La Fortuna: Peñas Blancas River Safari Float & Organic Lunch

Summary

Peñas Blancas river float wildlife moments & organic farm lunch

You’ll float quietly along the Peñas Blancas River near La Fortuna with a local guide pointing out monkeys and sloths in the rainforest. Snack on fresh fruit mid-river, then enjoy an organic Costa Rican lunch with views of Arenal Volcano before tasting pure sugarcane juice pressed right in front of you.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is how still the water looked as we stepped into the raft—just this soft green mirror, broken up by little ripples from our paddles. Our guide, Diego, grinned and told us to keep our voices low if we wanted to see monkeys. He pointed out a sloth almost immediately (I totally missed it at first—looked like a ball of moss). The rainforest pressed in on both sides, thick and shiny after last night’s rain. There was this earthy smell, kind of sweet and muddy at the same time. Bird calls everywhere, but I couldn’t tell which direction they were coming from half the time.

Floating down the Peñas Blancas River felt slower than walking—like time stretched out. Diego kept spotting things: a basilisk lizard darting across a log (he called it “Jesus Christ lizard” because it runs on water), some tiny bats under a branch. We stopped halfway for fruit—pineapple so juicy it dripped down my arm. My daughter tried to feed some to a passing butterfly; didn’t work, but she laughed anyway. The safari float itself was about two hours, though honestly I lost track until we pulled up to the bank again.

Back in La Fortuna, lunch was upstairs in this open-air spot with a view of Arenal Volcano hiding behind clouds. The rice and beans tasted smoky and homemade; there was fresh salad too. After eating, we walked up behind the restaurant where they showed us how they grow their own veggies—felt like someone’s backyard more than a farm. Last bit was pressing sugarcane for juice; it’s sticky-sweet and grassy, nothing like bottled stuff back home. I still think about that quiet moment on the river when everything just slowed down—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — River float and organic lunch experience

• Use bathroom at office
• Drive through La Fortuna town
• Float down Peñas Blancas River
• Take fruit break halfway
• Return to La Fortuna
• Enjoy organic buffet lunch
• Walk behind restaurant to see organic farm
• Watch sugarcane juice demonstration

Top questions

How long does the safari float take?

The safari float lasts about two hours on the Peñas Blancas River.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop off in La Fortuna are included.

What kind of lunch is provided?

A typical organic Costa Rican lunch is served buffet style at a two-floor restaurant.

Is this safari float suitable for families?

Yes, it’s family friendly and suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are guides bilingual?

Yes, your nature guide will speak both Spanish and English.

What wildlife might I see during the float?

You may spot monkeys, sloths, birds, lizards, bats and butterflies along the river.

How far is Peñas Blancas River from La Fortuna?

The drive to Peñas Blancas River takes about 20 minutes from La Fortuna.

Is there food or drink during the tour?

You’ll have fresh fruit during the float and sugarcane juice after lunch.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop off in La Fortuna, two hours floating down Peñas Blancas River with a bilingual nature guide, fresh fruit mid-float, an organic Costa Rican buffet lunch overlooking Arenal Volcano, plus homemade coffee and pure sugarcane juice before heading back.