La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Viewpoint Hike, Costa Rica
- Dr. K.
- Dec 1
- 5 min read
Travelers come to La Fortuna for two reasons that sit at the center of almost every itinerary: the La Fortuna waterfall and the Arenal volcano. We booked a tour that combined them into one day—waterfall first, lunch at a local soda, and then a hike to the Arenal volcano viewpoint. It turned out to be the right order, but also far more physical than we expected.
If you are planning this for the first time, understanding the terrain, steps, and footing makes a big difference in how enjoyable the day is.
La Fortuna Waterfall: Stunning, Steep, and Not a Casual Walk down or up!
Our day started at the waterfall. It sits on private land, open to the public with an entrance fee and well-maintained facilities. What catches most visitors off guard is not the waterfall itself—it’s the descent. The trail drops through roughly 500 steps, many of them steep, and all of them leading you directly to the base of the falls.
There is nothing technically difficult about the path. It’s solid and structured. But it is a real workout! Anyone with knee issues, back pain, breathing limitations, or serious mobility concerns should think carefully before attempting it.
During our visit, an older traveler in our group fell ill from the physical exertion and had to rest for quite a while. So, remember that this is not a gentle sightseeing stop; it’s a proper stair climb.
We went light, carrying only towels and phones, which helped. Water shoes were useful because the rocks below were uneven and slick. The waterfall area has two sections: the main pool—where you can stand in the cold water and feel the spray without swimming—and a calmer stream a few steps down, where many people choose to dip in.
That second area has plenty of small fish, something to be aware of if you’re not comfortable sharing the water with them.
I didn’t go fully in because of my ankle recovery, but the rest of my group did. Whether you go waist-deep, ankle-deep, or not at all, there’s something grounding about standing in that space. The only part that tests your limits is the climb back up. It is slow and tiring, but manageable if you have a basic level of fitness and take breaks when needed. For those with weak knees, braces certainly help.
Lunch at a Soda: A Simple, Local Pause Before the Afternoon
From the waterfall, our group went straight to lunch at Rancho soda—a small, local Costa Rican restaurant by Rainforest Explorers serving everyday meals. Before we arrived, our guide called ahead with everyone’s dietary needs, which made ordering seamless.
Lunch was simple and satisfying: rice and beans, plantains, salad, a yucca preparation, cheese and a pineapple pudding. We also tried “cas,” a tart guava drink that seems common here. The setting had a small open-air section where you could watch birds while waiting for your meal. After the physical effort of the waterfall, sitting in a quiet local place with a straightforward plate of food was exactly what we needed.
Arenal Volcano Viewpoint Hike: Rocky, Narrow, and Worth the Preparation
The afternoon was dedicated to the volcano. Arenal is one of Costa Rica’s youngest active volcanoes, with its last major eruption occurring in 1968 and its most recent notable activity ending in 2010. It is considered active but currently resting. What many travelers don’t realize is that you do not climb the volcano itself. You hike to a viewpoint that faces the volcano’s cone.
The trail starts gently and then transitions into long stretches of loose volcanic rock. The footing becomes uneven, and at times, the path narrows to allow only one direction at a time. We met people coming down as we were going up, and vice versa, so moving aside and waiting becomes part of the rhythm. This isn’t dangerous, but it does require paying attention to where you step.
This is where footwear matters. My water shoes were perfect for the waterfall but absolutely the wrong choice for this trail. I needed more ankle support and better traction. Many others wore running shoes or hiking shoes with a firmer base, and it made navigating the loose rocks easier. If you’re prone to ankle twists or have trouble balancing, this detail matters.
The hike itself is not technically challenging; it’s just uneven. I held on to my husband’s arm during a few stretches, especially on the descent. Another hiker ahead of us moved slowly because of knee issues, and that was perfectly fine—this is a trail where going at your own pace is important.
Once you reach the viewpoint, the payoff is immediate. On a moderately clear day like ours, you see the slope of Arenal rising above the landscape, along with smaller lagoons and ridges below. It’s a clean, unobstructed view with no railings and no constructed viewing decks—just nature and the trail you walked. It’s beautiful, but it also requires being mindful when taking photos because there are no built-in safety barriers.
We were glad we came earlier in the afternoon. When daylight fades, the rocky paths become difficult to see, and descending in the dark would not be ideal. Insect repellent helped too, especially when we paused to hear the guide explain the area’s geology.
What This Day Is—and Who It’s For
This day of waterfall + volcano is perfect for travelers who enjoy physical days. It’s active, sweaty, and rewarding. The waterfall descent is steep but doable, and the viewpoint hike is rocky but straightforward. If you’re reasonably fit or accustomed to long walks or stair-climbing, the day feels challenging in a good way.
But it is not the right itinerary for every traveler. Seniors with mobility issues, anyone with chronic knee or back pain, or those with breathing limitations will struggle with either the steps or the volcanic rocks. Parents with very young children may also find parts of the day difficult unless they opt for a private guide and flexible pacing.
The good news is that both activities can be booked individually. If you have mixed abilities in your group, it might make sense to separate the experiences rather than package them into one big day.
As for us, we finished the day tired, happy, and grateful that we came prepared. The waterfall was spectacular, the lunch was honest and local, and the volcano viewpoint was beautiful.
Undoubtedly, a physically demanding day, but with realistic expectations and the right shoes, it becomes one of those cornerstone memories of a Costa Rica trip—one that mixes effort, nature, and the satisfaction of reaching places you can’t get to without a bit of work.
