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La Fortuna Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Costa Rica)
La Fortuna has 8 documented tourist scams across 4 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated moderate. The most commonly reported risks are Hot Springs Bait-and-Switch, Volcano View Tour Misrepresentation, Shuttle Transfer Overcharge.
La Fortuna is a small town in Alajuela province at the base of Arenal Volcano, the primary gateway for tourists visiting Arenal Volcano National Park, the La Fortuna Waterfall, and the region's hot springs. The town's entire economy is tourism-dependent, and intense competition among local tour operators, hot springs resorts, and transport providers creates significant price variation and misrepresentation risk. Travelers arrive primarily from San José by road and are targeted heavily on arrival.
Tour & Activities scams are the most documented risk in La Fortuna — 5 of 8 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 5 →
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Last updated: April 7, 2026
Hot Springs Bait-and-Switch
La Fortuna has a spectrum of hot spring facilities ranging from free roadside springs to premium resort pools charging $80-120 USD. Tour operators in town sell "hot springs access" at mid-range prices ($30-50) but deliver access to low-quality or overcrowded facilities that differ from what was shown in promotional photos.
La Fortuna central park tour operator offices, hotel tour desks, roadside operator stands on the road toward Arenal
How to avoid: Book hot springs directly with the facility (Baldi, Tabacon, Eco Termales) rather than through intermediary tour operators, who add a commission and sometimes substitute venues. Ask specifically which hot spring facility your ticket admits you to.
This scam type is also documented in Tamarindo.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Low Risk
La Fortuna · Costa Rica · Central America
Open map →Where These Scams Are Most Active in La Fortuna
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Hot Springs Bait-and-Switch
Tour & ActivitiesLa Fortuna central park tour operator offices, hotel tour desks, roadside operator stands on the road toward Arenal
Volcano View Tour Misrepresentation
Tour & ActivitiesLa Fortuna central park tour kiosks, hotel tour desks throughout town
Shuttle Transfer Overcharge
Taxi & TransportSan José hotel tour desks, La Fortuna central park transport operators, online booking platforms
Adventure Tour Hidden Costs
Tour & ActivitiesLa Fortuna central park adventure tour operators, Arenal Mundo Aventura area booking offices
Waterfall Unofficial Guide Fee
Tour & ActivitiesLa Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata La Fortuna) trailhead approach, parking area at the top of the falls
Fake Arenal National Park Tickets
Tour & ActivitiesArenal Volcano National Park entrance road, unofficial vendors near the parking area
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
Quick Safety Tips for La Fortuna
Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.
- Book hot springs directly with the facility (Baldi, Tabacon, Eco Termales) rather than through intermediary tour operators, who add a commission and sometimes substitute venues. Ask specifically which hot spring facility your ticket admits you to.
- Understand that Arenal is not actively erupting and visible lava flows are not part of any legitimate tour. Book tours with an explicit weather-contingency refund policy and read recent visitor reviews mentioning actual volcano visibility.
- Book shuttles through established companies (Interbus, Grayline, Gecko Trail) directly. Compare quotes for identical routes — any significant deviation from the $40-55 USD range should be questioned.
- Request a fully itemized all-in quote before booking. Ask specifically whether transport, equipment, park entry, and insurance are included. Compare total costs between operators before committing.
- Walk directly to the official ticket booth — do not hand money to anyone before reaching it. The official fee covers trail maintenance and is posted at the booth. Unofficial collectors sometimes wear similar-looking vests to legitimate staff.
How it works
La Fortuna has a spectrum of hot spring facilities ranging from free roadside springs to premium resort pools charging $80-120 USD. Tour operators in town sell "hot springs access" at mid-range prices ($30-50) but deliver access to low-quality or overcrowded facilities that differ from what was shown in promotional photos.
How it works
Tour operators sell "Arenal Volcano night tours" promising clear views of lava flows and volcanic activity. Arenal has been in a resting phase since 2010 and visible lava flows do not exist, yet some operators imply active volcanic spectacle. On cloudy days, the volcano is not visible at all, and no refund is typically offered.
How it works
Shared shuttle services from San José to La Fortuna should cost $35-55 USD per person, but some operators in San José and at the La Fortuna end quote $80-120 per person for the same route, claiming "private" or "direct" service that is standard. Return shuttles are similarly inflated.
How it works
Zip-lining, white-water rafting (Río Toro, Río Sarapiquí), and canyoning tours in the Arenal area are quoted at base prices that exclude mandatory equipment rental, transport to the site, park fees, and gratuities that operators describe as "customary." Final costs are often 40-60% above the advertised price.
How it works
At the La Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata La Fortuna), unofficial guides position themselves at the trailhead collecting "environmental fees" or "trail maintenance fees" before tourists reach the official ticket booth. The legitimate entry fee is paid at the official booth operated by the local ASADA community organization.
How it works
Individuals near the Arenal Volcano National Park entrance sell unofficial "entry tickets" or "guide services" that are not recognized at the official SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas) booth. The park has a fixed entry fee payable only at the official booth.
How it works
Rental car companies serving La Fortuna, particularly smaller local operators, claim damage at vehicle return that was pre-existing or not caused by the renter, leveraging Costa Rica's rough roads as justification. Some companies photograph damage only from unflattering angles at return, not at pickup.
How it works
Sodas (small local restaurants) immediately adjacent to Arenal Volcano National Park entrance and on the main tourist road charge tourist prices for casado (rice and beans plate) and other local dishes that are two to three times higher than the same meal in La Fortuna town center.
La Fortuna Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in La Fortuna?
Are taxis safe in La Fortuna?
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Which areas of La Fortuna should tourists be most careful in?
How can I avoid being scammed in La Fortuna?
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Safety guides for La Fortuna
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the Central America region. Before visiting Tamarindo, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for La Fortuna are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →