Things to do in La Fortuna
Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna27 optionsLa Fortuna Zipline22 optionsNight Tour La Fortuna16 optionsATV Tour La Fortuna6 optionsHiking La Fortuna66 optionsChocolate Tour La Fortuna18 optionsCanyoning La Fortuna56 optionsHorseback Riding La Fortuna11 optionsCoffee Tour La Fortuna12 optionsRafting La Fortuna31 optionsLa Fortuna Canopy11 optionsWaterfall Rappelling La Fortuna32 options
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Sarapiquí River white water rafting: Class IV rapids, 2 hoursWhite water rafting on the Sarapiquí River is a Class IV activity where you paddle a six-person raft through continuous rapids and waves for over 2 hours, guided by a professional bilingual guide. The river flows through the La Selva Biological Station, one of the three most important neotropical research reserves in Costa Rica, where you'll spot sloths, monkeys and toucans during the descent. Pickup from hotels within 6 km is included; the tour departs daily at 8:30 am and returns by 2:30 pm.Is it for me?Most rafting in the region runs gentler water; this one is continuous Class IV rapids where you paddle hard for two hours straight. Book it if you want the adrenaline and the physical challenge, not a scenic float.
Make chocolate bonbons in La Fortuna: Farm to finished pieceMake chocolate bonbons at Eden Chocolate Tour in La Fortuna, a hands-on class where you roast and grind cocoa beans, watch the conching and refining process, then craft your own finished pieces. The tour runs about an hour and 45 minutes on an organic farm with a live guide in English or Spanish, and includes a tasting of the chocolate you help make.Is it for me?The class asks for a moderate level of activity—you're on your feet roasting and grinding, working with your hands through the whole process—so it suits an afternoon when you have energy and want to make something tangible rather than watch a demonstration. Book it if you land in La Fortuna with a free few hours and want to leave with chocolate you built yourself.
La Fortuna Coffee Chocolate Sugarcane Class: Learn ProcessA hands-on class in La Fortuna where you learn the complete process of coffee, chocolate and sugarcane—from seed to cup—with tastings of what you've made. Pickup is included, and the experience runs about 90 minutes. The class covers the history and traditional methods behind each crop, with time to see the different stages and varieties of cocoa.Is it for me?If you're staying in La Fortuna without a car, the included pickup means you can book an afternoon and show up at your hotel—no transport to figure out. The 90 minutes leaves room in your day for other plans.
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.
Sloth and bird wildlife walk in La Fortuna: 100% sloth guaranteeA 1.5-hour guided wildlife walk through primary forest near La Fortuna where you search for sloths, exotic birds, frogs and insects with an expert guide and telescope included. The operator guarantees you will see sloths or offers a refund. The guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you can follow the commentary and the animal identification in whichever language you prefer. The walk suits any fitness level and moves at a pace that lets you stop and look, so it works whether you are a keen photographer or just want to see the animals without strain.
La Fortuna Waterfall: Skip-the-Line Ticket & 70m SwimYou skip the entry line and descend 500 forest steps to a 70-meter waterfall fed by mountain streams. Swim in the clear pool at the base, surrounded by rainforest and volcanic rock formations. The ticket includes entry only; last admission is 4pm, and children under 8 are free. Plan for moderate physical exertion and wet gear on the return climb.Is it for me?Right for travelers with moderate fitness who want to swim in a mountain waterfall without waiting in an entry line, and who can handle a steep forest descent. Not suitable if you have spinal issues, heart conditions, or limited mobility — the 500 steps are the core of the experience.
Farm to Table Cooking Class in Costa Rica: Learn & CookA hands-on cooking class in Costa Rica where you walk the organic farm to collect seasonal ingredients, then prepare and cook them step-by-step in an open wood-fire kitchen before sitting down to eat what you made. The guide explains old Costa Rican cooking techniques and the plants and trees on the property as you work. Lunch or dinner is included; the class runs about two hours.Is it for me?The class asks for two hours of your time and involves a farm walk plus hands-on cooking over wood fire, so it suits someone who wants to be active and learn by doing rather than watch a demonstration. Public transportation options are available nearby if you need them to get there.
La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano ATV Jungle Trail & Maleku CultureYou’ll ride ATVs along muddy jungle trails by Arenal Volcano, splash through rivers, and pause for wild views over La Fortuna Valley. Meet Maleku locals who share stories and traditions—maybe even try a new word or two. Includes gear and water, so you can focus on getting dirty and soaking up every sound (and probably some rain).
La Fortuna: Sloth Watching Trail & Rainforest Wildlife HikeYou walk a flat, shaded two-mile trail with a professional naturalist guide who locates four to six sloths and points out birds, frogs, and insects along the way. The hike takes about two hours and stays mostly under rainforest canopy, so it's manageable for all fitness levels. Bring bug spray and water, wear closed shoes, and you're set for a morning or afternoon in the forest without needing to arrange transport or timing yourself.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see sloths and rainforest wildlife without hiking deep into remote terrain or managing your own guide and schedule — the flat, short trail and professional guide mean you get the wildlife in two hours without the physical demand or logistics.
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.
La Fortuna: Balsa River Rafting Tour with Lunch & PickupYou’ll paddle through lively Balsa River rapids near La Fortuna with a local guide leading the way, pause for tropical fruit surrounded by rainforest sounds, then relax over a home-cooked lunch at Vida Campesina estate. Expect laughter, splashes, and small moments you’ll want to remember long after you dry off.
Rio Celeste hike from La Fortuna: Blue waterfall and volcanoThis full-day tour from La Fortuna takes you into Tenorio Volcano National Park to hike to Rio Celeste, a rare blue river created by a chemical reaction between two mineral-rich volcanic streams. The 4-hour hike is medium-tough and leads to a waterfall, a lookout point and the exact spot where the color change happens. Hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and lunch at a local restaurant are included; after the hike you have time to swim in the river before returning to La Fortuna.Is it for me?Book this if you're based in La Fortuna and want a full-day hike with a guide—the four-hour uphill trek suits hikers comfortable with sustained effort, and you'll see the rare blue river and volcano views most visitors miss.
La Fortuna: Coffee & Chocolate Farm Tour with TastingYou walk through coffee and cacao plants, watch the family process both crops from bean to finished product, then taste what you've just seen made. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included if you're staying within ten minutes of La Fortuna, and the whole experience is built around how the family actually works — not a performance staged for tourists.Is it for me?This works best if you want to understand where your coffee and chocolate actually come from and don't mind a slower pace — the family runs it the way they'd show a friend around, not as a tightly choreographed performance, which is what makes it feel real.
Peñas Blancas River float: Wildlife watching near La FortunaA 4-hour float down the Peñas Blancas River near La Fortuna, Costa Rica, where you watch sloths, monkeys, iguanas, bats, lizards and birds from a raft boat as expert guides point out animals along the shoreline. The tour includes hotel pickup, water, snacks, a tropical fruit stop midway, and boat safety gear; guides speak English or Spanish.Is it for me?You're floating and watching, not hiking or climbing—the boat does the work and the guide does the spotting, so this suits anyone who wants to see rainforest wildlife without exertion. If you're traveling with children from age 5 up or prefer to stay dry and comfortable while animals come into view, the gentle drift and stable boat make this the right choice over a jungle trek.
Arenal: 7 Zipline Cables Over La Fortuna Waterfall & PickupYou’ll feel your heart race as you soar above La Fortuna Waterfall on seven zipline cables near Arenal Volcano. Cross a suspension bridge high above the canyon with a small group and local guide, then catch glimpses of waterfalls and rainforest below before heading back to town with new friends—and maybe muddy shoes.
Hanging Bridges Arenal Waterfall: Three stops in one dayYou start on suspension bridges high in a private rainforest reserve, spotting wildlife and volcano views with a naturalist guide. By midday you're swimming in the turquoise pool beneath La Fortuna's 70-meter waterfall. After lunch, you hike to Mirador El Silencio for a close-range view of Arenal Volcano's cone. Hotel pickup, bilingual guide, all fees and meals are handled—you just show up with comfortable shoes and a camera.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see the three main natural attractions around La Fortuna in a single day without arranging transport, guides or timing yourself—the fixed schedule is what makes fitting all three stops possible. Plan for a full 10 hours out, with moderate hiking and some steep sections, which is what lets you experience the hanging bridges, waterfall swim and volcano views without backtracking.
La Fortuna: Zipline Adventure & Arenal Volcano ViewsYou’ll fly through rainforest canopies near La Fortuna on nine ziplines with views of Arenal Volcano (if weather plays nice), spot wildlife like sloths or toucans with your local guide nearby, and share laughs with fellow travelers — all in just a couple hours. Perfect if you want adventure without going overboard.
Arenal Volcano: Night Rainforest Walk & Wildlife with Family-Friendly GuideYou’ll wander rainforest trails at Arenal Volcano as night falls, searching for frogs, snakes, maybe even sloths with a local guide who knows every sound in the dark. Flashlights in hand, you’ll notice smells and textures most people miss—and leave with stories that stick long after you’ve washed off the mud.
Bogarin Trail Sloth Guided Tour: La Fortuna Rainforest HikeThe Bogarin Trail Sloth Guided Tour is a two-hour rainforest hike in La Fortuna led by a live guide who uses a telescope to locate and photograph sloths, toucans, basilisks, agoutis and owls. The trail winds through a reforested property that has recovered into native habitat since 2000, and the guide shares facts about the animals and plants as you encounter them. The hike is easy and flat, ending with fresh local pineapple and time to rest in rocking chairs while listening to the forest.Is it for me?You get a guide who finds the animals for you instead of a self-guided walk where you might miss them entirely—the telescope and the guide's knowledge are what turn a rainforest walk into actual wildlife observation.
La Fortuna: ATV Adventure, Mud Mask & Arenal Volcano ViewsYou’ll ride ATVs through muddy rainforest trails near La Fortuna with a local guide, spot massive Watusi bulls by Quebrada Platanillo, visit a small countryside village pulpería, try volcanic mud masks if you want, and relax with snacks at Rancho La Poza before heading back—muddy shoes and all.
