Where to Stay in La Fortuna Costa Rica for Every Budget

Where to stay in La Fortuna depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for, but honestly, you can’t go wrong in this jungle paradise. 

I did a ton of research (so you don’t have to!) and stayed in two hotels during my four days in La Fortuna, Costa Rica: one budget and one more luxurious with hot springs, and loved them both.

You’ll need to book in advance (I made some mistakes here that I’m glad you can learn from), but no matter what, I’m certain you’ll have an amazing trip.

Whether you’re looking for luxury villas with private plunge pools or affordable family-friendly hotels surrounded by wildlife, here’s everything you need to know about the best hotels in La Fortuna.

Where to Stay in La Fortuna: Quick Guide

Where to Stay in La Fortuna: Map & Neighborhood Guide

Here’s the thing about La Fortuna: you don’t need to stress about staying in the central downtown area. The town itself is small and charming, but the real magic happens when you venture out into the surrounding jungle and volcanic landscape (you can find my complete guide to La Fortuna here!). 

You’ll probably spend your time visiting Arenal waterfall or the Mistico hanging bridges, and being central to downtown isn’t necessary. Even if you don’t have a car, you can eat at the hotel nights you want to stay in and either walk somewhere nearby or take a taxi if you want to go out.

We had a car and walked to dinner one night and drove other nights.

The closer you are to downtown La Fortuna, the cheaper and more basic the hotels tend to be. But that doesn’t mean you should automatically book there. 

Some of the best accommodation options are actually just outside the town center, surrounded by lush rainforest with better volcano views.

I stayed at places that weren’t in the middle of downtown, and it worked out perfectly. We had plenty of restaurant options around our hotels, and getting around was never an issue. Plus, the jungle setting made every morning feel like waking up in a nature documentary.

Tour companies will also pick you up from any hotel in the La Fortuna area, so location really isn’t a limiting factor for activities.

You can use Ubers, taxis, or transportation that your hotel can arrange. 

Trust me, prioritize the hotel experience over proximity to town.

Luxury Hotels in La Fortuna with Hot Springs

If you’re looking to splurge on your La Fortuna vacation, these luxury hotels in La Fortuna deliver experiences that are worth every penny. Each one offers direct access to thermal pools, making them perfect for post-adventure relaxation (maybe with a mai tai?).

You need to book these hotels in advance (I did that wrong, so they were sold out when I tried to reserve), ideally 3 months out. They’re popular for a reason and will fill up quickly in high season.

Nayara Springs and Nayara Gardens

Nayara is hands down one of the most luxurious options for where to stay in La Fortuna. This resort actually consists of two properties: Nayara Gardens (family-friendly) and Nayara Springs (adults-only).

Nayara Springs is pure jungle luxury and it’s the kind of place that makes you question why you ever stay anywhere else.

Each private villa comes with its own thermal plunge pool fed by natural hot springs. You literally roll out of bed and slip into volcano-heated water while surrounded by rainforest.

If you’re looking for where to stay in La Fortuna and you have an elevated budget, this is it. 

The service is impeccable, the setting is completely secluded, and you’ll have unobstructed views of Arenal Volcano from your villa. It’s adults-only, making it perfect for honeymoons or romantic getaways where you want to disconnect from everything except each other.

Nayara Gardens is an amazing option of where to stay in La Fortuna with kids. It also offers amazing, more spacious villas and the pool is fun for the whole family without being overwhelmingly crowded.

The spa treatments at both hotels use indigenous Costa Rican ingredients, and the restaurants serve farm-to-table cuisine that’s as stunning as the setting.

Yes, they’re expensive, but if you’re celebrating something special or just want to experience La Fortuna, Costa Rica in total luxury, this is it.

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

Tabacon is the hotel I wish I had planned ahead enough to book and is undeniably one of the best hotels in La Fortuna. This is where you go if direct access to the most famous hot springs in La Fortuna is your priority.

The resort is right next to the Tabacon River, which is naturally heated by Arenal Volcano. Guests get unlimited access to the thermal pools and can walk from their room directly into the natural, river-fed hot springs surrounded by jungle.

It’s the kind of setting that feels completely wild and untouched yet somehow curated and elegant.

The pools themselves are incredible. Natural rock formations, waterfalls cascading into different temperature pools, and lush vegetation everywhere you look.

My cousin’s wife described the spa massages here as “life changing,” and given how stunning the grounds are, I totally believe it.

You need to book Tabacon about 3 months in advance, especially during peak season. I was too late and I’m still devastated about missing out. Learn from my mistake and book early if this is on your list.

You can also book a day pass if you want to stay somewhere cheaper but visit for a day (you need to book these in advance as well).

The Springs Resort & Spa

The Springs Resort offers another luxury option with multiple levels of thermal pools, waterfalls, swim-up bars, and some of the best views of Arenal Volcano you’ll find anywhere. 

Rates typically start around $400+ per night, making it a more accessible luxury option compared to Nayara.

What sets this Springs Resort apart is their on-site wildlife sanctuary. You can combine your hot spring soaks with animal encounters, spotting exotic birds, sloths, and other Costa Rica wildlife without leaving the property.

The resort has several restaurants, including one with panoramic arenal volcano views that’s perfect for sunset dinners. The rooms are spacious and modern, with private terraces where you can drink your morning coffee while watching the mist clear from Arenal’s peak.

Day passes are available here if you’re staying elsewhere but want to experience their thermal pools, but staying on-site gives you unlimited access and the best times to enjoy the pools before day visitors arrive.

This hotel is perfect for families too, with activities suitable for all ages.

Where to Stay in La Fortuna: Best Mid-Range Hotels

On most of my vacations I tend to book an “affordable luxury” hotel for at least part of the time, so I was excited to include some great options in this La Fortuna hotel guide. If you want resort amenities and hot springs but don’t want to drop $500+ per night, these mid-range spots are perfect. 

You’ll pay around $120-$300 per night and get way more than you’d expect for the price.

Arenal Manoa Resort & Spa

This is where I stayed for the “splurge” portion of my La Fortuna trip and it was wonderful. What can I say? Give me a book, a hot spring, and a mojito and I’m a happy girl.

If you want a resort-style stay with its own thermal pools, Arenal Manoa is an amazing mid-range luxury option that gives you serious bang for your buck. Rates typically range from $150-$300 per night, making it incredibly good value.

The property is huge, with multiple thermal pools spread throughout the grounds. You can always find a quiet spot to relax, whether you want to socialize at the main pool or find a secluded corner for some peaceful soaking. They offer a great happy hour too, which became our daily ritual.

The landscape is absolutely gorgeous. Everywhere you look, there’s lush tropical leaves, colorful flowering plants, and perfectly manicured gardens. The views of Arenal Volcano are spectacular, especially from the pool areas.

Wildlife is everywhere on the property. I saw more colorful birds during my stay here than on some dedicated birding tours. Toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, and dozens of species I couldn’t identify were constantly flitting around the gardens.

But honestly, one of the best parts of our trip was the breakfast buffet. It’s insanely good. Tons of fresh tropical fruit, made-to-order eggs, authentic Costa Rican gallo pinto, fresh pastries, and enough high-quality coffee to fuel a full day of hiking and exploring. 

Of course, my boyfriend ate Froot Loops every day, but you do you.

The rooms are modern and spacious, with comfortable beds and all the amenities you need. It wasn’t the most luxurious room I’ve ever stayed in, but the patio and bathrobe situation was truly lovely.

Tifakara Boutique Hotel & Birding Oasis

Tifakara Boutique Hotel & Birding Oasis is a boutique hotel in La Fortuna located right next to La Fortuna Falls, about a ten-minute drive from the city center. 

Fair warning: you’ll probably need a car because it’s a bit out of the way, but the location next to the waterfall makes it worth it.

The hotel has an excellent restaurant and the staff is amazing and welcoming. In the morning, you can see the Arenal Volcano from the pool, which is pretty incredible. If you’re into birding or just want a unique location that’s close to one of La Fortuna’s main attractions, this place delivers.

The boutique setting means you get way more personal attention and it’s much quieter than the big resorts.

Fortuna Retreat

Fortuna Retreat offers gorgeous villas with absolutely stunning views of the Arenal Volcano from your balcony. The view is so good that guests often have dinner early just to catch the sunset from the balcony. That’s how spectacular it is.

The rooms are very spacious and comfortable, and the staff is friendly and helpful. You can book activities directly through the hotel, which makes planning way easier. The breakfast is located in the hotel next door and is very good. 

They can even pack breakfast to go on tour days, which is super convenient.

They also have a butterfly oasis that hotel guests can visit for free, and it’s really cool. It’s basically like having your own nature walk right at your hotel.

Budget Hotels in La Fortuna 

You don’t need to blow your entire travel budget to stay somewhere great in Arenal. These affordable hotels in La Fortuna prove you can have an amazing experience without spending a fortune. You’ll pay <$100 per night for these properties that deliver way more than you’d expect.

Hotel Roca Negra del Arenal

I booked Hotel Roca Negra as my budget choice and ended up completely obsessed with it. 

Sometimes you find those hidden gems that punch way above their price point, and this was definitely one of those places. At around $65-$80 per night, it delivers an experience that rivals much more expensive options.

The gardens here are absolutely stunning. Everywhere you look, there are tropical flowers, gigantic green leaves, and little seating areas where you can relax with a book or just soak in the jungle atmosphere.

There’s also chickens on the property (hello fresh eggs at breakfast!) that you’ll see roaming about!

The pool is lovely and so is the hot tub, which is genuinely hot (trust me, this isn’t always the case at budget hotels). After a full day of hiking and adventure activities, sinking into that hot tub was pure bliss.

But the views of Arenal really made me fall in love with this place. Waking up every morning and stepping outside to that jaw-dropping volcanic backdrop was absolutely unreal. 

The rooms are clean and comfortable with everything you need. They even have new Presidential suites that we stayed in that were still super affordable and very spacious.

The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful with activity recommendations and transportation. The location puts you close to restaurants and tour operators, but far enough from the main tourist crowds to feel peaceful.

For the price point, Hotel Roca Negra delivers an experience that rivals much more expensive options. The combination of beautiful grounds, volcano views, and genuine hospitality made this one of my favorite stays in all of Costa Rica. 

I just can’t recommend this place enough.

Cabanas del Rio

Cabanas del Rio is definitely basic, but in the best way possible. It’s a B&B run by a kind couple people love, and while the accommodations are simple, the room is clean and comfortable.

The real highlights here are the wonderful breakfast and a unique Costa Rican experience they offer: a night search for ranas (frogs). This is such a fun and uniquely Costa Rican activity that you won’t find at most hotels. It’s perfect if you want an authentic, local experience rather than a polished resort stay.

If you’re looking for a budget option that has some character and lets you experience real local culture, this is a great pick. Just don’t expect fancy stuff; the charm here is the genuine hospitality and cool experiences you won’t get elsewhere.

Hotel Villas Vilma

Hotel Villas Vilma offers a lovely view of Arenal Volcano and is fantastic accommodation in an incredible setting. The property has a beautiful garden, great pool, and hot tub – solid amenities for a budget hotel.

The location is excellent, near some good restaurants, so you’ll have dining options within walking distance. The volcano views, nice pool and hot tub, plus being close to good restaurants makes this a really solid budget choice. Way better than you’d expect for the price.

This is perfect for travelers who want to spend their money on activities rather than accommodation but still want comfortable rooms and great views.

Vacation Rentals and Villas for Groups or Families

If you’re traveling with a group or family, vacation rentals in La Fortuna through VRBO can be a total game-changer and there’s a lot of supply in Arenal. 

You get way more space for your money, and La Fortuna has some incredible villa options with private pools and jungle views for days. 

You can expect to pay $150-$400+ per night depending on the size and amenities, which becomes a steal when you split it among multiple people.

Casa Vista Arenal (4-Bedroom Villa)

Good god I wish I had seen this villa before I booked a hotel (though I will certainly be using it for my next trip!) This particular villa is absolutely amazing for groups and family accommodation in La Fortuna. 

We’re talking four bedrooms, a private pool, and jungle views for days. The property sits on elevated grounds with unobstructed views of Arenal Volcano and the surrounding rainforest area.

Getting Around La Fortuna

One of the best things about choosing where to stay in La Fortuna is that transportation is straightforward no matter where you end up booking.

Tour Pickups

Pretty much every tour company in La Fortuna will pick you up right from your hotel. Whether you’re staying at a luxury resort outside town or a budget hotel in the center, tour operators include transportation as part of their service.

This means you don’t need to worry about getting to activity starting points. Companies like the ones I used for my safari float tour and Mistico Hanging Bridges visit will handle all the logistics. 

Even if you’re staying outside the main town area, they’ll find you.

Rental Cars

I personally loved having a rental car during my time in Costa Rica. It gave us complete freedom to explore at our own pace, visit multiple hot springs, and take scenic detours whenever something caught our eye.

If you’re considering renting a car, I have a complete guide to driving in Costa Rica that covers everything from road conditions to parking tips. 

You don’t need a 4×4 for La Fortuna’s main attractions, though the extra clearance doesn’t hurt on some of the more remote hot spring roads. Most of the best activities in La Fortuna are just a short drive from any hotel in the area.

Having a car also made it super easy to hop between different hotels in La Fortuna with hot springs and try day passes at places we weren’t staying. 

Plus, you can easily visit nearby attractions like Fortuna Waterfall, which is only about a 10-minute drive from most hotels.

Taxis and Transportation

Taxis are readily available in La Fortuna and drivers are used to taking tourists to all the popular attractions. Just make sure to agree on the price before getting in, since most taxis don’t use meters. Your hotel can help you call one.

Uber exists in La Fortuna but it’s pretty limited and unreliable. You might find a few drivers, but don’t count on it being available when you need it. Taxis are definitely the more dependable option.

A lot of hotels can also arrange private transportation to activities or other destinations. This is usually more expensive than taxis but can be worth it for the convenience and reliability.

Where to Stay in La Fortuna: Frequently Asked Questions

Where to Stay in La Fortuna: Final Thoughts

After staying at both budget and mid-range luxury places in La Fortuna, I can honestly say that any of these options will give you an amazing base for exploring this incredible region of Costa Rica.

The key is figuring out what matters most to you. If direct access to premium hot springs is your thing, book Tabacon Thermal Resort or Nayara well in advance. 

If you want resort amenities with great value, Arenal Manoa delivers everything you could want. 

If stunning volcano views and authentic Costa Rica hospitality are what you’re after, Hotel Roca Negra will blow your mind.

The variety of La Fortuna hotels means there’s something for every budget and travel style. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, family vacation, or adventure trip with friends, you’ll find a place that makes your stay awesome.

Just remember to book early, especially for the luxury hot springs resorts and during peak dry season (December through April). 

Cheers to your next adventure 🇨🇷 🌋