La Fortuna is a well-established tourist town that serves visitors who want to view the volcano. Apart from that and taking a dip in the nearby hot springs, however, there isn’t much else to stay for, and for most, a visit to Arenal is just one stop on a longer trip that includes a few days on the beach and a tour in Monteverde. It’s not, therefore, a great place for a whole vacation, and most hotels and cabins are rented out for only a few nights at a time.

The real estate market may soon include more secure gated communities and property management companies, which would make tourists more likely to consider basing themselves in the area – especially around the lake – for their Costa Rica vacation. As it stands, however, the rental market is not very active, meaning it’s difficult both to find rentals and to make a reliable profit off a rental.