La Fortuna Activities by Time of Day
La Fortuna is easiest to enjoy when each part of the day gets the right activity. Early hours suit forest walks, the middle of the day suits the falls and bridges, and the evening belongs to warm water. The notes below follow that rhythm. Dollar prices are rounded, and colones trade at about CRC 450 to $1.
First thing in the morning
The Bogarin Trail opens at 6am, which makes it the earliest option in town. The 2.5 km path costs $20 on your own or about $45 with a guide. Mistico Arenal also opens at 6am. Its walkway has 16 bridges, and six of them hang as much as 45 m over the forest floor. You pay from $32 plus tax for a self-guided ticket. Shoes must have closed toes and a firm sole.
Late morning to mid-afternoon
La Fortuna Waterfall charges foreign adults about $20 and keeps hours that run from the morning into mid-afternoon. The route is a staircase of about 500 steps, so you climb back out after your visit. Only the calm pool at the base is suitable for a dip. Keep out of the spray zone under the plunge and do not leap from the rocks. The river can rise within minutes after rain.
Arenal Volcano National Park admits foreign adults for about $15. Its Las Coladas trail, about 1.8 km long, passes over hardened lava. Because Arenal has been dormant since late 2010, no lava glows and no eruptions can be watched. The summit and a zone of about 4 km around it are closed to everyone except scientists and staff.
Late afternoon
Lake Arenal, a reservoir west of town, is the place for stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. Operators set the prices and what is included, so ask when you book.
Evening
Warm water is the evening plan, and prices climb with the surroundings.
- Baldi has 25 pools and stays open until 10pm. Adult entry is $51 and the child price is $38. You may walk in without a reservation.
- EcoTermales holds an evening session from 5pm to 9:30pm, about $49 per adult for entry.
- Tabacon sells meal passes from about $170 per adult and fills up, so reserve early.
- The public river below Tabacon is free but is a daylight-only spot. Do not use it after dark.
After dark
The Bogarin night walk lasts about 2 hours and costs $60. Take a torch, skip the flash and keep your distance from animals. Frogs and insects are the usual rewards, and nothing bigger is promised.
A short list of precautions
- Thieves target parked cars near the river and at roadside stops, so carry your valuables.
- El Salto, the free rope swing on the Rio Fortuna, has no lifeguard, and strong flow follows rain.
- Zip-line trips are often excluded from insurance policies, so read yours.
- Confirm hours and prices at the source.
Read more: Day trips from La Fortuna and Outdoor activities in La Fortuna .
Primary sources: Bogarin Trail and Baldi Hot Springs .
Tour listings: Viator .