The verdict
Our pick
La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano: Full Day with Hot Springs★ 4.82 (2,590) · 11h
Best value
Arenal: 7 Zipline Cables Over La Fortuna Waterfall & Pickup★ 4.84 (469) · 2h 30m
Top rated
La Fortuna: Arenal Hanging Bridges & Waterfall Combo with Lunch★ 4.97 (102) · 6h
The 12 best-value of 22 options, side by side
✓ 2026-09-29Real price per person across the 22 options: US$ 84–US$ 285 (median US$ 150). With 100+ reviews: 11 of 22.
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2 to 5 hours (7)
Arenal 12 Zipline Cables: Fly over La Fortuna WaterfallZip across 12 canopy cables strung through rainforest canyons near La Fortuna, with views of the waterfall, Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato from the treetops. A professional guide leads the half-day experience; helmet, harness and hotel pickup from La Fortuna are included. Children from age 7 can join if accompanied by an adult, and the course suits anyone with moderate fitness.Is it for me?You're zipping the cables yourself—not watching a demonstration—so this suits anyone who wants the adrenaline and the control of their own descent. The guide handles the rigging and safety, which means you can focus on the moment instead of the mechanics, and the fixed schedule with hotel pickup removes the logistics of getting there and back.
La Fortuna Waterfall: Horseback Riding & SwimmingYou ride private jungle trails on a trained horse to reach La Fortuna Waterfall, a 65-meter drop into a natural pool. After a moderate hike down, you swim and rest before returning. Transport, entry, security gear and a certified guide are all included, so you only need to show up ready to ride.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to reach a major waterfall without driving yourself and prefer the pace of a guided ride through jungle — the private trails and included entry mean you skip the logistics and go straight to the experience.
La Fortuna Waterfall Guided Hike: Swim beneath the cascadeYou hike to a 70-meter waterfall in a protected forest, swim in the river below, then tour an organic farm and eat lunch there. Your guide manages the route, timing, and all entry fees, so you show up ready to move. The steep path and river swim mean you need good fitness, but that's what makes the whole day possible in one morning.Is it for me?Right for travelers with solid fitness who want both nature and culture in one morning — the steep hike and river swim are what let you reach the waterfall's base and understand the forest around it, while the farm visit adds the agricultural story that makes the landscape make sense.
La Fortuna: Horseback Riding & Waterfall with Volcano ViewsYou ride through forested trails and volcanic terrain to a viewpoint overlooking Arenal Volcano, then drive to La Fortuna Waterfall for a guided walk down to the 70-meter cascade where you can swim. The day includes your horse, the naturalist guide, waterfall entry, transport between the two sites, bottled water and fruit, so you show up and the rest is arranged.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall in one morning without arranging two separate trips—the horseback ride and the waterfall are connected by transport and timing, so you move through both without gaps or logistics to figure out.
La Fortuna Waterfall & Zipline Tour with LunchYou hike through rainforest to a 70-meter waterfall with a swimming pool at its base, then spend the afternoon ziplining through the canopy with views of Arenal Volcano. Lunch at a local restaurant, all gear and transport included, means you show up and the day unfolds without logistics getting in the way.Is it for me?Book this if you want both the waterfall and the zipline in one day without arranging transport or figuring out which restaurant to find — the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you move through La Fortuna without stopping to plan.
La Fortuna: 7-Cable Zipline & Waterfall Canopy TourYou board a Jungle Bus to the canopy top, hike 20 minutes with a guide spotting wildlife, then zip across seven cables—including a 980-meter line directly over La Fortuna Waterfall. The tour wraps at a Maleku village where you meet indigenous locals. Gear and water are provided; the optional waterfall hike adds another hour if you book it in advance.Is it for me?Book this if you've ziplined before and want to skip the beginner setup—you'll go straight to the cables without practice runs or hand-holding, which is what makes the 980-meter waterfall line and the full canopy sequence possible in one morning.
La Fortuna Waterfall and Chocolate Bonbons ClassA morning class in La Fortuna where you swim at the waterfall, tour an organic cocoa plantation, and make chocolate bonbons from beans you've roasted and ground yourself. The naturalist guide speaks English, Spanish or German; pickup is included, and children from age 1 are welcome. The full experience runs three to four hours.Is it for me?Three to four hours leaves the afternoon free for other La Fortuna activities, and the hands-on chocolate-making means you're learning a skill, not just touring a farm—useful if you want to take something concrete home beyond photos.
Half day and longer (11)
La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano, Hanging Bridges & Waterfall Day TourYou’ll wake up early in La Fortuna for a full day: hiking Arenal Volcano’s lava fields with a local guide, swimming below La Fortuna Waterfall after climbing down hundreds of steps, and walking Mistico Hanging Bridges high above the rainforest floor. Expect laughter, tired legs, good food—and maybe a sloth sighting that stays in your mind long after.
Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall & Hanging Bridges Day TripYou’ll hike down to feel La Fortuna Waterfall’s spray on your skin, walk ancient lava fields near Arenal Volcano with a local guide, cross rainforest canopy bridges (if your legs don’t shake too much), enjoy lunch and two swims—including time soaking in a natural hot springs river before heading back relaxed and maybe a little changed.
Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall from Jaco with Hot SpringsYou swim at La Fortuna Waterfall, hike across Arenal's 1968 lava field, and soak in Paradise Hot Springs' thermal pools—all in one day with lunch and dinner included. Hotel pickup and a bilingual guide handle the logistics, though the full day means you're out from early morning until evening, and the volcano hike requires moderate fitness and sturdy shoes.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Jaco who want to see Arenal's main attractions without arranging transport or timing the stops themselves. Expect a full day out—early pickup, late return—and moderate hiking with uneven lava rock underfoot; that's what fits three major stops into one trip.
La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano Hike & Hot Springs TourThis 8-hour La Fortuna tour combines three major attractions in one day: a swim in the pool below La Fortuna Waterfall, a guided hike around the base of Arenal Volcano with wildlife spotting, and a soak in natural hot springs. The tour includes a professional local guide, lunch, admission to the waterfall and ecological park, and hotel pickup within 6 km of La Fortuna Downtown. Hotels further away than Tabacón Resort may incur an extra charge.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're arriving in La Fortuna with a full day free and want to see the main attractions without arranging transport or guides yourself—the fixed itinerary, included meals and guide handling mean you show up and the day unfolds.
Arenal Volcano, Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Day TripYou’ll cross rainforest bridges near Arenal Volcano, hike ancient lava fields with a local guide, swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall’s spray, and unwind in natural hot springs with a cocktail in hand. Expect moments of awe—and maybe laughter over lunch or language slips—that linger long after you leave.
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.
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.
La Fortuna: Safari Float & Waterfall Swim Half-DayYou start with a guided raft float down the Peñas Blancas River spotting sloths, monkeys and birds, then eat a traditional lunch with a local family, and finish with a swim in the natural pool beneath La Fortuna Waterfall. Hotel pickup and park fees are included, and the whole experience runs about four to five hours, so you're back with time left in your day.Is it for me?Book this if you want wildlife spotting and a waterfall swim without arranging transport, park entry or timing the stops yourself — the half-day format means you're done by early afternoon and the guide's local knowledge is what makes the animal sightings actually happen.
La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges & Waterfall Hike with LunchYou’ll hike through rainforest canopy on hanging bridges near Arenal, spot wildlife with a local guide, then descend to swim or relax by La Fortuna Waterfall before sharing lunch at a countryside spot. Expect muddy shoes and moments you’ll want to remember long after.
Arenal Volcano & La Fortuna Waterfall: Full-Day Rain Forest TourYou're driven from Playa Hermosa to La Fortuna Waterfall, where you descend 500 stairs to swim at the base, then walk through Ecocentro Danaus spotting wildlife for an hour. Lunch at a local restaurant is included, along with private transport, water, and an air-conditioned vehicle. The day takes you from coast to rain forest and back without arranging logistics yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Arenal rain forest and waterfall experience in one day without renting a car or coordinating multiple operators — the private pickup and fixed itinerary handle the logistics, leaving you to focus on the waterfall swim and the wildlife walk.
Private La Fortuna Waterfall & Baldi Hot Springs Tour from San JoseYou’ll hike through rainforest to swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall and then unwind at Baldi Hot Springs—all with private transport and a local guide from San Jose. It’s a full day of nature, adventure, and real Costa Rican flavors.
More options (1)
La Fortuna Horseback Ride to Waterfall & Hanging BridgeYou’ll ride horseback through Arenal’s lush rainforest with a local guide, cross a hanging bridge, watch monkeys overhead, swim beneath La Fortuna Waterfall’s spray, and meet Maleku community members sharing their traditions. Expect muddy boots, laughter, and moments that stick with you long after you’re dry again.Is it for me?Book this one if you want the full rainforest experience without arranging your own transport — the guide handles the route, the horses are calm enough for beginners, and the hanging bridge plus the waterfall swim are built into one ride.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 22 of the 22 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last half a day or longer. There are also shorter and longer formats to fit your itinerary.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano: Full Day with Hot Springs is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.82 out of 5 across 2,590 reviews.
More things to do in La Fortuna
La Fortuna Zipline27 optionsNight Tour La Fortuna17 optionsATV Tour La Fortuna6 optionsHiking in La Fortuna48 optionsChocolate Tour La Fortuna14 optionsCanyoning in La Fortuna12 optionsWaterfalls in La Fortuna40 optionsVolcano Tour from La Fortuna52 optionsLa Fortuna White Water Rafting28 optionsHorseback Riding La Fortuna11 optionsCoffee Tour La Fortuna7 optionsCanopy Tour in La Fortuna15 optionsLa Fortuna Waterfall Hiking8 optionsLa Fortuna River Tubing9 optionsLa Fortuna Rainforest26 optionsCooking Classes in La Fortuna7 optionsLa Fortuna Wildlife Tour33 options
