La Fortuna Travel Guides
Plan your trip to La Fortuna with accurate, up-to-date travel guides created with local insight — skip tourist traps, save time, and enjoy the city like it’s meant to be experienced.
La Fortuna by Your Mood or Interests
View allLa Fortuna isn’t one-size-fits-all. Choose where to start:
La Fortuna Latest Travel Guides
View allDiscover the most recent travel guides for La Fortuna curated by our community and experts.
La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Hike
Perfect for Couples
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Stingless Bee Tour: Sacred Honey and Ancestral Medicine
Perfect for Seniors
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna Eden Chocolate Tour
Perfect for Families
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Balsa River Rafting Class 3/4
Perfect for Friends
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna Waterfall Hike + Family Lunch at La Finquita (Half-day)
Perfect for Families
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna Popular tours and activities
View allDiscover and book popular tours and activities in La Fortuna to make the most of your trip.
Arenal Canopy and Horseback Riding Adventure
The perfect mix: a thrilling zipline experience combined with a relaxing horseback ride. Only 5 minutes away from Tabacon Resort.The tour begins in our stables and continues through “El Silencio Reserve," a quiet place with trails that gradually climb through cattle-grazing fields to patches of forest. You will enjoy the large shade trees as well as a variety of flora and fauna. We will visit the lagoon crater and the Arenal Volcano viewpoint, two of the most impressive attractions in the area. From this viewpoint, you can take breathtaking pictures of your horse with the volcano as your backdrop. Here, you will also observe impressive rock mountains, the product of past eruptions of the volcano.If everyone knew the benefits of horseback riding as a recreational activity, we would not have enough horses to go around. Feel how each gallop increases your self-esteem, self-confidence, and love for living creatures, and even forget the existence of your cell phone except to capture a good photograph.The second part of this combo tour will begin at our zipline park, Arenal Canopy Adventure. Our expert zipline guides will welcome you before helping you into your gear and providing a safety briefing. Next, we will head up the first platform with a height of 25 meters (80 feet.) to begin our way across 8 cables that will take us through 2 km (1.2 miles) of beautiful rainforest.This zipline circuit consists of 13 platforms, including four built-in enormous trees with a specialized anchor system that allows the trees to grow unharmed. The cables range in height from 20 m. (65 ft.) to 90 m. (300 ft.) and between 70 m. (230 ft.) and 600 m. (1970 feet) in length. This allows you to reach speeds of up to 56 kph (35 mph)! Each cable has distinct dimensions and scenery. We will fly above canyons, mountains, farmlands, and lush rainforests.By the time we reach the 6th cable, your confidence level will be high, so you can let go and let the guide control your braking while you focus only on the views and the thrill of the ride. Next, we will stop for the popular Tarzan Swing and our surprise challenge.
Adrenaline Pack (Zipline + Rafting)
This amazing experience starts with a short 30-minute drive from La Fortuna, to our zipline park, Arenal Canopy Adventure. Our expert zip line guides will welcome you before helping you into your gear and providing a safety briefing. Next, we will head up the first platform with a height of 25 meters (80 ft.) to begin our way across 8 cables that will take us through 2 km (1.2 miles) of beautiful rainforest. This zipline circuit consists of 13 platforms, including 4 built-in enormous trees with a specialized anchor system that allows the trees to grow unharmed. The cables range in height from 20 m. (65 ft.) to 90 m. (300 ft.) and between 70 m. (230 ft.) and 600 m. (1970 feet) in lengths. This allows you to reach speeds of up to 56 kph (35 mph)! Each cable has distinct dimensions and scenery. We will fly above canyons, mountains, farmlands, and lush rainforests. By the time we reach the 6th cable, your confidence level will be high, so you can let go and let the guide control your braking while you focus only on the views and the thrill of the ride. Next, we will stop for the popular Tarzan Swing and our surprise challenge.After enjoying some fresh fruit, we will drive for about an hour through rural areas, plantations, and towns to reach the river. We will equip you with a life jacket, helmet, paddle, and safety instructions. The 11 km (7 miles) section of the river has more than 30 rapids, big waves, and a variety of challenging obstacles. No one will walk away dry! Surfing the waves, 360° turns, and maximum adrenaline are all part of this thrilling adventure. This intermediate level of rafting is ideal for amateurs and experts. It is the perfect activity to enjoy as a family, Group of Friends, or co-workers. Paddling together to maneuver the raft strengthens relationships and promotes unity. It is often used as a team-building exercise. You will feel the physical activity from your head to your feet, and the fun will be endless! As we descend the river the waves will decrease in intensity, allowing us time to observe and enjoy some of the wildlife that inhabits the area. Be on the lookout for aquatic birds, sloths, monkeys, toucans, and tropical frogs. After our rafting adventure, we will stop at our restaurant, “La Finquita” to enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch.
Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River
Begin an unforgettable journey on an exciting guided adventure that combines nature, history, and relaxation in the heart of La Fortuna. Starting at 10:20 a.m. from the center of La Fortuna, this tour takes you to explore the stunning rainforest trails leading to the base of the iconic Arenal Volcano.Enjoy scenic rainforest paths, visit the historic lava flows from the years 1525, 1968, and 2010, and learn about the rich biodiversity of the area. The hike includes two hours to the base of the volcano and an hour of descent to the picturesque Green Lagoon, a pristine volcanic formation. Afterward, savor a traditional Costa Rican lunch.To top off this adventurous day, indulge in a typical Costa Rican lunch and unwind in the natural hot springs of the Tabacón River, renowned for its revitalizing properties.
Sarapiquí River Rafting Class 3/4
Brace yourself for an unforgettable whitewater adventure on the famous Sarapiquí River. The river runs through breathtaking jungle, and give nonstop action. Pure excitement, fun and challenging excursion
Balsa River Rafting Class 2/3
Enjoy the best rafting down the Balsa River with this adventure! This activity is a fun combination of whitewater thrills and areas where the water is calm enough to look our for wildlife as monkeys, iguanas & sloths. The rolling, tumbling Class II-III rapids will be enough to bring laughter and excitement to the whole family.
ATV Tour Arenal Volcano
Get ready for an exhilarating ATV adventure in the vibrant region of La Fortuna.On this tour, you will explore a variety of terrains, including thrilling stretches of mud and rural trails that showcase the charm of local farming.Before you start, you will receive brief instructions on ATV safety and handling to ensure a comfortable and safe experience. Following our guide, you will journey through spectacular landscapes and cross small local rivers—ideal spots to cool off and take a refreshing break surrounded by nature.Along the way, you will admire the majestic Arenal Volcano from various panoramic viewpoints and capture unforgettable images of the surroundings. This tour is perfect for those seeking a mix of adrenaline, safety, and an authentic connection with the Costa Rican landscape in a unique setting.
Arenal Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Enjoy an organic coffee tour at a family-owned farm. You will have the opportunity to learn about the coffee production, history, and many other particularities of Costa Rican coffee considered one of the best in the world. Share with the Gonzalez Family, a Costa Rican family who are going to share with you detailed information about their coffee and chocolate cultivation, local culture, traditions, and authentic life experiences.You will learn the role o coffee in the country's history and why it is still very important for the Costa Rican economy. Learn about the use of chocolate by our aborigins and their contributions to the actual recipes.At the end of our informative and interactive tour, you'll enjoy fresh traditional Organic Costa Rican Coffee and Chocolate bars, prepared in the old fashion way, accompanied by traditional snacks.
Rainforest Rappel - Wild Falls Adventure
This adventure offers a vibrant, adrenaline-filled experience in the heart of the tropical forest. The tour invites participants to defy gravity by rappelling down impressive rock walls, crossing crystal-clear pools, and walking through natural formations that awaken the senses.As part of the journey, two short zip lines are included—perfect for exploring the forest canopy from a unique perspective, adding excitement without interrupting the flow of the adventure. The entire experience is led by trained professionals who provide all necessary equipment and clear instructions to ensure a safe and reliable tour.The adventure concludes with a peaceful walk along the Arenal River, followed by a forest trail that leads back to the base area. At the end of the tour, lunch is served at a welcoming space that features Costa Rican cuisine and privileged views of the Arenal Volcano.
Peñas Blancas Rafting Class 2/3 AFTERNOON
This activity is a half-day, is special for families, beginners or people that just want to do white water rafting in the afternoon. The rolling, tumbling Class II-III rapids will be enough to bring laughter and excitement to the whole family.
Private Shuttle from La Fortuna to Jaco Beach
Private ground transfers are the best way to travel all around Costa Rica. You can feel free to schedule it at any time you wish from any Costa Rica destination.
Bird Watching Near the Arenal Volcano
This early morning tour is easily adapted in accordance with your knowledge of birds and your specific desires. Birds are much more active in the morning and just before sunset. Our experts will take you through various ecosystems and a variety of heights, allowing you to not only see a greater selection of birds but also discover the differences in their habitats. You will have the opportunity to observe different groups of birds including aquatic, highland, and lowland species ranging from small birds to large birds of prey, resident, and migratory birds. Our guides will highlight some special species which stand out for their impressive colors, sounds, or behaviors, such as; toucans, parrots, orioles, and parakeets. For the most experienced, we will be able to show you some species that are not seen very commonly, such as the Amazonian royal flycatcher, White-fronted nunbird, Cinnamon woodpecker, and others. Afterward, we will all gather to share and learn about the birds we observed.
Lake Arenal by Boat & Peninsula Trail
This boat trip will take you to the bays and peninsulas of Lake Arenal. You will enjoy the coasts surrounded by lush vegetation and fauna and the surrounding landscapes of blue mountains, volcanoes, and islands. Along the way, your guide will share interesting information about the history of the lake, the volcano, and the surrounding tourist development. Once we reach the Arenal National Park peninsula, we will leave the boat to begin a walk through easily accessible trails. The site is excellent for bird watching, where you can view toucans, motmots, trogons, and oropendolas. You can also hear or maybe even see howler monkeys, spider monkeys, or capuchin monkeys, as well as many other species. It is a roughly 2-mile trail with no steps and little incline, completely apt for wheelchairs and those with physical limitations. At the end of the walk, our transportation will be waiting to return to your hotel.
Arenal Lake Sport Fishing
Casting and Trolling Techniques for 4 hours in Lake Arenal, looking for the famous and delicious Guapote (Parachromis dovii - Rainbow Bass) and a fighter: Machaca or Zabaleta. The season for fishing in Lake Arenal is good to excellent almost all year round, with the best results on summer days.Enjoy panoramic views of the Volcano while fishing on the calm waters of the wonderful Lake Arenal, bays, and coasts with clear water and lush vegetation as well as lots of wildlife.4 people can travel on this tour, but only 2 fishing at the same time.
Volcano, Falls and Floating Incl. lunch
This adventure starts with the Safari Float where we navigate a raft boat. Its material allows it to be light, highly buoyant, and stable without affecting the river floor as it passes or disturbing the animals that inhabit it. This way to explore the forest allows observing many species of arboreal and aquatic animals such as monkeys, sloths, iguanas, turtles, caimans, and different types of birds, along with the possibility of observing a reptile species called the basilisk lizard, which is capable of walking on water. The interesting vegetation includes dense branches of ficus, luehea, and kapok trees full of lianas and epiphytic plants, which intersect from both sides of the river forming tunnels full of various shapes and exuberant green colors where very little sunlight gets through.After enjoying local snacks, the next sightseeing attraction is La Fortuna Waterfall. This spectacular waterfall is over 70 meters (230 ft.) high. To get there, a challenging trail of 530 steps must be walked, allowing observation down.Next, will be the favorite part for those seeking local gastronomy, the tour includes a delicious lunch. At La Finquita Farm you can taste and smell authentic Costa Rican food, prepared with local ingredients and home-grown.As a perfect closing, the last activity involves a hike at a private trail and viewpoint, right at the base of the Arenal Volcano. Once there, we start a walk on the trails that crosses the regenerating forest area and crosses over a large block of petrified lava, produced by past eruptions, steep slopes, and sandy soils. It is possible to observe a great variety of plants, wildlife, and magnificent rock formations, in addition to the volcanic landscape, the place offers a wonderful view of Lake Arenal. During the tour, our experienced guides will provide you with interesting and educational information regarding the history of the Volcano, lithological cycles, forest formation processes, and general volcanology.
Caño Negro Boat Safari
The Caño Negro wildlife refuge was declared in 1991 as one of the RAMSAR sites of world importance for the preservation of ecosystems and aquifers, also declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve in 2007. The biodiversity of this site has attracted the attention of tourists and conservationists for more than 35 years, it is possible to observe in this wetlands endangered species such as the Jabirú bird (Jabiru mycteria) up to 4.2 feet (120 cm) tall and with a wingspan (wings spread) of up to 9 feet (3 meters), besides, almost extinct fish such as the Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) and the prehistoric Gaspar Fish (Atractosteus tropicus). Due to its importance as a source of food and nesting, it is one of the best places in Costa Rica for bird watching.Our tour begins by embarking in Guatuso, a rural town, from where we navigate the riverbed to the Caño Negro Refuge, where an experienced guide will show you various species such as sloths, three types of monkeys, caimans, lizards, bats, birds, and a variety of flora typical of wetlands. If you are looking for a place to make good use of your cameras and binoculars this is the best, dedicate yourself solely to watching while the boat slowly navigates the calm waters of this wetland of life.At the end of this profitable boat safari tour, our last stop will be at the house of Don Abelino and Doña Wendy where we will share a traditional lunch to learn more about the culture and especially Costa Rican gastronomy. Caño Negro by Rio Frio vs Caño Negro by Los ChilesThe main tributary of the Caño Negro wetland is the Rio Frio, which crosses it right through the heart of the reserve, for this reason, there are two different ways to reach it, one is starting in Los Chiles, very close to the border with Nicaragua going up the river, and the second one is starting in the upper part of the Rio Frio in the town of Guatuso and descending until reaching the same point. Jacamar Tours offers you both experiences, the main reason that led us to operate this new option to visit the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is very simple, our goal is to offer high-quality tours that avoid the massive visitation of attractions, this new route has fewer boat traffic and less flow of tourists, allowing us to access more private natural scenarios and avoid impacting the ecosystems with a limited amount of people.
Private Shuttle from La Fortuna to San José Airport (SJO)
Private ground transfers are the best way to travel all around Costa Rica. You can feel free to schedule it at any time you wish from any Costa Rica destination.
Canyoning Area 360
For a fun and exhilarating experience of Costa Rica’s amazing landscape, don’t miss this canyoning excursion! The adventure are located 30 minutes drive from La Fortuna. You will rappel down 3 waterfalls (25meter, 37meters, 45meters.)
Hiking Lovers (Hanging Bridges + Fortuna Waterfall +Volcano Hike)
The tour will begin with the famous hanging bridges. This adventure consists of a 3 km (2 miles) circuit trail that will allow you to enjoy the flora and fauna of the rainforest. You will cross 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges at varying heights. The trail has a maximum incline of 7%, with no stairs. It is covered in slip-resistant concrete and has safety railings so that you can walk easily and feel safe among the heights. Our next stop is the La Fortuna Waterfall. This will include a hike down to the base of the majestic waterfall, about a 15-minute walk. Once we reach the bottom, you can choose to take a refreshing swim or just relax and take in the natural beauty of the area. Next, we will head to “La Finquita” Restaurant for a delicious traditional Costa Rican lunch. After lunch, you will have the opportunity for a bit of rest, before we begin our hike of the Arenal Volcano trails. We will choose between several trails that cross the rainforest jungle and the solidified lava trails from the powerful eruption of 1968. You will discover a variety of plants, fauna, and amazing rock formations. At the top of the trail, we will have an amazing view of Lake Arenal. The trail will end at an observation point, where, if the sky is clear, you will be able to see vapor gases coming from small cracks in the volcano’s peak. Our expert guides will provide interesting information about the history of the splendid volcano and its impact on the region.
Want a fully-custom trip plan made just for you?
Our travel experts are ready to create the perfect itinerary tailored just for you.
- Day-by-day personalized schedule
- Dining, attractions & local gems
- Transportation tips & route maps
- Built around your budget and pace
- 1-on-1 expert support
- Insider-only insights
- Maps, Ratings, Photos