By the Where to Stay in Costa Rica editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
If you have a car, stay on the volcano road west of town, the stretch of Route 142 lined with hot-springs hotels. You get Arenal views from your room and a soak after every tour, and La Fortuna's restaurants are 5 to 15 minutes away. Our pick there is Arenal Manoa.
Without a car, stay in La Fortuna town. Every tour, from the waterfall to the hanging bridges, picks up from town hotels, and you can walk to dinner. Day passes to the big hot springs are easy to book.
For a quieter, closer-to-nature stay, look at El Castillo or the Arenal Observatory Lodge on the far side of the volcano, but plan to drive everywhere.
La Fortuna's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | To town | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Fortuna town | No car, budgets, food, tour pickups | You're in it | Few volcano views from rooms, some street noise |
| Volcano road (Route 142) | Hot springs, views, couples, families | 5–20 min drive | Taxis needed at night without a car |
| El Castillo | Quiet, views of the lake and volcano, nature | 30–40 min, partly gravel | Few restaurants, steep roads |
| Lake Arenal | Calm, lake views, hanging bridges nearby | 20–30 min | Far from town restaurants |
Clouds often hide the volcano's summit, especially in the afternoon and in the rainy season. Early morning is usually your best chance to see the cone, wherever you stay.
Map of Hotels Around La Fortuna
Move the map to compare prices in town, on the volcano road and around the lake for your dates.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all La Fortuna & Arenal stays →Best Hot-Springs Resorts
These are worth paying for if soaking is the point. Hotel guests get the pools after day visitors leave.
Nayara Springs
Volcano road, about 7 km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal
The splurge: private plunge pools fed by hot springs, adults only.
Best for: Romantic splurges
- Adults only
- Private hot-spring plunge pool in every villa
- Breakfast included
More about this hotel
Arenal's top honeymoon hotel: adults-only villas, each with its own plunge pool fed by natural hot springs. Breakfast is included, and a bridge links it to sister hotel Nayara Gardens.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Volcano road (Tabacón), La Fortuna & Arenal
Pick this for the springs themselves: a warm river with pools and waterfalls inside the resort.
Best for: Hot springs
- Unlimited access to the hot springs
- Five pools with a swim-up bar
- Family rooms
More about this hotel
The classic Arenal hot-springs resort, where a warm river runs through the gardens. Staying here gets you unlimited access to the springs, five pools including a swim-up bar, and a full spa.
The Springs Resort & Spa
Volcano road, hillside, La Fortuna & Arenal
Big, family-friendly resort high on the hillside, with a wide range of pools.
Best for: Volcano views and families
- Volcano views from every room
- Many hot-spring pools
- Five restaurants and a spa
More about this hotel
A big hillside resort with dozens of hot-spring pools, five restaurants and volcano views from every room. It works well for families who want everything on site.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: BonniesPics, CC BY-SA 3.0
Best Mid-Range Hotels
Volcano views and good pools without resort prices.
Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort
Volcano road, a few km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal
Our pick for most people: volcano-view rooms and hot-spring pools for mid-range money, a short drive from town.
Best for: Volcano views for less
- Volcano view from every room
- On-site thermal pools
- Rooms with private hot tub or pool
More about this hotel
Volcano views from every room, its own thermal pools and some rooms with a private hot tub or pool, for well under the price of the big resorts. Town is a short drive away.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Hiram Montiel Calder…, CC BY-SA 3.0
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails
Southwest side of the volcano, La Fortuna & Arenal
The closest lodge to the volcano, on the quiet southwest side, with its own trails.
Best for: Nature lovers and birders
- Private rainforest with trails
- Breakfast and guided walk included
- Volcano and lake views from suites
More about this hotel
The closest lodge to the volcano, inside 860 acres of private rainforest with trails, a waterfall and hanging bridges. Breakfast and a guided morning walk are included. Book a junior suite for the volcano and lake views.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Erick Hidalgo, CC BY 3.0
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
Lake Arenal, near the dam, La Fortuna & Arenal
Lakeside resort near the dam, with Mistico hanging bridges just down the road.
Best for: A quiet lakeside base
- Volcano view from every room
- Breakfast included
- Pool, spa and gym
More about this hotel
A quiet resort by Lake Arenal with volcano views from every balcony, a pool, a spa and breakfast included. It is about 20 minutes from La Fortuna town.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Beate Schröder-Wettwer, CC BY-SA 4.0
Best Budget Stays
Cheaper places, in or near town.
Hotel Las Colinas
La Fortuna town center, La Fortuna & Arenal
Walk to everything in La Fortuna town; tour shuttles pick up at the door.
Best for: A walkable town base
- Next to the central park
- Volcano-view terrace
- Free parking and family rooms
More about this hotel
A simple, eco-certified hotel next to La Fortuna's central park, with air-conditioning and a terrace facing the volcano. You can walk to restaurants and tour pickups.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Matthias Prinke, CC BY-SA 2.5
Essence Arenal
El Castillo, La Fortuna & Arenal
Budget eco-lodge in El Castillo with volcano and lake views.
Best for: Eco and wellness on a budget
- Lake and volcano views
- Spring-water pool and yoga
- Farm-to-table vegetarian food
More about this hotel
A hillside eco-lodge in El Castillo with views of the lake and volcano, a spring-water pool, yoga, and a vegetarian restaurant supplied by its own farm.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Asdfjrjjj, CC BY-SA 4.0
Arenal Backpackers Resort
La Fortuna town, La Fortuna & Arenal
Social hostel in town with a pool and a volcano view.
Best for: Backpackers
- Pool and bar
- Air-conditioned dorms
- Tour desk
More about this hotel
Air-conditioned dorms and tents around a pool and bar, with a tour desk for the waterfall, hot springs and rafting. The social choice in town.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Beate Schröder-Wettwer, CC BY-SA 4.0
La Fortuna Hotels at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Arenal Manoa Hot Springs ResortVolcano road, a few km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal · Mid-rangeVolcano views for lessCheck prices -
Nayara SpringsVolcano road, about 7 km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal · SplurgeRomantic splurgesCheck prices -
Tabacón Thermal Resort & SpaVolcano road (Tabacón), La Fortuna & Arenal · SplurgeHot springsCheck prices -
The Springs Resort & SpaVolcano road, hillside, La Fortuna & Arenal · SplurgeVolcano views and familiesCheck prices -
Arenal Observatory Lodge & TrailsSouthwest side of the volcano, La Fortuna & Arenal · Mid-rangeNature lovers and birdersCheck prices -
Lost Iguana Resort & SpaLake Arenal, near the dam, La Fortuna & Arenal · Mid-rangeA quiet lakeside baseCheck prices -
Hotel Las ColinasLa Fortuna town center, La Fortuna & Arenal · BudgetA walkable town baseCheck prices -
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| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort
Hot-springs hotel
|
Volcano road, a few km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal | Mid-range | Volcano views for less | Check prices |
|
|
Nayara Springs
Adults-only luxury
|
Volcano road, about 7 km west of town, La Fortuna & Arenal | Splurge | Romantic splurges | Check prices |
|
|
Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Hot-springs resort
|
Volcano road (Tabacón), La Fortuna & Arenal | Splurge | Hot springs | Check prices |
|
|
The Springs Resort & Spa
Hot-springs resort
|
Volcano road, hillside, La Fortuna & Arenal | Splurge | Volcano views and families | Check prices |
|
|
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails
Rainforest lodge
|
Southwest side of the volcano, La Fortuna & Arenal | Mid-range | Nature lovers and birders | Check prices |
|
|
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
Resort
|
Lake Arenal, near the dam, La Fortuna & Arenal | Mid-range | A quiet lakeside base | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Las Colinas
Town hotel
|
La Fortuna town center, La Fortuna & Arenal | Budget | A walkable town base | Check prices |
|
|
Essence Arenal
Eco-lodge
|
El Castillo, La Fortuna & Arenal | Budget | Eco and wellness on a budget | Check prices |
|
|
Arenal Backpackers Resort
Hostel
|
La Fortuna town, La Fortuna & Arenal | Budget | Backpackers | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Getting to La Fortuna
- From San José airport (SJO): about 3 hours by car through the mountains, via Ciudad Quesada or San Ramón. Shared shuttles run several times a day.
- From Liberia airport (LIR): about 3 hours, partly along the shore of Lake Arenal.
- From Monteverde: about 3.5 hours either by road around the lake (the last part is dirt; a 4x4 is recommended in the rainy season) or by the "jeep-boat-jeep" shuttle, which crosses Lake Arenal by boat.
- From the Guanacaste beaches: 3.5 to 4 hours from Tamarindo or Flamingo.
Arriving in the dark is the main thing to avoid. The mountain roads are narrow and unlit, and fog is common in the evening.
What to Do from Your Base
The main sights are all within 30 minutes of town: the La Fortuna Waterfall (about 530 steps down to the pool; around $20 entry), the lava-field trails in Arenal Volcano National Park (open daily 8 am to 4 pm, last entry 2 pm; tickets are sold at the entrance, by card only), the hanging-bridge parks near the lake, and the hot springs. Río Celeste is a long day trip at about 1.5 to 2 hours each way, or a good overnight stop on the way to Guanacaste.
When to Go
Arenal is greener and wetter than the Pacific coast. It can rain in any month, even in the "dry" season from January to April, though showers are usually short. In the rainy months, plan outdoor tours for the morning and hot springs for the afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.