You’ve been wandering around Hyrule for hours, your armor is basically made of paper, and a single Blue Bokoblin just sent you flying. It’s frustrating. We’ve all been there. You know you need to find those giant, glowing flower buds, but the map is huge and the directions NPCs give you are... well, they’re kinda vague.
Basically, if you want to survive the late-game Guardians or even just stop dying to random elemental arrows, finding all fairy locations botw has to offer is mandatory. It isn't just about meeting some giant, flamboyant ladies; it's the only way to upgrade your gear.
I’ve spent way too much time scouring every corner of this map. Honestly, some of these fountains are tucked away in places you’d never think to look unless you were intentionally trying to fall off a cliff. Here is the actual, no-nonsense breakdown of where they are and how much cash you need to bring.
The Cost of Power (It Gets Expensive)
Before you set out, check your wallet. The Great Fairies—Cotera, Mija, Kaysa, and Tera—don’t work for free. They’ve been trapped in their buds for a century and apparently, the only thing that brings them back is cold, hard cash.
The order in which you visit them doesn't actually matter for the location, but it matters a lot for your bank account. The price jumps significantly every time you "awaken" a new sister:
- First Fairy: 100 Rupees
- Second Fairy: 500 Rupees
- Third Fairy: 1,000 Rupees
- Fourth Fairy: 10,000 Rupees
Yeah, that last one is a sting. 10,000 Rupees is a lot of ore mining and meat-skewers selling. But you need all four if you want to reach that "Level 4" max upgrade for your favorite armor sets.
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Where to Find Cotera: The Kakariko Favorite
Most players find Cotera first. She’s practically handed to you during the main questline when you visit Kakariko Village.
To find her, head to the Ta’loh Naeg Shrine that sits on the hill overlooking the village. If you’re standing at the shrine looking toward the village, turn right and follow the path that leads into the woods. You’ll hit a fork in the road—stay left. You’ll see the giant orange flower bud sitting in a small clearing. It’s peaceful here, and usually, there are plenty of regular small fairies floating around that you can grab for your inventory.
Mija’s Hidden Spot in Akkala
Akkala is beautiful but dangerous. Mija is located in the shadow of the Akkala Citadel Ruins, but more specifically, she's near Lake Akkala.
If you’ve unlocked the Dah Hesho Shrine (the one on the cliff overlooking the circular island in the lake), you’re already there. Just look to the east/southeast from that shrine. She’s tucked into a little grove of autumn-colored trees. If you haven't found that shrine yet, head to the Akkala Falls area and look for the high ground south of the lake.
Kaysa: The Tabantha Tower Glide
Kaysa is probably the easiest one to spot from a distance.
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Go to the Tabantha Tower. Once you’ve climbed to the top, look south. You will see the giant purple/pink flower bud sitting on Piper Ridge. It sticks out like a sore thumb against the rocky terrain. The easiest way to get there? Just paraglide straight from the top of the tower. You’ll land almost right on top of her.
Tera: The Desert Nightmare
Tera is the "final boss" of fairy locations. She is located in the Gerudo Desert, and reaching her is a total pain. She is at the Gerudo Great Skeleton, which is at the absolute southwestern tip of the map.
You’ll need a Sand Seal. Don't even try to walk it; the sandstorms will mess with your map and you'll end up walking in circles. Head past Dragon's Exile and keep going until you see the massive ribcage of an ancient leviathan. Tera’s fountain is right under those bones, alongside the Hawa Kosh Shrine.
Pro Tip: Make sure you have Heat Resistance gear or food for the day and Cold Resistance for the night. The desert doesn't play fair.
Don't Forget the Horse God, Malanya
While not technically one of the "sisters," Malanya is essentially the fifth fairy. If your favorite horse accidentally (or "accidentally") runs off a cliff or gets blasted by a Guardian, Malanya is the only one who can bring it back.
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You’ll find this fountain in the Faron Region. Travel to the Highland Stable and follow the road south. You'll cross the Horse God Bridge, and the fountain is tucked into the end of the canyon. Malanya also charges a flat fee of 1,000 Rupees to open the bud, but unlike the others, this price doesn't scale.
Why You Should Care About Upgrades
Finding all fairy locations botw offers isn't just a completionist goal. Each sister you unlock increases the maximum "star level" of your armor.
- 1 Fairy: Upgrades to 1-star.
- 2 Fairies: Upgrades to 2-stars (This is where most Set Bonuses unlock).
- 3 Fairies: Upgrades to 3-stars.
- 4 Fairies: Upgrades to 4-stars (Max defense).
If you’re wearing a full set of 2-star armor, like the Climbing Gear or the Rubber Suit, you get a special bonus—like decreased stamina usage for jumping or becoming totally unshockable. Without all four fairies, you’re leaving a lot of defense points on the table.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Journey
If you're sitting on a pile of monster parts and wondering why you're still taking huge damage, here is what you should do right now:
- Mark the spots: Open your map and drop a pin on the four locations mentioned: Kakariko, Akkala Lake, Piper Ridge, and the Gerudo Skeleton.
- Farm some cash: If you don't have the 10,000 Rupees for the final fairy, go hunting in the Hebra Mountains. Gourmet meat skewers sell for a lot of money (490 Rupees for 5 pieces of Raw Gourmet Meat).
- Check your materials: Talk to any fairy you've already unlocked to see what materials you need for the next level. Sometimes you need rare stuff like Star Fragments or dragon scales, so it's better to know what you're looking for before you head out.
- Sneak up on the small ones: When you approach a fountain, crouch. The small fairies floating around are vital for surviving boss fights, and they’ll fly away if you sprint in like a maniac.