Nature Activities Arenal/La Fortuna

Nature Activities

Arenal National Park

You can take a taxi to the ranger station at the park entrance, approximately 17km from La Fortuna. From the entrance you can take a selection of trails, including two that head east to a look-out (mirador) to see cooled lava formations left by the last eruption. To the west is another trail that takes you to Lake Arenal.

Open: daily 8am - 5pm. Entry Cost: 6US$.
Taxis: 6000 Colones each way.

Silencio Trail Tour

This is a private reserve with a trail and volcano observation point. This is very similar to the National Park tour except you aren't in the National Park. There is a better chance of seeing animals on this trail. This tour includes transport, naturalist guide, and reserve entrance.

Desafio Adventure Company
3 hours, departs 8am or 3pm Cost: 15US$.
Tel. (506) 479 94 64, Email: info@desafiocostarica.com

Arenal Volcano Hike (Liquid Lava Tour)

Enjoy a walk through the Arenal nature reserve at the base of the Volcano, searching for wildlife along the way. Then you will be taken to a lookout point, where on clear days you will be able to see the lava. Then you are taken to the Baldi hotsprings, where you can complete the evening in one of many relaxing thermal hot pools including three with swim up bar.

Desafio Adventure Company
Departs 3:30pm. Cost: 38US$.
Tel. (506) 479 94 64 Email: info@desafiocostarica.com

La Fortuna Waterfall / Catarata La Fortuna

Situated close to the Arenal Volcano National Park, the 150 foot waterfall makes for a great excursion and place to take a dip. At the entrance you have to pay $7 and all profits go to the Association of La Fortuna Development. From here you have a 20min walk down some steps to the pool ideal for swimming at the base of the waterfall. Take caution with the currents where the waterfall splashes into the pool, also be wary of your belongings while swimming as there have been recent reports of things being taken.

The Waterfall is 5km from La Fortuna, taking about an hour and fifteen minutes to walk. Alternatively take a taxi for about 2000 Colones to the park entrance. Desafio Adventure Company also offers a horse riding trip to the falls.

Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge

This is a full day tour that takes you to a Wildlife refuge near the town of Los Chiles and the Nicaraguan border. An air-conditioned bus will take you to Los Chiles where you board a covered motorized boat that takes you along the Rio Frio for bird watching and animal spotting. Animals are pretty much guaranteed. A Costa Rican style lunch is provided before returning to La Fortuna.

Desafio Adventure Company
Departs 7:30am. Duration 8hrs. Cost: 45US$
Tel. (506) 479 94 64 Email: info@desafiocostarica.com

Cerro Chato Extreme Hike

This is an intense 5 hour hike to the extinct Volcano Cerro Chato, with an option to enter the La Fortuna Waterfall. You hike up to the Cerro Chato creator and descend down to the blue lagoon that waits. This is a difficult hike and strictly for the adventurous! The tour includes a packed lunch, transport, and a naturalist guide.

Desafio Adventure Company
Departs 7:30am. Cost: 65US$
Tel. (506) 479 94 64, Email: info@desafiocostarica.com

Lake Nicaragua Day Tour

This trip will take you across the Nicaraguan border and onto the Rio Frio for animal spotting and eventually ending up on Lake Nicaragua. Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America and home to tarpon, snook and even fresh water sharks. The tour stops off at the port of San Carlos located close to the mouth of Rio San Juan which is a corridor to the Caribbean Sea. At San Carlos you stop for a typical Nicaraguan lunch before heading to a stone fort built by the Spanish to fend off pirates. Boarding the boat again you head back to the Costa Rican border and on to La Fortuna. All border procedures will be handled for you.

Book through Desafio Adventure Company
Departs 7:30am Returns 5:30pm. Cost: 40US$.
Tel. (506) 479 94 64, Email: info@desafiocostarica.com