Canyoning in La Fortuna: Life Changing Adventure Rappelling Down 200 Foot Waterfalls

It changed my life, no joke! You have to do it!

I listened to my friend describe her experience canyoning in Arenal with a bit of skepticism. Changed your life? Sure… everyone says that every time they travel!

But I was curious.

She wasn’t the type of girl to say things lightly so it had to have been something special for her to say it changed her life.

So when I was planning my brother’s Costa Rica itinerary, I made sure to book a canyoning tour in La Fortuna. And well, I have to say that my friend was right. It actually changed my life.

If you’re visiting La Fortuna and you love outdoor adventure, then canyoning is a must.

Read on to see why canyoning in Arenal really is a must do!

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That time we went canyoning in Arenal

Want to book the tour? Get our La Fortuna canyoning discount here!

We have done this canyoning in La Fortuna tour twice and it was awesome each time!

We got picked up by the tour operator around 7 AM that morning and our whole group was so excited, a couple of us had jitters.

They were right on time and they drove us to the main office, located in the forest surrounding La Fortuna waterfall on one of those indestructible Toyota 4X4 to get all suited up.

We visited La Fortuna as part of a two week Costa Rica itinerary we put together for my brother. Click the link to see the EXACT itinerary!

I think we were all just kind of nervous and excited to do the canyoning. None of us had ever done anything like this before but we were so pumped for the adventure!

When we arrived, we got suited up and the guides gave us the shortest safety presentation I’ve ever heard.

Hold the line with your left hand above, right hand down by your waist. Don’t hold tight or else you won’t move. Space your legs evenly apart. Breathe, have fun and smile!

They said that if you get stuck or have trouble, the guides will do most of the work for you (phew).

The first rappel was the longest, about 200 feet (60 meters) right next to a waterfall and they let us go 2 at a time. My brother and his wife went first and we could hear them yelling all the way down but I peered over the edge and saw them safely on the bottom. So why were my legs shaking so much?

I have to admit, I was nervous. I consider myself a somewhat adventurous person because I’m willing to try anything. Ziplining, yes. White water tubing, yes. Ziplining upside down, check. But that was about the extent of my adventure list!

So when it was my turn, I looked at Yeison who was going down the same time as me and smiled big to hide my nerves. See you on the other side! I yelled out.

I turned around to position myself and when the guide gave the signal, I took my first leap down into the jungles with only 2 ropes to hold me.

They weren’t lying when they said don’t hold tight with your hands. Even if you pinch the line ever so slightly, you don’t move at all. You have to let open your left hand and just lightly wrap the rope with your right.

At first my legs kept flailing around as I got my balance but as soon as I got one good push off, I steadied myself and hopped down like a bunny.

I glanced over at Yeison who was already halfway down, leaping who knows how many feet while here I was, moving only half a foot at a time.

OK I need to let go more I told myself. Or else I would’ve been on that rock forever! I loosened my grip and gave a good push off the rock. Heck yea now that’s way more fun!

I landed in the pool and thankfully the guide helped me get straightened as my legs were wobbling a little bit.

Though I nearly fell face first into the water, I didn’t care – I MADE IT! I eagerly trotted over to the next waterfall to get ready to go again.

Monkey Drop

This canyoning tour has added a new section: the monkey drop! After the first waterfall rappel, you then climb up a rock wall by a ladder and then go over to the monkey drop.

What is the monkey drop? First, you get attached as if you’re going ziplining (sitting with your legs crossed) and then they drop you 79 feet (24 meters) into a pool all of a sudden!

If you haven’t already got all hyped up from the first waterfall rappel, the monkey drop will surely get your excitement levels all the way up as they splash you down all the way in the refreshing cool pool!

Then, you head over to the next waterfall rappel, which is a bit shorter and goes down a narrow canyon.

You have to jump and swing down about 40 feet because there is no rock to push off of and you get a nice spray of water in the face. Refreshing!

The next rappel was the smallest one, only 39 feet (12 meters). By this time, I felt like a pro and hopped down this one with ease.

Then the next rappel was the last one and Pure Trek picked a great last waterfall as this one could be done in two ways. As it’s 75 feet (23 meters), you can go as one big leap down like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, or small leaps if you prefer.

Well if everyone else is doing it, I might as well too! I decided to try my luck at taking one giant jump.

Want to book this tour with our discount? Request to book your La Fortuna canyoning tour with our discount here.

I didn’t end up pushing off hard enough and landed about halfway in the waterfall where the guides playfully pulled me into the water. Ahhhhhh! I cried out as the cold water rushed into my face. Woo hoo!

At the end, I was wanting more. More waterfalls, more rock walls. If I had to describe it one word, it’d be awesome. Freaking awesome! I really don’t know why I was scared. Honestly! I was so proud of myself for doing it.

That’s it!

Our experience canyoning in Arenal opened up my eyes to outdoor adventure and this is the activity that got me hooked.

I can actually trace it back to this very day and whenever anyone asks me what my favorite thing to do in Costa Rica, canyoning is on top of the list.

The feeling you get when it’s just you, the waterfall and nature is like no other. And that sensation of adrenaline rushing through your body, coursing through every vein makes you feel like you can do anything.

Costa Rica has given me many things including love and a new perspective on life but I never expected an appreciation and necessity for outdoor adventure would be one of them. I hope you feel the same way when you visit as well because there is no feeling like conquering your fear with nature or experiencing nature to the fullest.

Lunch

As we did the canyoning tour in the morning, we had lunch afterwards. We loaded back up into the truck and drove back to their main operation center to change and have a delicious lunch of rice with chicken, beans and salad.

They also gave us freshly squeezed mixed fruit juice and I got a cup of delicious Costa Rican coffee to top off the lunch.

It was the perfect end of a fun day canyoning in La Fortuna!

At the operation center, you can see your photos and purchase them if you like.

Video

Watch our video to see what the canyoning tour is like!

What to Know About This Canyoning in Arenal Tour

~4 hour tour duration. Morning and afternoon schedules available.

Lockers available to store your things. You will take the key with you.

• You don’t need previous canyoning experience. You must be able to walk a bit on dirt paths and steps, with rocks, tree branches, etc.
• Minimum age is 5. For the little kids, if they are too scared on the first one, they can go with a guide and then the rest of the descents are done alone.
• As they have a guide on the top and bottom to assist you, you do not need to use a lot of your own strength to go down. The guides will lower you down.
• No swimming required.
• You can bring a water proof phone pouch with you or an action cam with a mount to install it on your helmet. Limited helmets with camera mounts available. Best if you have a action cam harness to wrap around your helmet.
• Clothes: Comfortable clothes that can dry fast, such as board shorts, running shoes, swim/surf shirt. Bring a change of clothes. They will provide towels. If you wear glasses, you must have the strap.
• Shoes: Closed toed hiking sandals are the best since they have a closed toe bumper for more toe protection. You can wear sneakers if you only have them but the shoes and socks will get soaking wet. Water shoes and open toed sandals with a back strap are allowed.
• Book early if you are visiting for Christmas, New Years or spring break (or around Easter week). This tour is very popular and sells out quickly during those times.

Ready to book your tour! Click to get our La Fortuna canyoning discount here. Do you want even MORE adventure? Then check out Rainforest Falls! Also operated by Pure Trek, this tour includes waterfall rappeling, jumping into crystal clear river pools and rock climb. More adrenaline, more heights, more fun!