La Fortuna in April: Weather, Hot Springs, Arenal Walks and Holy Week

Early in the morning, before the tour vans arrive, mist slides off the flanks of Arenal and the town’s central park fills with the sound of birds and the smell of fresh bread and coffee. April in La Fortuna is the tail end of the drier months, when the volcano shows its perfect cone more often and the lowland forest still has some green left from the last rains. It is a good month for hot springs, hanging bridges and lake views, with a Holy Week crowd to plan around.

Arenal Volcano above the fields near La Fortuna in the dry season · Illustration

What is the weather like in La Fortuna in April?

April is warm, humid and usually pleasant, with mornings that often start clear and showers that tend to come later in the day.

Month	Average high (°F)	Average low (°F)	Rain days
March	81.7	67.7	6.8
April	83.8	69.5	7.2
May	82.0	70.8	20.1

Mornings are the best hours here. The air is soft, the sky is often open, and the volcano has its best chance of showing itself before clouds gather around the summit. Nothing is guaranteed, since Arenal makes its own weather, but planning the views for the early hours gives you the better odds. By midday it feels properly tropical, warm enough for a T-shirt and a swim.

Rain in April comes in short bursts rather than all-day gray, and many days pass with none at all. When it does fall, it is usually in the afternoon or evening, often as a warm shower that passes in an hour or so. This is the northern lowlands, so the ground stays damp and the forest keeps its dripping green even in a drier month.

Evenings are mild enough to eat outside and to soak in a hot spring under the stars without shivering on the walk back to the changing room. Bring a light rain jacket, since a shower can catch you on a trail. Daylight lasts a little over twelve hours, so the light fades in the early evening and dinner tends to start early.

What to do in La Fortuna in April

The big date of the month is Holy Week, which moves every year. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays, most businesses close, and Costa Rican families head for the beaches and, in this case, the hot springs and rivers around Arenal.

If your dates fall in that week, expect a festive, crowded atmosphere in town. April 11 is Juan Santamaria Day, another national holiday, honoring the young drummer boy who became a national hero.

Food is a pleasure in itself here. Ask for a casado, the midday go-to at little mom-and-pop spots called sodas, with rice, beans, plantain, salad and your choice of chicken, fish or beef. For breakfast, gallo pinto brings rice and beans together in the pan with onion and cilantro, typically served alongside eggs and a spoonful of sour cream. Fresh fruit juices, cold from the blender, suit the afternoon heat.

Arenal Volcano and the lava-flow trails

The trails wind through secondary growth and across hardened flows, with the cone rising above you whenever the clouds allow.

Set out at first light, since temperatures are lower then and the peak tends to be unobstructed more frequently. Birds are active in the morning, and a patient walker may hear howler monkeys in the distance or spot toucans and other colorful birds in the canopy.

These are possibilities rather than guarantees, and most visitors encounter wildlife by taking a guided walk. Wear shoes with real grip, since volcanic rock is uneven and can be slick after a shower. Park regulations can shift, so look at the official park page before you head out.

Hot springs after a day outdoors

For wrapping up a day near La Fortuna, nothing beats a soak in the hot springs. Warm, mineral-rich water runs through a series of pools of different temperatures, set among tropical gardens, with swim-up bars at the larger resorts and simpler, cheaper river-side options at smaller ones. In April the evening air is mild, so stepping out of the water is comfortable.

Late afternoon into evening is the favorite time, when the heat of the day has eased and the lights come on among the plants. Choose a big resort complex if you want dining, slides and a lively scene, or a quieter place if you prefer silence and the sound of the forest. Either way, the pools suit adults and families alike, and a soak is a good answer to a day of walking.

Waterfall, hanging bridges and the lake

At the base of a long forest stairway, La Fortuna Waterfall spills into a pool of deep green. Head out during the cooler morning hours and take it slow, since the descent is steep and the trek back up will work you hard. The falls are most impressive when there has been some rain in recent weeks, which April often delivers.

Hanging bridges take you into the canopy on a series of trails and suspended walkways, a good option for birdwatching. Arenal Lake, the large reservoir beside the volcano, offers views, boat rides, kayaking and windsurfing when the breeze is up. A morning at the bridges and an afternoon on the lake make an easy pairing.

In town, the central park is the place to sit on a bench at dusk, watch families stroll and let the day wind down. Small shops sell coffee, chocolate and local crafts, and ice cream stands do steady business in the warm evenings.

A two-day itinerary for La Fortuna in April

Day 1 is for the volcano and the town. Start at first light with breakfast at a local soda, then head for the Arenal lava-flow trails while the air is cool and the summit is more likely to be clear. Walk slowly, listen for birds and take the views as they come. Return to town by midday for a casado and a cold fruit juice.

Spend the early afternoon resting, since showers often arrive then. As the day cools, head to a hot spring and stay through sunset. Have dinner at one of the town’s restaurants, then turn in early. If the rain sets in, a long soak in the pools is the perfect answer.

Day 2 belongs to water and canopy. Go to the waterfall early, when the stairs are cooler and the pool is quieter, and allow time for a swim only where the site permits it. Afterward, head to the hanging bridges for a canopy walk, ideally with a guide who can spot the birds and sloths you would otherwise miss.

In the afternoon, go to Arenal Lake for a boat ride, a kayak or simply a lakeside lunch with a view across the water. If the weather turns, spend the time in a café in town. Finish with a relaxed dinner and a stroll around the central park.

Is La Fortuna busy in April?

It can be, especially in Holy Week, but outside that stretch April is steady rather than packed.

Holy Week is the busy one. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays, businesses close and Costa Rican families travel, so hot springs, rivers and lodgings fill with local visitors. Expect lively crowds, full parking areas and a holiday mood, with some shops and restaurants closed for the holidays themselves. The days around that week are noticeably quieter.

Because Holy Week moves every year, check the calendar before you choose dates. Book early if you will be there around it, since rooms, rental cars and tables at popular restaurants go first. For the other weeks of April, booking can wait a little longer, though the best places for the dates you want still reward planning ahead.

Day-trip crowds tend to gather at the waterfall, the larger hot springs and the lake in the middle of the day. Going early to the trails and saving the hot springs for evening is a simple way to find more room. For sites you care about, look at the official page of the place for current rules.

What to pack for La Fortuna in April

Pack for warm days, wet trails and cooler evenings, with a bag that can handle a sudden shower.

A light rain jacket, since afternoon showers can arrive without much warning.
Hiking shoes with good grip for lava flows and slippery forest steps.
For the hot springs, pack a swimsuit plus a towel that dries fast.
Sunscreen and a hat for the bright morning hours.
Insect repellent for the forest and evenings.
A small dry bag to protect phones and cameras.

Good to know before you go

The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2, ‘Exercise increased caution,’ due to crime; it says petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica and that violent crime also affects tourists, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault.

April sits before the wetter months, so the weather is easier than it will be a few weeks later, but Holy Week reshapes the calendar. Plan the most popular rooms and rental cars first, and expect many businesses to close on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Avoid cramming too much into one day.

La Fortuna in April vs March and May

Moving a month earlier, to March, gives slightly cooler days and a similar rhythm of mostly manageable rain. The trails are in good shape, and you miss the Holy Week crowds if Easter falls later in the year. The forest is a little drier, which some travelers prefer for walking and others find less lush.

Moving a month later, to May, changes the character of the trip. Rain becomes a near-daily feature, with a good chance of showers on most days. The forest turns thick and green, rooms are easier to find, and the crowds thin, but the clear volcano views you might hope for are harder to catch, and afternoons are often wet.

If you want the best chance of dry morning hikes and clearer views, stay with April or go a little earlier. If you like lush forest and don’t mind rain, May has its charm. Travelers who want to avoid family holiday crowds should look at dates outside Holy Week.

Is April a good time to visit La Fortuna?

Yes, April is a good time for travelers who want warm days, hot springs and a fair chance of volcano views, as long as they plan around Holy Week.

It suits hikers, families, couples and anyone who likes to pair a morning walk with an evening soak. It suits less well those who want empty trails during the holiday week or who dislike any chance of rain. Sort out your lodging and transport first, then schedule the outing you most want for the morning.

What makes April special here is its position at the turn of the season. The forest still holds the green of recent rain, the mornings open onto a volcano that often shows itself, and evenings are made for lingering in warm water while the first showers of the coming months gather far off.

Sources

Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 10.4679N 84.6427W, checked October 8, 2026
sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, checked October 8, 2026
U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Advisory, issued April 1, 2026 (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/costa-rica-travel-advisory.html), read via the State Department open data API on October 8, 2026