Arenal Tours and Ticketed Attractions

The paid attractions around La Fortuna differ widely in cost, so this page lists them from the least to the most expensive. Amounts are in US dollars, rounded, and most operators add 13 percent IVA at the till.

About $20 to $25

Arenal Observatory Lodge. A visit begins at roughly $20 to $22 for the entrance pass. For $40 you get a day pass that covers lunch. The grounds hold 11 km of trails and a 28 m viewing tower called The Nest, plus an 800 m path built for wheelchairs.

Arenal 1968. This private reserve sets its own ticket price of about $25 per adult. It opens around 8am, closes around 5pm and stops admitting people about an hour before that. Visitors cross black lava from the 1968 eruption on trails that total about 7 km. Ask about child prices when you arrive.

About $32 to $60

Mistico Arenal. Pay from $32 plus tax to walk alone, from $44 with a guide, or from $54 for a night, bird or twilight outing. The 3.2 km route links 16 bridges, six of them hanging. Gates open at 6am and the last entry is before the 3:50pm closing. A ticket booked ahead is the safer plan. Sturdy closed footwear is compulsory.

Sky Walk and Sky Tram. Sky Adventures runs these at its Arenal site only. The Sky Walk is about $41 per adult, and the aerial Sky Tram is about $51. Neither price includes transport to the site.

About $90 and above

Sky Trek zipline. The zipline portion costs about $93 for an adult, and combination tickets run from about $90 to $107 or more. Many travel insurers leave zip-lining out of cover, so check your policy and pick a well-established operator.

Pure Trek canyoning. The standard trip is about $103 and takes roughly 4 hours. It has four rappels, three beside waterfalls and one down a rock wall, along with a rock climb and a “monkey drop”. The Rainforest Falls version costs about $125 and includes a waterfall rappel of about 32 m. Participants must be at least 5 years old. Both prices are trade rack rates before 13 percent IVA, and lunch and hotel pickup come as part of some bundles.

Choosing sensibly

  • If the budget is tight, combine the national park with a hot spring soak and skip the zipline.
  • If you travel with young children, the lodge and Mistico offer easier walking than the canyon.
  • If you want a night outing, Mistico and the Bogarin Trail both run guided evening walks.

Before you pay

  • Confirm what the ticket includes, especially transport, meals and equipment.
  • Ask about the minimum age and any weight limit.
  • Hours and fees move, so confirm them with the venue.

Read more: Sightseeing in La Fortuna and Adventure tours in La Fortuna .

Operator pages: Arenal Observatory Lodge and Mistico Park .

Booking comparison: GetYourGuide .