Greatest Adventures and Issues to do in La Fortuna and Arenal

If you happen to plan to go to La Fortuna and aren’t certain what to do, this put up will assist! Because the La Fortuna space is surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, tropical rainforest and is close to the Arenal Volcano Nationwide Park, there are a ton of enjoyable actions in La Fortuna for everybody, particularly nature lovers.

Greatest Issues to Do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Right here is our listing of the very best issues to do in La Fortuna together with day journeys from La Fortuna.

It’s also possible to discover our lodge suggestions, pattern itineraries and tour reductions under. Don’t overlook to get our La Fortuna excursions low cost! Additionally there are affiliate hyperlinks on this put up.

Fast Info About Visiting La Fortuna, Costa Rica

La Fortuna is within the Alajuela province. It’s round 3 hours from San Jose Airport and Guanacaste Airport (Liberia Airport).

Canyoning

Soar down 200 foot waterfalls and tall cliffs deep into the rain forest on a journey canyoning in La Fortuna. Canyoning, or waterfall rappelling could appear a bit intimidating, however when you begin your journey down surrounded by the sights and smells of a lush rain forest, you’ll depart all of your fears behind.

Canyoning

That is an journey for many who don’t thoughts getting down and soiled, as you’ll find yourself leaving much more moist than if you began. But it surely’s all value it, as you expertise the rain forest in a novel and thrilling means.

You possibly can see extra photos and watch a video of our Canyoning Arenal journey.

Rio Celeste Hike

See the magical blue river in Costa Rica on a day journey from La Fortuna. You’ll hike by way of the rainforests contained in the Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park alongside facet the gorgeous Rio Celeste. There’s a attractive waterfall, a dangling bridge and plenty of view factors.

Rio Celeste waterfall

On the finish of the hike, you possibly can see the place the 2 rivers come collectively to create the spectacular sky blue shade. Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park is likely one of the most stunning locations in Costa Rica and nicely value a day journey from La Fortuna! It’s a 1 hour and 45 minute drive from La Fortuna to Rio Celeste.

SkyTrek Ziplining (For Excessive Ziplining)

There are various zipline (cover) excursions in Arenal however our favourite is Skytrek for excessive ziplining. You get probably the most spectacular views of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano if you’re flying 2000 ft by way of the air, 600 ft excessive.

You’ll by no means really feel nearer to being a chook than on this zipline tour, as you’re hovering over the rain forest with the lake in entrance of you and the volcano subsequent to you.

If you happen to rented a automobile, you possibly can drive to the journey park entrance and pay for the tour there however make reservations as this park may be very busy December by way of April and June, July and August.

Arenal Cover Journey for Households and First Timers

If you happen to’re not fairly that bold, there are different cover excursions reminiscent of Arenal Cover Excursions and Ecoglide that aren’t as excessive or quick, however are good for first timers and younger households.

You possibly can see what the Arenal Cover Journey zipline is like within the video under.

This ziplining tour additionally has a tarzan swing so you possibly can add some further pleasure to your day!

Wildlife Safari Float

One among our favourite issues to do in La Fortuna is a wildlife watching safari float. You float down the river for about 2 hours on a raft, utilizing paddles to maneuver alongside. This additionally means that you can rise up shut with the wildlife for a pure nature expertise.

Our tour companion in La Fortuna runs an unique safari float down the Rio Frio river, making it a really pure and memorable expertise as they’re the one firm who runs excursions on this a part of the river within the Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve. This space is taken into account the most effective for wildlife because it’s house to animals like toucans, three toed sloths, caimans, kingfishers and extra.

Discover out extra concerning the Pure nature Rio Frio safari right here.

Rio Frio safari float

Nevertheless, this safari float is a couple of 1.5 hour drive from downtown La Fortuna. If you happen to don’t have a full day, then the subsequent finest wildlife safari float is the Penas Blancas Safari Float because it’s solely half-hour from La Fortuna.

The safari float rides are the most effective issues to do in Costa Rica with youngsters because it’s an easy going, laid again technique to see wildlife and nature. You don’t have to do any strenuous train as your information does all of the paddling on a sluggish transferring river. Simply sit again, benefit from the stunning river views and take heed to the sounds of the rainforest.

Scorching Springs

No journey to Arenal and La Fortuna is full and not using a go to to the new springs. It’s the easiest way to chill out and wind down a busy day. Soak within the scorching thermal swimming pools to assuage your muscle groups whereas having fun with the recent evening time air.

Titoku scorching springs

Many lodges and resorts have their very own scorching springs with day passes out there. Among the most well-known ones are Tabacon, Baldi, the Springs, Titoku, Kalambu, Ecotermales and Paradise. There are additionally a couple of lodges even have their very own unique scorching springs just like the Kioro. One of many advantages of staying at a lodge with their very own scorching springs is that you may go anytime throughout your keep and benefit from the swimming pools as a lot as attainable!

You possibly can learn extra concerning the totally different Arenal scorching springs right here.

One of many low-cost issues to do in La Fortuna is to go to the general public entrance of Tabacon river the place all of the locals go. That is the free scorching spring in La Fortuna and it’s throughout from Tabacon Resort. There’s a small parking zone and you’ll stroll down the river from there. It’s also possible to go to El Salto, the free swimming gap. Click on the hyperlink to learn the way to go to each spots.

Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges

Discover the rain forests of Arenal in an eco-friendly means with the hanging bridges, which sits on 600 acres (243 hectares) of personal land by the lake. It’s a straightforward 3.1 kilometer (1.9 miles) path with 16 suspended and hanging bridges, in order that guests can get totally different views of the rain forest.

Alongside the best way it’s frequent to identify wildlife like bats, snakes and birds. Although the hanging bridges are one of many extra widespread actions in Arenal, you’ll nonetheless get a real sense of the forest if you’re that prime up!

The Mistico Hanging Bridges are close to the bridge/dam and you’ll go by your self when you have a automobile or guide it with a tour firm. Both means, we undoubtedly suggest hiring a naturalist information for the park.

Learn extra concerning the Arenal Hanging Bridges.

La Fortuna Waterfall

If you happen to’re itching to go to waterfalls in Arenal, the very best and largest one is La Fortuna. This is likely one of the prime issues to do in La Fortuna as this waterfall is gorgeous. Dropping 75 ft, the emerald La Fortuna waterfall impresses guests with its postcard good rainforest views.

La Fortuna waterfall

The doorway payment is $18 USD per grownup and it’s just a few kilometers from La Fortuna city. You possibly can take a taxi which can value about $20 USD a method or go as a part of a tour. This is likely one of the low-cost issues to do in La Fortuna and you’ll spend as a lot time as you want on the waterfall in the event you go by yourself.

Learn extra about visiting La Fortuna waterfall right here.

White Water Rafting

There are a few rivers for white water rafting in Arenal however our favourite is the Rio Pacuare. Raft your means by way of the most effective rivers on this planet for white water rafting one Class 3 and 4 rapids. Paddle beneath waterfalls, swim within the calm swimming pools and see toucans on this thrilling rafting journey.

Rio Pacuare white water rafting

If that sounds a bit too thrilling for you, there are different rivers with Class 2 and three rapids such because the Balsa River rafting. It’s nonetheless a enjoyable day journey from Arenal and La Fortuna that’s enjoyable for the entire household. In case you don’t wish to be within the automobile that lengthy, Sarapiqui additionally presents Class 2 and three and three and 4 rapids and it’s solely a couple of 1.5 hour drive from La Fortuna.

One of many superior issues concerning the Rio Pacuare rafting is that you may make the rafting journey your transportation methodology to and from San Jose or Puerto Viejo. Many firms can decide up at La Fortuna and might drop you off in San Jose or Puerto Viejo. As a substitute of sitting in a bus or shuttle, you get to river raft your means over!

Wish to guide the Rio Pacuare white water rafting? Get our Pacuare rafting low cost!

Horseback Driving

Enterprise into the nation facet of Arenal by means of horseback, the most effective to find the intricate corners of the land. You’ll journey by way of rivers, beneath timber and as much as gorgeous viewpoints of the valley and surrounding hills, locations you possibly can’t attain by automobile and foot.

Horseback using round Arenal. On a transparent day you possibly can see the volcano

On a transparent day, you possibly can horseback journey with Arenal Volcano as your backdrop. Not a foul view whereas sauntering although the open nation! This can be a half day exercise however you may as well mix it with one thing else like ziplining or ATV.

See extra pictures and skim what it’s wish to go horseback using in Arenal.

Lake Arenal

Lake Arenal is the most important lake in Costa Rica. Although it’s artificial, it initially created to provide hydro electrical energy. Nevertheless, it’s can be a spot for recreation. Take a sundown boat journey, go fishing, jet ski, get up paddle board, kayak, sail, windsurf or boat throughout to Monteverde.

Lake Arenal and Arenal Volano

The lake presents spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and is a superb place to benefit from the water and rainforest.

Membership Rio Out of doors Heart

The Springs Resort and Spa has their very own on-site journey park open to outdoors company and it’s a beautiful place for households. They provide scorching spring day passes and a multi journey package deal.

Membership Rio Out of doors Heart multi journey package deal

The multi journey package deal consists of transportation, lunch, scorching springs (2 day cross) and a couple of of the next actions: horseback using, tubing, kayaking, rock wall and guided nature stroll. Benefit from the scorching springs, go on an journey and go to probably the most stunning properties in La Fortuna!

We now have a partnership with Membership Rio to provide reductions to our readers. Learn our overview and get $10 USD off the Membership Rio Costa Rica multi journey package deal right here!

Arenal Volcano Hike

Go by yourself or take a guided hike to see Arenal Volcano. You possibly can hike in Arenal Volcano nationwide park to see the unique lava rocks and lava trails from the large eruption. The paths offer you a pleasant alternative to see the lasting results of the volcano eruption.

Arenal Volcano view from the nationwide park path

There may be additionally a pleasant viewpoint the place you possibly can see each the volcano and lake.The nationwide park is $15 USD for adults and you’ll hike it by yourself or go together with a information. This can be a nice low-cost exercise in La Fortuna and also you get stunning views of the volcano.

It’s also possible to hike within the non-public reserves close to the nationwide park reminiscent of Arenal 1968 for equally as spectacular views. The reserve opens till 6 PM and is open on a regular basis.

Sloth Stroll

If you happen to actually wish to see sloths in La Fortuna, then you might have a couple of nice choices to.

One straightforward choice are the sloth reserves proper on the town. You possibly can’t miss it, there are big indicators that say sloth walks and one other one is the Bogarin Path. That is nice for many who have their very own transportation or are staying proper on the town and might stroll to the path.

Bogarin path – sloth stroll in La Fortuna

If you happen to don’t have your individual transportation and wish to see sloths, we extremely suggest a devoted sloth and chook watching tour. Our tour companion runs a tour that goes round La Fortuna to non-public reserves and pure forests to see sloths and birds like toucans and hummingbirds. Get a reduction for this tour right here (known as Slothies and Birdies).

La Fortuna Cooking Class and Farm Tour

Enlighten your style buds on this interactive and enjoyable cooking class and farm tour. You’ll study concerning the farm to desk idea, conventional meals of Costa Rica, staple meals and components of Costa Rican delicacies and easy methods to prepare dinner sure dishes.

That is one in all our favourite cooking courses in Costa Rica, it’s a beautiful expertise for foodies and households.

Pattern Itineraries

If you happen to’re undecided what actions to do or when to schedule them, listed below are some concepts. For the excursions, get our low cost right here!

2 full days in La Fortuna: mountaineering, nature, wildlife, leisure

Day 1: For a full time out – Arenal hanging bridges within the morning, La Fortuna waterfall, lunch after which Arenal Volcano hike. Finish the day on the scorching springs!

Day 2: Sleep in after which go on a wildlife watching river safari float to see animals. Afterwards, chill out on the native central park within the night, your lodge or head again to the new springs.

If you happen to plan to eat dinner out on the town, take a look at Soda Nenes for native meals or La Fortuna Pub for craft beer and a enjoyable evening out. Don’t overlook to get an ice cream on the Chocolate Fusion candy store in downtown for dessert!

2 full days in La Fortuna: journey, mountaineering

Day 1: Get pleasure from a full enjoyable day of ziplining and white water rafting Class 2 and three. It consists of lunch and afterwards, bathe, relaxation, nap and chill out. Get pleasure from your lodge or go into city to get dinner and dessert on the city sq..

Day 2: Sleep in, relaxation and go to both Arenal Volcano Nationwide Park or one of many non-public reserves like Arenal 1968, El Silencio or Arenal Observatory Lodge to hike the paths for shut views of the volcano. This can take round 3-4 hours in the event you hike a few the paths.

A Few Really useful La Fortuna Inns

Resort Las Colinas – Cute lodge in the midst of city throughout from the park. They’ve a terrace the place you get an awesome view of Arenal volcano. Fundamental, comfy rooms.

Arenal Historical past Inn – Good mid-range/finances lodge slightly outdoors downtown La Fortuna. Bungalows with a volcano view and pool.

Selina – Hostel for digital nomads and backpackers on the town.

Arenal Observatory Lodge – The one lodge truly within the nationwide park with the closest view of the volcano. This lodge has an enormous property with their very own trails.

Arenal Kioro: This excessive finish lodge has a spa, their very own non-public scorching springs, a Jacuzzi in each room and a shocking view of the volcano with ground to ceiling home windows.

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