Ask a local

Join Our Facebook Community

Still have questions or want local tips straight from our team? Join our Facebook community. That’s where we share updates, answer questions, and help you plan your Costa Rica trip the smart way.

Facebook group, insider tips

Best Tours in La Fortuna

These are the 15 tours we suggest you consider and book in La Fortuna. The list starts on the volcano and in the forest around it. Then it moves on to the rivers and the lake. It ends in the hot springs, which is how most days here end anyway.

1. Arenal Combo Tour: La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano Hike and Hot Springs

This is the classic La Fortuna day, and it’s the easiest way to fit the big three into one trip. You start at La Fortuna Waterfall, where around 530 steps lead down to the pool. There’s time for a swim below the 70-meter drop.

Next comes a guided hike of 2.5 hours at the base of the volcano. It’s in a private park called Parque Ecológico Volcán Arenal. After a lunch stop, the day ends with a soak in the Choyín hot river.

Our pick costs around $96 per person and takes 8 hours, with hotel pickup and a bilingual guide. Groups are capped at 15 people. Longer combos of 9 to 12 hours add the hanging bridges, for around $140 to $154.

The plan is set. You get around 1.5 hours at the waterfall and 2.5 hours on the volcano trails. After lunch, there are 40 minutes in the hot river before the ride back. Bring a swimsuit, a towel, a change of clothes and closed shoes. The steps and trails make it a poor fit for anyone with limited mobility.

2. Guided Arenal Volcano Hike

A guided volcano hike is the budget pick, and it fits into half a day. You walk through the forest and out onto the old lava flows.

Our pick costs around $50 and takes 2.5 hours, with up to 10 people. It starts at Mirador El Silencio, a reserve at the base of the volcano. The entry fee is included, but transport isn’t, so consider that.

The hike has two parts. First comes a 1-hour forest walk, where the guide looks for wildlife and explains the plants. Then you spend another hour on the hardened lava, hearing how the eruption changed the land. The ground is uneven, so wear hiking shoes. Bring water, a snack and rain gear. Kids under 4 can’t join. Our Arenal Volcano tours guide has more volcano options, which you can check.

3. Mistico Hanging Bridges Guided Tour

Mistico Park has a 3.2 km loop through the rainforest near the Arenal dam, with 16 bridges on the way. Lots of people walk it alone, but a guide with a spotting scope makes a big difference. Sloths and vipers are very easy to miss on your own.

At the park, the guided tour costs $44 plus tax and takes 2 to 2.5 hours. Our pick costs around $54 with the bridges ticket, and groups are capped at 10 people. Self-guided tickets start at $32 plus tax.

The bird, twilight and night walks cost $54 plus tax, and the night walk starts at 6 PM.

The guide looks for wildlife at three levels: high in the canopy, in the undergrowth and on the forest floor. Along the way, you hear how the plants and animals depend on each other. Transport and lunch aren’t included, so plan your own ride. The park is 2 km east of the Arenal dam.

4. Sloth and Wildlife Walk

A sloth walk is one of the gentlest tours in town. A guide takes you along forest trails at the edge of La Fortuna. Then the guide sets up a scope on sloths, toucans and frogs.

At Bogarín Trail, a guided walk costs $45 and takes 2 hours, with up to 8 people. Walks leave every hour or so, 8 AM until 4 PM, and you can also walk it alone for $20. We compare five tours in our guide to sloth tours in La Fortuna.

Bogarín Trail is a patch of regrown rainforest, just minutes from the town center. Guides carry binoculars and spotting scopes, and they’re good at finding sloths high in the trees. Poison dart frogs and colorful birds are common too. Bring insect repellent and comfortable shoes. Transport to the trail and snacks aren’t included.

5. Night Walk in the Rainforest

The forests around La Fortuna get busy after dark. On a night walk, a guide uses a flashlight to find red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, sleeping birds and sloths.

Our pick costs around $42 and takes 2 hours, with walks at 6 PM and 8 PM. Groups are capped at 8 people, and the entry ticket is included. Transport and dinner aren’t, so eat early before you go.

Other night walks in the area cost around $25 to $60, depending on the operator.

The trails are easy and well kept, in real rainforest just outside town. Guides are certified by the national tourism board. They use low-glare flashlights, which don’t bother the animals. Frogs, geckos, stick insects, scorpions and glowing fungi are common finds. With luck, you might see a kinkajou or an armadillo. Wear closed shoes.

6. Zipline Tour Over the Rainforest

Ziplining in La Fortuna takes you over the rainforest, with views of the volcano and the lake on clear days. There are several parks, and these three show the range of prices:

• Sky Trek (El Castillo): $93 plus 13% tax, so around $105 in total. A ride up on the Sky Tram is included. It costs more over Christmas, New Year and Easter week.
• Arenal Mundo Aventura: Around $82 for 7 cables over the forest and canyons, near La Fortuna Waterfall.
• Ecoglide: $54 for 11 cables, or $78 with the Tarzan swing, and transport is included.

Our pick is the 7-cable tour at Arenal Mundo Aventura, which takes around 2 hours. Kids can join from age 7.

The park covers 560 hectares, with views of Pino Blanco Waterfall, Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato. You climb an 18-meter tower to reach the cables. On the fastest lines, you reach 65 to 70 km/h. The signature cable crosses a canyon with a view of La Fortuna Waterfall. Wear sports shoes and bring insect repellent.

7. Balsa River Whitewater Rafting

The Balsa River is the easy-going rafting trip near La Fortuna. You paddle through Class II and III rapids, and you look for sloths, monkeys and birds on the calmer stretches. Halfway down, there’s a stop on the riverbank for a swim and fresh fruit.

Our pick costs around $65 for 5 hours, with 2 hours on the river. Lunch and hotel pickup near town are included. Wear closed shoes that strap on, and pack a set of dry clothes.

The guides are rafting specialists who have competed around the world. Before you get in, there’s a short safety talk. You get a helmet, a life jacket and a paddle. Towels and water are waiting at the end. Photos are sold separately. Pregnant women and people with limited mobility can’t join.

8. Canyoning and Waterfall Rappelling

Canyoning is the pick for anyone who wants a bit more thrill. You rappel down waterfalls and a rock wall in a private canyon, on ropes, with a guide beside you.

Pure Trek charges around $119, for 4 rappels in 4 hours. Lunch and pickup from hotels in the La Fortuna area are included. Tours leave at 7 AM and 12 PM.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, since you get wet on the waterfall rappels.

The tour starts at the operator’s base in La Fortuna. A short video shows you what to expect, and the guides give a safety talk before the first rappel. On the 7 AM tour, lunch is after the rappels. On the noon tour, it’s before. Bring quick-dry clothes, hiking shoes and a change of clothes.

9. Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River

The safari float is the calm way to see wildlife from the water. You drift down the Peñas Blancas River in a raft, around 30 minutes from La Fortuna. A guide spots birds, monkeys, caimans and iguanas on the banks, and it’s a good choice with kids.

Our pick costs around $74 and takes 3 hours, with hotel pickup and a fruit break. It’s a nice slow morning after a busy day of rafting or ziplining.

First, a short drive takes you to the river. Then you climb into an inflatable raft, and the guide does all the paddling. Look for oropendolas, toucans, kingfishers, monkeys and poison dart frogs. Bring a camera and binoculars. Babies under 1 can’t join, but it’s a good fit for kids and bird lovers.

10. Lake Arenal Kayak Tour

Lake Arenal is the largest lake in Costa Rica. A kayak tour gets you out on the water with the volcano in view. It’s a quiet, easy paddle, with no rapids.

Our pick costs around $65 and takes 3 to 3.5 hours, with 2 hours of paddling. Transport from La Fortuna, a guide, fruit and water are included. Book a morning paddle, as clouds often cover the top of the volcano later in the day.

Single and double kayaks are both offered. Halfway, you stop for fruit and a swim, with views of the volcano and the Tilarán mountains. Groups are capped at 12 people, and kids under 5 can’t join. Bring a swimsuit, water shoes and a change of clothes.

11. Caño Negro Wetland Boat Tour

Caño Negro is a full-day trip north, to the wetlands near the Nicaraguan border. A boat takes you along the Río Frío for 2.5 hours. You look for caimans, birds and monkeys on the banks.

Our pick costs around $99 and takes 8 hours. Hotel pickup, lunch, entry fees and taxes are included. It’s a long day, so it suits bird lovers best.

The bus heads north to Los Chiles, where you board the boat. On the river, look for wood storks, cormorants, spider monkeys, turtles and three-toed sloths. Lunch is a typical Costa Rican meal at a local restaurant, with fresh juice and coffee. Bring a passport or a copy, plus insect repellent and a rain jacket.

12. Río Celeste Day Tour

Río Celeste is the sky-blue river and waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park. A day tour from La Fortuna takes care of the drive, which saves you a long day behind the wheel.

Our pick costs around $89.50 and takes 8 hours, with pickup, entry fees, lunch and a guide. On your own, the park ticket costs $13.56 and is sold online only. Last entry is 2 PM, and you can stay until 4 PM.

Swimming isn’t allowed, and the blue can look weaker after heavy rain. Our Río Celeste guide has the full details.

The drive takes around 80 minutes, with a coffee stop in Guatuso. On the trail, you see Los Teñideros, where two clear rivers meet and turn blue. The guide explains the minerals behind the color. You also stop at a viewpoint over Tenorio Volcano. Closed shoes are required, and bring a passport or a copy.

13. Horseback Ride to La Fortuna Waterfall

A horseback ride is a slow, relaxed way to see the farmland and forest around La Fortuna. This one ends at La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can swim in the pool.

It costs around $79 and takes 4 hours, with pickup in the La Fortuna area. The waterfall ticket is included, and groups are capped at 10 people. You don’t need to have ridden before, but kids must be at least 5.

Before you book any ride, ask how the horses are looked after and what the rider weight limit is.

The route also stops at an indigenous village. At the waterfall, there’s time for a swim before the ride back to your hotel. Souvenir photos are part of the price, but food and drinks aren’t. Wear closed shoes and bring a swimsuit. Pregnant women and people with back problems can’t join.

14. Coffee and Chocolate Tour

A farm tour is a nice change of pace from the volcano. You see how cacao pods are turned into chocolate, and many tours add coffee too. These are two good ones:

• North Fields: Around $46 for 2.5 hours, with coffee, chocolate and sugarcane tastings. Local taxes and pickup near town are included.
• Rainforest Chocolate Tour: Around $34 for 1.5 hours, and transport isn’t included.

Both fit nicely into a free afternoon. Our pick is North Fields.

North Fields is a family-owned farm near Arenal Volcano. The tour starts in the nursery, then follows each step: planting, harvesting, drying and roasting. You grind beans yourself and help make fresh coffee and chocolate. There are farm animals and small sugarcane fields too. Groups are capped at 15 people, so there’s time for questions.

15. Hot Springs Evening

After a day of tours, most people end up in the hot springs. An evening soak in the thermal pools is a nice way to rest tired legs. These are three popular day passes:

• Tabacón: $115, or $184 with a meal.
• Baldi: Around $60, with 25 thermal pools and waterslides. A meal costs extra.
• EcoTermales: Around $49, with small groups at set times, so book ahead.

Our pick is Baldi, where dinner slots start at 5 PM. Our guide to the best hot springs in La Fortuna compares all of them, including the free hot river.

Besides the pools, there are saunas and a jacuzzi big enough for 60 people. Kids get their own pool and play area, with a whirling bowl slide next to it. Lunch slots begin at 12 PM. Bring a change of clothes, biodegradable sunscreen and some cash. The resort works for wheelchairs and strollers.

Best Time of Day for Tours Around Arenal Volcano

Arenal is on the wetter, Caribbean side of Costa Rica, so rain can fall in any month. February to April is the driest stretch. The top of the volcano is often hidden in cloud, and clear mornings give you the best chance to see it.

That’s why it’s worth booking hikes, bridges and ziplines in the morning. The hot springs are best saved for the evening, when a bit of rain doesn’t matter. Night walks start at around 6 PM, so a late lunch helps.

For the water tours, these are the things to pack:

• Closed shoes that strap on: For rafting, canyoning and wet trails.
• A swimsuit and dry clothes: You’ll get wet on most river tours.
• A credit or debit card: Arenal Volcano National Park doesn’t take cash.
• A rain jacket: Showers can come in any month.

To plan the days around your tours, you can follow our La Fortuna itinerary. Our picks for the best hotels in La Fortuna can help you choose a base close to the tours you want.

For more ideas between tours, see our list of things to do in La Fortuna. Our guide to ATV tours in La Fortuna covers the quad rides.

Which La Fortuna Tours Should You Book?

For a first trip, book the waterfall, volcano and hot springs combo. It covers the three things most people come here for, in one day, for around $96.

With a second day, add something on the water. Families can go for the safari float or the Balsa River rafting trip. For more thrill, go with canyoning instead.

On a tight budget, the guided volcano hike for around $50 and the Bogarín sloth walk for $45 are the best value. End the day at Baldi or EcoTermales rather than Tabacón, and you’ll still get your hot springs night.

La Fortuna Tours FAQ

How Much Do Tours in La Fortuna Cost?

Most tours in La Fortuna cost around $45 to $120 per person. Short walks are the cheapest, with the sloth walk at $45 and night walks near $42. Half-day river and lake tours cost $65 to $75. Full-day trips to Caño Negro or Río Celeste cost $90 to $100, much like the big combo. Canyoning costs around $119. Some operators quote prices before 13% tax, so check the total.

Can You Hike to the Top of Arenal Volcano?

No, you can’t hike to the top of Arenal Volcano, because the summit is off-limits. Guided hikes go along the lower slopes and the old lava flows instead.

To hike inside the national park, the fee is $16.95, and the booth takes cards only. The Volcán sector is open 8 AM to 4 PM, with the last entry at 2:30 PM.

Do La Fortuna Tours Pick You Up From an Airbnb?

Not always. Many tours include pickup from hotels in and near town, but some operators skip Airbnbs and rental houses.

The Balsa rafting company, for example, only picks up at hotels within 6 km of the central park. Staying in a rental? Ask for the nearest meeting point, or drive to the office. The rafting office has safe parking.

Do Tours in La Fortuna Go Ahead in the Rain?

Yes, most tours in La Fortuna go ahead in the rain. The waterfall combo, canyoning and the Caño Negro trip all go out rain or shine.

North Fields lends umbrellas on its farm tour. On canyoning, you get a spray jacket, since the rappels soak you anyway. Pack a light rain jacket and quick-dry clothes.

Should You Book La Fortuna Tours Ahead?

It’s a good idea in the dry season, December to April. Small-group tours fill first. The Mistico guided walk and the horseback ride to the waterfall are often marked as likely to sell out.

Many of our picks offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Many also let you reserve now and pay later.

Is La Fortuna or Monteverde Better for Tours?

They’re different, and most people visit both. La Fortuna is warmer and lower, with the volcano, hot springs, waterfalls and river tours.

Monteverde is a cool cloud forest, best for guided reserve walks, night walks and quetzals. Ziplines and hanging bridges are in both. The jeep-boat-jeep transfer links the two towns.