Lava'68 Cafetería — Restaurant in La Fortuna

Do not skip eating here! This was by far the best meal my husband & I had while we were in the La Fortuna area! First, you'll need to pay a $7 admissions fee after getting through the park gate, but trust me, it's worth it. Pass the reception desk on the left, walk up the tiny incline, and go left. The restaurant will appear shortly. First of all, the view is AMAZING! On one side, you have Lake Arenal.On the other side, you have the volcano. Talk about stunning views! Second, the food is AWESOME! Make sure to order a Lagoon 68 if you like fruity rum drinks. For an appetizer, get the beef & cheese empanada (this was my favorite piece of food I had during our entire 8-day Costa Rica trip). For an entree, their chicken rice is unbelievably fantastic. I could rave about this place forever;...

Where else can you relax in La Fortuna overlooking the Arenal Volcano while enjoying great food with a racoon?!

Lava'68 has a nice setup looking at the volcano, the food was really good. We got the empanada, a panini, and a smoothie. There is also a cute racoon (Costa Rican Racoon) named Pablo who likes to make appearances, and we were fortunate enough to be there at the time of a visit! Super cute!

They also are part of some type of complex, with free parking and a guard. You need to walk maybe 3-5 minutes from there to the restaurant. It was a bit pricy, but felt like an area I would pay a lot...

Bask in stunning views and dramatic scenery at this unique café! The menu focuses on local ingredients and recipes, and the dishes are simple but delicious. We had remarkably fresh ceviche with plantain chips, a pressed chicken sandwich, and plate of vegetable with rice and beans.

Here is a tip for folks who want to come eat at the café but don't plan on hiking the trails in this private park: make sure you tell the gate attendant on the way in you're just there for lunch and your entry fee is just $7 per person, versus the $25 per person if you're planning on using the...