Top Costa Rica Natural Attractions

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.

Explore the tropical forest surrounding Arenal Volcano on a self-guided visit with three trails ranging from easy to challenging. Choose a route that matches your preferred level of activity while taking in panoramic views and volcanic landscapes shaped by past eruptions. With opportunities to learn about the local environment and take breaks along the way, this is a flexible option for experiencing Arenal at your own pace.

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.

On this Jaco off-road ATV tour, it’s all about the journey—and the destinations. Take a thrilling ride through rugged mountain terrain en route to a vista point and two waterfalls, one of which has a 15-foot (4.5-meter) jump to try (if you dare). Be sure to bring a swimsuit to refresh yourself in the natural pool either way.

Snorkeling stops, sunshine, and unobstructed views of Costa Rica's shoreline make this sunset catamaran cruise the ideal way to end your day—and the open bar doesn't hurt. Join a friendly crew (as well as dolphins, turtles, and flying fish) to make the most of the day's last rays on this perfectly timed tour, which ends just as the sun sinks below the horizon. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

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.

Explore Costa Rica's rainforests whilst getting a dose of adrenaline during this group activity package. Enjoy a comphrensive experience that includes logistics, lunch, and activities, allowing you to relax and fully immerse yourself in the day. Go ziplining and river tubing, and unwind in natural hot springs and volcanic mud baths afterwards.

Zoo Ave is an important center for animal rescue and rehabilitation, with a vast natural landscape, ornamental gardens, a large number of native and endangered species. This general admission ticket provides entry to the zoo and allows you to explore at your own pace. Learn about local wildlife, see a variety of well-cared-for animals with ample space to thrive, and observe animal rescue and rehabilitation in action.

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.

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.

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

Explore and swim under the Rio Celeste and Llanos de Cortés waterfalls, without the pressure of getting there on your own, with this group activity package. Enjoy a seamless experience that covers your itinerary, optional transportation, park fees, and lunch, meaning you can relax and immerse yourself in the day's activities. Along with the waterfalls, hike through Tenorio Volcano National Park and visit a sloth sanctuary.

Grab your passport and head over the border for a full-day tour of Nicaragua’s highlights from Costa Rica. Start with a scenic Nicaraguan breakfast and then take in the views from Catarina Volcano. Visit the active Masaya Volcano and stand near the crater. Explore the colonial town of Granada, where you can marvel over the historic architecture and admire views from La Merced Church, followed by a delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan cuisine. Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a scenic cruise.

Head to La Fortuna, home to the Arenal Volcano, on this guided all-day tour from San Jose. Sit back and relax as you travel through diverse plantations and cattle ranches on the roughly 3.5-hour drive. After arriving, enjoy lunch with a view of the volcano. Then, take a dip in the area’s thermal waters and indulge in an optional massage or other treatment.

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.

Ideal for travelers short on time, this tour of the La Fortuna and Arenal area offers a day packed with activities: Hike the lava trails at the base of Arenal Volcano, swim in the waters of the La Fortuna Waterfall, and relax in the mineral waters of local hot springs with gardens. What’s more, this tour includes lunch and dinner.

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!

Lace up your hiking boots for this full-day immersion in the wild beauty of Tenorio Volcano National Park. Look for wildlife on the drive from La Fortuna, and feel like a jungle explorer on the trek to Rio Celeste, known for its mystical aquamarine waters. Take a dip in warm volcanic river pools, admire a cascading waterfall, and reward your efforts with a typical Costa Rican lunch.

With this prebooked day pass, breeze through the entrance lines at the Ecocentro Danaus, a private nature reserve and sanctuary near La Fortuna. Meet some of the animals living inside the reserve including sloths, birds, butterflies, lizards, and iguanas. After saying hello to the animals, visit the indigenous art gallery and souvenir shop—all helping to support natural conservation efforts.

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.

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.

Explore the Costa Rican capital’s rich history, landmark buildings, and modern culture on a combo bus and walking tour of San Jose. Get a great introduction to city highlights like the National Theater and Art Museum, and stop to walk through bustling markets and public plazas to feel the pulse of this modern Central American metropolis. Get an extra boost of Costa Rican culture by listening to traditional folkloric music onboard the bus.

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.

Make your Costa Rica vacation unforgettable with this full-day adventure to Arenal Volcano, one of the country’s most iconic natural landmarks. Begin your day with a scenic hike through the lush rainforest at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, where you’ll walk along a network of elevated bridges offering panoramic views of the jungle canopy and the serene Arenal Lake. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for tropical birds, monkeys, and other native wildlife. This experience combines adventure, natural beauty, and total relaxation — a must-do for any traveler visiting the Arenal region.