ISLAND GUIDE
The tours and day trips worth booking.
The 15 top-rated things to do in La Fortuna — the boat trips, beach days, volcano hikes and old-town wanders worth building a day around, with real prices and who to book each one with.
Prebook your La Fortuna Waterfall ticket for faster entry. Hike 500 steps down, enjoy the 70m falls, swim if conditions allow.
Most Popular“One of the best experiences in La Fortuna! It’s a hike down and up but it’s 100% worth it and I highly recommend!”
Walk Místico Arenal hanging bridges in the rainforest canopy for wildlife views and an 18-meter waterfall stop.
“What an amazing hike through the rain forest. Going over the hanging bridges is the best part. The staff is helpful and friendly. The guides are wonderful at spotting things the average person would miss.”
Baldi Hot Springs day pass in La Fortuna gives you 25 thermal pools, water slides, and optional meals near Arenal Volcano.
“This was a complete waste of money. The hot springs are different but this felt like more of a theme park. There is a $7 charge for a locker plus a $10/towel refundable deposit. They conveniently don’t put this anywhere in the description so make sure you bring cash. Drinks are the most expensive we…”
Soak in mineral hot springs at Paradise Hot Springs in La Fortuna, with hydromassage pools, Arenal views, and optional meal.
“Pleasent place with excellent service. Spring pools were amazing. Accessories and devices in a very good shape, with high level of maitenance”
Horseback through Arenal rainforest to La Fortuna Waterfall, with a swim option, rainforest wildlife stops, and a Maleku cultural visit.
“It was the best experience I’ve had so far in Costa Rica! Kevin was amazing and the horses are so gentle. The waterfall was awesome!”
Zipline over sea views, quick-jump thrills, snorkel or paddle in Gulf Papagayo, plus a hanging-bridge croc moment and a big-view lunch.
“Ana amazing day trip! We enjoyed horseback riding, ziplining, and spent time at the hot springs!”
A short guided sloth walk in La Fortuna with telescope help for phone photos, easy rainforest paths, and fresh pineapple snack.
“William knew his stuff!! We saw so many things you would not have seen on your own. The staff were concerned and knowledgeable.”
A customizable La Fortuna combo with Arenal Volcano hike, La Fortuna Waterfall swim, hanging bridges, and optional hot springs. Pickup included.
“We had the best time at arenal volacano , mystic park hanging bridges, La Fortuna water fall and Baldi hot springs. Recomend this tour and our guide was wonderfull people and got to see a sloth along with other animals.”
Hands-on Costa Rican cooking in La Fortuna, then a salsa dance lesson with included hotel transport for an easy 3.5-hour night.
“Great experience from beginning to end, commencing with a Costa Rican drink prior to cooking an authentic Costa Rican dinner. Jenny the cooking instructor explained the steps in full detail including all safety measures at every stage with a fabulous meal to enjoy afterwards. Then came the salsa … Unfortunately I cannot remember the name…”
Arenal full-day tour from La Fortuna: river safari float, La Fortuna Waterfall swim, family farm lunch, and a slow volcano hike.
“This tour was the highlight of our Costa Rica trip. Our guide, Tony, was amazing and very patient. The snacks and lunch were out of this world. I can not say enough good things about this experience. From beginning to end everything was thought out and well planned.”
La Fortuna sloth trail plus tortilla cooking class. Spot two- and three-toed sloths, press cane juice, then cook tortillas.
“This is an amazing tour. Our tour guide Jaime was amazing and knew everything about the animals! She spotted so many animals and gave us so many facts for my family. She is also excellent at getting photos via her scope, so even if you have little kids that can’t really use a scope well,…”
Canyoning waterfalls, ziplining, and rock moves, then Balsa River Class 2–3 rafting in La Fortuna. Lunch, pickup, photos.
“Truly exceeded expectations. I’ve rappelled in southern Utah, Zion slot canyons several times, and this was remarkable. Very safe as they have an entire backup line to catch you. I was worried about it with my son and it is very safely done. The first rappel was gorgeous, down a waterfall. Total of five rappels.…”
La Fortuna night cocoa tour with wildlife spotting, hands-on chocolate making, and tastings on covered cement paths for $67.
“This was so much fun.amf we got so lucky with the sloth sightings!! Both kinds of sloths and two together, one soooo close!! Such a good night!! Learning about the cocoa process and that I can't hate mosquitos anymore was so interesting and my nephew (and i) loved coming up with our own chocolate recipe.…”
Join the Ecogarden Arenal night walk in La Fortuna to spot nocturnal frogs, caimans, and sloths on a guided, ticket-included 2-hour eco tour.
“Nice sanctuary with the fantastic guides, they were very knowledgeable about the animals on the property and did a great job make it fun for our kids. We saw many toads, frogs, small snakes, caymans, sloths, insects, and identified interesting plants and fungi. It was exciting exploring the “forest” at night with a flash light.…”
Private La Fortuna to Liberia airport transfer for up to 6. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned minivan, flight-based timing, quick airport drop-off.
“Harold was a wonderful driver and even though we had a communication gap (he spoke Spanish and we spoke little Spanish), he did his best to make sure we had a comfortable trip”
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