La Fortuna is the town at the foot of Arenal Volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations for hot springs, hanging bridges, waterfalls and rainforest. There is a huge range of lodgings, from cheap rooms in town to hot-spring resorts with volcano views.
Finding cheap rooms in Arenal & La Fortuna is easier when you know where to look. We compare live hotel rates across the top booking sites and point you to the neighborhoods where hotels are cheap but the location is still great.
Rooms come in more shapes than hotels — in Arenal & La Fortuna you can also compare apartments with kitchens, vacation rentals for families, B&Bs and budget hostels in one search.
The cheapest base, with guesthouses, restaurants and tour operators within walking distance.
Hotels and lodges west of town with volcano views and easy access to the hot springs.
Quiet lakeside lodges and small hotels around the reservoir, toward Nuevo Arenal.
A small village on the far side of the volcano, with peaceful lodges and views.
Zoom and pan the map to compare hotel prices by neighborhood; rates come live from the booking sites.
The drier months (roughly January–April) give the best chance of clear volcano views; it can rain at any time, and green-season rates are lower.
La Fortuna town has the widest choice of budget hotels and guesthouses; lodges with volcano views and hot springs cost more.
It has been in a resting phase for years, so you will not see lava — but the cone and the hot springs remain the big attraction.
Shuttles and buses run from San José and Liberia, and many travelers drive; the trip takes a few hours either way.