Day trips from La Fortuna: Arenal, Río Celeste or Monteverde

La Fortuna sits under the cone of Arenal, and the volcano, the waterfall, the hanging bridges and the lake are all close. Three of our tours stay around them. Two go further: to Río Celeste in Tenorio Volcano National Park, and round the lake to the cloud forest of Monteverde. Here is what each of our five involves.

One day: the waterfall, the hanging bridges and the volcano, the three classics of Arenal. A second day: Río Celeste, for the river that runs sky blue.

The five, side by side

Trip	Length	Leaves	Price
La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges and Arenal Volcano Private Day Tour	8h	07:00	from €440
Arenal Volcano National Park Private Tour from La Fortuna	5h	07:00	from €150
Arenal Hanging Bridges and Lake Arenal Private Tour from La Fortuna	4h	07:00	from €150
Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park Private Day Trip from La Fortuna	9h	07:00	from €500
Monteverde Cloud Forest Private Day Trip from La Fortuna	12h	07:00	from €750

Prices are starting prices and depend on the size of your group.

How to choose

You have one day, and want the classics

The waterfall, the hanging bridges and the volcano. Eight hours from 07:00: about 530 steps down to La Fortuna Waterfall and a swim when the river allows, the hanging bridges through the canopy by the Arenal dam, lunch, and the Las Coladas trail across the lava flow of 1992. Finish at the hot springs if you like.

You want the volcano in half a day

Arenal Volcano National Park. Five hours, at 07:00 or 13:00: the church in La Fortuna, the Las Coladas trail to a viewpoint below the cone, the lookout tower in the Peninsula Sector over the lake, and the dam. Gentle walking; the trails stop well below the cone. One park ticket covers both sectors.

You want the forest canopy

The hanging bridges and Lake Arenal. Four hours, at 07:00 or 13:00: a loop of about 3 km at Mistico Park, crossing 16 bridges, six of them hanging over the treetops, then the dam and a viewpoint on the north shore of the lake. Early morning is best for birds.

You want the blue river

Río Celeste. Nine hours: about three hours on the trail in Tenorio Volcano National Park, down some 250 steps to the waterfall, then the blue lagoon, the bubbling springs and Los Teñideros, where the colour begins, and a swim at a public spot outside the park. After heavy rain the water can lose its colour.

You want the cloud forest

Monteverde. Twelve hours, about three each way round the lake and up a partly unpaved road: three hours on the trails of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, among moss, orchids and hummingbirds, and lunch in Santa Elena. A night in Monteverde makes it much easier.

Four things worth knowing before you book

Tickets are extra, and some are timed

The price covers the private vehicle, driver, fuel and parking. The parks, the waterfall, the hanging bridges, the Monteverde reserve, guides and lunch are paid separately. Río Celeste tickets are sold only online by SINAC, in timed slots, and the Monteverde reserve sells timed tickets: book both before the day.

Bring shoes with grip and a rain jacket

The trails are often muddy and the steps at the waterfalls are steep. Bring swimwear for La Fortuna Waterfall and Río Celeste, and a warm layer for Monteverde, which is cool, damp and often misty.

Private costs less than you think for a group

A coach seat is cheap for one person and stops being cheap at four. Our prices are by group size, not per seat: up to four of you share one car at one price, and the price only steps up when you need a van. And you are not waiting for forty strangers at every stop.

You can change your mind

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pick-up, refunded in full. If the date stops working, message us and we will do our best to move you to another day.