pura vida passENES

Things to do in Arenal & La Fortuna

128 places and 96 secret spots in Arenal & La Fortuna, with start times, how long each takes, prices as published and practical tips.

Tours & Adventure

  • ABC Canyoning (Peñas Blancas canyon)Tours & AdventureCanyoning outfitter with certified bilingual instructors that rappels waterfalls in the Peñas Blancas River canyon (about 40 minutes from La Fortuna), including a 70 m finale; ages 7-70.
  • Arenal Adventure ATVTours & Adventure · from $95ATV operator on the east side of La Fortuna running a 2-hour ride over rocky, muddy trails with stream crossings; the route starts right behind the office, so there is no transfer.
  • Arenal EcoGlideTours & Adventure · from $50Family-friendly zipline park close to town: 11 short double-cable lines, a Tarzan swing and a suspension bridge.
  • Arenal Mundo AventuraTours & AdventureAdventure and nature park founded in 2005 on the road to the La Fortuna waterfall, combining ziplines and rides with guided night walks, birding, horses and a Maleku cultural visit; guides are ICT-certified.
  • Desafío Adventure CompanyTours & Adventure · takes 3 h–8 h · from $82Long-running adventure company in La Fortuna that runs its own rafting, canyoning and river float tours, plus transfers around Arenal and Monteverde.
  • Finca Paraíso OrgánicoTours & AdventureOrganic family farm south-east of La Fortuna offering farm tours with tastings of what they grow.
  • La Vieja Adventures — Ciudad Esmeralda canyon (Río La Vieja)Tours & Adventure · from $40Guided wade-and-hike through a narrow, moss-walled canyon of the Río La Vieja above Ciudad Quesada, ending at the Zafiro waterfall and its turquoise pools.
  • Rancho Maleku Tafa UríjifTours & AdventureA Maleku family's cultural rancho in the Guatuso indigenous territory, led by Hiqui Morera Castro, where visitors learn about the smallest indigenous people of Costa Rica, their language and crafts.
  • Sky Adventures ArenalTours & Adventure · from $46Family-run park at El Castillo on Lake Arenal with ziplines, hanging bridges and an aerial tram overlooking the volcano.

Food & Coffee

  • Antojería La StreetFood & CoffeeA casual downtown La Fortuna spot for Costa Rican food and antojitos, a favorite of travel bloggers looking for something other than tourist menus; think loaded tortillas with vegetables and guacamole.
  • Arenal Vida CampesinaFood & CoffeeSelf-sufficient organic farm and cultural learning center 3 km south of La Fortuna where guests learn about coffee, sugar cane and cacao, grind cacao pods, make tortillas and taste local fruit.
  • Café Con AmorFood & CoffeeGourmet coffee shop and restaurant 200 m south of the gas station with Lake Arenal views from the patio, big sandwiches, Geisha coffee and local-liquor cocktails.
  • Café La SemillaFood & CoffeeA tiny café on Bijagua's main road, across from the Mega Super, with good coffee, a surprisingly long menu with vegan options, and homemade sweets.
  • Casa del Agua (Mery's Coffee)Food & CoffeeCafé between Tilarán and Río Piedras with a lake view from the porch, good coffee and food, art, and a used-book exchange.
  • Casa Fortuna, Restaurante FamiliarFood & CoffeeFamily-run local restaurant near the center with seafood and casados at fair prices; a long-time favorite on budget lists.
  • Casa ItaliaFood & CoffeeA small Italian kitchen just outside the center of Nuevo Arenal run by a Sicilian owner: homemade pasta (carbonara, alla Norma, ragù), pizza and desserts finished in a wood-fired oven.
  • Chifa La Familia FelizFood & CoffeeUnassuming Peruvian-Chinese kitchen where chef Martin chats with guests and recommends dishes; known for causa rellena, pineapple chicken and wok noodles with a Costa Rican twist.
  • Chocolate FusiónFood & CoffeeAir-conditioned chocolate and pastry shop by the central park—a sweet break with good coffee.
  • D'mi Tierra Comida TípicaFood & CoffeeSmall, well-priced restaurant of Costa Rican and Caribbean-style comfort food in La Fortuna, with a bilingual menu, friendly service and dishes like chifrijo and casados.
  • Don RufinoFood & CoffeeLa Fortuna's best-known sit-down dinner: chef-driven Costa Rican cooking on a downtown corner since 2005, with ceviche, octopus tamale and desserts that reviewers single out.
  • El Chante VerdeFood & CoffeeModern, clean restaurant on the south side of La Fortuna mixing plant-based dishes with traditional Costa Rican plates; the tableside guacamole and grilled pineapple get the most praise.
  • Fusion Arenal MiradorFood & CoffeeSemi-open restaurant on the El Castillo road with big views of Lake Arenal and the volcano; seafood is the specialty and sunsets are the draw.
  • Gingerbread Restaurant & HotelFood & CoffeeLively, quirky restaurant on Route 142 by Nuevo Arenal where chef Eyal often cooks off-menu for each table.
  • Jalapas RestaurantFood & CoffeeHusband-and-wife restaurant in Monterrey, north of La Fortuna, with creative home cooking and very warm service.
  • Kantala Restaurant (Río Celeste Hideaway)Food & CoffeeThe fusion restaurant of the Río Celeste Hideaway hotel, open to the public for lunch or dinner with a reservation — the area's fine-dining option.
  • La Casona Río FortunaFood & CoffeeThe old country house of Costa Rican president Rafael Yglesias, from which settler families spread out to found the villages around La Fortuna.
  • La Ventanita (El Castillo)Food & CoffeeMotorcycle-themed restaurant in El Castillo with 80s music, big burritos, chalupas and tico bowls, and views over Lake Arenal and the volcano; a go-to after the butterfly garden or a hike.
  • Lake Arenal Hotel & Brewery (brewpub and La Vista restaurant)Food & CoffeeA hillside hotel on the northwest shore of Lake Arenal that brews its own beer, a rarity in a region of light lagers.
  • Los Platillos VoladoresFood & CoffeeAlien-themed Italian restaurant next to the Banco Nacional in Nuevo Arenal, with friendly owners, fresh pizza and pasta made with local ingredients; a little pricey but a crowd favorite.
  • Moya's PlaceFood & CoffeeRelaxed café-bar at the corner entrance to Nuevo Arenal with Costa Rican art, pizzas, wraps and live-music nights.
  • North Fields Café — Coffee & Chocolate TourFood & Coffee · from $29Small family coffee and cacao farm near the La Fortuna waterfall road: walk the coffee rows, brew in a chorreador and make your own chocolate.
  • Organico FortunaFood & CoffeeFamily-run organic café 100 m east of the park, with a mostly plant-based menu of bowls, pancakes and smoothies made from local ingredients, plus a small shop of regional products.
  • Oropéndola Restaurante MiradorFood & CoffeeLookout restaurant on the north shore of Lake Arenal near La Unión, next to Hotel La Mansión, with sweeping lake views.
  • Pizzería El BarrigónFood & CoffeeBijagua's pizzeria on the main road, with an outdoor area and takeaway.
  • Red Frog Coffee RoastersFood & CoffeeColorful café 2 km west of the park that roasts its own coffee and serves big breakfasts all day.
  • Restaurante Brisas del LagoFood & Coffee · from $10Dinner spot at Puerto San Luis on the Tilarán side of the lake, recommended for its international plates at fair prices.
  • Restaurante Caballo NegroFood & CoffeeFamily-run restaurant beside the Lucky Bug Gallery on Route 142 where chef Monika mixes local ingredients with German recipes, served with lake-valley views and hummingbirds in the garden.
  • Restaurante El Patio al CarbónFood & CoffeeCharcoal-grill restaurant in El Castillo, busy with locals' cars out front and the smell of grilled meat in the air.
  • Restaurante FortuneñoFood & CoffeeBig, busy open-air restaurant 200 m east of the central park, known for its wood-fired roast chicken (pollo fortuneño), ribs and Costa Rican plates.
  • Restaurante Hotel Guadalupe (Tilarán)Food & CoffeeA hotel restaurant in downtown Tilarán, the last town before the climb to Monteverde, serving traditional Costa Rican plates with good service: arroz con pollo, ceviche, olla de carne and casados.
  • Restaurante La Mesa de MamáFood & CoffeeFriendly family kitchen in the village of El Castillo serving homemade Costa Rican food from breakfast to dinner.
  • Restaurante La Tortuga ArenalFood & CoffeeCosta Rican restaurant with tables on a big front lawn looking out over Lake Arenal, plus a covered area for rain.
  • Restaurante Nene'sFood & CoffeeA La Fortuna classic since the mid-1990s, a block from the park, with a long Costa Rican menu of seafood and grilled meats.
  • Restaurante TinajasFood & CoffeeLakeside restaurant just outside Nuevo Arenal with Costa Rican, Italian and brew-pub dishes, indoor and outdoor seating and lake views.
  • Restaurante TiquiciaFood & CoffeeFamily restaurant on the road out of town serving recipes from the owner's mother: casados, fish and shrimp in palm-heart sauce and fresh coladas, with fair prices and big portions.
  • Selva Paraíso Coffee Shop & SouvenirFood & CoffeeRoadside coffee shop and souvenir stop on the lake road near La Unión, with hummingbird feeders.
  • Sloffee Coffee StationFood & CoffeeCoffee station with a small farm setting near Hotel Arenal Paraíso that pairs Costa Rican Arabica with home-baked pies and croissants, with birdwatching and wildlife sightings around the grounds.
  • Snappers HouseFood & CoffeeBreezy open-air seafood house (marisquería) near the center with Costa Rican and Caribbean flavors.
  • Tapirus Paradise RestaurantFood & CoffeePopular restaurant 300 m east of the Tenorio Volcano NP entrance, a handy lunch stop right after the Río Celeste hike.
  • Terrazas del Arenal (Restaurante, Cafetería y Mirador)Food & CoffeeSmall café-restaurant and lookout terrace near El Castillo where visitors spot scarlet macaws and toucans over the lake view; the owner happily shares local history.
  • The Phoenix Restaurante at NepentheFood & CoffeeFamily-run restaurant at Nepenthe, 1 km south of El Castillo's police station, with good breakfasts and dinners from the garden.
  • Tica Grill Authentic Costa Rican KitchenFood & CoffeeSmall, newer Costa Rican kitchen downtown, praised for fresh, lighter plates like salmon with sweet-potato purée.
  • Tierra Mía RestauranteFood & CoffeeSmall fusion restaurant in downtown La Fortuna known for grilled chicken breast, tenderloin, ceviche and sea bass in spinach pesto, plus passion-fruit juice and mint lemonade.
  • Tilapiera Los Laguitos y Restaurante Río CelesteFood & CoffeeLunch spot 1.4 km from the Tenorio Volcano park entrance where the tilapia comes from its own ponds, with a pretty pond garden and canoe; a handy meal stop after the Río Celeste hike.
  • Tom's Pan German BakeryFood & CoffeeThe classic coffee-and-pastry stop on the lake road in Nuevo Arenal, run by a German family for 25+ years: fresh bread, strudel, cinnamon rolls, bratwurst and schnitzel.
  • Travesía RestaurantFood & CoffeePopular restaurant 400 m north of Banco Nacional mixing Costa Rican plates with tacos, ceviche and a tabletop mini-grill; book for 6–7 p.m.

Parks & Wildlife

  • Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge (night frog tour)Parks & Wildlife · from $15A small eco-lodge and wildlife refuge five minutes from downtown La Fortuna, with rainforest, gardens and spring-fed ponds.
  • Bijagua Ranas – Frogs, Coffee, Cacao & Sloth ToursParks & WildlifeSmall Bijagua operator with gardens and trails where locals guide frog night walks and coffee, cacao and sloth tours.
  • Butterfly Conservatory El CastilloParks & WildlifeSmall butterfly and frog garden in the village of El Castillo, 800 m up the cement road, with a life-cycle demonstration, an insect museum and a short guided tour; open every day of the year.
  • Don Juan Coffee and Chocolate Tour (Don Juan Arenal)Parks & Wildlife · from $20Family-run plantation tour 1.3 km north of the Banco Nacional in La Fortuna: a 2-hour walk through coffee and cacao with tastings, plus an evening version that adds a night wildlife walk.
  • Don Olivo Chocolate TourParks & Wildlife · from $30Small family farm east of La Fortuna where Don Olivo's family walks you through cacao from pod to wood-fired roasting oven and stone grinder, finishing with tastings of fruit, nibs and hot chocolate.
  • Eco Garden Arenal (sloth, birding and night tours)Parks & Wildlife · from $40Small private ecological park southeast of La Fortuna run as a wildlife corridor: guided small-group walks to find sloths, toucans and, after dark, red-eyed tree frogs and poison-dart frogs.
  • Ecocentro DanausParks & WildlifeSmall nature center east of La Fortuna with forest trails, wildlife, a butterfly garden and a Maleku cultural presentation.
  • Estación Biológica Pocosol (Children's Eternal Rainforest)Parks & Wildlife · from $9Remote research station of the Monteverde Conservation League in the Children's Eternal Rainforest, at 720 m on the Caribbean slope.
  • Finca Verde Lodge (wildlife tours and Hummingbird Café)Parks & Wildlife · from $15A rustic, locally run lodge, organic farm and reforestation project at the edge of Bijagua, backed by forest.
  • Frog's ParadiseParks & WildlifeA family project on a former cattle farm turned secondary forest in Bijagua, run by owner Miguel; its night walks find red-eyed tree frogs, poison dart frogs and more, and are loved by families.
  • Heliconias Rainforest Lodge – Hanging BridgesParks & Wildlife · from $5A rustic lodge on the edge of Tenorio Volcano NP with a 2.5 km trail through mostly primary rainforest and three hanging bridges up to 105 m long and 35 m high — quieter than the big bridge parks.
  • Horseback Riding Costa Rica (La Fortuna)Parks & WildlifeLocal horseback operator running guided rides with Arenal Volcano views (2 h) or down to the La Fortuna waterfall (3 h); riders are matched with horses by experience and all gear is provided.
  • Jungle Life Costa Rica (sloth, bird & night tours)Parks & Wildlife · from $30A family eco-tour operator on almost two hectares of primary and secondary forest near Bijagua, about 13 minutes from Río Celeste, with short sloth walks and night tours with bilingual guides.
  • La Fortuna Hikes and TrailsParks & WildlifePrivate trail network a short drive north of the center with ponds and a remote feel; flags mark recent sloth sightings.
  • La Piedra del Indio WaterfallsParks & WildlifeA tall (about 90 m) waterfall near San Miguel de Tilarán, reached by a 30-minute walk past a large pre-Columbian rock; a small pool higher up the trail is good for a dip.
  • La Tigra Rainforest Lodge (frog tour and trails)Parks & Wildlife · from $40A rainforest lodge in the hills of La Tigra, on the road between San Ramón and La Fortuna, that is quietly reforesting an old farm.
  • Laberinto de KatiraParks & WildlifeOwner Rafael Arguedas grew two big hedge mazes and a park of about 30 topiary animals 500 m north of Katira's center; climb the platforms for views.
  • Laberinto Río CelesteParks & WildlifeA 4,600 m² hibiscus hedge maze 150 m from the Tenorio Volcano NP entrance — find your way to the lookout platform in the middle.
  • Lago Tortuga BijaguaParks & WildlifeA family-run lake and reforestation project near Bijagua's center where you can paddle a kayak, walk forest trails, camp, or learn to make tortillas.
  • Manakin Waterfalls (formerly Viento Fresco)Parks & Wildlife · from $10Family-run private reserve 11 km from Tilarán with four waterfalls on one trail, including 75 m Rainbow Falls, with pools for a cold dip.
  • Mirador El SilencioParks & WildlifePrivate reserve 1 km east of Tabacón on Route 142 with a long forest-and-lava hike, a green lagoon and open views of Arenal Volcano; booking ahead is recommended.
  • Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges ParkParks & Wildlife · from $1Mistico is a family-owned private reserve of mature rainforest on the Lake Arenal road, 25–30 minutes west of La Fortuna, and the busiest hanging-bridges park around Arenal.
  • Natura Eco ParkParks & Wildlife · from $41.99Private eco park with rainforest trails and bridges, a frog garden, butterfly garden and animals such as snakes and crocodiles; guided and night walks start from fixed times.
  • Proyecto AsisParks & Wildlife · takes 1.5 h–2.5 h · from $35Wildlife rescue and sloth sanctuary near La Fortuna offering guided visits and hands-on volunteer experiences.
  • Pure Trek CanyoningParks & Wildlife · takes 5 h · from $117Canyoning specialist near La Fortuna offering guided waterfall rappelling in a private rainforest canyon.
  • Rainforest Chocolate TourParks & WildlifeGuided cacao farm tour near the road to the La Fortuna waterfall that follows chocolate from the tree through drying, grinding and tasting, with a view of Arenal Volcano.
  • Reserva Natural Montaña SagradaParks & WildlifeA 700-hectare community-funded reserve inside Juan Castro Blanco National Park, 9 km east of Sucre, protecting the springs that feed 200+ rural water systems.
  • Sloth Tour La Fortuna (private sloth trail)Parks & Wildlife · from $39Small-group sloth walk on a private trail about 1 km from downtown, with a guide and spotting scope, then fresh tortillas and a sugar-cane drink; also runs a night walk.
  • Sloth Watching Trail La Fortuna (Sloth, Night and Coffee Tours)Parks & Wildlife · from $49Private trail 600 m east of the central park where guides use spotting scopes to find sloths; the same company runs night walks, birding and a coffee, cacao and sugar-cane tour with tastings.
  • Sloth's TerritoryParks & WildlifeGuided-only sloth-watching reserve east of La Fortuna; the drive out has volcano views.
  • Spring Paradise BijaguaParks & WildlifePrivate property with primary and secondary forest just off the road to Tenorio Volcano NP, offering easy guided walks to see sloths, frogs and birds — handy before or after Río Celeste.
  • Tapir Valley Nature ReserveParks & WildlifePrivate reserve at the foot of Tenorio Volcano, reforested around a large lagoon; a sanctuary for the endangered Baird's tapir with 440+ bird species.
  • The Wellness Park & Tierra Esencial EcolodgeParks & Wildlife · from $20Eco-lodge 2.5 km east of the Arenal Dam with private rainforest trails and a hanging bridge with big views, plus an on-site restaurant.
  • Zoológico y Centro de Rescate La MarinaParks & WildlifeFamily-run, non-profit rescue center on a cattle ranch on Route 140, caring for around 80 native species — many confiscated pets — and known for breeding tapirs.

Day Passes & Hot Springs

  • Arenal Observatory Lodge & TrailsDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 3 h–4 h · from $10The only lodge inside Arenal Volcano National Park, with a 350-hectare private reserve that day visitors can explore on 11 km of jungle trails.
  • Baldi Hot Springs (day pass)Day Passes & Hot Springs · from $26One of La Fortuna's biggest thermal resorts: a day pass opens 25 spring-fed pools, waterfalls and a grotto, with optional lunch and dinner packages; the pools stay open until 10 pm.
  • Bio Thermales Hot SpringsDay Passes & Hot Springs · from $2Low-key eco hot-springs park north of Aguas Zarcas: 15 free-form mineral pools, from steaming upper pools on a thermal creek to a cool spring pool with a slide, set in rainforest with picnic ranchos — a fraction of the price of the La Fortuna resorts.
  • Ecotermales FortunaDay Passes & Hot SpringsQuiet hot springs 3.5 km from La Fortuna's church with natural-style pools in a garden; they cap daily guests (about 100), so it never feels crowded.
  • Finca Luna Nueva (One Day Pass & farm tours)Day Passes & Hot SpringsBiodynamic farm and eco-lodge 25 minutes from La Fortuna; non-guests can buy a One Day Pass (trails, a bamboo lookout tower, pool and lunch) or join farm, chocolate and night tours.
  • Kalambú Hot SpringsDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 4 hA relaxed, good-value hot springs water park opposite Baldi on the road to Arenal Volcano.
  • Laberinto (San Francisco de La Palmera)Day Passes & Hot SpringsFamily day-out spot north of Ciudad Quesada built around a garden maze, with playgrounds, a restaurant, picnic area and cabins.
  • Paradise Hot SpringsDay Passes & Hot Springs · takes 5 h · from $5Paradise Hot Springs is a small thermal resort on Route 142, about 5 km (10 minutes) west of downtown La Fortuna, just past Baldi.
  • Recreo Verde Hot Springs & SpaDay Passes & Hot SpringsHot-springs complex beside the Río Toro in the hills above Venecia, about 1 h 40 min from the airport: thermal pools, a spa, zipline and canyoning, trails to a small cave, a restaurant, cabins and a campground.
  • Tabacón Thermal Resort & SpaDay Passes & Hot SpringsHot springs resort at the foot of Arenal Volcano, built around a natural thermal river with waterfalls and pools.
  • Termales del BosqueDay Passes & Hot SpringsLong-running hot-springs hotel in the forest outside Ciudad Quesada, with thermal pools by a river, an ecological trail and a spa; popular with Costa Rican families.
  • Termales La CascadaDay Passes & Hot SpringsLocal-style hot-springs complex on the thermal belt north of Aguas Zarcas: a dozen pools from warm to hot, plus covered ranchos with grills — a weekend favorite of Tico families, at an affordable price.
  • Termales Los LaurelesDay Passes & Hot SpringsBudget, local-style hot springs on the road to the volcano: hot and cool pools, waterslides, beach volleyball and grill huts where families spend the day.
  • The Springs Resort & SpaDay Passes & Hot SpringsIndependent hot springs resort above the Arenal valley with dozens of natural mineral pools.

Surf, Boats & Diving

  • Arenal Rafting CompanySurf, Boats & Diving · takes 5 h · from $62Whitewater rafting outfitter in La Fortuna with trips on the Balsa and Sarapiquí rivers, from family-friendly runs to more adrenaline-filled ones.
  • La Fortuna Rafting (Arenal River Tours)Surf, Boats & Diving · from $75Rafting outfitter with an office in Barrio Dora offering a mellow class II-III trip and a more intense class III-IV run, each with lunch, a fruit snack and pickup from main hotels.
  • Onca Tours (Río Celeste tubing & hiking)Surf, Boats & DivingLocal Katira family outfit that pioneered tubing on the Río Celeste, floating a special stretch of the river about 20 minutes from the park; also runs hikes and has treehouse lodging.
  • WAVE ExpeditionsSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 6 h · from $67Rafting and river-float company based in La Fortuna, offering whitewater trips for beginners to experienced paddlers and wildlife floats.

Sodas & Local Food

  • El Sabor de Doña CarmenSodas & Local FoodA favorite local soda tucked on a side street just south of the Bijagua high school, serving generous casados with fish, chicken or beef and several side salads at local prices.
  • El turnitoSodas & Local FoodSODA El Turnito is a family-run Costa Rican soda in La Fortuna serving authentic typical dishes such as casados, empanadas, patacones, and fresh fruit juices and smoothies.
  • Gustitos CriollosSodas & Local FoodSpotless little soda in Nuevo Arenal with home-style Costa Rican food, a warm owner and a balcony with a view.
  • La Casona del Maíz (Bijagua corn shack)Sodas & Local FoodA corn-everything stop on the main road as you enter Bijagua from the south, easy to spot by the giant corn cob statue out front.
  • Restaurante La Amistad (Río Celeste)Sodas & Local FoodFamily soda by the Posada La Amistad, east of the Tenorio entrance, serving casados — including a colorful vegetarian one — before or after the hike.
  • Restaurante La Casa de Doña CelinaSodas & Local FoodFamily soda in Nuevo Arenal with casados at fair prices and hummingbirds outside.
  • Restaurante y Soda El RíoSodas & Local FoodClassic family soda in the center of town with a long menu of homemade Costa Rican food; staff love to talk about local fruits and sweets.
  • Soda Doña EliSodas & Local FoodOne of Bijagua's busiest sodas, on the main stretch through town, for typical breakfasts and lunches.
  • Soda La HormigaSodas & Local FoodOpen-air family soda next to the Mega Super and the bus stop, serving some of the best casados and rice plates in town in generous portions; easy for big groups.
  • Soda La Parada (Nuevo Arenal)Sodas & Local FoodFamily soda at the Nuevo Arenal bus stop that surprises travelers with hearty casados, arroz con pollo and soups at very fair prices, open from 5 am on weekdays.
  • Soda MimaSodas & Local Food · from $5Popular soda behind the Arenal Container Hostel serving homemade casados and big breakfasts at budget prices, with a roomy covered terrace and a wall of guest art.
  • Soda River BlueSodas & Local FoodA small, top-rated family soda on the Katira side of Río Celeste with cheap Costa Rican plates.
  • Soda Sabores LuluSodas & Local FoodSmall family-run soda in downtown La Fortuna where you watch the family cook breakfast at the counter; known for warm service, gallo pinto and fresh, well-seasoned casados.
  • Soda VíquezSodas & Local FoodBusy family-run soda 75 m south of La Fortuna's central park, known for big casado plates and fish at local prices, with an owner who treats guests like family.
  • Soda y Rancho Doña IrmaSodas & Local FoodRustic roadside rancho near the Tenorio park road serving typical Costa Rican food.
  • Soda y Restaurante Los RodríguezSodas & Local FoodCozy family soda tucked down a green walkway in Barrio Sinaí, famous for its treehouse seating, hand-painted guest signs and friendly farm animals, plus generous plates of Costa Rican food.

Trip Planners

Yoga & Wellness

  • Harmony Relaxing SpaYoga & WellnessIndependent day spa in La Fortuna offering massages, scrubs, wraps and volcanic-mud facials at roughly half of what resort spas charge, with praised therapists.

Stays

Transfers & Rentals

  • Ride CRTransfers & RentalsTransport company in the Arenal area offering shared shuttles, private transfers and the lake crossing to Monteverde.

Secret spots in Arenal & La Fortuna

  • Arenal Volcano National Park – Las Coladas Lava TrailTrail · about $17A trail through regrown rainforest that ends on the black, jagged lava of a 1990s flow, with Arenal's cone looming straight ahead.
  • La Fortuna Waterfall (Catarata Río Fortuna)Waterfall · about $20A 70-meter ribbon of water drops out of the jungle into an emerald pool at the foot of Cerro Chato.
  • Río Celeste WaterfallWaterfall · about $14Deep in Tenorio Volcano National Park, a waterfall pours into a pool so blue it looks edited.
  • Arenal 1968 Lava TrailsTrail · about $25A private reserve right on the 1968 lava flow, with trails climbing to a lookout that takes in the volcano on one side and Lake Arenal on the other.
  • Bogarín Trail (Sloth Trail)Nature spot · about $20A family-run patch of regrown forest a short walk from downtown, famous for its resident sloths, plus herons, basilisk lizards and colorful tanagers around the ponds.
  • El Chollín Free Hot River (Río Tabacón)Swimming spot · FreeA volcano-warmed stream tumbling through the jungle just below the Tabacón resorts: the same thermal water, no entry fee.
  • El Salto Rope SwingSwimming spot · FreeA deep jade swimming hole on the Río Fortuna with a rope swing hanging over it, a 15–20 minute walk from town.
  • Los Teñideros (where Río Celeste turns blue)Nature spot · about $14The far end of the Río Celeste trail, where two clear streams meet and the water suddenly turns sky blue.
  • San Juan Bosco Church & La Fortuna Central ParkLandmark · FreeLa Fortuna's white church faces the town park with Arenal's cone right behind it: the classic church-plus-volcano photo.
  • Arenal Dam Lookout (Presa Sangregado)Landmark · FreeThe late-1970s dam that turned a valley into Lake Arenal, the biggest lake in Costa Rica.
  • Arenal Peninsula Lookout TowerViewpoint · about $17 · hidden gemThe quiet half of the national park: a mostly flat path through forest to a lookout tower over Lake Arenal, with the volcano rising behind the water.
  • Arenal Volcano & Lake Lookout (boat dock west of the dam)Viewpoint · FreeA gravel pull-off on the east end of Lake Arenal, just west of the dam, where the cone of Arenal Volcano rises right behind the water.
  • Café & Macadamia (Lake Arenal)Local shop · FreeA roadside café and shop on the Lake Arenal road selling local coffee and macadamia treats, with a terrace over the lake and birds at the feeders.
  • Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge (Rio Frio boat access)ParkA huge seasonal wetland by the Nicaraguan border where you float quiet channels of the Rio Frio looking for caimans, sloths, howler monkeys and dozens of water birds.
  • El Castillo (Arenal lakeside village)Landmark · FreeA quiet village on the south shore of Lake Arenal at the start of the volcano road to the Observatory, with big views of the cone and the lake on clear mornings and evenings.
  • Heliconias Hanging BridgesBridge · hidden gemThree ~95 m bridges on quiet 2.5 km rainforest trail—calm alternative to Arenal/Monteverde bridges.
  • Iguana Bridge (Puente de las Iguanas), MuelleNature spot · FreeJust north of Muelle, where Route 35 swings across the Río San Carlos, dozens of green iguanas lounge in the bamboo and trees beside the bridge.
  • Laguna Azul & BorbollonesNature spot · about $14Two quick stops on the Río Celeste trail: a turquoise pool fed by the river, and the borbollones, where volcanic gas bubbles up through the riverbed like a pot on the boil.
  • Lake Arenal Windsurf & Kitesurf Beach (Tico Wind peninsula)Beach · FreeA grassy public lake access on the windy west shore where windsurfers and kitesurfers fill the water from December to April.
  • Mirador El Silencio (volcano trail reserve)Viewpoint · about $10A private forest reserve on the north side of Arenal with trails that climb through rainforest toward viewpoints of the cone, the old lava fields and Lake Arenal.
  • Pueblo Los Héroes (Swiss-style village on Lake Arenal)Landmark · FreeA Swiss-style village on the north shore of Lake Arenal that grew out of an old cow stable: chalets, a little chapel and a mini train that climbs the hill to Rondorama, a revolving restaurant with 360° views of the lake and volcano.
  • Río Celeste Free River PoolSwimming spot · FreeSwimming isn't allowed inside the park, but about a kilometer from the entrance the same sky-blue river runs under a road bridge where you can take a dip for free.
  • Rio Celeste Suspension Bridge (Tenorio Volcano NP trail)Bridge · about $15A rope-and-plank footbridge over the milky-turquoise Rio Celeste on the park trail, where you can look straight down at the color of the water.
  • Tejona Wind Farm (Lake Arenal)Landmark · FreeRows of white turbines stand on the grassy ridge above the windy western end of Lake Arenal, one of Costa Rica's first big wind plants.
  • Venado Caves (Cavernas del Venado)Nature spot · about $28A limestone cave system you crawl, wade and squeeze through with a guide, past stalactites, bats and underground streams.
  • Árbol de la Paz (Tree of Peace)Nature spot · Free · hidden gemA giant ceiba, estimated at several centuries old, standing near the village of Río Celeste and dedicated as a 'Tree of Peace'.
  • Bijagua River Falls & Tenorio Volcano LookoutWaterfall · about $10 · hidden gemTwo trails on the slopes of Miravalles just outside Bijagua: one through cloud and rain forest to the falls and clear pools of the Río Bijagua, the other to a lookout over Tenorio Volcano and the town.
  • Boca Tapada & Maquenque Refuge (great green macaws)Nature spot · Free · hidden gemA remote river village on the Río San Carlos inside the Maquenque Wildlife Refuge — one of the few places in Costa Rica where endangered great green macaws are seen every day, feeding and nesting in giant almendro trees.
  • Catarata El Santuario / La Catedral (Dos Ríos de Upala)Waterfall · hidden gemA tall waterfall pouring into a cathedral-like rock amphitheater on the González family's farm in Gavilán, Dos Ríos de Upala, on the wet northern side of Rincón de la Vieja.
  • Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo (Ciudad Quesada)Landmark · FreeThe modern cathedral of Ciudad Quesada, with a tall slim bell tower, big stained-glass windows and a bright, airy nave.
  • Cathedral of St. Anthony of Padua (Tilaran)Landmark · FreeA white, modern cathedral with a slim bell tower on Tilaran's main street, seat of the Tilaran-Liberia diocese and the heart of this cowboy town.
  • Cerro ChatoNature spotCerro Chato is an inactive volcano in La Fortuna district, just southeast of Arenal Volcano.
  • Cerro ChopoNature spotCerro Chopo is a former inactive volcano 6 km north of Cañas, now largely a quarry.
  • Cerro Los ChilesNature spotA volcano near Aguas Zarcas, Alajuela province.
  • Giant Ceiba of La Ceiba Tree LodgeNature spot · about $4 · hidden gemA giant ceiba on the grounds of La Ceiba Tree Lodge above Lake Arenal, mapped at about 58 m tall and said to be over 400 years old.
  • Humedal Lacustrino de TamborcitoNature spotA protected wetland of about eight small lagoons with flooded forest, near the Nicaraguan border east of Boca Tapada (Sarapiquí, Heredia).
  • Laguna de Río Cuarto (Lake Río Cuarto)Nature spot · Free · hidden gemAn almost perfectly round crater lake (a maar) ringed by forest, 66 m deep — the deepest natural lake in Costa Rica.
  • Laguna Pozo Verde (Juan Castro Blanco)Nature spot · hidden gemAn emerald-green volcanic lagoon tucked into the cloud forest of Juan Castro Blanco, the 'water national park' above Ciudad Quesada.
  • Lake Arenal Panoramic Pull-off (La Unión)Viewpoint · Free · hidden gemA wide spot on the north-shore road near La Unión with an open view over Lake Arenal; local fishermen often cast from the shore below.
  • Loma BarrantesNature spotA volcano near Aguas Zarcas, Alajuela province.
  • Loma Buenos AiresNature spotA volcano near Venecia, Alajuela province.
  • Loma Juan MurilloNature spotA volcano near Aguas Zarcas, Alajuela province.
  • Loma Valle HermosoNature spotA volcano near Aguas Zarcas, Alajuela province.
  • Loma Vuelta de KopperNature spotA volcano near Aguas Zarcas, Alajuela province.
  • Los Lagos TermalesPark · hidden gemHotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort in La Fortuna features thermal mineral pools, cold-water pools, nature trails, a mirador with Arenal Volcano views, gardens, and wildlife exhibits on a large property.
  • Maleku Indigenous Community (Palenque Tonjibe)Landmark · hidden gemHome of the Maleku (Guatuso) people, who keep their language and craft traditions alive.
  • Medio Queso Wetlands (Los Chiles)Nature spot · Free · hidden gemA huge open marsh and peat bog near the Nicaraguan border, part of the same wetland system as Caño Negro but far less visited.
  • Mirador Tilarán (first Lake Arenal view)Viewpoint · Free · hidden gemA roadside lookout on Route 142 just north of Tilarán—the first big view of Lake Arenal for anyone driving in from Monteverde.
  • Nuevo Arenal Lakeside Park & Boat RampPark · FreeA small grassy park right on the shore below Nuevo Arenal, next to the town's boat ramp.
  • Nuevo Arenal Town & Central ParkPark · FreeA quiet lake-road village built after the old town of Arenal was flooded by the reservoir.
  • Parque Central de Ciudad QuesadaPark · FreeThe shady central square of San Carlos' biggest town, with a green-and-yellow bandstand under big trees, benches and the cathedral across the street.
  • Parque de las Luciérnagas (coati stop on the lake road)Nature spot · Free · hidden gemA small roadside green on the lake road west of the Arenal Dam where white-nosed coatis (pizotes) often hang out, sometimes in big groups.
  • Parque del Viento & Cross Lookout (Tilarán)Viewpoint · Free · hidden gemA municipal park on the breezy hill at the west edge of Tilarán, crowned by a large cross.
  • Parque Nacional Juan Castro BlancoParkA national park in northern Alajuela, about 100 km north of San José, established in 1992 and part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area.
  • Parque Nacional Miravalles-Jorge Manuel DengoParkA national park around Miravalles Volcano in northwestern Costa Rica, part of the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area.
  • Parque Nacional Volcán TenorioParkThe national park around Tenorio Volcano, part of the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area.
  • Reserva Forestal Zona de Emergencia Volcán ArenalNature spotA forest reserve created in 1972 in the emergency zone around Arenal Volcano, part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area.
  • Rio CelesteParkA public park near Palmira, Guanacaste province.
  • Río Celeste Bridge on Route 4 (Katira)Bridge · FreeThe highway bridge where Route 4 crosses the Río Celeste near Katira: from the sidewalk you look down on the river's milky turquoise water winding through the forest, far from the park crowds.
  • San Carlos Municipal Market (Ciudad Quesada)Local shop · FreeA covered local market in the middle of Ciudad Quesada with produce stalls, counter sodas and the city bus stops outside: how people here actually shop and eat.
  • Sendero Las Sorpresas (swim in Río Celeste, El Pilón)Swimming spot · hidden gemA family-run private trail in El Pilón, about a kilometer from the Tenorio park entrance, that leads in 20 minutes through forest to a spot where you can actually swim in the sky-blue Río Celeste — not allowed inside the park.
  • Upala Central Park & San Juan de Dios ChurchPark · FreeThe busy town square of Upala, a cattle and rice town near the Nicaraguan border, facing the parish church of San Juan de Dios, with the municipal market a block away.
  • Volcán ArenalNature spotArenal is a recently active stratovolcano about 90 km northwest of San José, rising to about 1,633 m above La Fortuna.
  • Volcán PlatanarNature spotPlatanar is a dormant stratovolcano of the Cordillera Central, inside Juan Castro Blanco National Park.
  • Volcán PorvenirNature spotPorvenir is an inactive stratovolcano about 3 km from Platanar, inside Juan Castro Blanco National Park.
  • Volcán TenorioNature spotTenorio is an inactive stratovolcano at the southeastern end of the Cordillera de Guanacaste and the centrepiece of Tenorio Volcano National Park.
  • Zona Protectora MiravallesParkA protected zone around Miravalles Volcano, part of the Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area.
  • Bamboo TowerViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near Peñas Blancas, Alajuela province.
  • Cascada BasalticasWaterfall · hidden gemA waterfall near Peñas Blancas, Alajuela province.
  • Cascada de PasoWaterfall · hidden gemA waterfall near Peñas Blancas, Alajuela province.
  • Catarata de santa claraWaterfall · hidden gemA waterfall near Florencia, Alajuela province.
  • Catarata Las Nubes (Ciudad Quesada)Waterfall · hidden gemA string of wild falls on the slopes of Platanar Volcano, about 20 minutes' drive uphill from Ciudad Quesada.
  • Catarata San VicenteWaterfall · hidden gemA waterfall near Quesada, Alajuela province.
  • EcotermalesSwimming spot · hidden gemA hot spring near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • El Canto Waterfall (Catarata El Canto)Waterfall · about $14 · hidden gemA small waterfall reached by a steep, rocky road about 20 minutes from La Fortuna, far from the crowds of the main falls.
  • Iglesia de Aguas ZarcasLandmark · FreeThe colonial-style Catholic church on Aguas Zarcas' central plaza is the town's landmark, visible from much of the valley.
  • Laguna de CoteNature spot · Free · hidden gemA round, forest-ringed lake in the hills a few kilometers north of Lake Arenal: quiet, misty and almost never visited.
  • las casonasViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Mirador ColadaViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Mirador de Jilguero, La FortunaViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Mirador de Volcán ArenalViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Mirador el Nido del ArenalViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near Peñas Blancas, Alajuela province.
  • Mirador JaguarViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near La Fortuna, Guanacaste province.
  • Mirador Jaguar PlataformaViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near La Fortuna, Guanacaste province.
  • Mirador VolcánViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Mural en la HéliceLandmark · hidden gemA piece of street art near Tierras Morenas, Guanacaste province.
  • Pozas termales de La Palma, La Fortuna (1)Swimming spot · hidden gemA hot spring near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Puerto San Luis Cove (west shore of Lake Arenal)Viewpoint · Free · hidden gemA sheltered cove at Puerto San Luis near Tronadora, on the windy west side of Lake Arenal, with small piers, moored boats and green hills dropping to the water.
  • Reserva Natural Montaña SagradaViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near Quesada, Alajuela province.
  • Restaurante Mirador RondoramaViewpoint · hidden gemA viewpoint near Arenal, Guanacaste province.
  • Salto Caño NegroWaterfall · hidden gemA waterfall in the Arenal area.
  • San Rafael de Guatuso Church & ParkLandmark · FreeThe small parish church of San Rafael Arcángel with its steep red A-frame bell gable, facing the central park of Guatuso's main town — the gateway to the Maleku territory and the Katira side of Río Celeste.
  • San Vicente de Quesada (highland village below Platanar)Landmark · Free · hidden gemA farming village of about 800 people 12 km above Ciudad Quesada, at the edge of Juan Castro Blanco National Park.
  • Termales del ArenalSwimming spot · hidden gemA hot spring near La Fortuna, Alajuela province.
  • Termales El ValleSwimming spot · hidden gemA hot spring near Valle Azul, Alajuela province.
  • Volcán MontezumaNature spotA volcano in the Arenal area, mapped on OpenStreetMap.