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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Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano: Blue River Hike with Waterfall & Hot SpringsYou’ll follow jungle trails to Rio Celeste’s surreal blue river, stand beside its roaring waterfall, watch two rivers blend into one impossible color, and unwind in volcanic hot springs near Tenorio Volcano. Local guides share stories along the way and lunch is included — expect mud on your shoes and something new on your mind by sunset.
Sloth Tour in Costa Rica's Rainforest: Guided Wildlife WalkA one-hour guided rainforest tour in Costa Rica where you walk easy, eco-friendly trails to observe two- and three-toed sloths, poison dart frogs and tropical birds in their natural habitat. The tour is led by bilingual local guides trained in conservation, and children aged 5 and up are welcome; coffee or tea and a traditional pastry are included.Is it for me?The bilingual guide means you follow the commentary clearly in English or Spanish, so language doesn't create a gap between you and what the guide is explaining about the wildlife and forest. Families with children from age 5 onward can move together at the same pace without anyone being left behind or held back.
Rafting Class 2-3 Balsa River: La Fortuna white waterWhite water rafting on the Balsa River near La Fortuna takes you through Class II and III rapids over a 4-hour morning, with a local guide leading you downriver through Costa Rican rainforest. Hotel pickup and drop-off, safety gear, lunch at Hunters and Gatherers restaurant, and access to the El Salto Swimming Hole are included. The activity suits travelers with moderate fitness; children are welcome from age 8, though it's not recommended for those with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns.Is it for me?Book this rafting if you want Class II and III rapids without a full-day commitment—the 4-hour morning leaves your afternoon free, and the included lunch and swimming hole turn the end into a natural break rather than a rushed return to town. The moderate fitness requirement and age 8 minimum mean families with older kids and active adults fit the trip; those with spinal issues, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns should check with the operator first.
La Fortuna: Night Jungle Walk & Frog Sanctuary TourYou’ll wander La Fortuna’s rainforest trails by flashlight, hear frogs calling from every direction, and spot creatures you’d never notice by day. A local guide leads you through two frog sanctuaries and shares stories about sloths, birds, and hidden jungle life. The night air feels alive—and somehow safe—while you discover what happens after dark in Costa Rica.
Peñas Blancas River: Wildlife Safari Float & Farm SnackYou’ll glide down the Peñas Blancas River on an inflatable raft with a local guide, watching for monkeys and herons as you go. There’s a stop at Don Pedro’s farm for strong coffee and homemade snacks—plus stories about Costa Rican farming life. Includes hotel pickup between La Fortuna and Hotel Tabacón so you can just relax into the day.
La Fortuna Night Tour: Rainforest Wildlife & Nocturnal HikeYou walk a well-maintained rainforest trail outside La Fortuna after dark with a certified guide and up to seven others, spotting nocturnal wildlife like tree frogs, sloths, and glass frogs with low-intensity flashlights. Park entry, guide expertise, and water are included; you bring closed-toe shoes and moderate fitness. The tour lasts several hours and operates most nights.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see rainforest animals most visitors miss and don't want to navigate the forest alone at night — the guide's expertise and small group size are what make nocturnal wildlife spotting feel safe and educational rather than risky or rushed.
La Fortuna safari float: Wildlife on the Peñas Blancas RiverA safari float on the Peñas Blancas River near La Fortuna combines a two-hour drift through rainforest with wildlife viewing and a bilingual guide explaining the environment. The morning includes a 20-minute drive from town, a fruit break mid-float, and return to an organic lunch buffet with views of Arenal Volcano; the day ends with a walk through the restaurant's farm and a fresh sugarcane juice demonstration. Hotel pickup and drop-off in La Fortuna are included, and the pace suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?You float the river yourself rather than watch from a boat, so the pace is slow and the wildlife viewing is unhurried — ideal if you want to absorb the rainforest without paddling or hiking. The guide is bilingual in English and Spanish (also Danish), and the whole day including lunch and farm demo fits into a morning or early afternoon, which works if you're between activities or have limited time in La Fortuna.
La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano Hike, Lunch & Hot Springs RiverYou’ll walk rainforest paths around Arenal Volcano with a local guide sharing stories along the way, pause for photos by a jade-green lagoon, enjoy a homemade Costa Rican lunch in good company, then unwind in the warm flow of Choyin hot springs river before heading back to town—a day full of color, laughter, and quiet moments you might not expect.
Arenal Volcano hike & hot springs in La Fortuna: Afternoon tourThis afternoon tour in La Fortuna combines a guided hike around the base of Arenal Volcano with time soaking in a natural hot springs river. A bilingual guide leads you through rainforest trails on the volcano's west side, sharing its history and pointing out wildlife—tropical birds, monkeys and other creatures—before you unwind in the warm, mineral-rich waters. Hotel pickup and drop-off within 6km of La Fortuna Central Park are included; the tour runs 3 to 4 hours and requires moderate physical fitness.Is it for me?The afternoon timing and the guide's knowledge of the volcano's history and wildlife are what set this apart from soaking alone—you get the context and the movement before the soak, so the contrast between the two halves is what makes it work. Book this if you want real hiking followed by genuine relaxation, not a resort experience.
Arenal: Lost Canyon Canyoning Tour with Waterfall Rappels & LunchYou’ll feel your heart race as you rappel down Costa Rica’s tallest waterfalls in the Lost Canyon near Arenal. Expect laughter with your local guide, hikes through thick rainforest, and a fresh buffet lunch at base camp. With hotel pickup included and plenty of wild moments along the way, this canyoning day trip is about finding courage—and maybe new friends—in unexpected places.
Rafting Class II-III and Ziplining in La FortunaZiplining and white water rafting combined in La Fortuna: you climb an 18-meter tower to fly across seven cables—the longest stretching 980 meters above La Fortuna Waterfall—then paddle Class II-III rapids on the Balsa River. The day runs nine hours total, includes a professional guide in English or Spanish, all equipment, lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels, and fresh fruit on the river. Minimum age is 8; children must be accompanied by an adult. Weight and gear-fit limits apply (max 260 pounds, waist under 46 inches, leg under 33 inches). You will get wet; dress in a bathing suit and shoes that stay on your feet.Is it for me?Book this if you want to combine ziplining and rafting in a single day—you'll spend nine hours moving between both activities with a small shared group, so pace your energy accordingly.
La Fortuna Canyoning and Rafting Tour: Rapids & WaterfallsCanyoning and rafting activity in La Fortuna combining two adventures: rappel down three waterfalls with professional guides and safety gear, hike back through the jungle, then paddle Class III and IV rapids for roughly two hours on the river. Hotel pickup and drop-off, organic lunch at a working farm, and a walk through the sugarcane process are included; the day runs eight hours total.Is it for me?The day demands sustained physical effort—three waterfall rappels, a jungle hike, and two hours of active paddling through strong rapids—so it suits travelers with moderate fitness who are comfortable with water and heights. Book this if you want both canyoning and rafting in a single outing rather than choosing one; the combo packs two separate adventures into eight hours without dead time between them.
La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges, Waterfall Swim & Arenal Volcano HikeYou’ll walk high above Costa Rica’s rainforest on hanging bridges near La Fortuna, swim beneath a roaring waterfall after hiking down its canyon, share lunch with a local family at their ranch, then finish by tracing old lava trails around Arenal Volcano—all with a friendly guide and hotel pickup included.
Caño Negro: Wildlife Boat Trip & Costa Rican Lunch from La FortunaYou’ll travel from La Fortuna to Caño Negro with local stories along the way, then board a slow boat down Rio Frio to spot monkeys, birds and caimans up close. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off plus a Costa Rican lunch at El Caiman restaurant. It’s less about ticking boxes and more about really seeing what’s there.
Horseback Riding in Rio Celeste: Swim the Natural PoolA 2-hour horseback ride from El Pilon through farmland and primary forest to Rio Celeste's natural swimming pool, led by a local guide who owns the operation. The route passes a Tarzan swing and hanging bridge before reaching the river, where you swim in water the national park restricts. The guide speaks English or Spanish; children from age 1 are welcome, and the ride suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Book this if you want to swim in the Celeste River's natural pools—something the national park forbids—with a local guide who handles logistics and timing so you're not bound by park hours.
Arenal: Night Walk Rainforest Wildlife & Twilight Frogs TourYou’ll join a small group for an Arenal night walk led by a local guide who knows where to spot sloths, toucans, frogs and snakes as day turns to night. Expect muddy trails, laughter over mispronounced names and the thrill of seeing wildlife up close as darkness falls around you.
La Fortuna: Peñas Blancas River Wildlife Float & Farm SnackYou’ll float quietly down the Peñas Blancas river near La Fortuna, watching for monkeys and birds while your guide shares stories and points out wildlife. After drifting past iguanas and rainforest trees, you’ll stop at a family farm for homemade Costa Rican snacks and coffee before heading back — it’s the kind of day that lingers in your mind long after.
La Fortuna Night Walk: ANURA Wildlife Tour & Eco TrailsYou’ll wander restored jungle trails near La Fortuna as dusk turns to night, guided by locals who know every croak and rustle. Expect close-up views of frogs (yes, those famous red-eyed ones), bright insects, maybe even an alligator or two reflected in your flashlight beam. Small groups make it feel personal — sometimes muddy shoes included.
Tubing Rio Celeste: Float Through Rapids & BackwatersTubing on Rio Celeste is a two-hour float down the celestial-blue river near La Fortuna, moving through both rapids and backwaters while surrounded by dense vegetation. The tour includes safety gear, transportation from your hotel to the river, towels and fruit; a live guide speaks English or Spanish, and children from age 3 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying in La Fortuna without a rental car—the pickup and drop-off mean the whole day, from your room to the river and back, is arranged. The two-hour float works for families with young children and for anyone who wants the river without a full-day commitment or a drive to find the trailhead.
La Fortuna Rainforest Night Walk & Costa Rican DinnerYou drive 30 minutes to a regenerating rainforest, walk a trail around mirrored lakes spotting nocturnal frogs, birds, bats and insects with a guide and flashlight, then eat authentic Costa Rican dinner cooked on a wood stove while overlooking the San Carlos valley lights before returning to La Fortuna. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see nocturnal Costa Rican wildlife and eat local food without arranging transport, finding a restaurant, or navigating the forest alone after dark — the fixed schedule and included pickup mean you step out of your hotel and into the rainforest without planning anything else.
