SeasonMapWhat's on in La Fortuna, Costa Rica through the year
La Fortuna, Costa Rica has 5 curated events through the year — 2 holidays and 3 seasons. The ones to plan around: Rivers at full flow (September) and Dry season and clear Arenal (January). January, March and April are its peak-crowd months.
Updated September 2026 · every event curated and sourced · dates for 2026 where they are announced, the usual window where they are not
La Fortuna events and crowds by month
| Month | What starts | Crowds |
|---|---|---|
| January | Dry season and clear Arenal | Peak crowds |
| February | — | Busy |
| March | Semana Santa | Peak crowds |
| April | — | Peak crowds |
| May | Green season | Shoulder season |
| June | — | Quiet |
| July | — | Shoulder season |
| August | — | Shoulder season |
| September | Rivers at full flow | Shoulder season |
| October | — | Quiet |
| November | — | Quiet |
| December | Christmas and New Year | Busy |
January in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in January →Peak crowds — Dry season and clear Arenal, Christmas and New Year
- Season
Dry season and clear Arenal
15 Jan – 30 Apr · usuallyCrowdedThe best run of the year for actually seeing the cone: it is usually out at breakfast and gone under cloud by mid-morning. It is also when every hot spring and hanging bridge is at capacity.
Still on: Christmas and New Year (18 Dec – 3 Jan)
February in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in February →Busy — Dry season and clear Arenal
Nothing new starts in February.
Still on: Dry season and clear Arenal (15 Jan – 30 Apr (usually))
March in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in March →Peak crowds — Dry season and clear Arenal, Semana Santa
- Holiday
Semana Santa
29 Mar – 5 AprEaster & Holy WeekCrowdedBook earlyThe busiest domestic week of the year. Hot springs sell out, the road in from San Ramon is nose to tail on the Thursday, and Costa Rican families take the cabinas that tourists usually get. Source ↗
Still on: Dry season and clear Arenal (15 Jan – 30 Apr (usually))
April in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in April →Peak crowds — Dry season and clear Arenal, Semana Santa
Nothing new starts in April.
Still on: Dry season and clear Arenal (15 Jan – 30 Apr (usually)), Semana Santa (29 Mar – 5 Apr)
May in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in May →Shoulder season — an ordinary month
- Season
Green season
1 May – 30 Nov · usuallyMonsoonRain most afternoons, rates down, waterfalls at full noise. Arenal makes its own cloud, so the volcano is a lottery in these months whatever the forecast for the town says.
June in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in June →Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in June.
Still on: Green season (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))
July in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in July →Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in July.
Still on: Green season (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))
August in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in August →Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month
Nothing new starts in August.
Still on: Green season (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))
September in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in September →Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month
- Season
Rivers at full flow
1 Sep – 15 Nov · usuallyHigh waterRiskThe Balsa and the Toro run hardest in September and October and the rafting grades go up with them. After a heavy night the Rio Celeste loses its blue for a day or two, which catches people out.
Still on: Green season (1 May – 30 Nov (usually))
October in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in October →Quiet — one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in October.
Still on: Green season (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), Rivers at full flow (1 Sep – 15 Nov (usually))
November in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in November →Quiet — one of its worst months for weather
Nothing new starts in November.
Still on: Green season (1 May – 30 Nov (usually)), Rivers at full flow (1 Sep – 15 Nov (usually))
December in La Fortuna
La Fortuna weather in December →Busy — Christmas and New Year, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it
- Holiday
Christmas and New Year
18 Dec – 3 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook earlyCosta Rican families fill the cabinas and the hot springs from Christmas into the first week of January, and the restaurants around the park run one sitting straight into the next. Source ↗