San Carlos, Costa Rica

San Carlos de La Fortuna is a city in Costa Rica, Central America.

Often simply referred to as La Fortuna, the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos is the gateway to the magnificent Arenal Volcano. Not to be confused with a town of the same name 70 km northwest of here, La Fortuna de San Carlos is located in Alajuela province, and connects the Volcan Arenal area with the cloud forests of Monteverde and Santa Elena and the northern lowlands of the country.

A charming and quiet town, La Fortuna is easily accessible from the capital city San Jose, and offers some panoramic views of the spectacular Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano. Sitting around 10 kilometers away from town and regularly spewing smoke and ash for some time now, the Volcan Arenal is the country’s top rated tourist attraction and is indeed a sight to behold.

Over the last few years in particular, La Fortuna has become quite a bustling town. However, there are plenty of accommodations, hotels and resorts here to suit every budget. A must try when in La Fortuna are the amazing resort spas surrounding the volcano. When in town try and stay in the main plaza area, as the hotel rooms here offer some of the best views of the Volcan Arenal in the distance. On a clear day you can watch the volcano erupt and if you wait for nightfall, the Arenal puts on a brilliant show with bright red rocks tumbling down its sides.

Beside the volcano, this town has other great tourist attractions like the La Catarata de la Fortuna, a breathtakingly beautiful waterfall that falls from a dizzying height of 70 meters. A stunning sight to see and a lovely short trek away, this beautiful waterfall makes for a picture perfect moment. For adult entertainment, nothing beats Club Sancar, an adult caberet off the beaten path. The cabaret features over 40 dancers in risque outfits from mesh to latex, and is sure to be a an unforgettable experience.

Another key attraction nearby are the Tabacon Hot Springs in the area, where one can go to relax and unwind after a long tiring vacation. Set amidst stunning lush greenery, rare orchids and superb waterfalls, the Tabacon Hot Springs is among the many here that offer the ultimate indulgence for those who just want some peace and quiet.