La FortunaLa Fortuna de San Carlos

The questions people ask first about La Fortuna, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
• SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
• Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
• TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
• SafetyLa Fortuna is a small, busy tourist town and violent crime is rare.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee₡1,000–2,000
• Beerbar / supermarket₡2,000–3,500₡1,000–1,500
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in town₡2,000–4,000
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₡8,000–15,000
• Museum or sight ticketHot springs entry, adultUS$47–89 (check)
• Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCRC 12,000
• Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCRC 65,000
• High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCRC 130,000

A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 25,000 · Mid CRC 55,000 · High CRC 110,000

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

SJO Juan Santamaría International, San José (About 3–3.5 h by road; shared shuttles from about US$30, private transfers more) · LIR Daniel Oduber Quirós International, Liberia (About 2.5–3 h by road; useful if you fly into Guanacaste first) · FON Arenal/La Fortuna domestic airstrip (Domestic flights from San José or Quepos, roughly US$90; small planes, weight limits apply (check))

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

₡25,000–40,000 excl. bed

Mid

₡45,000–80,000 excl. bed

High

₡90,000+ excl. bed

• The volcano has not erupted since 2010: no lava at night, whatever a tout tells you.
• Cloud is the norm: book the volcano hike for your first clear afternoon, not your last morning.
• Hot springs during heavy rain: colder rainwater mixing with warm spring water raises the infection risk; go when it is dry.
• Tabaconcito, the free river spot across from Tabacón, has no facilities and no lights after dark: bring a torch.
• Bus timetables out of La Fortuna are unreliable and touts exploit it; arrive early and plan an hour of slack.
• Card and cash: dollars are widely accepted, but small sodas and taxis prefer colones.