In November, the clouds settle low over the Arenal Volcano in the early morning and the pastures around La Fortuna steam as the sun finally breaks through. Come afternoon, the rain beats against tin roofs, and folks pack the town’s sodas, asking for a hot casado and a cup of coffee as they sit out the downpour. The rainforest is at its greenest, the hot springs feel best on a wet evening, and this is a month for travelers who like waterfalls, warm water and a quieter town.
What is the weather like in La Fortuna in November?
In November, La Fortuna serves up heat, moist air and rain on the majority of days. The table puts it beside the months on either side.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 79.9 | 70.1 | 26.0 |
| November | 77.9 | 69.2 | 22.2 |
| December | 77.3 | 68.2 | 17.5 |
Rain comes in many forms here. Some days start bright and clear, with the volcano cone visible for an hour or two, then cloud over by lunchtime and turn to steady showers. Other days are gray from dawn to dusk with a fine, soaking drizzle.
Heavy downpours happen on only a few days of the month, so the usual pattern is wet but not relentless. A clear view of the summit is never a sure thing, so treat it as a bonus.
Afternoons are warm enough for a T-shirt, and nights stay mild, so a light layer is enough once the sun goes down. The air is damp, and clothes dry slowly.
Plan outdoor things like hanging bridges and waterfall hikes for the morning, when the light is soft and the trails are least likely to be running with water. Save the afternoon for a soak in the hot springs, which is a pleasure when the rain is falling around you.
Daylight lasts a little under twelve hours in mid-November, with the sun going down early in the evening, so dinner tends to be a relaxed affair after dark. Bring a light rain jacket every day, even when the morning looks promising.
What to do in La Fortuna in November
The month opens with All Souls’ Day (Dia de los Difuntos) on November 2, a national holiday. Families visit cemeteries, making this a quieter, more local moment.
Later in the month, the coffee harvest begins in the highlands around the end of the year, and the smell of fresh coffee in cafes feels seasonal even in the lowlands. Coffee is a good thing to drink here after a wet morning, alongside a slice of tres leches or a plate of gallo pinto, the rice and beans that start the day in Costa Rica.
In November, water shows up everywhere you look, from hot springs and waterfalls to the lake and the rain. The green season suits the hot springs especially well, and the waterfalls run full and loud. The best plan is to keep mornings for outdoor activities and leave the afternoons flexible.
Hot springs heated by the volcano
Hot springs heated by the volcano put the Arenal area on the map, and they range from basic pools run by locals beside the river to big resort spreads offering a whole lineup of pools, each one a different temperature. A rainy November evening is when they feel best, with steam rising off the water, warm rain on your shoulders and the forest dripping all around. Some resorts have swim-up bars and pools that step down the hillside, while the simpler spots are quiet and low-key.
Go late in the afternoon or after dark, when the temperature drops a little and the heat of the water is most welcome. The pools suit couples, families and anyone with sore legs after a day of hiking. Bring a towel and sandals, and expect the ground around the pools to be wet.
La Fortuna Waterfall
The waterfall near town drops into a deep green pool surrounded by forest, and in November it runs full and powerful after the rains. The path leads down a long staircase through damp jungle, with the roar growing louder at each turn. Mist rises from the base, and the rock faces glisten with moss and ferns.
Go in the morning, when the stairs are drier and the light filters nicely through the trees. The climb back up is steep, so take it slowly. Bring a rain jacket and shoes with good grip, since the steps can be slick after rain.
Hanging bridges and forest walks
Across the forest canopy, hanging bridges lead you, and there the mist of November settles among the trees while birdsong echoes following every shower. You may see toucans, hummingbirds, monkeys or sloths, though wildlife is always a chance rather than a promise. Most visitors find animals on guided walks, since guides know the right places to look and can show you creatures that untrained eyes would almost never catch.
Wildlife is always a chance rather than a promise, even on a morning walk. The walkways can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip. These walks suit families, nature lovers and anyone who wants to see the forest from above, and they work well on a day when the volcano is hiding in cloud.
Arenal Volcano and the lake
The volcano dominates the view from town, and on a clear morning its perfect cone rises above the pastures. In November, clouds frequently shroud the summit, which means seeing it clear is a nice bonus instead of a sure thing.
Lake Arenal, nearby, is a wide reservoir ringed by green hills, with a breezy feel that contrasts with the humid town. A drive or boat outing there makes a good half day when you want something calmer, with cafes and viewpoints along the shore. Between showers, the light on the water can be lovely.
A two-day itinerary for La Fortuna in November
Day 1 begins with an early breakfast of gallo pinto, eggs and strong coffee at a local soda in town. Head to the waterfall first thing, while the stairs are driest and the morning light is soft. Return to town before noon for an easy midday meal, maybe a casado with chicken or fish, that plate of rice, beans, salad and plantains which serves as the backbone of Costa Rican lunches.
In the afternoon, when the rain usually arrives, settle into a hot spring and let the weather do its thing. The warm water and the sound of rain on the leaves make this the best part of a November day. After a soak, have dinner at a restaurant in town, where the evening is mild and the sun has already set early.
Day 2 starts with the hanging bridges or a guided forest walk, again in the morning when birds are active and the sky is still clear. Wear shoes with grip and carry a rain jacket. Walkways can be wet, but the forest feels alive and dripping at this hour.
After lunch, drive out to Lake Arenal for a slow afternoon at the shore, with a coffee and a view of the water if the clouds allow. If the weather turns gray, the rain card is a local coffee stop, a stroll through the shops in town or a second hot spring session at a different pool. Finish with a relaxed dinner and an early night.
Is La Fortuna busy in November?
In La Fortuna, November ranks among the calmer months, when the trails draw smaller crowds and the hot springs offer extra space to unwind. The rainy season keeps many visitors away, so the town feels relaxed and unhurried. Waterfall stairs, hanging bridges and restaurant tables are rarely packed, and you can usually find a room without much trouble.
The exception is the national holiday on November 2, when local families travel and a few places may feel busier or close for the day. Otherwise the month is calm. Toward the end of November, as the holiday season approaches, a few more visitors start to appear, and the town begins to pick up for December.
Booking early is a good habit for any trip, especially if you want a specific resort or a particular hot spring with a day pass. In a quiet month like this one, keep some flexibility in your plans. Rental cars and popular dinner spots are easier to secure than in the busier months, though it still helps to confirm the things that matter most to you in advance.
Before heading to a national park or a protected trail, look at that park’s official page for reservation rules, as these are subject to change. Having a flexible schedule helps, because rain may shift your plans from one day to the next.
What to pack for La Fortuna in November
Pack for warm, wet days and mild evenings, with clothes that dry quickly and shoes that grip.
- Pack a thin rain shell, since rain tends to arrive on most days and frequently catches you off guard.
- Shoes with good grip for wet waterfall stairs and hanging bridges.
- Quick-dry clothes, since damp air makes cotton slow to dry.
- For the hot springs, a swimsuit and a towel, since a rainy evening is when they are at their best.
- Insect repellent for forest walks and evenings near the water.
- A dry bag or plastic pouch to protect your phone and camera.
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.
November falls toward the end of the Atlantic hurricane season, and La Fortuna, in the northern lowlands, can see several days of heavy rain, so build some flexibility into your schedule. The national holiday on November 2 brings closures in town, so plan your errands and meals around it.
Build some flexibility into your schedule between outings. Book your top priority first, usually a hot spring day pass or a guided walk, and fill in the rest around the weather.
La Fortuna in November vs October and December
Moving the trip four weeks earlier brings you to October, which is wetter and greener, with rain on almost every day and an even quieter town. It suits travelers who do not mind staying flexible and who want the fewest crowds. Waterfalls run at full strength, though outdoor plans are more often interrupted.
Moving four weeks later brings you to December, when the rain eases and more clear mornings appear. The volcano shows itself more often, and the holiday season brings more visitors, so rooms and tables fill sooner. The coffee harvest in the highlands is under way by then, which adds to the seasonal feel.
Choose November if you want a balance of green scenery and a calm town. Shift to December if you prefer a better chance of dry mornings and do not mind more company. Stay with October only if you are happy with a lot of rain and want the quietest possible stay.
Is November a good time to visit La Fortuna?
November works well for travelers who like green views, warm springs and a slower rhythm, and who do not mind getting wet most days. It suits couples, families with rain gear and anyone who likes a soak in warm water while the weather rolls past. November suits travelers less if they require reliable dry weather or a sure look at the volcano.
Once you get there, begin with whatever matters most to you, be it the waterfall stairs on a bright morning or a soak in the hot springs at night, then let the weather shape the rest. Let the weather shape the order of your plans. What makes November special here is the sound and feel of the place, with rain on the leaves, steam rising from warm pools and a forest that is loud with water and birdsong.
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
To plan your stay
- Things to Do in La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano, Hot Springs, the Waterfall and Day Trips
- Where to Stay in La Fortuna: Town Center, Volcano Road, Hot Springs Strip and Lake Arenal
- La Fortuna vs Monteverde: Hot Springs, Cloud Forest, Weather and Which to Choose
- Day Trips from La Fortuna: Rio Celeste, Arenal Volcano Park, Monteverde and Hot Springs