Finding Magic in La Fortuna

There’s something about La Fortuna, Costa Rica that sticks with you long after you leave. Maybe it’s the way the Arenal Volcano looms quietly in the distance, always watching. Maybe it’s the warm rain that shows up out of nowhere, only to give way to the most vibrant sunsets. Or maybe it’s the feeling that life here moves at just the right pace making it slow enough to notice the details, but full of little adventures around every corner.

I didn’t go to La Fortuna expecting magic, but I found it everywhere.

The town itself is small and welcoming. Nothing fancy, but full of heart. Colorful buildings, friendly smiles and the hum of travelers and locals blending into one. The town has an effortless charm. 

What really got me, though, was the nature. Everywhere you turn, something is growing, blooming or buzzing. Lush green stretches as far as the eye can see, and the sound of rushing water is never far off. One day I hiked through the rainforest, crossing hanging bridges with views that took my breath away. Another day I soaked in hot springs, tucked beneath palm trees while mist rose into the cool air. It felt surreal, like I’d stepped into one of those dreamy travel documentaries. This was real, though, and I was in it.

The wildlife was just as alive as the landscape. Bright blue butterflies, howler monkeys off in the trees and the frogs with colors so vibrant they almost didn’t seem real. Even a simple walk turned into something special. You never know what you’ll come across in La Fortuna, and that’s part of the fun.

But what I’ll remember most isn’t one big moment. I’ll remember the feeling I carried every day I was there as I experienced a  mix of wonder, ease and quiet joy. There’s something healing about this place. It reminds you to look up. To slow down. To breathe deeper. To appreciate the little things.

If you ever get the chance to visit, go. Don’t overplan. Let La Fortuna surprise you. And trust me, it will!