Resorts and Hot Spring Hotels in Fortuna, Costa Rica

About Fortuna

Fortuna is the gateway to Arenal Volcano, a green, humid corner of Costa Rica where volcanic heat feeds some of the country's best-known thermal waters. A resort stay here is about slowing down. Mornings suit a hike or a horse ride, afternoons suit a long soak, and evenings are for a massage or a drink at the bar. It works for couples, families and groups of friends who want nature and comfort in the same trip, with excursions easy to add when the mood strikes.

The four hotels we sell in Fortuna share the essentials, including free WiFi and free parking, but each has its own character. Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort is a four-star with a hot spring bath and a public bath, plus a heated pool and an outdoor pool. It also has a spa with massage services and private-pool suites and a villa, and guests rate it 9.3 from 2,298 reviews. The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal is a five-star with a 9.5 rating from 563 reviews. It pairs a hot spring bath, outdoor pool and water slide with a spa offering massage, sauna, steam room and hammam. Several Vista room types have marbled baths with hot tubs, and balconies come with hammocks and rocking chairs. Guests there can also go hiking, horse riding, canoeing, fishing and cycling.

For a quieter, grown-up escape, The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort - Adults Only is a five-star with a hot spring bath, an open-air bath and a hot tub/jacuzzi. Its suites have balconies facing Arenal Volcano. The outdoor pool has a shallow end and a pool bar, the Loto Spa offers sauna, massages and facials, and the fifth-floor Lava Bar looks out over Arenal Park. Casa Luna Hotel & Spa is a four-star with rooms that look to Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato Hill. It has an outdoor pool with a shallow end, a kids' pool and a pool bar, as well as a hot spring bath, a hot tub/Jacuzzi and spa services. Luna Grill, a bar, a snack bar and a coffee shop cover meals, and guests rate it 8.9 from 1,769 reviews.

When to go

Fortuna is warm all year, so there is no bad time for a soak in the hot springs. The drier months, roughly December to April, usually bring the clearest skies and the best chance of seeing Arenal Volcano without cloud, which makes them popular. From about May to November the region is in its green season. The rainforest is at its lushest, showers tend to arrive in the afternoon, and mornings are often bright. Cloud can cover the volcano's summit at any time of year, so treat a clear view as a bonus. Warm thermal water feels especially good on a cool, drizzly evening. Pack light layers and a rain jacket whatever the month.

Tips for your trip

• Choose by the kind of stay you want. Adults-only calm at The Royal Corin, a family-friendly pool setup at Casa Luna Hotel & Spa, or private-pool suites at Arenal Manoa Hot Springs Resort.
• Free parking is available at all four hotels, so a rental car is an easy way to explore the Arenal area at your own pace.
• Book spa treatments and any hiking, horse riding or canoeing early in your stay so you can fit them around your soaking time.
• Bring a rain jacket and sturdy shoes. Rainforest weather changes quickly, and trails and paths can be damp at any time of year.
• If you want a volcano view from your room, check the room type name before booking. Rooms with Arenal Volcano views are offered at Casa Luna Hotel & Spa, and the Royal Corin has suites with balconies facing the volcano.

Frequently asked questions