Night Walk La Fortuna: Wildlife After Dark in the Jungle

Walk the jungle at night and watch the forest shift from day to nocturnal life

ANURA is a guided night walk through La Fortuna's jungle on a restored trail, running 2 hours with groups of up to 8 people per guide. You carry a flashlight and walking stick, stop to listen and observe as your guide points out red-eyed frogs, insects, reptiles, birds and alligators in their active hours. The trail is accessible and surrounded by restored vegetation. Entrance, gear and parking are included. Choose the 6 p.m. departure to catch the shift between day and night, or the 8:15 p.m. slot if you prefer a later start.

Step-by-step itinerary

Night tour exploring La Fortuna forest

• Meet guide near La Fortuna
• Walk on safe, restored trails
• Observe red-eyed frogs and insects
• Spot night birds and reptiles
• Look for alligators in wet areas
• Listen to jungle sounds after twilight
• Learn about ecology and conservation

The experience

You arrive in La Fortuna with an afternoon free and want to see the jungle as it actually lives, not the daytime version. ANURA runs the night walk minutes from town, so you can book without arranging transport separately. The 6 p.m. start catches the forest in transition, when diurnal animals retreat and nocturnal ones emerge. The 8:15 p.m. option works if you're settling in later. Either way, you meet your guide at the trailhead with a flashlight and walking stick in hand, and the next two hours unfold on trails that have been restored and maintained specifically for safe night walking.

The guide stops the group at spots where the sounds and patterns of the jungle shift: places where you can hear frogs calling, watch insects move across leaves, or catch the reflection of eyes in the beam of your flashlight. Red-eyed tree frogs are common. Reptiles, amphibians, night birds and alligators in the wet areas are what you're watching for, though the guide's knowledge of the forest's ecology and conservation work shapes what you notice as much as what you see. The trail is accessible and the group stays small (no more than 8 people with one guide), so the pace is unhurried and there's room to linger when something holds your attention.

The 8:15 p.m. departure ends around 10:15 p.m., which can make getting a taxi or Uber difficult afterward. The operator recommends arranging your pickup in advance if you choose that slot. The 6 p.m. tour ends by 8 p.m., leaving the evening open. Entrance to the park, flashlights, walking sticks, the guide and secure parking are all included.

What’s included

• Entrance to ANURA Park.
• flashlights and walking sticks.
• professional guide in English or Spanish.
• secure parking at the trailhead.

Options for this experience

2 options

La Fortuna Tour and Night WalkGuide in English or Spanish · 18:00, 19:00 and 20:15

Night walk, privateGuide in English or Spanish · 18:30 and 19:30A private tour is designed exclusively for you and your companions, offering a one-of-a-kind experience.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 18:00, the last at 20:15

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupUp to 16 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Anura Ecological Park

Is this one for you?Book the 6 p.m. departure if you want to see the forest's shift from day to night in a single walk, catching both the retreat of daytime animals and the emergence of nocturnal ones. The later 8:15 p.m. slot works if you're arriving or settling in later, though you'll want to arrange your ride home in advance since taxis and rideshare get scarce after 10 p.m.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals am I likely to see on the night walk in La Fortuna?

Red-eyed tree frogs are common sightings on ANURA's trail, along with a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians, insects and night birds. Alligators appear in the wet areas when conditions are right, though the guide cannot guarantee any specific animal will show itself on any given night.

Is the trail in La Fortuna accessible if I'm not a strong hiker?

The ANURA trail is accessible and well-maintained, designed for all fitness levels. You walk at the guide's pace with walking sticks provided, and the group stays small enough that the guide can adjust the rhythm to the group's comfort.

What's the difference between the 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. departures?

The 6 p.m. start catches the forest's transition from day to night, when you see both the retreat of daytime animals and the emergence of nocturnal ones. The 8:15 p.m. departure is a later option, but it ends around 10:15 p.m., making it harder to arrange transport home afterward. The operator recommends coordinating a pickup in advance for that slot.

What do I need to bring for the night walk?

Bring nothing: flashlights, walking sticks and all gear are provided. Wear closed shoes and clothes you don't mind getting wet or muddy, and bring insect repellent if you prefer it.

How many people walk together on the ANURA tour?

Groups stay small, with a maximum of 8 people per guide, so the experience feels intimate and the guide can focus on what the group is observing.

Does the night walk in La Fortuna include transportation from my hotel?

Transport is not included. You arrange your own way to the trailhead or coordinate a pickup with the operator. Secure parking is available at the site if you have a rental car.