Guided Nature Walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus, Arenal/La Fortuna
Spot wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, and butterflies, on this relaxing nature walk
Joe was very knowledgeable and informative.
Very enjoyable, basically private tour at the Ecological park. Karina of Ecoterra Tours was very knowledgeable of the local fauna and flora. The butterfly enclosure had... Read more
Overview
A bilingual guide will lead you on a nature walk through the Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus on this half-day tour. You'll have the chance to spot tree frogs, caimans, monkeys, sloths, and a wide variety of birds as you follow your guide on a nature trail. Stop at botanical gardens, a butterfly garden, and a wetlands area that serves as a bird nesting site. Finish the tour with a visit to a Maleku cultural center to learn about Indigenous traditions and environmental practices.
Highlights
- Enjoy a relaxing nature walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus
- Spot monkeys, sloths, caimans, and tree frogs in the wild
- View more than 40 species of butterflies at the park's butterfly garden
- Learn about Indigenous environmental practices at a Maleku cultural center
Know before you go
3 hours
All ages
Small group
A tropical fruit snack is included
What you'll do
You'll make a stop at a botanical garden along the route. It boasts more than 600 varieties of plants, a butterfly garden home to more than 40 species, and areas designated explicitly for frog reproduction. The park also features spaces dedicated to cultivating medicinal plants and wetlands that serve as nesting sites for exotic birds. Take breaks at observation points along the trail to look for alligators, sloths, basilisk lizards, and other animals.
Nearing the end of the tour, you'll stop in a Maleku cultural center to learn about Indigenous ways of life and the tribe's environmental practices. You'll spend about ten minutes in the cultural center, depending on your interest level. Finish the excursion with a snack of fresh fruit and the chance to purchase souvenirs at the park's shop.
Start times
-
Daily8:00 am, 1:00 pm
What's included
- Bilingual guide
- Entrance fee
- Snack
- Bottled water
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Get startedSee alternatives
Ecocentro Danaus Nighttime Rainforest Walk
Experience the rainforest after dark on this unique guided excursion to Ecocentro Danaus, a private ecological reserve near La Fortuna. As the sun goes down, you'll venture into the jungle, exploring this haven for plants, insects, reptiles, and other nocturnal animals. Highlights your guide will point out along the way include bats, spiders, sloths, snakes, and some of the reserve's many native frog species, including the brightly-colored poison dart frog, one of the planet's most poisonous frogs. Since the reserve is closed to most groups by night, this is an exclusive opportunity to see how the rainforest transforms after dark.
Birdwatching in Arenal Mundo Aventura Park
Get an "early bird" start for this popular bird-watching excursion to Arenal Mundo Aventura Park. There's a good reason for the early wake-up time: the park is home to a stunning variety of birdlife, and most species are at their most active in the morning. Follow a naturalist guide through the park's different ecosystems, including a new tree-planting zone, open pastures, regenerating forests, and small streams. The mix of terrain allows for optimal bird viewing. You'll likely spot the great kiskadee, tropical kingbird flycatchers, black-cheeked woodpecker, and possibly the red-billed pigeon. An included breakfast follows the birding hike.
Sloth & Bird Hike
Embark on a two-hour hiking excursion along the "sloth trail" with a bilingual guide. Discover the tropical forest while spotting sloths, birds, and reptiles in their natural habitat.
Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk
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.
Río Peñas Blancas Safari Float
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
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.
Sky Adventures Tram & The Hand of Arenal
Sky Adventures Hanging Bridges
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.
Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rehabilitation Center - Volunteer Experience
Visit Proyecto Asis, a wildlife rehabilitation and rescue center. A naturalist guide will lead you on a tour, introducing you to the resident animals and sharing their stories. You'll likely see anteaters, monkeys, snakes, parrots, sloths, and more. (Because the center's goal is to release as many animals back into the wild as possible, the wildlife present at the center is subject to change.) During your visit, you'll learn about conservation and sustainability. As part of the volunteer tour, you will also have hands-on opportunities with the animals. Learn how to prepare and serve food to the animals, interact with them (following the guide's instructions), help clean cages or craft animal toys, and more. You will go home with unforgettable memories!
Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Visit
Visit Proyecto Asis, a wildlife rehabilitation and rescue center. A naturalist guide will lead you on a tour, introducing you to the resident animals and sharing their stories. You'll likely see anteaters, monkeys, snakes, parrots, sloths, and more.
(Because the center's goal is to release as many animals back into the wild as possible, the wildlife present at the center is subject to change.) During your visit, you'll also learn about conservation and sustainability.
Traveler reviews
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Could’ve been done as a self guided experience
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