Top 10 Tours near Arenal in Costa Rica

The area around the Arenal Volcano in north-central Costa Rica is considered to be one of the world's most interesting areas to visit, attracting millions of tourists from around the world to Costa Rica to see the lush tropical wonderland in person. 

In this piece, we will detail the Top 10 most interesting and entertaining things to do in the area around the Arenal Volcano. 

Firstly, l want to comment about the weather here, as many people ask when is the best time to visit. I can tell you, living here throughout the year, it is nearly the same every day of the year. 

The temperature is totally ideal, usually in the mid 80's during the day, the mid 70's at night, You almost always have periods of beautiful sunshine every day. Very rarely is it overcast all day, like almost never. 

Because of the elevation, its not humid like Texas. However, it does rain almost every day for an hour or so in the evening. The rain keeps the area beautifully green, the rivers full of amazingly fresh and clean water, and makes the air the cleanest Ive seen in my 54 countries worth of travel around the world. The air is so clean here that the colors of the flowers, birds, frogs.. just pop. 

Costa Rica is extremely clean, you will probably not see a single piece of trash on the side of the road, in the river, or even in the middle of town. It's quite extraordinary just how clean it is. Far more free of litter than my home of Southern Oregon, USA. 

Now let's talk about a good plan for touring this area. 

La Fortuna Costa Rica is a beautiful little town that is an ideal hub for exploring this amazing area. In town, you have access to numerous lodging options, from very inexpensive hostels to some of the most luxurious accommodations in Central America. You will find the town safe, friendly and impeccably clean.

La Fortuna has numerous restaurants serving deliciously well prepared local dishes, souvenir shops where one can buy hand made goods from Costa Rica, Guatemala and Nicaragua, numerous tourism companies where you can book tours, rent transportation, and get advice on your next adventure.  

The town is centrally located for most all of the amazing adventures listed below and is a relaxed place to take a day off between treks. 

There are also several free or inexpensive things to do near town for those on a budget: dive from the top of a waterfall into refreshing cool and clean natural pool at the amazing local favorite "el Salto", hit the free hot springs and meet the friendly locals soaking it up, rent a bike and tour the farmlands for a peaceful trek with amazing views of the volcano.

ok, let's get to the top adventures you can explore while you are here: 

1) The Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour. 

In this world of amazing habitats, surely a highlight is this stunning mountain top jungle adventure where you can see the most amazing variety of birdlife, pure and ancient old-growth cloud forest, and enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. 

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is accessible from La Fortuna via the "jeep-boat-jeep" tours that crosses beautiful Lake Arenal where you have amazing views of the Volcano from the west. 

The town of Monteverde is a nice resting place if you plan on adventuring the cloud forest for multiple days and starting your hike early in the day to see the most wildlife, but it is also possible to do a one day round trip adventure from La Fortuna. 

In the Monteverde Cloud Forest, you have the opportunity to see some of the most amazing birdlife you will see in the world: The jewel of the forest, the Resplendant Quetzal, three varieties of Toucans, Green Parrots, the colorful Mot Mot, numerous variety of beautiful hummingbirds, and many other species of birds for your enjoyment. 

It's literally a birding paradise, and the jungle is rich and thick with biodiversity. 

For more adventure while you are there, go on a night tour to see the stunningly colorful frogs, tour the coffee farms in the day time to taste some of the worlds best, or take a thrilling zipline adventure high over the jungle canopy!   

2) World-class River Rafting: 

The La Fortuna area has two world-class river rafting rivers and several professional and experienced companies who lead unforgettable trips down amazingly clean class four and class five rapids to get your heart racing! 

 

These companies hire local guides who know the river well and provide a safe and entertaining boat ride that will please the most adventurous among us. 

These River Rafting adventures near the Arenal Volcano are also a great opportunity to see the beautifully protected riparian habitat of this beautiful area.  

3) Zipline Tours

Looking for Adventure? You are in for a wild ride over the jungle canopy on these extremely fun zip lining tours! Most of the most famous zip lines in Costa Rica are accessible and can be booked in La Fortuna. 

One of my favorites has nine zip lines in a row over and through the jungle that will have a permanent smile stuck on your face. It is just indescribably fun. 

 

Several competent tour companies offer very safe equipment, experienced guides and safety instructions to ensure you make it back to town in one piece. 

4) Canopy Walk

Costa Rica is famous for its Hanging bridges where you can walk high up and over the Jungle Canopy to witness the unique habitat few are able to witness. 

The jungle canopy is home to unique plants and animal species that spend their entire lives high above the forest floor. The views of the forest create memories you will never forget in all of your very long life. 

5) Jungle Hiking Volcano Tours

The national park around the Aranal Volcano an absolutely beautiful place to explore, the jungle is thick with beautiful plants, flowers, butterflies, birds, sloths, frogs, lizards, and monkeys. 

It is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and there is something beautiful and amazing around every corner. The trails lead up to the base of the ancient lava flow, with an amazing view of the active Arenal volcano itself. 

You can also hike to Cerro Chato, an extinct volcano nearby that has a beautiful freshwater lake in its crater. 

The views of the surrounding valley are really beautiful, as the row of volcanos is at the beginning of a plane that extends to the Caribbean sea. The air is always clean and the views sharp, as it usually rains like clockwork every evening for an hour or so,

The rain is so predictable, that you can count on the mornings being beautiful 90% of the year, and when it rains, it will only be for an hour or so - the perfect time to duck under a tree and marvel at the storm, or slip into a coffee shop for a warm cup of brew. 

Several tour companies in La Fortuna offer extended Volcano and Hot Springs tours that will take you around the volcanos that stop at some really beautiful restaurants that have viewing platforms where you can see the picturesque Lake Arenal and the volcanos together. 

These tours end the day in one of the several world-class hot springs and spas that are around the lake, taking advantage of the thermal waters that the volcano provides. 

These hot springs and spas are paradise on earth, and sipping a pina colada in one of the warm tubs at the end of the day is no less than decadent. 

There are a variety of spas in the area ranging from romantic and private luxurious accommodations with world-class restaurants to more of a water park style family-oriented scene where you can bring your own food and drinks. 

These family-style hot springs have picnic tables and barbeques, as well as less expensive local style restaurants where you can live like a king and queen on a budget. 

7) Waterfall hikes

Near La Fortuna, are two world-famous waterfalls,  The Fortuna Falls, and El Canto Falls. Can you say Selfie?!? This is the opportunity to post the Selfie all your friends on Facebook will be jealous of. 

The Fortuna falls is tall, big and strong, falling into the most beautiful of swimming holes. Its super fun to swim toward the falls like a never-ending lap pool. Its a great way to refresh yourself after a hike in the jungle.

8) Bird Watching

Can you say paradise?!? if you are a bird watcher, there are few places on earth that rival this area, especially the Monteverde cloud forest. It is stunning, and the variety of birdlife is extraordinary. Another area with an entirely different array of birds is the Cana Negro region. 

You can organize tours to both of these areas from La Fortuna. 

Resplendent Quetzal, Macaws, Parakeets, Several varieties of Toucan, hummingbirds, hawks, eagles, and the list goes on and on.

This is literally the best place Ive seen for bird watching, rivaling the Mato Grosso of Brazil, or the lakes of Tanzania. 

You can spend your entire trip here exploring the many varied habitats and view biodiversity that will blow your mind. 

9) Sloth, Lizard and Frog Tours

I have to admit, Sloth watching has to, for me, be compared to watching Golf on TV.. you have to really like Sloths for this to be exciting.. but they are super cute, and it is a 'bucket list' wildlife experience for many. 

We are so lucky to have sloths in and around this area that enjoy the protected riparian habitat, leisurely living their peaceful life in and around the Arenal Volcano. You will have ample opportunity to view them in their native habitat. 

However, the Frogs are simply amazingly beautiful. We have some of the richest diversity of colorful frogs here, And within 10 minutes from town, you can get to see some of the world's most beautiful. 

Tree frogs, Blue jean frogs, several species of Glass frogs, Poison dart frogs, and several other stunning specimens. 

You can also see beautiful Iguanas and some variety of large green lizards that look like they stepped out of a Jurrasic park movie. There is ample opportunity to see these really beautiful creatures here. 

10) Coffee and Chocolate Farm tours 

You are going to love touring the Cacao farms here, see how the fruit is grown, taste the Cacao beans right out of the pod.. they taste incredible, and eating the roasted Cacao beans is really delicious. 

On these tours, you get to make your own chocolate, and the flavor of this chocolate is something you just have to experience once in your life. 

Although most of the Coffee is grown up near Monteverde, and you can tour the Coffee farms there, there are demonstration farms here near La Fortuna where you can see and participate in the process of harvesting, roasting, and tasting this world-class Costa Rican Coffee in the location where it grows. This is great fun for the whole family.

Bonus Tips! : 

Take a trip to the Nicaraguan border to take a boat tour of the stunning Cana Negro river, a bird watchers and fisherman's paradise. 

Take a day trip to see the unbelievably azure waters of Rio Celeste, a waterfall that looks like it is photoshopped in person, The Volcanic waters react to turn Turquoise blue, and this stunning river winds through beautiful and sparkly green vegetation for spectacular photographs to wow your Instagram friends!