La Fortuna weather is warm all year, and it rains in every month. The seasons change how often it rains and how hard. Most of our tours run in the rain, and a wet day in the rainforest can still be a great day.
This guide goes month by month, then tour by tour. You will see what the weather usually looks like, what it changes on a zipline, a river or a horse, what happens if conditions turn unsafe, and what to pack. No promises of sunshine. Just what our team sees every day.
La Fortuna weather at a glance
Expect warm days, humid air and some rain in any season. Temperatures barely move during the year, so the real planning question is rain, not heat.
| What | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Usually 72°F to 93°F (22°C to 34°C) |
| Warmest month | April, with highs in the low 90s°F |
| Rain pattern | Rain all year, with a relative dip from February to April |
| Main rainy period | May to December or January |
| Days with rain | About 199 a year in the Northern Zone |
| Yearly rainfall | More than 3,200 mm on average in the Northern Zone |
Here is why. La Fortuna sits in Costa Rica’s Northern Zone. The Instituto Meteorológico Nacional (IMN), the national weather service, places this region in the Caribbean rain regime: rainy all year, with only a relative decrease in February, March and April. The IMN also ranks the Northern Zone as the third rainiest region in the country.
That is the honest picture. A “dry season” here means fewer wet days, not zero.
La Fortuna weather by month
Think of the year in four blocks. Each one changes how your tour day feels, but none of them closes the door on adventure.
| Months | What it usually looks like | What it means for your tours |
|---|---|---|
| January | Clearest month; cold fronts can still bring rain | Good odds of volcano views; pack a rain layer |
| February to April | Relatively drier; fewest wet days in February, warmest in April | Hot middays, so mornings feel best |
| May to November | Main rainy period; June is the cloudiest | Rain on some tours; greenest forest |
| December | Rains wind down; cold fronts can add rain | Mixed days; keep plans flexible |
January
January is the clearest month in La Fortuna, with clear or partly cloudy skies about two thirds of the time. That makes it a good month to hope for views of Arenal Volcano from the trail. Still, the IMN notes that cold fronts at the end and start of the year bring a lot of the region’s rain, so a wet day in January is normal.
February to April
This is the stretch with the least rain. In the long-term data Weather Spark uses, February averages about one wet day. April is the warmest month, with average highs near 93°F. On these days, sunscreen and water matter more than a rain jacket.
May to November
The main rainy period starts in May. September has the most wet days, about 13. June is the cloudiest month. Many showers in this season build in the afternoon and pass within one to three hours, though that is a pattern, not a rule. The upside is real: this is when the forest is at its greenest.
December
The rainy period usually ends in December or January. December can bring sunny mornings and rainy afternoons in the same week. Plan for both.
What the weather means for each tour
Rain changes how a tour feels more than whether it runs. Here is what we see on each adventure, using the details from our own tour pages.
Zipline and rappel
Our Arenal zipline and rappel adventure takes about 2 hours, with departures at 8:00am, 10:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm, every day. You ride the Rainforest Limo, our tractor, up through the forest, then cross 7 cables and 10 platforms.
In light rain, the canopy smells of wet earth and the mist sits low in the trees. You will get wet. Closed-toe shoes are required, and a small fanny pack is allowed, so a zip bag for your phone helps. Kids can join from age 6.
River tubing
The Arenal River tubing adventure is the tour where weather matters most, because rain changes the river. You float Class 1 to 3 rapids with calm stretches in between, after a short walk down through the forest to the water.
Our operations team checks the river on the day. If weather or river conditions make it unsafe, we cancel or shorten the tour. Your safety always comes first. Departures run at 8:00am, 10:00am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm, and the minimum age is 10. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, and leave loose items behind, since they are not allowed on the river.
Horseback riding
The horseback ride to Arenal Volcano takes about 3 hours, with departures at 8:30am and 1:30pm. A helmet and a rain poncho are included. The ride ends with a ten-minute walk over rocky ground to an old lava flow, so shoes with good grip make a big difference after rain.
This is the tour where clear skies pay off most. On a clear day, you can see Lake Arenal and Tenorio Volcano. If views matter to you, the morning departure in the drier months is the one to pick.
The Maleku cultural experience
A Maleku cultural experience is part of our tours, shared by members of the community themselves. It is the calmest part of the day, and it takes place under a covered space. Rain or sun, the stories about their culture, medicine and traditions are the same.
Full-day adventure
The full-day La Fortuna adventure with lunch runs about 7 hours and leaves at 8:00am or 8:30am. It brings together the zipline, river tubing and the Maleku visit, with a traditional Costa Rican lunch. A rain poncho is included. Because it starts early, you get the morning hours on the cables and the river.
What happens if it rains on your tour day
Rain by itself does not cancel a tour. La Fortuna sits in a rainforest, and our tours run in the rain. We cancel for conditions that are unsafe, not for conditions that are wet.
The call belongs to our operations team on the day, and it depends on the weather and the river. If we cancel, you choose: a full refund or a new date at no extra cost. There is no penalty to you.
You can read the full details on our cancellation and refund policy page. If you are not sure about your date, write to us before you book. We would rather talk it through than have you worry.
A simple plan for the rainy months
Book your tours early in your stay, not on your last day. If we do cancel for unsafe conditions, a new date at no extra cost is only useful if you are still in town. Two or three free days in La Fortuna give you room to move a tour without stress.
It also helps to keep the plan for each day light. A morning tour, a long lunch and an easy afternoon leave space for a shower to pass. Most tours also end at the warm-water pools and the volcanic mud bath, so pack your swimsuit even on a grey day. Warm water feels good after a wet ride.
Best time of day for tours in La Fortuna
Morning is usually your best bet. In the rainy months, showers tend to build in the afternoon, and our early departures at 8:00am and 8:30am give you the most settled hours of the day.
Afternoon tours still work well. A 1:00pm or 3:00pm departure fits well after a slow morning, and a shower often passes while you are out. If you have two tours planned, put the one where views matter most, like the horseback ride, in the morning.
What to pack for La Fortuna weather
Pack for warm and wet at the same time. These are the items we ask every guest to bring, plus a few extras for the rainy months.
From our FAQs:
- Closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting muddy
- A change of clothes
- Swimwear
- Biodegradable sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- A refillable water bottle
Extras that help in the rainy months:
- A light rain jacket for the walk to and from the van
- A zip bag or small dry bag for your phone
- Quick-dry clothes instead of cotton
- A plastic bag for wet clothes on the ride back
Leave valuables at your hotel. Anything specific to your tour is listed in your confirmation email, and our FAQs cover the rest.
The best time to visit La Fortuna
The best time to visit La Fortuna depends on what you want. La Fortuna weather is clearer and drier from January to April, which gives you the best odds of volcano views. From May on, rain keeps the forest greener, and every tour still runs.
You don’t need perfect weather to enjoy a great adventure, and our team is with you every step of the way.
FAQ
Does it rain every day in La Fortuna?
Not every day, but it can rain in any month. The region gets around 199 days with rain a year, with fewer wet days from February to April.
What is the rainy season in La Fortuna?
The main rainy period starts in May and ends in December or January. February, March and April are the relatively drier months.
Do tours in La Fortuna run in the rain?
Yes. Rain by itself is not a cancellation. We only cancel when weather or river conditions make a tour unsafe, and then you choose a full refund or a new date.
What is the temperature in La Fortuna?
It usually ranges from about 72°F to 93°F (22°C to 34°C) through the year. April is the warmest month.
What should I wear for a tour in the rain?
Closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting muddy, quick-dry clothes and swimwear underneath. Bring a change of clothes for after.
Book your adventure
La Fortuna weather changes by season, and each season has its own kind of day. Choose your tour on our adventures page, pick a morning departure if views matter to you, and we take care of the rest. See you soon for a great adventure.
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