Romantic La Fortuna for Couples
A slow few days for two
La Fortuna is a good place for couples because the best moments are quiet ones: warm water at dusk, forest after dark and a volcano that fills the skyline when the cloud lifts. The plan below stays with places that suit two people and are easy to book. Prices are in US dollars and rounded.
Evening soaks
The hot springs are geothermally heated, and the evening is the calm time to use them.
EcoTermales has an evening session from 5pm to 9:30pm. Entry is about $49 per adult, or about $81 with dinner. It is a smaller place than the big resorts, which suits a quiet soak.
Baldi has 25 pools and stays open until 10pm, with no reservation needed. Adults pay $51 for the springs alone or $75 with one meal. It is lively rather than secluded, so go for the variety of pools.
Tabacon for a special occasion
Tabacon’s day pass includes lunch or dinner and starts from about $170 per adult, rising in peak dates. It sells out, so book well ahead. Guests who stay at the resort also get access to Shangri-La Gardens, an adults-only area.
Forest at twilight
Mistico Arenal runs twilight, night and bird tours from $54 on its 3.2 km trail of 16 bridges, six of them hanging. Closed-toe shoes with good grip are required.
The Bogarin Trail offers a guided night walk for $60 that lasts about 2 hours, plus a birdwatching walk at $80. Bring a torch, use no flash, and let the guide set the pace. Frogs and insects are the usual finds, and larger wildlife is never guaranteed.
A volcano view from above the trees
Arenal Observatory Lodge has an observation tower called The Nest, about 28 m tall, with views of the volcano and Lake Arenal. A day pass with lunch costs $40, and the entrance pass alone is about $20 to $22.
Sunset by the lake
Lake Arenal lies west of town, and the evening light over the water is a simple, free way to end a day. The volcano is dormant, so there is no glow after dark, only stars and cloud if the weather allows.
Where to stay
Stays range from small rainforest lodges to resorts with thermal pools. Browse options and read recent reviews before you choose.
Practical tips
- Book Tabacon and EcoTermales dinner slots ahead for weekends.
- Go to the free river spring only in daylight and never leave valuables in the car.
- Pack water shoes, a light rain jacket and a torch.
Read more: Couple activities in La Fortuna and Sightseeing in La Fortuna .
Official details: Tabacon day passes and Baldi day pass .
Look at Booking.com for rainforest lodges.