Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall: 65-meter drop

Ride to a 65-meter waterfall, swim in its pools, cross the canopy on foot

A four-hour horseback ride from La Fortuna takes you through rainforest to a 65-meter waterfall plunging into dense jungle. You dismount to hike down 500 stairs, cross a hanging bridge suspended over the forest canopy, and swim in the pools at the waterfall's base before returning by horse through the jungle to visit a Maleku Indigenous Village. Hotel pickup and a local guide in English or Spanish are included. Groups stay under 15 people.

Options for this experience

2 options

From US$ 89 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Customer arrives at main point 13:30 Guide in English or Spanish

Horseback riding and transport 08:30 and 13:30 Guide in English or Spanish Minivan

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What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• local guide in English or Spanish.
• transport from La Fortuna Downtown.

Times

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• Every day 08:30 13:30

Information

Ride horseback through rainforest to La Fortuna Waterfall, cross a hanging bridge over the canopy, and swim in natural pools with hotel pickup and a local guide.

Group Up to 15

Live guide English and Spanish

Meeting point and pickup You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 49 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 20 minutes before departure. See the exact addressSee the pickup points

Book up to 12h before

Ages Adult (12 and older) · Child (8 to 11 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems Infants must sit on laps

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

4.25 ★★★★★ Very good 4 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The ride starts from your hotel and heads into the rainforest toward Arenal Volcano's slopes. Your guide watches for toucans, iguanas, parakeets and sloths as you move through the landscape on horseback. The waterfall itself (65 meters of water dropping into dense jungle) comes into view as you approach, and the sound grows louder the closer you get.

Once you reach the waterfall, you dismount and hike down 500 stairs to the base. The hanging bridge crosses high above the forest canopy, giving you a bird's-eye view of the trees below before you descend the rest of the way. At the waterfall's base, the water pools in clear basins cold enough to swim in, and most riders take time to cool off there. The return journey retraces the stairs back up, then leads by horseback through the jungle to the Maleku Indigenous Village, where you stop before heading back to your hotel.

The four-hour outing is built around what you do (riding, hiking, swimming) rather than watching from a distance. Groups max out at 15 people, which keeps the pace manageable and the guide's attention distributed. Transport from La Fortuna Downtown and hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the booking.

Top questions

Can I be picked up at my hotel?

You can choose: pickup at your hotel, or go straight to the meeting point. When you book, you choose your hotel from 49 pickup locations; if yours isn’t listed, you can type in your address. Pickup is about 20 minutes before departure.

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 11 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

How steep is the hike down to the waterfall?

The descent involves 500 stairs down to the waterfall's base, then the same 500 stairs back up on the return. The hanging bridge crossing partway down is a short walk, and the hike itself takes about 15 minutes each way.

What wildlife might I see on the ride?

Toucans, iguanas, parakeets and sloths are common in the rainforest along the route. Your guide points them out as you ride, though sightings depend on the time of day and season.

Can I swim at the waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall pools into clear basins at the base where you can swim and cool off. Most riders spend time in the water before heading back up the stairs.

What's the Maleku Indigenous Village stop like?

The Maleku Indigenous Village is a stop on the return journey by horseback through the jungle. Your guide leads a visit to the village before you ride back to your hotel.

Do I need riding experience?

No prior experience is required. The ride is suited to moderate fitness levels. Children from age 8 can join. Younger children can sit on an adult's lap. The ride is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

Operated by Green Line Costa Rica. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago