What Can You Do in La Fortuna with $100? (A Perfect Day)

Everyone asks us: "Is La Fortuna expensive?" Instead of just telling you, we decided to show you. We spent a full day in La Fortuna with a $100 budget—and we didn't just survive, we had an incredible day. Waterfall, free swimming hole with a rope swing, hot springs at night, and three amazing meals. Here's exactly how we did it.

The Setup: Staying in Downtown La Fortuna

First tip: stay in downtown La Fortuna, not at a resort 5km away. There are dozens of beautiful, affordable hotels right in the center—Hotel Las Colinas, Hotel Lomas del Volcán, Arenal Backpackers Resort, and many more. Walking distance to restaurants, shops, and the bus station. No taxi needed just to get breakfast.

We woke up in the center of town, ready to see how far $100 could take us.

7:30 AM — Breakfast at Soda Viquez

We walked five minutes to Soda Viquez, near the bus station. Gallo pinto with eggs, fried plantains, fresh juice, and coffee. The kind of breakfast that fuels you for a day of adventure. And here's the surprise: they bring you FREE arroz con leche (rice pudding) for dessert. At breakfast.

• Gallo pinto breakfast with coffee and juice: $7
• Running total: $7

9:00 AM — Taxi to La Fortuna Waterfall

We grabbed a taxi from the center to La Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata La Fortuna). The ride takes about 10 minutes. Yes, you could rent a car, but for a day trip, a taxi is simpler and you don't have to worry about parking or insurance.

• Taxi from downtown to waterfall: $15
• Running total: $22

9:30 AM — La Fortuna Waterfall

The entrance fee is $18 for adults. Worth every colón. You'll walk down about 500 steps through lush jungle to reach the base of a 70-meter waterfall. The mist hits your face before you even see it. The pool at the bottom is freezing cold and absolutely perfect after the walk down.

Take your time. Swim if you want. Get the photos. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Costa Rica, and it's right here.

• La Fortuna Waterfall entrance: $18
• Running total: $40

11:30 AM — Walk to El Salto (Free Swimming Hole)

Here's where it gets good. Instead of taking a taxi back, we walked downhill from the waterfall area toward El Salto—a free swimming hole that most tourists don't know about. It's part of the same Fortuna River, downstream from the waterfall.

El Salto has a rope swing hanging about 15 feet above turquoise water. Locals come here after work. Kids jump off rocks. It's the real La Fortuna—no entrance fee, no crowds, no tourists. Just a beautiful river and a rope swing.

There's a small parking area with a guy watching cars for about $2. No bathrooms or facilities—wear your swimsuit under your clothes.

• El Salto swimming hole: FREE
• Parking tip: $2
• Running total: $42

1:00 PM — Lunch at Soda La Hormiga

We walked back to town (or you can grab a cheap taxi) and headed straight to Soda La Hormiga, right next to Mega Super in downtown La Fortuna. This is where locals eat. Menu on the wall, plastic chairs, telenovela on the TV in the corner.

We ordered casados—the traditional Costa Rican lunch plate. Rice, black beans, salad, fried plantains, and chicken. Fresh natural juice included. Total cost? About 3,000 colones. That's $5 for a meal that fills you up completely.

• Casado at Soda La Hormiga: $5
• Fresh juice: included
• Running total: $47

3:00 PM — Rest and Explore Town

After lunch, we walked around La Fortuna's center. Grabbed a coffee at a local café ($2), bought some fruit from a street vendor ($2), and picked up water and snacks at Mega Super for later ($3). Sometimes the best part of travel is just wandering.

• Afternoon coffee: $2
• Fruit and snacks: $5
• Running total: $54

6:00 PM — Dinner at Soda D'Mi Tierra

For dinner, we switched it up and went to Soda D'Mi Tierra. The owner cooks every dish herself, and you can taste the difference. We got the fish casado—perfectly seasoned, huge portion, served with rice, beans, salad, and plantains. Another incredible meal for almost nothing.

• Fish casado at Soda D'Mi Tierra: $8
• Running total: $62

8:00 PM — Hot Springs at Night

The perfect end to a perfect day: hot springs under the stars. La Fortuna has options for every budget.

We chose Baldi Hot Springs ($34 with our local connection—normally $44). Over 25 thermal pools at different temperatures, swim-up bars, waterslides, and volcano views. We soaked for three hours, switching between hot and cold pools, watching the stars come out.

Other options: Ecotermales ($45) for a quieter, more intimate experience with only 80 guests allowed. Or if you're really on a budget, there are basic local hot springs starting at just $8.

• Baldi Hot Springs: $34
• Running total: $96

10:30 PM — Nightcap

We had $4 left. Just enough for two Imperial beers at a local bar on the walk back to the hotel. We sat outside, tired and happy, talking about the waterfall, the rope swing, the hot springs. A perfect day.

• Two Imperial beers: $4
• Final total: $100

The Final Breakdown

• Breakfast at Soda Viquez: $7
• Taxi to waterfall: $15
• La Fortuna Waterfall entrance: $18
• El Salto parking tip: $2
• Lunch at Soda La Hormiga: $5
• Afternoon coffee & snacks: $7
• Dinner at Soda D'Mi Tierra: $8
• Baldi Hot Springs: $34
• Two beers: $4
• TOTAL: $100

What We Did With $100

• ✓ Three full meals at local sodas
• ✓ One of Costa Rica's most beautiful waterfalls
• ✓ Free swimming hole with rope swing (local secret)
• ✓ Hot springs at night with volcano views
• ✓ Coffee, snacks, fruit, and two beers
• ✓ An unforgettable day

The Point

La Fortuna isn't expensive. The tourist bubble is expensive. If you eat where locals eat, know about free spots like El Salto, and stay in town instead of isolated resorts, your money goes incredibly far.

Could you spend $300 in a day here? Easily. Tabacón hot springs alone is $99. Hotel restaurants charge $25 for the same casado you can get for $5. Taxis to resorts add up fast.

But you don't have to. With $100 and a little local knowledge, you can have one of the best days of your trip.