters in height. An adventure immersed in a exuberant natural paradise will not allow you to get bored and even less to grow old… Visit La Fortuna, it will impress you so much that you will want to come back!
Geographical Division 
