La Fortuna
In recent years La Fortuna has become one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica due to its proximity to Arenal Volcano. Despite the popularity, and tourism being the primary driver of the local economy, Fortuna has somehow managed to maintain a small town feel. The people here are friendly and eager to please. Small shops, restaurants and tour desks line the streets. There is a large park in the center of town with tropical gardens in front of the famous Fortuna Catholic Church. All of which is overshadowed by the magnificent Arenal Volcano.
Cerro Arenal (Arenal Hill) came roaring back to life on the morning of July 29, 1968 after almost 400 years of dormancy. The large eruption buried the nearby villages of Tabacon, San Luis and Pueblo Nuevo killing nearly a hundred people. After which tourists from all over the world began to descend on the area in hopes of seeing lava spewing from the jungle lined volcano.
These days, the conical volcano is still active though considered safe as it experiences small mini eruptions regularly. These mini eruptions release the energy and magma that is constantly churning below. Though the lava flow changes often, it is most often seen on the southwest side of the volcano and tour operators run tours to see the lava nightly. Visitors should keep in mind that there are periodic times where the volcano does not erupt for extended periods or cannot be seen due to climatic reasons
Of course, not everybody that visits La Fortuna has an opportunity to see the entire volcano or lava flows as it is often covered with low lying tropical clouds, but a trip to the local hot springs is just as rewarding. Like a new age Garden of Eden, Tabacon is the most popular and natural, located along the Tabacon River. Other favorites include Baldi Hot Springs which is a great option for families, or Eco Termales which is a good alternate when Tabacon is full.
La Fortuna is regarded by many as the Adventure Capital of Central America. There are plenty of organized tours available such as whitewater rafting, canopy zipline, canyoneering, hot springs, hanging bridges, wildlife observation boat tours and many others.
The Northern Zone is an area of fairly unpredicatble weather where one can wake to sunny skies, weather torential down pours by 10am and then have sunny skies again by noon. Temperatures usually hovering in the upper 70s during the day and lower 60s at night. The rain season here runs from May through June and September through November. The heaviest rains are generally during September and October. Worth mentiong is the fact that despite the rains, September and October are usually the best months of the year for volcano observation. Though clearly not scientific, locals attribute this to the heavy rains knocking down the cloud cover around the volcano.
Visitors should pack shorts, tee shirts, appropriate shoes, rain gear, sun block. It is also advised to bring at least one pair of pants and a long sleeve shirt.
Fun Fact: The Arenal Volcano area has the highest concentration of hotels with natural hot springs.
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