San Carlos

Due to a geothermically heated underground river, the area surrounding Arenal Volcano has an abundance of hot springs. The majority of these hot springs are in expensive resorts that have tapped into the underground river to create a variety of mineral rich soaking pools. One of the areas best kept secrets is the free hot spring river, Rio Chollin. This is the same river that flows through one ...

A private trail just outside of La Fortuna, Costa Rica has a high concentration of sloths that can often be spotted along the short hike. The land here is very dense with vegetation making it a perfect home for the sloth. Most of the land surrounding this 9 hectares lot has been cleared for farming or development.   The sloth tour is located just off the side of the highway between Arenal Volca...

Hiking the Chato Volcano, or Cerro Chato, is the perfect way to get an incredible view of neighboring big brother, Arenal Volcano. Arenal has the typical, conical shape that you think of when you hear volcano and is one of the areas most active volcanoes. You'll be perfectly safe hiking Cerro Chato, though, as it hasn't erupted for some 3,500 years. The trailhead begins at the La Fortuna Waterf...

This is a nice 1/2 day trip. La Fortuna falls is popular with tourist and locals, not just for viewing the falls but there is excellent swimming holes just below the fall and you can also swim right in the pool the falls fall into but the approach to that pool is very rocky and wet.  The falls are about 70 meters high and the sound it makes if deafening.  The hike to the falls is about one mile...

Surrounded by lush jungle, the swimming hole of El Salto features a Tarzan swing into a deep turquoise pool along the Rio Fortuna river. The swimming hole has formed below two small waterfalls making this a popular hangout for locals and the occasional tourist. El Salto is located a short distance from downtown La Fortuna along road #702. As you're heading south on road #702 away from La Fortun...

The Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park is just a short 15 minute drive from downtown La Fortuna. Shuttles are available for $18-25 or you can find a tour that includes transportation, admission, and a tour guide (about $60). General admission is $24 for a self guided tour.This easy hike is only 1.9 miles long and consists of 16 bridges, 6 of which are hanging bridges. The longer bridges can...

The Lost Canyon Canyoneering tour is full day of adventure.  The day starts with a shuttle pickup from your lodging  in the La Fortuna area.  After a ride through the rural community and up to the canyon ops center, your adventure guide will fit you with canyoneering gear and give a brief tutorial.  As soon as the instructional course is complete your group will make its way toward the canyon. ...

The drive from Monteverde to La Fortuna/Arenal can be a long one.  Fortunately the waterfalls at Viento Fresco are located halfway between these two popular tourist destinations, giving you the perfect opportunity to stretch your legs and go for a swim. The waterfalls are on private property and requires an entrance fee of $16 to visit.  There is an office/restaurant along Route 145 where you c...

The Rio Celeste in northern Costa Rica is most notably known for the famous Rio Celeste Waterfall in Tenorio Volcano National Park. The river has a distinctive turquoise blue color that makes it a popular tourist destination. The best way to experience this river is by tubing down the river through several kilometers of dense rainforest jungle.    You are not allowed to swim in the river within...