La Fortuna sits at the base of the Arenal Volcano, and that single fact shapes everything about visiting: hot springs heated naturally by geothermal activity, rainforest trails leading toward a near-perfect cone-shaped peak, and a small town built almost entirely around access to nature. This is Costa Rica's signature "pura vida" experience distilled — zip-lining through cloud forest canopy in the morning, soaking in a volcanic hot spring by evening, with howler monkeys and toucans as a soundtrack throughout.