Top Central Valley Outdoor Activities - page 38

Lace up your hiking boots and venture to the Pozo Verde Lagoon, located inside the crater of a dormant volcano just 1.5 hours from La Fortuna. This day trip includes round-trip transportation from La Fortuna, a guided hike up a volcano, and lunch at the end of the day.

The Children’s Eternal Rainforest is Costa Rica’s largest private reserve and home to an incredible variety of wildlife. On this guided jungle expedition, set out from the Pocosol Station, and enjoy a thrilling 4.5-mile (7-kilometer) hike to the Pocosol Waterfall. Along the way, hike around a volcanic lagoon and look out for howler monkeys, wild boar, and rare birds such as the Bare-necked Umbrellabird.

Experience the rainforest canopy from a unique perspective on this fun ziplining tour. Zoom down nine cables, getting great views of the forest if you dare open your eyes. End with the dramatic Tarzan swing if you’re up for the thrill. This is a handy excursion for travelers staying in San Jose as it’s the closest zipline course to the capital.

Explore the biodiverse Corcovado National Park on this all-day guided tour from San Jose. First, sail through the largest mangrove in Central America before starting your walk through the park, which is filled with lush flora and fauna. Following lunch, visit the San Pedrillo waterfall for a refreshing dip in the waters.

Get your heart racing and see more of Costa Rica’s natural beauty on this white water rafting activity out of La Fortuna. Raft down Class 4 rapids, taking a break midway through for a snack and to admire the surrounding forest scenery. Finish with a large Costa Rican lunch and drinks to reward your efforts. This activity requires a moderate level of physical fitness.

When in La Fortuna, a must-see attraction is Arenal Volcano and the surrounding jungle. Explore it the adventurous way with this private side by side ATV tour. Your guide takes you through mud, rivers, and deep into the jungle, identifying plants and animals you see along the way. You’ll cover much more ground, including a private farm, on this organized, guided tour.

Tallest zipline, measuring 340 meters (1246 ft.) in length. The platform is suspended 18 meters (59ft) above the jungle. The zipline crosses the tropical canyon, bringing you to the Rappel platform next to the Pino Blanco Waterfall. Rappel is 80 meters (262 ft.) alongside the Pino Blanco Waterfall. After rappelling, you climb back up using a steel cable ladder next to the waterfall to enjoy the remaining 5 ziplines through multiple layers of the tropical canopy and river below. The longest cable stretches 980 meters over the famous La Fortuna waterfall. After completing the zipline and rappel, you’ll visit the Maleku Indian Cultural Center. There, you’ll learn about the people’s traditions and cultural roots and how to protect one of the smallest ethnic groups in Costa Rica. The tour finishes with a small horseback ride through the pasture lands and secondary forest, returning to the entrance. (20 minutes) No experience is needed. (Small lunch included)

The tour begins with an introduction to the adventure park and a brief lesson on ziplining through the canopy. After the safety briefing, you will board a Jungle Bus that takes you to the top, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the tropical canopy, La Fortuna waterfall, Pino Blanco waterfall, and Arenal Volcano. There is a 15-minute hike accompanied by a highly trained guide. The guide will explain the area's significance and help you spot any wildlife along the way. Upon arriving at the ziplines, you will first complete three shorter cables to familiarize yourself with the equipment and the sensation of ziplining. There are 12 ziplines, totaling 3.5 kilometers. The longest cable, measuring 980 meters, spans the famous La Fortuna Waterfall, and two additional cables cross over the Pino Blanco Waterfall. After completing the ziplines and visiting the Maleku Indians, enjoy a 20-minute horseback ride through pastureland and secondary forest, returning to the entrance.

Explore parts of Costa Rica that you couldn’t reach independently when you take a guided horseback-riding tour through the Arenal River Canyon. Your gentle horses will take you across private farmland and through dense jungle to reach the river canyon. Spot beautiful plants, birds, and animals along the way and enjoy the views of the beautiful Arenal Volcano.

ATV tours are a perfect way to cover the variety of exciting and challenging terrains while offering spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano. (on a clear day) Guides will navigate you through rivers, mud, and the Costa Rican Jungle, sharing knowledge of Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity. The tour starts with a warm-up track to help you get comfortable with operating the machines. Once the ATVs are warmed up, we’ll progress to the more advanced sections, bringing you closer to the volcano. Here, you will have a short break to take in the stunning views of the La Fortuna ranges and the majestic Arenal Volcano. After enjoying the backcountry and some trails, you head to the Arenal River for a drink and a refreshing swim. (weather permitting) Once you’ve relaxed and cleaned off some of the mud from your ATV adventure, it’s time to return to the trails and head back to the entrance. **Note we are a 100% insured company, and the minimum age to drive the ATV is 16.**

Go on a horseback ride through the rain forest to La Fortuna Waterfall on this half-day excursion near Arenal Volcano. Your guide points out Costa Rican wildlife such as toucans, iguanas, and sloths, and leads you on a short walk to a hanging bridge over the forest canopy. Have time to swim in waterfall pools and visit the Maleku indigenous village on the return ride.

Go on an adrenaline-packed adventure in the Costa Rican rainforest on this half-day ziplining excursion. The 2-mile (3-kilometer) trail takes you to the Pino Blanco waterfall, which is surrounded by canyons that reach up to 360 feet (120 meters) high. Fly above the La Fortuna Waterfall across a half-mile-long (980 meter) cable. Then, visit the Maleku Cultural Rescue Center.

Arenal National Park is filled with trails, waterfalls, hot springs, and hanging bridges. With this adventurous tour, you can experience it all and still have time to watch the sunset and relax in hot springs at the end of the day. Plus, with a guided tour, nature lovers can maximize their time in the park and learn about the rainforest’s diverse flora and fauna.

Get up into the canopy by taking this tour of Arena’s hanging bridges. You’ll see all sorts of wildlife as you walk along the bridges, including monkeys, birds, and much more. Transport from your hotel is also provided, so you don’t need to arrange that yourself. Just be ready to spot some wildlife with the assistance of your local guide.

If you’re short on time and having trouble choosing just one activity around San Jose, this fun combo tour is ideal. Enjoy the thrill of ziplining along ten cables in the forest canopy, followed by a two-hour ATV safari through the jungle. Stop at refreshing waterfalls and admire the views of the Jaco Beach area. Hotel pickup and an included buffet lunch make this an action-packed day that adventurous travelers will love.

Experience Costa Rica's most famous adventure activity on a canopy zipline tour near La Fortuna. Soar through different layers of the rainforest on 11 thrilling ziplines engineered for maximum safety. As an added bonus, this unique course also includes a hanging bridge and giant Tarzan swing that lets you safely free-swing through a forest clearing.

La Fortuna area is a privileged location to spot birds, not only in Costa Rica but in the Americas. Due to its topography, surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes and different kinds of forests in such a small area, turn La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano in a paradise for those who love birds. Birds are more active early in the morning and in the late afternoon, as the day cools into evening. Join us for a guided walk into our Park for an amazing display of tropical birds. You will have the opportunity to see toucans, parrots, oropendolas, wild turkeys, colorful tanagers, parakeets and many more species in their natural environment. For the more experienced birdwatcher, we can focus on those special treasures and uncommon species. We will tailor the tour for you. We will wrap up the tour by listing and discussing the birds we have seen.

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.

Twilight rainforest experience visiting a Costarrican family kitchen, joining a Tortilla or Patacones class, and ending with a frog watching.

Set out on a private ocean adventure along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast in search of humpback whales, dolphins, and sea turtles — all in their natural habitat. Guided by local experts and supported by small community businesses, this luxury experience offers comfort, insight, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. If the tide allows, you’ll also walk the iconic Whale’s Tail sandbar, revealed only at low tide. Ideal from July to October, this is a meaningful way to witness nature’s wonders in one of the country’s most biodiverse regions.

Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate rafter, whitewater rafting in a new place has unknown challenges you might collide with. Tackle those challenges safely with a guide and group during this Sarapiqui River Whitewater Rafting Experience from San Jose. You’ll cruise down more than 45 class III and IV rapids.

Hiking in the Mountain for 5 km you can see animals monkeys, frogs, birds... And enjoy of 3 Waterfalls in the Rain Forest...

The Osa Peninsula is considered one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, often described as Costa Rica’s last true wilderness. Surrounded by pristine rainforest, mangroves, rivers, and the Pacific Ocean, this extraordinary destination is home to an unparalleled concentration of wildlife. Staying in the Osa Peninsula means immersing yourself in raw nature, where lush rainforest meets the sea and every day brings unforgettable encounters with wildlife. It is the ideal destination for travelers seeking exclusivity, adventure, and a deep connection with Costa Rica’s natural heritage. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Botanika Osa Peninsula: Located near Puerto Jiménez, Botanika offers refined comfort in the heart of the Osa Peninsula. The hotel blends modern luxury with natural surroundings, making Botanika the perfect base for exploring one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems while returning each day to comfort and relaxation.