La Fortuna: Waterfall Swim, Arenal Hike & Hot Springs Day Trip

Summary

Swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall then hike rainforest trails before soaking in wild hot springs

You’ll swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall’s spray, wander rainforest paths around Arenal Volcano with a local guide spotting wildlife, then soak tired muscles in natural hot springs as dusk falls. Lunch is included—and if you’re lucky you might hear stories from locals or catch sight of those bright blue butterflies again.

What’s the experience like?

By the time we’d made it down all those steps to La Fortuna Waterfall, my shirt was already sticking to my back—humid jungle air, you know? I could barely hear our guide over the rush of water, but he just grinned and pointed out a blue morpho butterfly zig-zagging past. The pool at the bottom looked almost unreal, all that white spray and green everywhere. I didn’t even hesitate—just waded in. The water was cold enough to make me gasp. There was this earthy smell from the rocks and wet leaves, kind of grounding after the climb.

After drying off (sort of), we piled back into the van for the short ride to Arenal Volcano. Our guide—Diego—kept tossing out facts about eruptions and how locals used to watch glowing lava from their porches. The hike itself wasn’t too tough, more like a steady walk with lots of stops while Diego pointed out toucans or some weird tree fruit I still can’t pronounce. At one point he crouched down to show us these tiny red frogs hiding under a leaf. I tried to get a photo but only managed a blurry red dot. Still counts.

Lunch came next—rice, beans, some chicken stew that tasted way better than it looked (sorry). I liked sitting there with everyone’s shoes kicked off under the table, swapping stories about where we were from. Then came the hot springs part of the day trip from La Fortuna. The water felt silky on my skin after all that hiking; steam rising up through branches overhead. Some folks just floated quietly while others chatted in Spanish nearby. It got dark fast in the jungle and I remember thinking how weirdly peaceful it felt, even with strangers around.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Waterfall, volcano hike, and hot springs

• Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
• Descend into jungle and swim
• Hike around Arenal Volcano base
• Spot wildlife with guide
• Relax in natural hot springs

Top questions

How long does this La Fortuna waterfall and Arenal volcano tour last?

The tour is a full-day activity including pickup, waterfall swim, volcano hike, lunch, and hot springs visit.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from La Fortuna?

Yes, hotel or port pickup is included for hotels within 6 km of La Fortuna Downtown.

Can you swim at La Fortuna Waterfall during this tour?

Yes, there’s time set aside to swim in the pool below La Fortuna Waterfall.

What kind of lunch is provided on this tour?

A traditional Costa Rican lunch is included after the volcano hike.

Are there any health restrictions for this Arenal Volcano hike?

The tour isn’t recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult and should be able to handle moderate activity.

Are entry fees included in the price?

Yes, admission to both La Fortuna Waterfall and Ecological Park are included.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or port pickup (for hotels within 6 km of downtown La Fortuna), all entry fees for the waterfall and ecological park hikes, a traditional Costa Rican lunch after exploring Arenal Volcano’s trails, plus plenty of time to relax in natural hot springs before heading back in the evening—all led by a knowledgeable local guide who keeps things personal and low-key throughout.