Costa Rica has no shortage of adventure activities from bungee jumping, ziplining and rafting, and the Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna town ranks as one of the top destinations in the country for embarking on exciting escapades. If you’re only in this area for a couple days, it can be a bit overwhelming at first when you see the list of things to do in La Fortuna, there are just so many!
So to help narrow it down, here is our list of the best things to do in La Fortuna and Arenal. With a huge lake, plenty of nature trails, waterfalls, rivers, the Arenal Volcano National Park and a vast countryside to explore, you’re guaranteed to have a blast discovering the northern lowlands of Costa Rica.
Whether you’re here for adventure or to relax, you can have it all! Here are our favorite activities in La Fortuna and Arenal.
Canyoning – Waterfall Rappel
Jump down 200 foot waterfalls and tall cliffs deep into the rain forest on a adventure canyoning in La Fortuna. Canyoning, or waterfall rappelling may seem a bit intimidating, but once you start your journey down surrounded by the sights and smells of a lush rain forest, you’ll leave all your fears behind.
This is an adventure for those who don’t mind getting down and dirty, as you’ll end up leaving a lot more wet than when you started. But it’s all worth it, as you experience the rain forest in a unique and exciting way.
We went with a company called Pure Trek and they provide transportation. The tour costs around $100 including lunch and transportation and is a half day tour.
You can see more pictures and watch a video of our canyoning adventure here.
Hiking Cerro Chato
Cerro Chato is the smaller dormant volcano with a crater and lake lying on the southeast side of Arenal Volcano. The two peaks have a lake in between which is what people hike to see.
Be warned, this hike isn’t a leisurely stroll through the forest. Without a clear trail going up a steep hill, you need to give yourself at the very least 4-5 hours for this hike and bring plenty of snacks and water. But the reward is great, on a clear day you’ll see the dazzling green water of the lake where you can take a dip to cool off.
We went on this hike a couple years ago in the middle of a giant thunder storm so we unfortunately didn’t see anything at the top. Despite the bad weather, it was a fun way to introduce my family and friends to the unpredictable weather of Costa Rica.
Since we were staying at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, we started the Cerro Chato hike from there since they have their own entrance. If you’re not staying at the lodge, you can pay an entrance fee ($8 per person last time we went) or you can book the hike with a tour company that takes care of transportation and the entrance fee. The tour with a guide costs around $100 and is all day.
Check out what this hike was like in the middle of a thunderstorm!
Make sure to wear a rain jacket and good hiking shoes!
This hike is closed as of July 2017 due to the dangerous conditions in rainy season. It is not known when it will be open again (maybe in dry season) but please do not try to hike it as it is illegal.
SkyTrek Ziplining
There are many zipline (canopy) tours in Arenal but our favorite is Skytrek. You get the most spectacular views of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano when you’re flying 2000 feet through the air, 600 feet high. You’ll never feel closer to being a bird than on this zipline tour, as you’re soaring over the rain forest with the lake in front of you and the volcano next to you.
If you’re not quite that ambitious, there are other canopy tours such as Athica, Arenal Canopy Tours and Ecoglide that aren’t as high or fast, perfect for those who have never ziplined before or are a bit nervous.
The canopy tour at Sky Adventures costs $80 for adults and $60 for kids. You can also book the ziplining with tour companies who provide transportation. If you rented a car, you can drive to the adventure park entrance and pay for the tour there but I do recommend making reservations, especially in high season since this park gets very busy.
The other canopy tours are
Rio Frio Safari Float
Soak in the splendid nature on this pure safari float down Rio Frio, a slow moving river in the Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve. This area is considered one of the best for wildlife watching as it’s home to an abundance of animals including toucans, three toed sloths, caimans, kingfishers and more.
You float down the river for about 2 hours on a raft, using only paddles to move along so you can get up close and personal with the creatures of the river. All you hear is the soft lap of the water as it brushes up against the raft and the sounds of a dozen birds gliding above your head. It is truly a pure nature experience.
I went with Jacamar Naturalist Tours who provided transportation, guide, lunch and water. It is a half day activity.
Find out more about the Rio Frio safari here.
Another option if you don’t want or have a full day for the safari float it is to do the Penas Blancas Safari Float. It’s only 20 minutes from La Fortuna though not quite in a river as pristine as Cano Negro but you can still see a lot of wildlife.
Hot Springs
No trip to Arenal and La Fortuna is complete without a visit to the hot springs. This area, famous for their hot springs due to the Tabacon river offers the best way to relax and wind down a busy day. Soak in the hot thermal pools to soothe your muscles while enjoying the fresh night time air.
Visiting the hot springs is one of the top things to do in Arenal. Many hotels and resorts have their own hot springs which you can buy a day pass or enjoy if you’re staying there. Some of the most well known ones are Tabacon, Baldi, the Springs, Titoku, Kalambu, Ecotermales and Paradise. Some resorts and hotels also have their own hot springs exclusively for their guests like the Kioro.
Most of the hot springs allow you to purchase a one day pass or a one day pass with lunch/dinner. Tabacon is the most expensive, it’s around $90 for a day pass with dinner.
One of the free things to do in La Fortuna is to visit the public entrance of Tabacon river where all the locals go. This is the free hot spring in La Fortuna and it’s off the side of the road near Tabacon. There is a small parking lot (you will also see lots of cars parked along the road on weekends).
Mistico Hanging Bridges
Explore the rain forests of Arenal in an eco-friendly way with the hanging bridges, which sits on 600 acres of private land by the lake. It is an easy 3.1 kilometer trail with 16 suspended and hanging bridges, so that visitors can get different perspectives of the rain forest.
Along the way it’s common to spot wildlife like bats, snakes and birds. Though the hanging bridges are one of the more popular activities in Arenal, you’ll still get a true sense of the forest when you’re that high up!
The Mistico Hanging Bridges are near the bridge/dam and you can go by yourself if you have a car or book it with a tour company. I recommend booking it with a company so you will have a guide who can point out wildlife. It’s worth it!
La Fortuna Waterfall
If you’re itching to visit waterfalls in Arenal, the best and biggest one is La Fortuna. This is one of the top things to do in La Fortuna as this waterfall is stunning. Dropping 75 feet into an emerald pool, the La Fortuna waterfall and encompassing rain forest rewards visitors as they complete the 400+ step hike to the base of the fall.
And yes that means 400+ steps back up but it’s absolutely worth it!
The entrance fee is $15 and it is only a few kilometers from La Fortuna town. You can take a taxi which will cost about $20 one way or go with a tour company.
Read more about visiting La Fortuna waterfall here.
White Water Rafting
There are a couple of rivers for white water rafting in Arenal but our favorite is the Rio Pacuare. Raft your way through one of the best rivers in the world for white water rafting one Class 3 and 4 rapids. Paddle under waterfalls, swim in the calm pools and see toucans on this exciting rafting adventure.
If that sounds a bit too exciting for you, there are other rivers with Class 1-3 rapids such as Rio Balsa. It’s still a fun day trip from Arenal and La Fortuna that is fun for the whole family.
One of the awesome things about the Rio Pacuare rafting is that you can make the rafting trip your transportation method to and from San Jose or Puerto Viejo. Many companies, like Rios Tropicales pick up at La Fortuna and can drop you off in San Jose or Puerto Viejo (2 passengers minimum) so instead of sitting in a bus or shuttle, you get to river raft your way over!
Want to book the Rio Pacuare white water rafting? We have an exclusive discount for you!
Click here to get your Rio Pacuare white water rafting discount
Horseback Riding
Venture into the country side of Arenal by way of horseback, one of the best to discover the intricate corners of the land. You’ll ride through rivers, under trees and up to stunning viewpoints of the valley and surrounding hills, places you can’t reach by car and foot.
On a clear day, you can horseback ride with Arenal Volcano as your backdrop. Not a bad view while sauntering though the open country! This is a half day activity but you can also combine it with something else like ziplining or ATV.
See more photos and read what it’s like to go horseback riding in Arenal.
Lake Arenal
The biggest lake in Costa Rica is actually man made and initially created to produce hydro electric power but now, it’s is also a place for recreation. Take a sunset boat ride, go fishing, jet ski, water ski, stand up paddle board, sail, windsurf or boat across to get to Monteverde.
If you don’t have time to do activities on the lake, you can drive around it for some beautiful views. There are also several hotels around Lake Arenal for those who want a nature experience.
Arenal Volcano Hike
Go on your own or take a guided hike to see Arenal Volcano. You can hike in the national park where there are several trails such as Los Tucanes or Colada 1968 to see the original lava rocks and lava trails from the big eruption. The trails aren’t too long, but it gives you a nice opportunity to see the wildlife and the lasting effects of the volcano eruption.
Plus you get a nice view of the volcano and lake on a clear day! There are a couple of trails and neither of them are very long or difficult so it’s a great hike for the family. The national park is $15 for adults and you can hike it on your own or go with a guide.
Read our Arenal Volcano National Park guide.
You can also hike in the private reserves near the national park such as Arenal 1968 for equally as impressive views.
There are a ton more things to do in La Fortuna, Arenal and the surrounding area but these are our top picks. No wonder it’s one of the most visited destinations in Costa Rica!
If you’re looking for a day trip and don’t mind to splurge a little bit, Rio Celeste is an incredible tour. Visit the magical blue river in Costa Rica! It costs around $100-140 from La Fortuna.
Map of Things to Do in La Fortuna and Arenal
Where to Stay in La Fortuna and Arenal
- Hotel Las Colinas – Cute hotel in the middle of town across from the park. They have a terrace where you get a great view of Arenal volcano and it’s a nice place to relax. Rooms are basic but comfortable. They have a garden with blue jean frogs too! If you are the type of traveler who likes to be close to all the services and town, this is one of the best. Rooms start at $60
- Arenal Backpackers Resort – This is truly a hostel resort. They have a large outdoor pool, hammocks and a garden. The fun thing about this hostel is the tents which is a fun alternative to the standard hostel room. Very close to La Fortuna and the best hostel in our opinion for the area. Tents start at $40, a bed starts at $30
- Arenal Observatory Lodge – The only hotel actually in the national park, this lodge has a huge property with tons of trails, rivers and waterfalls to explore. You get a close view of the volcano from everywhere you go! The rustic rooms are comfortable and quiet and you can center your whole time in Arenal at this lodge since they have horseback riding on the property, their own private Cerro Chato trail and hanging bridges. Our favorite place to take friends so they can get a pure Costa Rica nature experience. Rooms start at $120
- Arenal Kioro: Looking for luxury and to be pampered? The Arenal Kioro is one of the best luxury hotels with a spa, their own private hot springs, a Jacuzzi in every room and a stunning view of the volcano with floor to ceiling windows. They also have an awesome breakfast buffet and every room gets a free mini facial! Rooms start at $250
- Airbnb: We’ve stayed at an Airbnb in Arenal before. It’s a huge house perfect for families, only 5 minutes from Fortuna town. Read our review here.
Arenal Tour Discount
We have a parternship with Jacamar Naturalist Tours to give 10% off most of the tours in Arenal. If you want to do any of these tours, please email us at hello(@)mytanfeet.com with your dates, number of people and tour you want to do so we can help you get 10% off! We also have special rates for groups bigger than 5.
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Hello Rachel, every company has a different age, weight and height limit. I have seen 7 years old kids doing all the tours you mentioned and for the smallest and youngest kids, they go with the guide so I think that you will be ok. All the companies are very responsible and they will never put any member of your family on risk. Most of the companies will write what the age limit is on their website too.
All these companies open 7 days a week and you can either reserve in advance or even the same day. We have a partnership with Jacamar, one of the oldest and biggest companies in the Arenal area and if you would like, we can help you putting tours and activities together. You can email us hello@mytanfeet.com 🙂
Hi! I LOVE the blog!! We will be traveling with kids ages 7,11, & 13. Are there any age/height/weight restrictions for zip lines, bridges, canyoning, and horseback riding? Are these attractions open 7 days a week? Do we need to reserve in advance? Also, are there any tours with guides that package this? We are traveling in July.
Thanks
Rachel
Stroller friendly is very hard because most of the places aren’t like the national park, La Fortuna waterfall or the hanging bridges. A chocolate tour would be really fun for kids to learn about how they make chocolate, there is a company called Rainforest that does them. The Baldi hot springs has a great kids area. The hanging bridges walk isn’t super long so that could be something if your little one would like to see some wildlife, but I’d say it’s at least a few kilometers. You don’t have to walk the whole thing though.
The Arenal/Fortuna area is very big and everything is spread out so renting a car would be a lot more flexible if you want to explore but if you just want to do a couple of tours and aren’t interested in visiting Fortuna town or exploring much, you can take tours. Luckily driving around Arenal/Fortuna is pretty easy, roads are good, parking is ample and it’s a safe town so if you would like to be more comfortable, then I’d say rent a car. We have a car rental discount that also offers free baby and booster seats you can check out here: Costa Rica car rental discount
Hi,
We are planning a trip with two kids. Age 3 years and 8 months. Which activities would you recommend are do-able with kids or are stroller friendly?
Is it worth renting a car or is it better to take tours. I understand each option has pros and cons but what would you recommend to first time travelers to the area.
Thanks.
I definitely suggest using the link to rent a car from Adobe. In La Fortuna you will want one and they are relatively cheap. The activities in La Fortuna are pretty rugged and in most places a stroller will be useless or a real hassle. I’d suggest a baby backpack if you really want to bring the little ones on an adventure vacation.
Hi Niki, you can read about the best times to go to Costa Rica here: Best time to visit Costa Rica . I would say that June/November are better options since it’s our shoulders months so not quite as many people and not as expensive. July is super crowded and expensive due to the mid winter break schools have in Costa Rica as well as the summer crowds from North America.
Planning a 7 day trip with my 17 yr old daughter and I for later this yr. It will be our first trip flying and out of the US. Huge deal for us. Whats the best time of yr to go? My options are limited to June, July and November Thansgiving week due to school for us both.
It depends on what you want. If you want to be in town and be near all the amenities and services like banks, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc. then I suggest staying in La Fortuna as that is the town (read about it here La Fortuna). If you don’t really care to be in town and want more of a getaway, then stay in Arenal.
Most of the hotels around Arenal are a ways away from town and have a fairly intimate property as they are pretty spaced out. If you have a car, then you can easily drive to town if you need stuff but if you don’t, you’ll have to take a taxi or have the hotel arrange a shuttle for you every time you want to go. As for tours, if you go with a tour company then they always pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.
But if you’re not interested in doing tours, you’ll have to taxi it everywhere which can get expensive, or you need to rent a car. If you need ideas for hotels in Arenal, we have a post with recommendations: Luxury hotels in La Fortuna and Arenal
I highly recommend Hostel Backpackers La Fortuna if you say in the town. They are amazing, I am staying with them a second time next month, if you are new to the area and are not sure about things (or just would like someone to make the planning way easier) they do it all. The first time I just emailed them the activities I was interested in and what days I would be there and they did the rest. Saving me a bunch of money in the process. Also I didn’t have a car, so they fixed all my transport for me. And the whole staff is warm, and professional!
That’s great to hear you had a good experience! All hotels in La Fortuna are very good about helping their guests book tours and arranging activities/transportation for them. They make it easy to just relax and enjoy 🙂
Hello, just wondering if you could recommend staying in Arenal vs. La Fortuna. We have two nights in the area and are interested in activities such as canyoning, hiking, enjoying the hot springs, and relaxing! I would so appreciate any opinions you could share on this matter. Thank you so much.
Which of these activities cost money? I am thoroughly confused by the hanging bridges because they offer tours but I don’t know if you could just go there without having to be in a tour.
All of them cost money. You can pay the entrance rate at the hanging bridges and walk it yourself, you don’t need to go on a tour but most people do because they go with a guide who can point out flora and fauna to them, but it’s up to you.
Costa Rica looks amazing! I love how much nature there is. Zip lining, the safari and the waterfall looks beautiful! 🙂
It definitely is, the nature is the best thing about here 🙂
What a great destination! Any place that has ziplining, horseback riding and waterfalls all packaged together sounds great to me. I’d imagine that one could stay there for a week and never get bored … but how long would you suggest a visitor stay if his time in Costa Rica is limited?
A week is good but you’d have to narrow your travels down to probably only two destinations to really get to experience it which is fine. It’s just hard to narrow down which destinations!
You had me at hot springs, lol. I love water and would love to see the beautiful waterfalls and sit in those amazing hot springs. Walking across that crazy bridge sounds like a fun adventure too. Costa Rica is on our list and will add these to that to do list. Thanks for a great post. You have me itching to go…
Haha the hot springs are the true highlight or the area! Hope you get to visit one day!
Oh wow I need to get to Costa Rica soon! Looks fabulous!
It’s pretty awesome!
I miss La Fortuna SO MUCH! Cerro Chato was hands down the hardest hike ever but we lucked out with amazing weather and we were able to see the lagoon at the top. We did canyoning, Cerro Chato, La Fortuna waterfall, hanging bridges, zip lining and eco termales hot springs! Next time I really want to do horseback riding and class 4 rapids!
La Fortuna is such a great travel destination! I’m jealous you got to see the lagoon, we’ll have to go back and do it during dry season so we can actualy see something haha! Horseback riding is really fun!