Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure, Arenal/La Fortuna

Embark on an adrenaline-fueled whitewater rafting adventure down the Sarapiqui River. Navigating a 14-mile stretch of over 40 Class III and IV rapids, you'll paddle hard under the guidance of an experienced leader, likely experiencing thrilling water plunges. Amidst the excitement, enjoy the vibrant jungle fauna, watch for tropical birds, and refuel with a snack during a mid-way break. The day concludes with a relaxing and satisfying lunch.

Get your thrills at Sky Trek, a zip line circuit and aerial amusement park. You'll start in an open-air gondola, rising up over the rainforest and enjoying sweeping views across the mountains. Arriving at the end of the line, the exhilarating adventure of whizzing down the mountain begins. Connect to a zip line cable stretching over rainforest treetops and clifftops. After traversing seven cables and reaching heights of 660 feet (201 meters), you'll arrive back at the starting point of the adrenaline-pumping adventure.

Explore the thrilling Arenal Hanging Bridges on this popular excursion. The trail system, located inside a rainforest reserve, features suspension bridges that take you high above the treetops before treating you to a once-in-a-lifetime view of Arenal Volcano. Venturing along these spectacular elevated walkways, up to 180 feet (55 meters) above the rainforest floor, you'll have a chance to appreciate this area's incredible biodiversity, including some of the 350 avian species that live here.

Perfect for adventure seekers, this half-day jungle excursion introduces you to the thrill of rappelling down waterfalls and sheer canyon walls. Your guide will provide brief safety instructions and outfit you with a harness, then it's time to rappel down the side of three different waterfalls, feeling the cooling mist as you descend along a wall of rocky cliffs. Finish with a splash into a refreshing pool before drying off for lunch at a Costa Rican restaurant on the banks of the Río La Fortuna.

Ride high up into the mountains on this short excursion to the Hand of Arenal. Board the Sky Tram gondola with a guide for a 15-minute transfer to the monument and lookout point. From there, take in striking views of Arenal Volcano, Arenal Lake, and the surrounding scenery. This vantage point offers fantastic photo opportunities. You'll have the option to take a short hike around the Hand of Arenal, if you wish, on a 0.5-mile (800-meter) circuit. You'll then head back down to the base terminal on the Sky Tram.

Located in the tropical rainforest, the towering La Fortuna Waterfall is an attraction you don't want to miss. Get up close with the cascades on this guided excursion that leads you down an outdoor staircase with various viewpoints and rest areas along the way. Your guide will point out rock formations and geological features during the tour. The trail ends right in front of the imposing waterfall, the ideal spot for photographs. If you wish, you can go for a dip near the base of the waterfall to finish the adventure.

Perfect for thrill-seekers and nature lovers, this Arenal Volcano National Park adventure lets you experience Costa Rica's cloud forests from above and below. Step aboard an open-air gondola to reach the Mano del Arenal lookout, then descend along a series of seven thrilling zipline cables, soaring above the treetops as you spot flora and fauna and take in views of the eponymous volcano and neighboring lake. Conclude with a leisurely hike along nature trails, waterfalls, and hanging bridges as your guide shares insights into the park's biodiversity and points out its rare and resplendent wildlife. 

Hike to one of the natural highlights of Costa Rica, the volcanic Hule Lagoon. The moderate trek begins in Juan Castro Blanco National Park. You'll hike 5 miles (8 km) through the plains bordering the volcanic crater before heading up into the rainforest toward the 136-acre (55-hectare) lagoon. Along the way, enjoy the rich biodiversity of the area. Keep your eyes open for tropical birds, monkeys, and even three-toed sloths! You'll also pass several other lagoons on your way before reaching the magnificent Hule, located at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano. Enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch in the home of a local family before returning to La Fortuna.

See sloths in their natural habitat on this family-friendly excursion! During this two-hour tour in a private nature reserve just outside La Fortuna, you'll not only have the opportunity to view these slow-moving creatures hanging out in the trees, but you'll also learn all about the sloth's lifestyle, the history of the species, and the importance of sloth protection. Your expert guide will point out two- and three-toed sloths and bring your attention to other noteworthy flora and fauna as you walk along a 1-mile (1.5-km) trail. If you're lucky, you might even spot a mother sloth with her baby.

Explore the forest from an elevated perspective on this excursion to Sky Walk, one of the first hanging bridges in Costa Rica. Follow a naturalist guide along a series of nature trails and five suspension bridges (some as high as 230 feet or 70 meters), stopping to appreciate various flora and fauna along the way. You'll see monkeys and snakes if you're lucky! During the 2-mile (3-km) hike, you'll enjoy views over the forest canopy and spot colorful birds, butterflies, and insects.