Where to Stay in La Fortuna with Kids: Best Areas & Family Hotels

If you're planning a family trip to La Fortuna, choosing where to stay can make a bigger difference than you might think.

The good news is that La Fortuna is relatively compact, so you're never far from the main attractions. The challenge is deciding whether you want to stay near town, in the countryside, or at one of the area's famous hot springs hotels. After spending several days in La Fortuna with our 7-year-old son Joshua, I can confidently say that where you stay shapes the entire experience.

Quick Answer: Best Areas to Stay in La Fortuna with Kids

For most families, there are three main options:

• Near La Fortuna Town – best for restaurants, shops and convenience

• Hot Springs Hotels Area – best for families, pools, slides and volcano views

• Countryside & Volcano View Hotels – best for nature, wildlife and a quieter experience

In this guide, I'll explain the pros and cons of each area, who they're best suited to and where I would stay if I was planning the trip again.

We chose a hot springs hotel just outside La Fortuna town and it ended up being one of the best decisions we made. We stayed at Hotel Los Lagos, which combined volcano views, hot springs, pools and waterslides while still being close to all the main attractions. In many ways, the hotel became an attraction in its own right and it's still one of the first things Joshua talks about when we mention Costa Rica.

What to see what Hotel Los Lagos has to offer? You can check the latest prices and room availability here to see if it fits your budget and travel dates.

Some of the links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hotels and services we'd genuinely use again as a family.

La Fortuna Is Small – But Location Still Matters

One thing that surprised me about La Fortuna was how easy it was to get around once we arrived. Most major attractions, including Mistico Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, wildlife tours and volcano viewpoints, are within 15–30 minutes of each other. That means you're never choosing between being close to attractions or spending hours travelling.

The bigger decision is choosing the type of experience you want. Some families prefer being near restaurants and shops in town. Others want volcano views, hot springs and a more resort-like atmosphere surrounded by nature.

We hired a car and found this made exploring incredibly easy. If you're considering driving, see Driving in Costa Rica with Kids

Before booking, I'd recommend reading Best Things to Do in La Fortuna with Kids to see where you'll likely spend most of your time.

Staying at a Hot Springs Hotel: Best for Families

If you're travelling with children, this is the option I would recommend first.

Hotels in this area often include:

• Hot springs

• Multiple pools

• Waterslides

• Volcano views

• On-site restaurants

• Family-friendly facilities

For us, this was one of the highlights of La Fortuna.

We stayed at Hotel Los Lagos, which included hot springs, large pools, waterslides and incredible views of Arenal Volcano. After spending the morning at waterfalls or rainforest trails, returning to the hot springs became part of the holiday experience.

Joshua loved the slides and pools, while we loved being able to relax in the hot springs after a busy day exploring. The main downside is that you'll almost certainly need a car, and you're usually a short drive from town rather than within walking distance. That said, we barely felt the need to leave for dinner because the hotel restaurant was good value and surprisingly family-friendly.

Recommended hotel: Hotel Los Lagos. Great value, family-friendly hot springs, waterslides, swim-up bar and incredible views of Arenal Volcano.

For our full experience, see Hotel Los Lagos La Fortuna Review

Staying Near La Fortuna Town: Best for Convenience

Staying close to La Fortuna town gives you easy access to restaurants, supermarkets, cafés and tour operators.

This area works particularly well for families who:

• Want lots of dining options nearby

• Prefer smaller hotels

• Don't want to rely on hotel restaurants

• Like being close to local amenities

The atmosphere feels more lively and practical than scenic. The downside is that many town hotels don't offer volcano views, hot springs or the nature-focused experience many families associate with Costa Rica. If you're planning to spend most of your days exploring, this can still be an excellent option.

Recommended hotel: Hotel Secreto La Fortuna. This small, family-friendly hotel is close to town, offers a pool and gardens, and gives families easy access to restaurants and shops without stretching the budget.

Staying in the Countryside: Best for Nature and Volcano Views

If your priority is peace, wildlife and incredible scenery, consider staying further out in the countryside.

Many countryside hotels offer:

• Incredible volcano views

• Wildlife around the property

• More space and privacy

• A quieter atmosphere

This is ideal for families who want a more immersive Costa Rica experience rather than being close to restaurants and shops. The trade-off is convenience. You'll definitely need a car, and restaurant choices may be limited compared to staying closer to town. For some families that's a downside. For others, it's exactly the reason they choose it.

Recommended hotel: Arenal Observatory Lodge. Located within a huge nature reserve near the volcano, it's one of the best options for wildlife-loving families and offers some of the most impressive volcano views in the area.

Tips for Choosing a Family Hotel in La Fortuna

A few things I'd check before booking:

• Is breakfast included?

• Does the hotel have a pool?

• How far is it from the main road?

• Is road access easy during rainy season?

• Does it include hot springs?

• Is the room large enough for your family?

• Do you need a 4x4 to reach the property?

• Are there restaurants on site or near by?

I'd also avoid booking somewhere extremely remote unless you're comfortable driving regularly. And don't forget to pack for the weather. See Costa Rica Packing List for Families: What to Pack in Rainy Season.

Final Thoughts: What Is the Best Area to Stay in La Fortuna with Kids?

For most families, I think staying at a hot springs hotel just outside La Fortuna town offers the best overall experience.

You get the volcano views, hot springs, pools and family-friendly facilities that make La Fortuna so special, while still being close to waterfalls, wildlife tours and the hanging bridges.

That's exactly why we chose Hotel Los Lagos, and looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. It gave us the perfect balance of adventure during the day and relaxation afterwards—and ended up being one of our favourite hotels in Costa Rica.

plan your TRIP TO costa rica

If you’re planning your family trip to La Fortuna, these guides will help you pull everything together:

About Plan Family Escapes

We’re a UK-based family sharing real, experience-led travel guides based on trips we’ve taken with our school-age son Joshua across destinations like Lapland, Turkey and India.

Everything we share is based on what we’ve personally experienced — with honest advice on what actually works when travelling with kids, focusing on making family travel easier, more comfortable and genuinely enjoyable.