Things to do in Central Valley
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La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano Hike, Hanging Bridges & WaterfallYou hike through a 1968 lava field with Arenal volcano rising behind you, walk nine suspension bridges 2 miles through the jungle canopy, swim in the pool at La Fortuna Waterfall, and eat lunch at a Maleku village with butterfly gardens. A bilingual guide handles animal spotting and all navigation, and pickup, transport, entry fees and meals are included — you just show up ready to move.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see Arenal's main highlights — volcano, canopy, waterfall — without arranging separate guides, transport and tickets, and who have moderate fitness for hiking and don't have spinal or heart conditions that would make a full day of trails risky.
Arenal Volcano Zip Line and Rappel Tour with Hot SpringsThis zip line and rappelling activity at Go Adventure Park takes you across 13 platforms and 9 cables through the rainforest canopy above the Arenal River canyon, then down a 50-meter rappel before ending with hot springs at Montaña de Fuego Resort. The tour runs about 2 hours and includes park fees, taxes, and a visit to Maleku Village. Children from age 7 are welcome, and a live English-speaking guide leads the way.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're going with a group or family and want a full morning activity that combines speed and control—the zip lines get your adrenaline up, the rappel brings focus and technique, and the hot springs give everyone time to recover and talk about what just happened.
La Fortuna: Balsa River White Water Rafting & LunchYou’ll paddle through Class III white water on Balsa River with guides who know every bend by heart. There’s time for swimming and fresh fruit along jungle banks, plus wildlife spotting if you’re lucky. Afterward you’ll share lunch at La Finquita with your group—leaving you both tired and oddly peaceful.
La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano: Guided Hike, Waterfall Swim, Local LunchYou’ll hike through Arenal Volcano National Park with a local guide who shares stories about eruptions and wildlife, then descend to swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall’s spray before relaxing over a home-cooked lunch at a family ranch. Expect real Costa Rican flavors, friendly faces, and moments that stick with you long after your shoes dry out.
Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Rainforest & Pacific Coast All-InclusiveYou’ll wake early for Pacific coast sunrises and end days soaking in volcanic hot springs. Walk rainforest bridges in Arenal, spot wildlife with local guides, taste fresh cheese at La Paz Gardens, and raft wild rivers—all with hotels and transport sorted so you can just live it.
La Fortuna: Mistico Hanging Bridges & Arenal Volcano TourYou get picked up from your hotel, driven to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park in La Fortuna, and spend the morning or afternoon walking suspended bridges above the rainforest canopy with a naturalist guide who points out wildlife and explains the ecosystem. Entry fees and transportation are included; the tour is guided from start to finish, so you're never navigating the park alone or wondering what you're looking at.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see the rainforest from above without arranging your own transport or paying separate entry fees at the gate — the guide and the included pickup are what make a morning or afternoon in the canopy actually happen instead of staying a plan.
Ziplining in La Fortuna: 8 cables through rainforest canopyArenal Canopy Adventure is a zipline activity near La Fortuna where you clip into 8 cables that cross 2 km of rainforest canopy, reaching speeds up to 56 kph between platforms set 20 to 90 meters high. Two expert guides manage your connection and braking at every cable, and hotel pickup is included. Minimum age is 6; not recommended for pregnant travelers.Is it for me?Book the shared tour to zip alongside other guests; choose private if you want two guides dedicated to your group across all 8 cables.
La Fortuna: Sarapiqui Rafting & Organic Farm TourYou paddle Class II and III rapids on the Sarapiqui for two hours, stop for fresh fruit mid-run, then return to La Fortuna for an organic buffet lunch with a farm walk and sugarcane tasting. Hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guide, and safety gear are included. Photos are available for purchase from the guide.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a half-day that combines real rapids with a real meal — the rafting and the farm lunch are both substantial enough to fill a morning or afternoon, and the pickup from your hotel means you don't have to navigate La Fortuna or figure out timing yourself.
San Jose: Sarapiqui River Class III & IV Whitewater RaftingYou paddle 14 miles of Class III and IV rapids on the Sarapiqui River with a certified guide who reads the water and calls the moves. The day includes hotel pickup from San Jose, all safety gear, two hours of continuous paddling through jungle canyons, lunch, and return transport. Book at least two people per trip, and bring a valid passport.Is it for me?Book this if you want the adrenaline of serious whitewater without arranging transport from San Jose or figuring out which section of river to run — the fixed itinerary and certified guide handle the logistics and the safety, leaving you to focus on paddling.
Manuel Antonio National Park Day Trip from San JoseYou get picked up from your San Jose hotel early, stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast on the way, then spend the afternoon in Manuel Antonio National Park hiking trails to spot monkeys and sloths, swimming in coral reef waters, and relaxing on pristine beaches. Lunch and all park fees are included, and your entry is pre-registered so you skip the ticket line. The minivan returns you to your hotel by evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Manuel Antonio's beaches, rainforest and wildlife in one day without arranging transport, park tickets or figuring out the entry system yourself—the pre-registration and included pickup are what make a full park visit possible from San Jose.
La Fortuna Hot Springs: Volcanic Pools Entry & Rainforest RetreatYou’ll slip into La Fortuna’s volcanic hot springs, letting rainforest sounds settle your mind as warm mineral water eases every muscle. Wander shaded trails between soaks, then share a fresh Costa Rican lunch while mist drifts through green leaves overhead. It’s not flashy—just honest peace you’ll want to take home with you.
La Fortuna: Costa Rican Cooking Class & Salsa Night ComboYou’ll cook classic Costa Rican dishes with a local chef in La Fortuna, share a homemade dinner with fellow travelers, then learn salsa steps from a real dance instructor—all in one relaxed evening. Expect laughter, good food, some wobbly dance moves, and plenty of Pura Vida spirit to take home with you.
San Jose: Aquiares Coffee Tour & Tasting 2 HoursYou walk through a working coffee farm outside Turrialba, watch beans roast and learn to taste coffee properly through a guided cupping session. The two-hour experience includes entry fees, a professional English-speaking guide, and all tastings. Groups max out at fifteen people, which keeps the pace manageable and the conversation real. Book ahead—they require a reservation before you arrive.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand where your coffee actually comes from and don't want to spend a full day traveling to get there—the two-hour format and small group size mean you get the real farm experience without the logistics of a longer excursion.
La Fortuna: Arenal Hanging Bridges & Waterfall Combo with LunchYou’ll cross hanging bridges above the Arenal rainforest canopy with a local guide, spot wildlife you’d miss alone, descend to swim or watch at La Fortuna Waterfall, then share a home-cooked lunch with a local family before heading back — expect laughter, real conversation, and those little sensory moments that stick with you long after.
Río Celeste: Tubing Adventure & Jungle Wildlife ExperienceYou’ll float down Río Celeste’s bright blue water with a local guide, spotting sloths and colorful birds as you go. There are moments of fast rapids and calm drifting under thick jungle canopy. You’ll swim in clear pools (if weather allows), try volcanic mud, and share snacks by the riverbank — all with safety gear included.
La Fortuna canyoning and rafting comboThis eight-hour combo activity in La Fortuna combines canyoning and white water rafting: you rappel down tropical waterfalls, rock climb and zip-line in the canyon, then paddle Class II-III rapids on the Balsa River. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, beverages, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and all gear are included; children from age 8 are welcome when accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?One day, two epic adventures: rappel down waterfalls and zip-line through the canyon, then hit the rapids—your driver picks you up once and guides you through both.
Sarapiquí River Rafting: Class II–III Near ArenalSarapiquí River rafting near La Fortuna is a full-day activity where you paddle Class II–III rapids with a bilingual naturalist guide, equipment and lunch included. The river runs through rainforest with wildlife and flora visible from the water; you'll stop to taste local fruits and eat a typical meal at a restaurant in the area. Children from age 7 can participate, and hotel pickup is arranged.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary and safety briefing in whichever language works for you. Families with kids 7 and older fit the pace; adults of any fitness level can manage the Class II–III current.
La Fortuna: Night Walk Wildlife Tour with Guide & LightingYou’ll feel the forest come alive after dark as you spot frogs, bats, snakes, and spiders with your local guide in La Fortuna. Listen for hidden animal calls while your guide shares stories about each species along the trail. With lighting equipment included and plenty of laughs along the way, this night walk is equal parts adventure and learning—a memory that lingers long after.
Canyoning La Fortuna: Waterfall Jumps & RappelsYou rappel an 80-foot waterfall, jump four cliff pools ranging from 10 to 30 feet, boulder and trace through a hidden canyon, and swim in crystalline pools — all with a professional guide, full equipment, and lunch included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are part of it, and you'll need sturdy shoes and a change of clothes. Groups stay under 10 people, and you need to be 16 or older with solid fitness.Is it for me?Right for thrill-seekers aged 16+ with solid fitness who want the full waterfall experience — rappelling, jumping, and swimming — without arranging their own transport or guide. Expect to be wet and exhausted in the best way, and plan to be out most of the day.
La Fortuna hiking tour: 3 hikes, hanging bridges, waterfallA 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.Is it for me?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.
