Top Central Valley Natural Attractions in 2026

Arenal Volcano National Park’s massive size and unique natural setting can make it an easy place to get lost in, if you don’t already know the area. This Arenal Volcano National Park Hiking Tour from La Fortuna allows you to explore one of the park’s beautiful trails with a guide who can navigate the steep slopes and volcanic landscape well. Plus, take in views of Lake Arenal, while your guide talks about the volcano’s history and forest formation processes.

One of Costa Rica's most popular eco-tourism destinations, The Rio Celeste Waterfall at Tenorio Volcano Park are abundant with exciting plant and wildlife species. Venture out of the city and explore the park, looking out as you go. Hike in one of the most spectacular destinations in Costa Rica, the Arenal Volcano! As the most active volcano in the country, don't be surprised if you hear a crackling noise or smoke coming out of its mouth. Manuel Antonio National park tour provides a perfect combination of nature, wildlife and pristine beaches. Explore the Manuel Antonio National Park on foot, and before ... just relax and sunbathe on the beach during this spectacular trip. Important: Minimum person to operate the tour is two people per booking You can request a change for another destination during day one available Rio Celeste (Tenorio Volcano) Manuel Antonio entry for Booking with cancellation of 24 hours before start the tour please contact us. 3 Nights Accommodation

Explore the enchanting Kuru Natural Springs and Jungle Trails, a unique experience that takes you along magical forest paths to pristine hot springs and waterfalls. Surrounded by the lush Costa Rican rainforest, this sanctuary offers natural swimming pools and a chance to immerse yourself in the serene sounds of nature. Enjoy the tranquility of the forest, the majestic view of Arenal Volcano, and reconnect with Costa Rica's essence. Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this tour promises unforgettable moments in a breathtaking volcanic landscape. - Discover natural hot springs and hidden waterfalls - Immerse yourself in the sounds and sights of the rainforest - Ideal for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers - Experience a guided tour through stunning landscapes and trails

This full-day, family-friendly combo tour in La Fortuna spans 6 to 7 hours starting at 7:00 AM, blending adrenaline and native Costa Rican culture into a single adventure. The journey begins with a 7-line canopy zipline course featuring an 18-meter tower, a flyover across a 120-meter canyon, and a high-flying pass directly above the La Fortuna Waterfall on Central America's second longest cable. Following the zipline, guests are transported to the base offices to change into dry clothes and enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch. The action continues with a 4x4 truck ride deep into the mountains, setting up an exhilarating canyoning session where participants rappel down rainforest waterfalls. The package wraps up back at the ranch with photo reviews and fresh Costa Rican coffee, with all bilingual guides, round-trip transportation, equipment, lunch, and snacks fully included.

Experience the beauty of La Fortuna from above during this extensive zipline tour. Don your gear and climb an 18-meter tower, fly over canyons and treetops on seven extreme ziplines including a 980-meter cable, and take in views of the Arenal and Cerro Chato Volcanoes. Complete the adventure by crossing a hanging bridge over La Fortuna waterfall and admire the jungle views.

Head into the rain forest of Costa Rica and discover the Arenal Volcano on a half-day tour. Trek past lava formations, swim in a lake created by the volcano, and take a dip in the warm hot springs of the Tabacon River. Enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch while taking in the views of the volcano and enjoy your day in the rain forest.

Spend a half day touring the Arenal Volcano with a guide, learning the history of the volcano from its first eruption in 1968. You’ll have a moderate walk of about 1.5k to the viewpoint, where you’ll have views of the Green Lagoon and Lake Arenal. Along the way you’ll see the wildlife of the rainforest, including turkeys, toucans, monkeys, orioles, and snakes!

Due to its excellent location, Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa is recognized for offering the most spectacular landscapes and wildlife observation opportunities in Costa Rica. Eleven kilometers of trails, two observation towers and two suspension bridges offer unique opportunities to immerse yourself in the nature of the Arenal Volcano National Park. If you are not a guest of the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, we offer you the opportunity to opt for the DAY PASS to explore our impressive 350-hectare (865-acre) nature reserve.

Combine two of the top outdoor rainforest activities in Costa Rica with this full-day day tour. After pickup from La Fortuna in a minivan, head to the Arenal Hanging Bridges—two miles (3.2 kilometers) of raised walking platforms designed for viewing wildlife in the rainforest canopy and below. After walking the bridges, visit La Fortuna Waterfall, swim in the La Fortuna River, and have a restaurant lunch before returning to La Fortuna.

Explore the wild beauty and rich biodiversity of Costa Rica’s famed Arenal region on this combo hiking and waterfall tour from La Fortuna. Trek along the different levels of hanging bridges in the rain forest at Mistico Park, and later take a short hike to reach the tropical cascade of La Fortuna Waterfall. Replenish your energy with a delicious Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.

The therapeutic uses of natural hot springs can be internal or external, ranging from water treatments (hydrotherapy), to medicinal clay (geotherapy). Applied as a mask directly on the skin, clay releases excess body heat and absorbs toxins and other secretions. Because heated water can hold more dissolved solids, warm and especially hot springs often have a very high mineral content, ranging from simple calcium to lithium and even radium. Known both from folklore and from their proven medical value, hot springs are often popular tourist destinations. The Los Lagos Hotel, Spa & Resort hot springs are an extraordinary gift from nature and result from the interaction of groundwater with magma from the active Arenal Volcano. The volcano’s internal energy and minerals, the same that emerge from the entrails of the planet, provide a natural treatment for your skin as well as your whole body.

Discover the magic of wildlife at sunset with our new Twilight tour, a unique experience that combines day and night wildlife observation in one tour. We will start our adventure with a special hike through natural trails, where we will look for one of Costa Rica's most charismatic animals: the sloth. At sunset, you will have the opportunity to observe these fascinating forest dwellers up close. Afterwards, we will enjoy a delicious snack to recharge our batteries and continue with the second part of the experience: a night walk in a natural environment specially designed to observe frogs, insects, reptiles, and other nocturnal creatures. With a flashlight in hand and guided by experts, we will discover the incredible biodiversity that comes to life when night falls. Twilight is the perfect combination of exploration, learning, and connection with nature, ideal for those looking for a different experience during their visit to La Fortuna.

Unlike standard group tours, this experience is designed for private groups, offering a more intimate and personalized encounter with nature. You’ll be accompanied by a professional naturalist guide who tailors the tour to your interests, ensuring a deeper understanding and appreciation of the forest and its creatures. Diverse Wildlife Encounters : Spot sloths, red-eyed tree frogs, owls, alligators, basilisks, turtles, and other fascinating species in their natural nighttime environment. Private and Quiet Setting : With no large crowds, enjoy a calm, focused atmosphere ideal for observation and photography. Conservation in Action : Your visit supports a local initiative dedicated to ecological restoration, environmental education, and sustainable tourism. If you're looking for a night tour that goes beyond sightseeing—one that connects you with nature and conservation in a meaningful way—this is the experience for you.

See the vast diversity of Costa Rica on a 3-day tour that includes hiking at Arenal Volcano, exploring the Monteverde cloud forest, and enjoying the tropical white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. This expertly organized all-inclusive tour covers all of your transportation and accommodations, so busy travelers can maximize their time and not worry about any of the logistics.

Immerse yourself in nature on this 3-day, 2-night adventure. The perfect excursion for outdoor enthusiasts, the tour brings you to the artisan town of Sarchi, known for its crafts and souvenirs, and the Arenal Volcano. You’ll also visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to hike and enjoy the Sky Walk, a combination of trails and suspension bridges above the forest canopy.

Avoid the crowds of La Fortuna on this tour of Ecocentro Danaus, a private nature reserve located just outside of the city. Follow a guide along jungle trails to where sloths, birds, and butterflies live, and pick up local expertise on Costa Rican wildlife along the way. This tour even includes a spotting scope for heightened visibility.

Get above the canopy and observe the native wildlife in Arenal when you walk the 1.6mi (3km) of asphalt path between the six hanging bridges suspended among the trees. You'll also have awesome views of the Arenal Volcano. Your naturalist guide will be with you the entire tour (approx 3 hours) to tell you all about the native flora and fauna of the region.

Explore three of Costa Rica’s natural highlights on an easy small-group day tour from La Fortuna. Nature-loving travelers who are short on time will love walking over the hanging bridges, hiking to Arenal Volcano, and swimming at La Fortuna Waterfall all in one day. Admire impressive views throughout the day and learn more about Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity from your guide.

Don’t run the risk of not being let into the hot springs at EcoTermales Fortuna in La Fortuna and book your skip-the-line tickets in advance to ensure you get in. Soak in any of the four pools, one of which even has a waterfall, at this family-owned hot spring with water temperatures varying from 99°F to 105°F (37°C to 41°C).

Visit two special Costa Rica attractions in one day on this tour to Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall from San Jose. Enjoy an easy ride up to the crater of the volcano, where you have free time to admire the sulfur fumaroles and views over the central valley, and then head to La Paz Waterfall—an incredible photo opportunity. Snack on fresh strawberries from a local farm between activities.

Discover the many different sides to Costa Rica that make it such a fascinating country to visit with this 8-day tour. Starting in San Jose, the first stop on this tour will take you up into the mountains to see sights around the Arenal Volcano. From there, it’s on to the Pacific coast to visit the beaches and national park of Manuel Antonio.

Discover one of La Fortuna’s most sought-after nightlife experiences at Papa’s Place, a renowned private reserve ideal for amphibian, reptile and tropical wildlife viewing. This tour is designed for travelers who want to explore the rainforest at night with expert naturalist guides, significantly increasing the possibilities of observation and photography. During the tour of easy and well-maintained trails, you can look for species such as red-eyed frogs, glass frogs, snakes, insects and other creatures active after sunset. Although the main focus is amphibians and reptiles, it is occasionally possible to observe mammals, sloths and other wildlife, always depending on the natural activity of the forest. The experience is realized by offering a calmer, more flexible and personalized environment with groups Small max 8 per group. Organized by its best ally, Vivo Expeditions Papas place Night Tour Fortune

Experience a small group guided hike through the lava flows formed by volcanic activity at the Arenal Volcano. The hike is just under a mile, and is easy to moderate level. Learn the history of when the volcano erupted in 1968, and hear how the town was rebuilt afterwards, out of almost total destruction. You can visit the hot springs at the end if you wish.

This small group tour takes you on a peaceful float down the Penas Blancas River where you’ll end up reaching the impressive La Fortuna Waterfall Reserve. The tour starts with a convenient hotel pickup (from selected hotels), then you’ll float, paddle, take an optional hike, and enjoy an included lunch, all organized by your guide, so you can just enjoy the day out.