La Fortuna / Arenal (Alajuela Province, Northern Highlands)

La Fortuna & Arenal — Costa Rica's Most Spectacular Nature Destination

La Fortuna sits at the base of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica's northern highlands, about 3 hours from San José and the international airport. It is the most dramatically beautiful expat area in the country — Arenal Volcano dominates the skyline, natural hot springs flow through the surrounding landscape, and the rainforest begins where the town ends. For expats who moved to Costa Rica specifically to live closer to the natural world, La Fortuna is often the answer.

The town itself is small and genuine — a real working Costa Rican community that also happens to sit in one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. Toucans, sloths, howler monkeys, and hundreds of bird species are part of daily life here. World-class hot springs, a 230-foot waterfall, hanging bridges through the cloud forest, and more adventure activities than most people can get through in a year are all within a short drive.

La Fortuna is also the most affordable major expat area in Costa Rica. Comfortable couples budgets start around $1,800 to $2,500 per month — significantly less than any beach town and well below Escazú or Tamarindo. The combination of spectacular natural environment and low cost of living is genuinely rare and is the core reason the area continues to attract expats looking for something different from the typical beach town experience.

The trade-offs are real and worth knowing. La Fortuna receives 140 to 160 inches of rain per year — it is lush and green because it rains constantly. The nearest major hospital is 3 hours away in San José. The Pacific coast is over 3 hours in any direction. For expats who need regular specialist healthcare, frequent airport access, or easy beach trips, these distances matter. For those who don't — and who find the volcano, the hot springs, and the rainforest to be enough — La Fortuna tends to become a permanent home rather than a temporary one.

Daytime temperatures range from 75°F to 90°F (24°C to 32°C) with nights cooling to 65°F to 72°F (18°C to 22°C). A/C is rarely needed but a good rain jacket is essential year-round.

Thinking About Making La Fortuna Home?

La Fortuna is just one piece of the picture. If you're seriously researching a move to Costa Rica, these guides will help you build the full picture:

• Cost of Living in Costa Rica

• Best Places to Live in Costa Rica

• Residency and Visas

• Pros and Cons of Living in Costa Rica

• Moving to Costa Rica

• Costa Rica Relocation Checklist