Red-eyed tree frog at Ecocentro Danaus night walk, La Fortuna

WildlifeEcocentro Danaus – La Fortuna

Ecocentro Danaus – Night Tour

Red-eyed tree frogs, eyelash pit vipers and nocturnal insects — a guided night walk through one of La Fortuna's richest rainforest reserves.

2 hours
Ecocentro Danaus – La Fortuna
Private or small group
From $115 · taxes included

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Duration: 2 hours
Start time: 6:00pm / 7:30pm
Group style: Private or small group
Pickup: Pickup can be coordinated
Languages: EN / ES

The experience

Ecocentro Danaus – Night Tour

The Ecocentro Danaus Night Tour reveals the rainforest's most active shift — the one 90% of visitors never see. As dusk falls over La Fortuna, the reserve transforms: diurnal species settle down and a completely different community wakes up. With a certified naturalist guide and a spotlight tuned for wildlife, you walk about 2 hours along flat, gently lit trails through secondary rainforest, wetlands and amphibian ponds. Expect Red-eyed Tree Frogs (Agalychnis callidryas) on heliconia leaves, Smoky Jungle Frogs, Masked Tree Frogs, dozens of glass frog and rain frog species, Cane Toads, and — if the season is right — the tiny, brightly colored poison dart frogs still calling at dusk. Nocturnal reptiles include Eyelash Pit Vipers coiled on bromeliads (a highlight for herpers), the endangered Fer-de-lance from a safe distance, tree snakes, and occasionally spectacled caimans in the lagoon. Mammal sightings can include kinkajous crossing branches, olingos, four-eyed opossums, and armadillos rooting near the trail. Insect life explodes at night — tarantulas at their burrow entrances, katydids, click beetles with bioluminescent eyes, and enormous silk moths. Photographers should bring a headlamp with a red filter and a macro-capable camera; the guide will help stage safe, low-impact shots. Round-trip transport from La Fortuna, flashlights, park entrance and bilingual naturalist guide are included. Available as a shared small-group departure or as a fully private experience.

Highlights

What makes this day different

Wear dark clothing

Tours run rain or shine

Perfect for photographers

Itinerary

Your day, hour by hour

Indicative timings — we adapt to wildlife activity and weather.

5:15 PM
Hotel pickup
5:30 PM
Briefing at Danaus
Red-filter flashlights and safety talk.
5:45 PM
Twilight lagoon trail
Frogs, snakes and insects emerge on the boardwalk.
7:00 PM
Macro & species stops
Red-eyed leaf frogs and other night wildlife (seasonal).
7:45 PM
Return to hotel

Gallery

What you may see

Real photographs from our departures. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Included

What is included and what to bring

Included

Flashlights
Naturalist guide
Entrance fees

What to bring

Closed shoes
Long pants
Flashlight (optional)
Camera
Insect repellent

Logistics

Practical details before you book

Pickup can be coordinated

Ecocentro Danaus

Share your hotel or Airbnb name during checkout and we confirm pickup time and any transport cost in writing.

Booking window

Requests close 36h before departure. Inside that window we still try, but availability is not confirmed.

This experience accepts a card authorization online: the amount is held, never charged, until VIVO confirms.

2 Adults · 10

Cancellation & changes

72+ hours before tour → 100% refund to original payment method, minus 5% administrative fee
48–72 hours before tour → 50% refund to original payment method (minus 5% admin fee) OR free reschedule (subject to availability)
24–48 hours before tour → 25% refund to original payment method (minus 5% admin fee) OR reschedule with 25% rebooking fee (subject to availability)
Less than 24 hours before tour → No refund, but reschedule possible with 50% rebooking fee
No-shows are non-refundable and non-rescheduleable
The 5% administrative fee is non-refundable and covers non-recoverable bank/processor fees (Stripe and PayPal retain ~3% on every transaction even when refunded) plus the cost of processing the cancellation. It is waived when we cancel for operational or weather reasons.
All refunds are issued to the original payment method (card, PayPal, or bank transfer used at booking). We do not issue cash refunds under any circumstance.

Book

Secure your date

Authorize your card today; the charge only happens once VIVO confirms the operation.

How it works

1. Choose date, modality and travellers at checkout.
2. Your card is authorized (hold), not charged.
3. VIVO confirms in writing (email and WhatsApp) with the operational details.

You can also add this experience to your itinerary and book several together. View my itinerary

Price per person

From$115

Taxes and card fee included.

Small group from $64

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Your card is authorized only, not charged.

VIVO confirms availability before capturing payment.

Free cancellation 72h+ (−5% fee)

Ecocentro Danaus

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Secure payment · no hidden fees

Questions

Frequently asked

Is the Danaus Night Tour worth it?

Yes — Danaus at night is one of the highest-yield 2-hour wildlife walks in La Fortuna. Red-eyed tree frogs, glass frogs, eyelash pit vipers on bromeliads, kinkajous, and bioluminescent insects are all realistic in a single outing. The reserve is 5 minutes from downtown, so you spend more time in the forest and less in the van. With a private naturalist and a wildlife-tuned spotlight you see 5–10× more than walking with just your phone flashlight.

What time does the Danaus Night Tour start?

Two departures: 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM. The 6:00 PM slot is best for red-eyed tree frogs during their peak calling activity right after sunset. The 7:30 PM slot targets deeper nocturnal species — kinkajous, tree snakes and larger insects. Both include hotel pickup in La Fortuna.

Is transport included for Danaus Night Tour?

Round-trip hotel pickup from La Fortuna is included in the price for the standard La Fortuna zone. If your hotel is outside town (Arenal Observatory, El Castillo, Lake Arenal shore) a small transport surcharge applies — we quote it when you book so there are no surprises.

What should I wear for the Danaus Night Tour?

Closed-toe shoes, long pants and a light long-sleeve shirt for insects and low branches. Dark or earth-tone clothing (mosquitoes are drawn to bright colors and pale skin). Bring insect repellent, a headlamp with red filter if you have one, and a light rain jacket in the wet season (May–November). Camera with flash diffuser is welcome — the guide will help stage low-impact shots.

Is the Danaus Night Tour safe for kids?

Yes — the trails are flat, wide and gently lit, and the pace is slow. Children 6 and up generally do great; younger kids can lose focus in the dark. Snakes are viewed from a safe distance under the guide's spotlight — never handled. A family session with a private guide lets the kids ask questions and set the pace.