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Central America
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Costa Rica
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Province of Alajuela
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Arenal Volcano National Park
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La Fortuna de San Carlos
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La Fortuna Waterfall
A short drive from town, La Fortuna Waterfall offers an idyllic place for swimming, picnicking, and relaxing. Fed by the Arenal River, which winds its way through the rainforest before plunging dramatically over a steep cliff, this waterfall forms a large pool at the base of a dormant volcano. Lifeguards remain on duty throughout the day, while modern facilities like restrooms and showers ensure a comfortable visit in a lush area noted for thick vegetation and abundant wildlife. Prepare for a short but arduous hike to the base of the waterfall by wearing shoes suitable for slippery and uneven terrain. Use our La Fortuna de San Carlos attractions planner to add La Fortuna Waterfall and other attractions to your La Fortuna de San Carlos vacation plans.
La Fortuna Waterfall reviews
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Beautiful waterfall in a national park, $18 p/p entrance fee. Five hundred steps down, five hundred back up, but several rest areas along the path. Lots of water energy all around. You can swim in..... more
Beautiful waterfall in a national park, $18 p/p entrance fee. Five hundred steps down, five hundred back up, but several rest areas along the path. Lots of water energy all around. You can swim in..... more »
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You hear the waterfall from above. You walk down the 500+ steps, and it gets louder. Beautiful vegetation all around. And you reach the bottom and feel the cool spray and the roar of the water in..... more
You hear the waterfall from above. You walk down the 500+ steps, and it gets louder. Beautiful vegetation all around. And you reach the bottom and feel the cool spray and the roar of the water in..... more »
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Fun waterfall to visit and swim. Not a good destination if you have knee issues due to all the steps.
Fun waterfall to visit and swim. Not a good destination if you have knee issues due to all the steps. more »
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So first off $18 to enter which trust me is worth every dime. Then it’s 500 steps down. Those go pretty quick and there’s a few vantage points to take pictures on your way down. Once down there is a benched area to sit and change if you like but no shelter the changing rooms and showers are at the top before the steps. The rocks are slick and the water is very refreshing. The current for the waterfall is strong. But it’s nice and plenty of rocks to take pictures. But if you wanna hang out and enjoy the water the small pool to the left is where you wanna be.
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Beautiful waterfall with a swimming area at the bottom. I loved seeing the plant diversity. The walk to the bottom is a series of stairs, thought not the most difficult hike, it would be hard for those with mobility issues and your calves may feel it the next day. There is a segmented walk for orchids and butterflies. The cafe at the start has a decent selection of drinks and food.
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This is worth the $18 entry price. Yes there are 500 steps but don't be intimidated by that. There are plenty of places to rest. Once at the waterfall you can swim right up next to it but be warned, the current is very strong! Super cool experience though. After the waterfall, go down a few more steps and enjoy a calm river experience. You can relax in the cool water which should be a welcomed change from the heat!
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More than I expected. Great place to walk and explore. If climbing stairs isn't your thing you can see it from afar. But I would recommend making your way to the base of the falls. You can swim near the falls and enjoy the cool water or you can stand and admire the beautiful surroundings in which the waterfall accompanies. Sheer rock cliff, abundant green vegetation, cool clear water. Stay as long as the park is open. I believe the falls close around 4pm.
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This place is a must see … just be ready to be with a crowd! To enter, it’s $18 for foreigners. It’s a bit of a hike down, about 500 well made out steps. Takes about 15 minutes to go down and a bit longer to go back up, depending on your stamina! There are test points and water taps along the way for those who need it. The waterfall itself is stunning. The only downside were the crowds but I suppose that can’t be avoided! If you are a strong swimmer, you can swim right where the waterfall is (very cold) and the current will push you back. If not, there’s a small river off to the side that you can have a more relaxing, quiet swim in. The water is clear and a lovely blue with some fish if you look close enough! A tip - the rocks are slippery to have the right shoes.
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