La Fortuna hiking tour: 3 hikes, hanging bridges, waterfall

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/14

Duration6h

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Cross 16 bridges and hike to a waterfall base in a single morning, then climb volcanic terrain in the afternoon.

A full-day hiking tour near La Fortuna combines three separate trails: a 3 km circuit across 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges through the rainforest; a 15-minute descent to La Fortuna Waterfall where you can swim; and an Arenal Volcano hike crossing solidified lava from the 1968 eruption, ending with views of Lake Arenal. A professional guide leads the route in English or Spanish, and the day includes lunch at a local restaurant, bottled water, entrance fees and hotel pickup. The tour runs six hours total and suits hikers with solid fitness who want three distinct landscapes in one outing.

The Experience

The day starts at the hanging bridges, a 3 km circuit that keeps you moving through the rainforest canopy without technical climbing. You'll cross 10 fixed bridges and 6 hanging ones at varying heights — the trail slopes at a maximum of 7 percent with no stairs, slip-resistant concrete underfoot and safety railings throughout, so the exposure is real but the footing is stable. The flora and fauna shift as you move through the different elevations, and the bridges themselves are the main event here, not a single viewpoint at the end.

From there you head to La Fortuna Waterfall and hike down to its base, a 15-minute walk that lands you at the pool below the drop. You can swim in the water or sit on the rocks and let the mist cool you down — the choice is yours. After that comes lunch at a local restaurant where you eat traditional Costa Rican food, and the guide builds in rest time before the afternoon push.

The final hike takes you onto the Arenal Volcano trails, where the ground itself tells the story: you walk across the solidified lava that poured out during the 1968 eruption, and the rainforest is slowly reclaiming it. Rock formations rise around you, and the plants and animals have adapted to this younger landscape. By the time you reach the top of the trail, Lake Arenal spreads out below, and you've covered three completely different terrains in a single day.

What’s included

Professional guide in English or Spanish.
entrance fees to all three trails.
lunch at a local restaurant.
bottled water throughout the day.
transportation to and from the trailheads.
hotel pickup.

Good to know

Demanding physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Jacamar Naturalist Tours

Is this one for you?Book the private option if you want to set the pace and rest when you need it; the shared tour works if you're comfortable with a group and want to split the cost. Either way, this tour is built for hikers who can sustain six hours of mixed terrain and want to see three different landscapes — rainforest canopy, a waterfall pool, and volcanic ground — without organizing the logistics yourself.