Top Central Valley Outdoor Activities - page 3

Experience the best of La Fortuna on a full-day combo tour that blends nature, adventure, and relaxation—the perfect way to check plenty off in one go. Begin with a visit to the stunning La Fortuna Waterfall. Journey down a 500-step jungle trail for a refreshing swim in the fall's crystal-clear pool (weather permitting). Continue to Arenal Volcano for a guided hike through lush trails in the Ecological Park, and gain insight into the region’s unique geology. Finally, tuck into a typical Costa Rican lunch and unwind in the soothing waters of El Choyin hot springs. This all-in-one tour promises incredible landscapes, local flavors, and natural wonders.

Discover the beautiful natural attractions of Costa Rica on this all-day tour from San Jose. Fly over the rainforest canopy via a zipline course and rappel down 150 feet (50 meters) at an adventure park. Visit two waterfalls and admire the local wildlife including iguanas. Stop at a coffee plantation where you'll learn how it's cultivated and harvested. Finally, relax in thermal mineral hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano.

Adventure-seeking travelers will love the opportunity to hike and zipline through the Costa Rican rainforest. After a safety training you’ll hike through the forest to an area with seven ziplines strung between the treetops. Enjoy zooming along these, looking out for wildlife on the way. Some of the ziplines go right past some beautiful waterfalls, for the best views.

Head to the rainforest from Tamarindo on this private all-day excursion with a naturalist guide. Hike to the impressive Rio Celeste waterfall and then go tubing down the river, stopping along the way to swim and spot wildlife, including colored frogs and sloths. A local lunch is included. Plus, stop to admire the Tree of Peace, which is more than 400 years old. Hotel pickup is included for your convenience.

Experience Costa Rica’s wild and beautiful rain forest the historic way on a scenic horseback ride to the La Fortuna Waterfall. Travel on private, forested trails away from any roads, at a pace that allows for close observation of jungle life. Dismount for a short hike to the famous waterfall, where you can cool off with an optional swim.

Get out of San Jose on a day tour to the Arenal Volcano region, where you’ll get a glimpse of Costa Rica’s famous biodiversity and natural beauty. Travel through scenic farmland and villages to reach the volcano. Stop at a coffee plantation, waterfall, and look out for wildlife en route. In the shadow of the volcano, soak in natural hot springs for a refreshing experience, before returning to San Jose.

Spend your day on a hiking adventure through the Arenal Volcano National Park with a small group. Experience the natural beauty of La Fortuna as you navigate the trails and passes that wind through its stunning landscapes. When the day is done, relax and unwind with a dip in a natural hot water river before returning to your hotel.

Exploring riverside areas by yourself can be dangerous, especially in an unknown area. This Celeste River Tubing Experience lets you float down the river in a group with a guide who knows the river well. You’ll catch sight of the beautiful landscape as you tube. Plus, a helmet is provided for safety.

Learn about two of Costa Rica’s biggest (and tastiest) exports on this tour of a coffee and chocolate farm just outside La Fortuna. Admire the beautiful views of Arenal Volcano while learning more about coffee and chocolate production, followed by a taste of the final products. Your guide will share insight into the industries throughout the tour.

Get a close look at Costa Rica’s coffee- and chocolate-making traditions at a family farm near La Fortuna. See a cacao and sugar cane plantation, and learn how cacao is made into chocolate. You’ll get to sample fresh coffee and chocolate from the farm, and save time with transfers from centrally located La Fortuna hotels.

Swim beneath a jungle waterfall and hike into Arenal Volcano National Park on a 7-hour, 2-in-1 combo tour that takes in the best of the region’s natural beauty and wildlife. Spot monkeys and bright tropical birds as you walk through the rainforest surrounding La Fortuna waterfall, then enjoy a leisurely Costa Rican lunch with locally grown coffee. Follow your guide along jagged lava flows and mountainside trails as you explore Arenal, learn the history of this iconic volcano, and earn stunning views of Arenal lake.

The Arenal 1968 Trail Park affords spectacular views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal with a choice of two scenic hikes. With this admission ticket, make your own way to the park and set out on a self-guided trek, following the marked trails along ancient lava flows and through lush rainforest to reach the viewpoints.

Experience Costa Rica’s famous rainforest during the magic hour of twilight on this sunset hanging bridges walk near Arenal Volcano. See the changing colors of the sky wash across the volcanic landscape, and then get a new perspective on the Mystic Reserve while crossing six suspended walkways. A nature guide helps spot wildlife that can be tricky to see on your own, including many species that only emerge at dusk.

Feel the thrust of a 4WD, 500cc all-terrain vehicle (ATV), with power steering and power brakes, on this private customized rain forest adventure with bilingual guide. Routes run from easy back roads and trails for families with kids or new drivers through to challenging off-road adventures for thrill-seekers, but all bring you to tranquil hot springs in the heart of the forest. Additional fees apply for passengers.

Get up close to Costa Rican wildlife on this morning safari float along a river beneath imposing Volcan Arenal. Be prepared to get wet as you’ll be in an inflatable vessel, close to the water. Look out for animals including sloths, snakes, and a variety of birds. Take a short hike to an organic farm, where you’ll collect your lunch ingredients.

Enjoy a heart-stopping adventure during your time in Costa Rica as you embark on a tour to the Arenal Volcano. Join a small group and start your tour with a challenging ATV ride through tropical jungle. Navigate the rugged terrain and take in the views of the volcano before sitting down for a Costa Rican lunch. Then, get ready to get wet on a thrilling rafting tour down more than 30 rapids.

A hike to Bridal Veil Falls is made safe and informative when done as part of a guided tour. Your guide helps you spot wildlife as you trek through the rain forest en route to the strikingly blue falls, a vista point for Tenorio Volcano, and thermal hot springs and mud pots. An included Costa Rican fills you up at the end of the day.

Adventure-loving travelers won’t want to miss this combined zip lining, rappelling, and hiking tour. The Carpintera Hills are close to San Jose and offer the easiest way to go zip lining from the capital. Glide through the forest canopy on steel cables strung between 19 platforms. Rappel from as high as 130 feet. Enjoy the forest views along the way and look out for birds and animals.

Switch up your daily routine with this enchanting night walk tour that takes you on a journey into the forest after dark. Discover the vibrant nocturnal wildlife in action during this 2-hour tour through a transitional forest. Led by a private guide, stop to spot a variety of mammals, birds, and insects that exhibit unique behaviors at night. Ideal for families seeking adventure, explore the area and observe everything from sleeping birds to creepy crawlers.

Max out the adrenaline (and the fun) during this full-day adventure combining a white-water rafting trip and zipline excursion. Zoom through the rain forest canopy during a series of heart-pounding zipline rides, some on cable spans as long as 3,200 feet (980 meters). Then battle the Class II and III rapids of the Balsa River. Lunch, snacks, and rafting gear are all included.

From La Fortuna de San Carlos, experience the wildlife of the area from a raft, where your guide will point out all the animals. You’ll float along the Penas Blancas River, and learn all about the rainforest river ecosystem. This is approximately a 4-hour adventure, where pick up and drop off to your hotel is included for most hotels. Snacks and safety gear are provided.

Head out to the Sloth's Territory reserve, just outside of La Fortuna, to see the slow moving creatures in their natural habitat with this tour. You'll hike through the reserve, where you're likely to not only spot sloths, but also see a variety of other animals, including red frogs, porcupines, and even toucans. After your walk, you'll take a break to try some local fruits before returning to La Fortuna.

The Costa Rican jungle is home to a number of unique species, many of which come out at night. This nighttime jungle tour visits the forests of La Fortuna for a guided walk. Learn about various jungle species from your naturalist guide and get tips for photographing the nocturnal creatures. Animals you may see include frogs, sloths, bats, and reptiles. Note that gratuities are not included.

This half day tour will walk you through nature, and over six hanging suspension bridges, where your guide will tell you all about the flora and fauna of the canopy of the forest. Look out for monkeys, sloths, snakes, birds, and all kinds of insects on this walk. The course is about 1.9mi (3km) long, so wear some comfy shoes.