Before You GoLa Fortuna
Best Time to Visit Costa Rica in 2026 (Month by Month)
The best time to visit Costa Rica is the dry season, mid-December to late April. San José airport averages under 18 mm of rain a month from January to March.
La Fortuna
The town under Arenal Volcano, with hot springs, waterfalls and hanging bridges a short ride away.
You can reach La Fortuna without a car. The regulator ARESEP sets the regular bus fare from San José on route 214 at ₡3,920, in force since 4 September 2026. If your bus stops in Ciudad Quesada, the second leg costs ₡1,700 on route 234 or ₡1,640 on route 286. The tourism board says the public bus takes longer than driving and may need one or two changes. It puts the drive at about 2.5 hours. A shuttle suits late arrivals and heavy bags. Get a written quote first.
Arenal Volcano National Park is about 15 km from town and open every day from 8:00 to 16:00. Entry is $16.95 for adult non-residents. You pay at the gate by card only. The tourism board says some hotels on the road to the park have hot springs in their own grounds. A hotel like that saves you a second ride. Use a taxi for the waterfall, and agree on the return time with the driver.
In La Fortuna, January to April are hot with less rain. May, June, September, October and November are the rainiest months. Across the country, the dry season runs from mid-December to late April, and it is also the busiest time. The cheapest time is the green season, May to mid-December.
Before You Go
