# Most Popular Destinations in Costa Rica – La Fortuna de San Carlos > La Fortuna de San Carlos is the town at the foot of Arenal Volcano, in Costa Rica's northern lowlands, and a base for the national park, the 70-meter La Fortuna waterfall and adventure tours. It suits a few days of nature and activity before or after a beach retreat, and some lodges nearby offer yoga. Source: https://costarica-yoga-retreats.com/popular-destination-in-costa-rica-la-fortuna-de-san-carlos/ Last checked: 2026-11-04 **Update, November 2026:** We've rechecked every place in this article. We couldn't confirm that New York Grill n Pizza or Alberto's Horses Tours are still operating, so we've removed them; the other places listed here have working websites or recent reviews. La Fortuna de San Carlos, usually just called La Fortuna, is a small town in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica at the foot of Arenal Volcano. It has grown into a busy travel base, with hot springs, hanging bridges, waterfalls and adventure tours all within a short drive. ![Arenal Volcano with a red lava flow on its slope above a river, photographed before the eruptions stopped in 2010](/static/img/old/2012-09-la-fortuna.webp) ## Arenal Volcano Arenal's near-perfect cone dominates the view from town. It was quiet for centuries until a large eruption in 1968 destroyed nearby villages, and it then stayed active for decades. According to Costa Rica's tourism board, its lava flows dropped sharply after July 2010, and the volcano has been in a resting stage since. You won't see glowing lava any more, but you can walk the trails over old lava flows in Arenal Volcano National Park, whose entrance is about 16 km from the center of La Fortuna. ## La Fortuna waterfall The Catarata Río Fortuna drops about 70 meters into a pool in the forest just outside town. It's run by ADIFORT, La Fortuna's community development association, which uses the entrance fees for local projects. The path down has about 530 steps, so it's a good workout on the way back up, and you can swim in the river below the falls. ## Where to stay These are long-standing places from our original list, rechecked in November 2026. Check each website for current rates. ### Nayara Gardens ![Nayara hotel and spa under blue sky](/static/img/old/2012-09-nayara.webp) The hotel we first wrote about as Arenal Nayara is now Nayara Gardens, one of 3 Nayara properties near the volcano along with Nayara Springs and Nayara Tented Camp. It has private casitas in lush gardens and a spa. ### Leaves and Lizards ![Collage of farm life, wildlife, rafting, kayaking and horseback riding near Arenal](/static/img/old/2012-09-leaves-and-lizards.webp) Leaves and Lizards is a small rural retreat near La Fortuna, with 10 private cabins on 30 acres of hills, a working farm and views of the volcano. Its website lists a covered yoga deck and yoga classes, horseback riding, forest trails and river access, with a minimum stay of 3 nights. ### Tree Houses Hotel ![uniquely designed tree house](/static/img/old/2012-09-tree-house1.webp) Tree Houses Hotel has 7 tree houses in the forest at Santa Clara de San Carlos, outside the main tourist area of La Fortuna. It suits you if you'd rather stay somewhere quieter and drive in for tours. ## Where to eat ### Don Rufino ![spacious dining hall at don rufino](/static/img/old/2012-09-don-rufino.webp) A chef-led restaurant in the center of La Fortuna that mixes Costa Rican cooking with international dishes. It's one of the town's more upmarket places to eat, and its website lists it as open daily from noon. ### Kappa Sushi ![A dish at Kappa Sushi](/static/img/old/2012-09-kappa-sushi.webp) A small sushi restaurant in central La Fortuna, with vegetarian and vegan options and recent reviews from 2025. ## Things to do ### Ecoglide Arenal Park ![Woman in a helmet hanging from a zipline harness among the trees](/static/img/old/2012-09-arenal-canopy.webp) A canopy park about 3.5 km west of the church in La Fortuna. Its zipline tour has 11 cables, 13 platforms and a suspension bridge, and there's a Tarzan swing for the brave. ### Horseback riding to the waterfall ![Riders on horseback and loose horses on a green hillside](/static/img/old/2012-09-horses-tour.webp) Several tour operators in town run horseback rides to the La Fortuna waterfall, usually finishing with a short walk down to the falls. Some lodges, such as Leaves and Lizards, also have their own horses. ## Yoga near Arenal La Fortuna is more about adventure than yoga, but you can fit some in. Leaves and Lizards lists yoga classes on its deck, and [Rancho Margot](/rancho-margot/), an eco-lodge by Lake Arenal, offers yoga classes to its guests. You can pair a few days at Arenal with a week at a yoga retreat on the Pacific coast; our guide to [where to do yoga in Costa Rica](/where-to-do-yoga-in-costa-rica/) compares the regions and drive times. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Arenal Volcano still active? It has been in a resting stage since 2010, when its lava flows dropped sharply, according to Costa Rica's tourism board. You won't see lava today, but you can hike the old lava flows in the national park. ### How tall is La Fortuna waterfall? About 70 meters, according to ADIFORT, the community association that runs it. The path down has about 530 steps. ### Can you swim at La Fortuna waterfall? Yes. ADIFORT says you can swim in the river in front of the falls. ### Is there yoga in La Fortuna? A little. Some lodges, such as Leaves and Lizards, list yoga classes, and Rancho Margot by Lake Arenal offers yoga to its guests.