Venado Caves (Cavernas del Venado)

Tip

Bring a full change of clothes and a towel; helmet, headlamp and boots come with the entry.

Be careful

Tight passages and waist-deep water: not for anyone claustrophobic. Go in only with the site's guides.

Getting there

Guided visits only (roughly 8 a.m.–3 p.m.); Venado is about an hour's drive northwest of La Fortuna.

Places nearby

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Selva Paraíso Coffee Shop & SouvenirFood & CoffeeRoadside coffee shop and souvenir stop on the lake road near La Unión, with hummingbird feeders.
• 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.