Frequently asked questions
About the guide
Does HeyArenal charge anything or ask me to sign up?
No. The whole guide is free and you do not need an account, a membership or to share your details. Saved places are stored only in your browser. It is Juan's personal project to give back to La Fortuna; it is not a tourism office or a registered organisation. More about the project.
What does "free" mean in this guide?
That you can enjoy it without paying admission and without being forced to buy anything. Even so, each page lists what can cost money: transport, parking, optional purchases. A mandatory donation counts as a cost, and nothing inside a paid venue is presented as free.
We use two labels: Free, when there are no relevant conditions, and Free with conditions, when there are hours, risks or indirect costs you should know about.
Why are there so few places in the catalogue?
Because we only publish what we could verify with sources, and in La Fortuna almost every well-known attraction charges admission. We would rather give you a short, reliable list than a long one that leaves you at a locked gate. What we could not verify yet is under review, with what is missing, and what charges is in What isn't free.
Where do the distances and times come from?
They are driving estimates from La Fortuna's central park, calculated with a router on OpenStreetMap data, without traffic or stops. When a guide or news outlet gives a different figure, we say so on the page.
Did you visit these places in person?
This version is based on sources consulted online (the date appears on each page). Each page shows three dates: when the text was updated, when the sources were consulted and, if there is one, when it was checked in person. Right now no page has an in-person check.
How do I report a change or suggest a place?
From Suggest or report. The form prepares an email to hola@heyarenal.com that you send from your own email account. Nothing is published automatically; we check every contribution against sources before changing the guide.
Where are my saved places stored?
Only in your browser, on this device. They are not sent to any server. If you clear your browser data or switch devices they are lost; to move them, use "Share my list" in My list.
Do the guides and businesses in the directory pay to be listed?
No. Listing is free for everyone and HeyArenal takes no commission. Before publishing we check basic facts, such as each guide's ICT credential, but we do not rate service quality. Their services are paid, and the directory is kept separate from the catalogue of free things. See the directory or list a business.
Is it free…?
Are there free hot springs in La Fortuna?
The stretch known as El Chollín, on the Tabacón River, does not charge admission, but legal access has been disputed since 2025, so we have it under review. Do not confuse it with Choyín Río Termal, a private business that does charge. The other hot-spring resorts charge admission or a day pass.
TVN Noticias (Canal 14, San Carlos), Teletica (MasQN), Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa
Is La Fortuna Waterfall free?
No. According to its official website, admission is US$20 for foreigners and US$10 for Costa Rican nationals; children under 8 enter free. It is run by ADIFORT, La Fortuna's development association, which reinvests the money in the community.
Is Arenal Volcano National Park free?
No, except on certain days. According to SINAC, every 24 August entry is free for everyone, and on the third Wednesday of each month it is free only for nationals and residents. SINAC does not confirm these days specifically for Arenal or say whether a booking is needed. The dates are on the events page.
SINAC — Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal, SINAC — Servicios en línea (preguntas …
Can I camp for free in La Fortuna?
We found no free place where it is allowed. Camping is not permitted in Arenal Volcano National Park, the lake has been a protected area since July 2026 and its use rules do not exist yet, and on private land you need the owner's permission. There are paid campsites, from one 1 km from downtown to several on the lakeshore. See campsites and rules.
SINAC — Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal, La Gaceta – Alcance 85 a La Gaceta 122…, El Financiero – Acampar en Costa Rica:…
Safety
Can I climb Arenal Volcano or Cerro Chato?
No. Climbing Arenal's cone is strictly prohibited and SINAC does not authorise entry to Cerro Chato. Entering unauthorised areas of a national park carries a fine of almost ₡1.4 million.
SINAC — Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal, El Observador CR – Alertan por turismo…, CR Hoy – 4 personas estrenan multas po…
Is it safe to swim at El Salto?
We cannot say it is safe. Two people died at that pool in 2026, and there were other deaths in 2021 and 2024. If you decide to go, respect the 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours, do not go in if it is raining or has rained heavily, get out if the water changes colour and never go alone. Read the full page.
Can I feed the animals I see?
No. Costa Rica's Wildlife Conservation Law fines anyone who feeds wild animals without SINAC authorisation, and the Environment Ministry (MINAE) asks people not to touch, catch or feed animals.
Delfino.cr – Sala IV avala prohibición…, Delfino.cr – MINAE y SINAC recuerdan l…
What number do I call in an emergency?
9-1-1. It covers the whole country, the call is free and it works from any phone.
Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 – Pregunt…, Sistema de Emergencias 9-1-1 – Inicio
Getting around
Can I do all this without a car?
You can walk around downtown La Fortuna. For everything else you need transport. Travel guides and the bus company Transpisa mention a La Fortuna–Tilarán bus along the lake, but it is not in ARESEP's fare list and we found no official timetable, and we found no reliable bus route to El Castillo. El Salto is 1.8 km away by road, but we found no information about sidewalks, so we do not suggest walking there.
Arenal Volcano Costa Rica (guía), Seven Tours (operador turístico), Transpisa – sitio de la empresa de bus…, ARESEP – Datos abiertos, pliego tarifa…
How much is the bus from San José to La Fortuna?
The ARESEP-regulated fare for the San José–Ciudad Quesada–La Fortuna section (route 214) is ₡3,920, in force since September 2026; seniors pay ₡2,940. ARESEP does not publish timetables, so confirm them at the terminal. All fares are in how to get there.
How do I get from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
There are two driving routes. The traditional one goes around the lake via Tilarán, about 111 km; the ICT estimates about 3 hours. The new one goes via El Castillo and a bridge over the Caño Negro River, about 76 km, but part of the road is unpaved. By bus we found no official La Fortuna–Tilarán service; from Tilarán, bus 598 does go to Monteverde. The "jeep-boat-jeep" is a paid private transfer. See the routes.
ICT — Mini guía La Fortuna (flipbook, …, Enrutador FOSSGIS/OSRM sobre datos de …, News in America (nota con fuente ICT), El Observador CR – Asociaciones de des…, ARESEP – Datos abiertos, pliego tarifa…
Weather and volcano
When can I see the volcano?
Nobody can guarantee it. The volcano is often clouded over. According to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), it rains all year in the Northern Zone, with somewhat less rain in February, March and April.
Costa Rica Vibes — 30 Best Things to D…, IMN – Clima de la Zona Norte (PDF)
Is it cold in Ciudad Quesada or Monteverde?
Ciudad Quesada is cooler and much wetter than the rest of the Northern Zone, with average lows of 18.9 °C and 4,468 mm of rain a year (IMN, 1961–1990). Monteverde really is cold for Costa Rica, with an average low of 15.0 °C. Bring warm layers if you go to either. See the weather.
IMN – Clima de la Zona Norte (PDF), IMN – Clima del Pacífico Norte (PDF)