The 7 Best La Fortuna Volcano Tours

1.Hanging Bridges Walk in Arenal Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 381 reviews · from $39Our pick

Walk Mistico Park’s rainforest trails near La Fortuna, crossing six hanging bridges and ten regular bridges on a roughly two-mile route. You may spot monkeys, toucans, sloths, frogs, snakes, and lizards. Choose a self-guided walk or add a guide for better wildlife spotting.

“We were going to go unguided, but asked to get a guide when we got there. It was well worth the extra money. Rained the whole time in typical CR style, but was still amazing! We had an 8yo and 5yo that had no issues.”

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2.Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 127 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $94

Ride a calm horse through reforested land and private farms near La Fortuna, then hike down to the dramatic La Fortuna Waterfall. Guides such as Otto, Kevin, Danny, Pablo, and Carlos help beginners get started. Expect a steep return climb, shared roads, and time for swimming.

“Just beware, the hike is rigorous! You don’t ride the horses to the waterfall, there is a hike down and up. That being said, it was a wonderful experience. Our guide Carlos was pleasant company, had interesting and informative things to say about things alingbthe way. Our group was small. The horses are typical service animals, not flashy or pet like. Carlosntreated them with kindness which made us feel good. The waterfall (Fortuna) and swim refreshed and invigorated us while also amazing us. Worth the price and a good day.”

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3.Full Day Tour with Safari Float, Waterfall and Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $210Top rated

Start with a peaceful safari float on the Peñas Blancas River, then visit La Fortuna Waterfall, eat lunch at a local family ranch, and hike old lava trails near Arenal Volcano. Guides such as Tony, Pepe, Oscar, and Francisco add wildlife knowledge and local context. Hotel transport and park fees are included.

“Tony and Jaime were awesome. All 3 experiences were great. Tony was very knowledgeable and kind. Food was excellent. I would do it again.”

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4.Ecogarden Arenal Night Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $60

At 6 p.m., a guide such as Jose or Joshua leads you through Ecogarden Arenal near La Fortuna, searching for frogs, sloths, caimans, reptiles, birds, insects, and unusual plants. The two-hour walk includes a snack, with an empanada and warm sugarcane drink sometimes served afterward.

“Young Joshua who led us through this small sliver of jungle paradise was on point. His ability to locate even the smallest and most hidden of creatures was truly astounding. From the poison dart frog practically invisible under a leaf to a slot who came down from the upper reaches of the canopy stop right in front of us, it was one amazing experience after another. Great hospitality before and after and a truly memorable evening for all of us!”

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5.Arenal Hanging Bridges, Guided Walk, Hot Springs Optional

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $87

Explore Arenal Hanging Bridges on a guided 3-kilometer walk through forest layers, crossing 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges. Guides such as Andreas and Gustavo help you spot frogs, snakes, and plants. Choose morning or afternoon, with hotel transfers, drinks, and optional hot springs.

“Andreas was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. Didn’t hesitate to stop the group to look for animals. We saw lots of snakes and frogs!”

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6.Arenal Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $73

Walk Arenal’s old lava fields with Callidryas Tours on a roughly three-hour guided outing from La Fortuna. Guides such as Byron, Diego, Aaron, and Ricardo explain the 1968 eruption, plants, and wildlife. Expect uneven lava rock, volcano and lake views, transport, and fresh fruit at the end.

“It was a great experience our guide Aaron was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and professional but very personable as well. The driver was nice and did a nice job setting up the snacks. It was a great experience.”

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7.Arenal Hanging Bridges Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $66

From La Fortuna, you’ll explore 243 hectares of protected rainforest on a 3.1-kilometer circuit with 15 bridges. Guides such as Andres, Minor, and Jasmine use scopes and laser pointers to find monkeys, snakes, frogs, birds, and other forest life. Transport, snacks, water, and admission are included.

“Our tour guide for our Hanging Bridges tour was excellent. He was very dynamic and enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge about the rain forest we were walking through. Having a guide is a very different experience from walking through the forest on your own. He explained so many details about the various trees, visitors could not possibly have gathered the information on their own. It was very fascinating. It was also very interesting walking along the various suspension bridges across the very deep gullies. Some were longer and swayed more than others and some relatively short. They provided a beautiful view of the forest. Though the walk was not especially…”

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