La Fortuna in February: Weather, Hot Springs and What to Do Around Arenal

On a February morning in La Fortuna, the steam from the hot springs hangs low in the cool air, and the cone of Arenal Volcano sometimes shows itself above the town square before the clouds close in. Toucans and oropendolas call from the trees along the road, and the cafés on the main street fill with the smell of fresh coffee and gallo pinto. February sits in the drier part of the year here, which makes it a good month for waterfalls, hanging bridges and long soaks in warm water.

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

What is the weather like in La Fortuna in February?

February in La Fortuna is warm by day, pleasantly cool at night and noticeably less rainy than January, though it is not a dry month. Showers still come through, so a rain layer belongs in the bag.

Month	Average high (°F)	Average low (°F)	Rain days
January	77.6	67.1	12.9
February	79.4	66.9	8.1
March	81.7	67.7	6.8

Mornings are the best hours of the day. The air is fresh, the light is clear, and this is when the volcano is most likely to be out of the clouds, although nothing guarantees a view. By midday it feels properly warm, enough for a T-shirt on the trails and a swim suit at the springs.

Rain here comes from the Caribbean influence on the northern lowlands, so it can fall at any hour and not only in the afternoon as on the Pacific side. February averages fewer rainy days than January. Roughly one day in four brings a shower worth noticing.

Evenings cool down just enough for a light sweater on a terrace, and the warm pools feel especially good after dark. Days are close to twelve hours long, so plan the outdoor things for the morning and keep the springs for late afternoon and night. Trails can be muddy even after a dry spell, so shoes with grip matter more than a fancy outfit.

What to do in La Fortuna in February

February is a month of outdoor days in La Fortuna. The drier stretch of the year gives you better odds on the trails, the waterfall steps and the lake, and the town itself feels busy and relaxed at once, with tour vans leaving early and visitors drifting back by late afternoon for a soak.

The area’s signature is its hot springs, heated by the volcano. Options run from basic neighborhood pools to large resort spreads with plenty of pools at varying temperatures, and February’s chillier evenings turn them into an easy way to wrap up the day. Pick a simple pool if you like a low-key evening, or a larger complex if you want waterslides, swim-up bars and a dinner included.

The waterfall and the forest trails

The La Fortuna waterfall is the town’s best-known sight, a tall ribbon of water falling into a green pool at the bottom of a forested gorge. Go early, when the light is soft and the tour groups have not yet arrived.

In February the forest is lush but the ground is less soaked than in the wetter months, which helps on the muddy sections. Bring shoes with a good grip and keep your phone in a bag, because mist from the falls drifts widely. Afterward, the trails and quiet roads nearby are good for birdwatching, with toucans, motmots and oropendolas among the regulars you may spot.

Hanging bridges and the volcano

The hanging bridges run through the canopy near the volcano, a series of walkways above ravines and tall trees. The best window is in the morning, with cooler air and busy birds, and most visitors join a guided walk to find sloths, monkeys and colorful birds. Treat any wildlife as a chance, not a promise, and be ready for the clouds to roll in over the forest.

Arenal Volcano shapes the whole visit even when you cannot see its summit. On clear mornings the cone is a perfect shape against the sky, and you can watch it from the town, from the lake shore or from a lodge terrace.

Lake Arenal and the afternoon pause

Lake Arenal, the large reservoir beside the volcano, is a good half-day away from the springs and waterfalls. Boat rides, kayaking and lakeside cafés fill the hours, and the breeze off the water keeps the heat gentle. The lake is also known as a windy place, so a light jacket is welcome on the water.

For lunch, look for a soda, the small family restaurant that serves a casado, a plate of rice, beans, plantains, salad and a choice of chicken, fish or beef. Fresh fruit juices, coffee and a slice of tres leches round out an easy afternoon. Many travelers then head to the springs as the light fades.

If rain turns the day gray, the springs are the obvious answer, since a warm pool in light rain is one of the pleasures of the area. Chocolate and coffee tours, cooking classes and a slow afternoon in town cafés also work well when the hills are hidden in cloud.

A two-day itinerary for La Fortuna in February

Day 1 begins early at the La Fortuna waterfall, while the air is cool and the stairs are quiet. Walk down, take your time at the bottom, then climb back up before the heat settles in. Return to town for a late breakfast of gallo pinto and eggs at a café near the square.

Spend midday with a casado at a soda and a rest, then head out in the afternoon to a hot spring complex. Start with the cooler pools and move up in temperature as the light fades. Dinner can be at the springs or back in town, and the evening air is cool enough that a sweater feels good on the walk. If rain sets in, simply stay in the water.

Day 2 starts with the hanging bridges, again early, when birds are active and the forest is quiet. Walking with a guide improves your odds of spotting sloths and monkeys, though nothing is certain. By late morning, drive or ride toward Lake Arenal for a lakeside lunch.

In the afternoon, take a boat ride or a kayak on the lake, with the volcano as a backdrop if the clouds allow. Sunset over the water is a quiet end to the trip, with dinner at a restaurant on the lake road. On a wet day, swap the water for a chocolate or coffee tour and a slow meal in town.

Is La Fortuna busy in February?

Yes, February is a busy month in La Fortuna, since the drier weather brings many visitors from North America and Europe to the northern lowlands. Tour vans leave early, the best springs fill by late afternoon, and popular restaurants have waiting lists at dinner.

Rooms, rental cars and tour spots go first, so book them well ahead, especially for school breaks and holiday weeks. Quieter weeks in the middle of the month are easier, though it still pays to reserve a few weeks early rather than wait until arrival.

What stays calm is the early morning. Trails and waterfall steps are quieter before the first buses arrive, and the streets feel local until mid-morning. If a particular park, trail or boat needs a reservation, check the park’s official page, since rules change. For the rest, the best habit is to book the big things first and leave the evenings flexible.

What to pack for La Fortuna in February

Pack for warm days, cool nights and a shower that can arrive at any hour. Light layers and shoes you do not mind getting muddy will do most of the work.

A light rain jacket, because showers pass through even in the drier season
Shoes with good grip for the waterfall stairs and muddy trails
A swimsuit and quick-dry towel for the hot springs
A sweater or light fleece for cool evenings and the breeze on the lake
Sunscreen and a hat for the sunny hours between showers
Insect repellent for the forest walks at dawn and dusk
A waterproof bag for your phone near the falls and on the boat

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.

February is a good month to plan around mornings. Start outdoor activities early, keep the springs for the late afternoon, and leave a buffer in case showers move in. The Caribbean influence means rain is possible on any day, so do not count on a perfectly dry window.

Book the springs, the tours and your rooms first, and leave the meals flexible. Remember that rules at the national park can change, so check its official page.

La Fortuna in February vs January and March

Moving the trip a month earlier brings more rain, with showers on many days and more mud on the trails. January is still a lively month for visitors and a good one for the springs, but the waterfall and bridge walks are wetter, and the volcano is more often hidden in cloud.

A month later, March is warmer and drier, with the best chance of clear mornings and firmer ground on the trails. The trade-off is heat in the middle of the day and plenty of visitors, so rooms and tours need the same early booking, if not earlier.

Choose February if you want a balance, with enough dry hours for the outdoors and cool evenings for the springs. Shift to March if you care most about dry trails and sunshine, and to January if you accept more rain for a slightly cooler, greener feel.

Is February a good time to visit La Fortuna?

Yes, February suits most travelers who want waterfalls, hanging bridges and hot springs without the heaviest rains of the wetter months. It is especially good for first-time visitors, couples, families with older children and anyone who likes to hike in the morning and soak at night.

Travelers who want empty trails and quiet streets may prefer another time of year, since the drier weather draws crowds. Anyone who dislikes any chance of rain should also remember that this side of the country is never fully dry.

Let the weather guide the order of your plans. Spend the first morning at the waterfall while the stairs are quiet, and keep the first evening for a warm pool. February here means steam rising off the pools at dusk, with the volcano sometimes showing itself behind the trees.

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