Things to Do in La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Written by local naturalist guides who work here every day. The 10 experiences below are the ones we recommend to friends — waterfalls, lava trails, hanging bridges, sloth walks, hot springs and hidden spots most guidebooks miss.
Short on time? If you only have one full day in La Fortuna, we tell every friend the same thing: do the 1968 lava trail in the morning, the La Fortuna Waterfall at midday, and a night wildlife walk after sunset. With two days, add Mistico Hanging Bridges and a hot springs evening.
Best time
Dec–Apr = drier. May–Nov = greener, fewer crowds, better waterfalls.
How long
2 nights minimum. 3–4 nights is the sweet spot.
What to do in La Fortuna, ranked
Ordered from must-do to add-on, based on what actually delivers for our guests.
1La Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata La Fortuna)
Iconic · Half day · Easy–moderate
A 70-meter jungle waterfall reached by 500 steps down through primary rainforest. You can swim in the pool at the base — the water is cold and powerful. It is the single most photographed spot in the region and worth every step.
Local tip: Go early (7:30–8:30 AM) to beat tour buses. Bring water shoes; the rocks near the pool are slippery.
See tour details
2Arenal 1968 Lava Trail
Volcano · Half day · Easy
A gentle 2.5 km trail across the actual 1968 lava flow, with panoramic views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Wildlife on the way includes coati, toucans and, if you are lucky, motmots. This is the trail we send every first-time guest to.
Local tip: Afternoon light (3–5 PM) is the best for volcano photos. Skip the guided park option unless a naturalist matters to you — the trail is self-evident.
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3Mistico Hanging Bridges
Rainforest · Half day · Easy
A 3 km loop through primary rainforest crossing 6 hanging bridges and 10 fixed ones. You walk the canopy at eye level, which changes the wildlife you see completely — sloths, hummingbirds and, occasionally, a snake at treetop height.
Local tip: A guided tour here doubles what you see — bring binoculars if you go on your own.
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4Night Wildlife Tour
Wildlife · Evening · Easy
La Fortuna at night is a different planet. Red-eyed tree frogs, kinkajous, sleeping toucans, tarantulas and every kind of insect. A guide with a red-filtered flashlight is essential — half of what is there is invisible without trained eyes.
Local tip: Ecocentro Danaus is our favorite venue — trails are groomed and the frog density is unreal.
See tour details- 5
Hot Springs Evening
Relax · Evening · Any age
Volcano-heated rivers run through several resorts around Arenal. Tabacón is the classic; Baldi has more pools; Ecotermales is the most intimate. All are open to non-guests with a day pass and pair perfectly with a night tour or dinner.
Local tip: Free public option: Río Chollín (locally known as “el chorro”) — take swimwear and go before sunset.
See tour details - 6
Bogarín Trail — Sloth Walk
Wildlife · 2 hours · Easy
The highest sloth density we know of within walking distance of downtown La Fortuna. Small private reserve with flat trails, ponds, and a resident guide-network that radios sightings to each other. Sloth-seeing here is basically guaranteed.
Local tip: 90 minutes is enough. Combine with the waterfall the same morning.
See tour details - 7
Río Celeste Day Trip
Full day · Moderate hike
The bluest river in Costa Rica, in Tenorio Volcano National Park (~2 hours from La Fortuna). A 6 km round-trip hike to the waterfall, the borbollones, and the point where two clear rivers merge and turn turquoise. Best done as a private day trip so you leave at dawn.
Local tip: The river only turns blue after 8–9 AM (a mineral reaction with sunlight). Do not arrive too early.
See tour details - 8
Caño Negro Birding & Wildlife
Full day · Boat · Easy
A protected wetland near the Nicaragua border with the highest bird diversity in northern Costa Rica. From the boat you see caiman, howler monkeys, iguanas, and 200+ bird species including the jabirú stork in season. Best from December to April.
Local tip: Book the private tour instead of the shared shuttle — the extra time on the water is where the wildlife shows up.
See tour details - 9
Arenal Rafting (Balsa or Sarapiquí)
Adventure · Half day · Age 8+
The Balsa river (Class II–III) is the friendly one — family-safe, scenic, and everyone laughs. The Sarapiquí (Class III–IV) is the real one. Both are 30–40 minutes from La Fortuna and include lunch. Great add-on for a rainy afternoon.
Local tip: Waterproof your phone — go-pro rental at the put-in is cheap.
See tour details - 10
Chocolate & Coffee Farm Tour
Culture · Half day · All ages
Small family farms outside town show you the full process: cacao pod → fermented → dried → roasted → drinking chocolate. The coffee version follows the same arc. Great for a rainy morning and one of the best kid activities in La Fortuna.
Local tip: Bring cash — most farms sell their own beans/bars at cheaper prices than the shops downtown.
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Suggested itineraries
One day
Waterfall + 1968 trail + night tour.
Two days
Add hanging bridges & Tabacón hot springs evening.
Three+ days
Add Caño Negro birding, rafting, Bogarín sloths.
FAQ
How many days do you need in La Fortuna?+
Two nights is the minimum, three to four nights is the sweet spot. In two nights you can do the waterfall, the 1968 trail and a night tour. With three or four you add hanging bridges, hot springs and a wildlife-focused day like Caño Negro or Bogarín.
When is the best time of year to visit La Fortuna?+
December through April is the drier season and has the most reliable volcano views. May through November is greener, less crowded, and the waterfalls are more dramatic. Wildlife is excellent year-round — some species (like nesting jabirús at Caño Negro) are only in season December–April.
How do I get from San José airport (SJO) to La Fortuna?+
A private transfer takes about 3 hours and costs from $165 for up to 6 passengers. Shared shuttles are cheaper but slower (5–6 hours). See our full transfer pricing for both SJO and Liberia (LIR) airports.
Is La Fortuna good with kids?+
Yes — it is one of the easiest destinations in Costa Rica for families. Bogarín Trail, hanging bridges, hot springs, chocolate farms and the Balsa river rafting are all family-friendly. The waterfall is possible with kids over 6 who can manage the 500-step return climb.
Can I see the Arenal Volcano erupting?+
Not since 2010, when Arenal entered a dormant phase. It is still a picture-perfect cone and geologically active, but no visible lava. If you want an active volcano in Costa Rica, look at Poás or Turrialba — but they do not compare to Arenal for the surrounding rainforest and wildlife.
Do I need a guide for these activities?+
For the waterfall, hot springs and 1968 trail — no. For hanging bridges, Bogarín, night tours, Caño Negro and any birding — yes, a naturalist guide multiplies what you see by 3–5x. It is the single biggest upgrade you can make to a La Fortuna trip.