Top 5 Family Activities in La Fortuna
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A guided hike to see volcan de arenal
If you’re looking for the top family activities in La Fortuna, you’ve made it to the right page. While exploring La Fortuna Costa Rica you’ll find mountain vistas, rugged lava fields, hot springs, a gorgeous lake, and incredible wildlife. The family friendly activities near Arenal will get your family immersed in the true majestic wilderness of Costa Rica. If you’re trying to find the best activities in Arenal for families or find a place to enjoy the views without a ton of hiking — this blog will help you narrow down your search.
We spent 5 weeks exploring Costa Rica and a full week in La Fortuna with kids. This area is an absolutely perfect spot for family travel because the fun activities are endless. Arenal National Park borders La Fortuna, making Arenal and La Fortuna easy to visit together. Even if you only have 3 days in La Fortuna Costa Rica, you will have a trip of a lifetime. Use this guide of Arenal activities to choose what your family will love the most.
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Table of Contents
Whether you’re traveling to La Fortuna with a baby, traveling to Arenal with toddlers or teenagers - you’ll find the perfect activities for your group here! This guide has shares the top 5 activities for families in Arenal!
Click the park names below to skip to hikes in that area.
Find Sloths in the Wild with an Ecologist (HIGHLY RECOMMEND)
Go Ziplining Through the Canopy (and Hot Springs)
If you’re going to Costa Rica with your family, check out my Instagram Highlight to see more photos and videos from our 5 weeks.
The flora an fauna of costa rica is amazing
Mistico Hanging Bridges
Mistico Hanging Bridges is an incredible attraction located in the heart of Costa Rica's beautiful rainforest. The park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area, but it offers an immersive experience in the stunning natural environment of the Arenal Volcano National Park. But why is Mistico Hanging Bridges so great for families? Here are just a few reasons.
Mistico Hanging Bridges is a safe and enjoyable way for families to explore the rainforest. The park features a series of hanging bridges that are suspended high above the forest floor. These bridges provide a unique perspective of the jungle canopy and allow visitors to see a range of plants and animals that would be difficult to spot from the ground. The bridges are also designed to be extremely safe, with sturdy railings and non-slip surfaces. This means that even young children can enjoy the experience of walking across the bridges without any fear of falling. We visited with a 4 and 6 year old and felt completely safe.
Mistico Hanging Bridges is an educational experience that can teach children about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship. The park has a team of expert guides who lead visitors through the forest, pointing out different plants and animals and explaining how they are all interconnected. Kids will learn about the delicate balance of the rainforest ecosystem and why it's so important to protect it. They will also learn about the different threats facing the rainforest, such as deforestation and climate change, and what they can do to help.
In addition to the hanging bridges, the park also features a butterfly garden, a snake exhibit, and a frog exhibit. These exhibits allow visitors to see a range of different animals up close and learn more about their unique characteristics and behaviors. There are also several hiking trails that wind through the rainforest, offering visitors the chance to explore even further. And for those who want a more adrenaline-fueled experience, the park offers a thrilling zip-line tour that takes visitors soaring through the treetops.
Mistico Hanging Bridges is a must do for any family visiting La Fortuna.
A view of arenal through the canopy on the hanging bridges
This is the view of arenal volcano from the entrance to mistico hanging bridges
Guided Hike in Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal
Our guide keeping the kids engaged through the entire hike
Arenal National Park is a vast and stunning natural reserve that spans over 29,000 acres just outside of La Fortuna. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife and vegetation, including the majestic Arenal Volcano. While it is possible to explore the park on your own, we decided to hire a guide to take us on a hike and it was amazing.
Our guide, Chris, was absolutely fantastic. He calls himself “Hombre de la Jungla” or Jungle Man. He brought along his own spotting scope and made sure the kids were a part of everything. They held frogs, spotted a 9-banded armadillo, learned about different native plants, picked berries, and spotted different birds. This has to be one of the best hikes in La Fortuna for families.
Our hike took us through the dense jungle, out into a open pasture, and then up passed Lago de Verde and to a clearing with absolutely stunning view of Arenal Volcano and the lava fields. Chris was absolutely amazing at telling us all about the history of Costa Rica, the history of the Volcano, keeping us hands-on with small ecology lessons, and overall being a wonderful guide.
Hiking is the one of the best things to do in Arenal to get up close to the lava fields and wildlife. If you choose to go without a guide, it is one of the best things to do in La Fortuna for free!
We’ve hiked hundreds of miles with our two kids. Check out my recommended hiking hear for kids!
Playing on the lava field with Arenal in the back
The hike was moderate due to the climb at the end
the overlook on the hike was gorgeous.
Find Wild Sloths with an Ecologist
Callidryas Tours Sloth Tour is hands down one of the best La Fortuna tours, and for good reason. This tour offers visitors a unique opportunity to see two and three toed sloths in their natural habitat.
trek around the woods to find sloths in the wild! This was probably our favorite guided activity!
The Sloth Tour gives you a chance to see sloths up close and personal. Sloths are fascinating creatures that are native to the rainforests of Central and South America. They are known for their slow movements and adorable faces - most people visiting Costa Rica hope to catch a glimpse of them! The sloth tour offered by Callidryas Tours goes into the heart of the rainforest, where you can see sloths in their natural habitat, along with other wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, and butterflies. We saw toucans, several two toed sloths, three toed sloths.
All Callidryas Tours are led by expert guides who are passionate about wildlife and conservation. The guides are knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, and they are dedicated to protecting the rainforest and the animals that call it home. This was extremely important to me as I did not want a “zoo like” experience. This tour taught us how to spot sloths and after I was able to find several on my own in different places around Costa Rica.
For us, this tour was worth the entire $60 per person price. Probably more actually. The price of the tour includes transportation to and from the rainforest, the guided tour, and after we were taken to have Costa Rican coffee and fresh fruit.
The Sloth Tour is, in my opinion, the best tour in La Fortuna because it offers visitors a unique and unforgettable experience of seeing sloths and other wildlife in their natural homes. This tour is a must-do for anyone looking to spot the best wildlife La Fortuna offers.
We’ve hiked hundreds of miles with our two kids. Check out my recommended hiking hear for kids!
You are guaranteed to spot wild sloths and they are SO cute
the guide brings a spotting scope and binoculars for everyone
our guide, david was absolutely amazing. ask for him!
Take A Coffee & Chocolate Tour
North Fields Coffee was one of my favorite tours we did in all of our time in Costa Rica. Located in the heart of the La Fortuna region of Costa Rica, this tour will take you through the fascinating world of coffee production, from the cultivation of the beans to the final cup of coffee. Here are a few reasons why North Fields Coffee is the best La Fortuna chocolate and coffee tour.
The kids helping to press sugar cane
The tour offers visitors a hands-on experience that is both educational and fun. Our guide was absolutely hilarious and took us on a guided tour of a small coffee field and explained every step of the coffee production process. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and passionate about coffee. He was upbeat and genuinely happy to answer any questions we had. We were able to try cacao and coffee cherries! Along the walking part of the tour, our guide also pointed out poison dart frogs and even found a famous red-eyed tree frog! We were all so impressed.
The coffee produced at North Fields is grown on the company's own plantation, using sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming methods. The beans are then carefully processed and roasted to bring out their unique flavors and aromas. You will get the chance to see how they roast the beans.
Something I loved about this particular tour is we learned about the culture and history of Costa Rica. Coffee has played a significant role in the country's economy and culture for centuries, and the tour guides do a great job explaining the impact that it has had on the country.
Check out this amazing red-eyed tree frog our guide found on our tour!
As for the chocolate part of the tour — THE BEST CHOCOLATE. You get to try several different kinds of freshly made chocolate and eat as much as you want. They have all kinds of toppings too, so you can try your hand at creating delicious mixtures.
Most importantly, the North Fields tour is a great value for money. The price of the tour includes a guided tour, coffee tasting, and a chocolate tasting! You will be able to purchase coffee and other souvenirs at the end of the tour.
READ NEXT: The Perfect 2 Week Family Itinerary for Guatemala
learn about growing & harvesting coffee, then come inside to learn about roasting techniques and taste coffee!
watch the entire chocolate making process and then try several different chocolates
Zipline through the Canopy (& Hot Springs)
Ziplining, also known as a Canopy Tour, is one of the most thrilling and exciting La Fortuna activities! We chose to join the Arenal Paraiso Canopy Tour. This tour takes visitors on an exhilarating zip line adventure through the lush rainforest canopy with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
The Paraiso Canopy tour stood out to us because it has zipline cables that reach up to 845 meters long! I loved all of the lines (I think there were 7 or 9). The last one is really really beautiful and long - it has a waterfall and you cross over a river. While their tour is recommended for ages 5 and up, they did allow my 4 year old to join. He is on the bigger side for his age and it was no issue getting him fitted for the harness.
We saw this massive iguana way up in a tree from the zipline pedastal!
The guides at Paraiso were really great. They rode the lines with the kids and handled the group flawlessly. Each guided seemed very experienced and prioritized safety. They all seemed well trained to ensure the safety of all participants while providing a fun and thrilling adventure.
The cost of the zipline tour does include all necessary equipment and the best part is that you will have access to the Paraiso hot springs and pool after ziplining! We stayed and had lunch (a delicious traditional casado) and then stayed at the pool until a huge storm came in. We even saw a pizote walking around!
The Paraiso Hot Springs have 100% natural thermal mineral waters that come in from a natural underground river. There are 11 thermo-mineral water pools on the property with spectacular views of Arenal Volcano. Relaxing in the pools after an afternoon ziplining is perfection!
The Arenal Paraiso Canopy Tour is one of the best family activities in La Fortuna because its a thrilling and unforgettable experience, led by knowledgeable and experienced guides, suitable for most ages and skill levels, and great value for money especially since you get access to the hot springs.
The kids and I waiting for our turn to zipline!
Other Activities in La Fortuna
While these are the top 5 activities for families in La Fortuna, there are so many more. You can’t visit Costa Rica with kids and not add at least one of the outdoor adventures to your itinerary. Try horseback riding, white water rafting, taking a sky tram, riding ATVs, rappelling down a waterfall, superman zipline La Fortuna, or even paddle boarding. Costa Rica has so many wonderful outdoor activities and it will be hard to fit them all into one trip!
La Fortuna is a paradise for families. From exploring the rainforest on hanging bridges, to soaking in hot springs, to experiencing the thrill of zip lining, there is something for everyone. The region offers a unique opportunity to learn about nature, wildlife, and conservation, all while having fun and making memories with your loved ones. Whether you have a few days or a few weeks, La Fortuna has plenty to offer and is sure to be a highlight of any family vacation. So pack your bags, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready to make unforgettable memories in this beautiful part of Costa Rica.
READ NEXT: The Perfect 2 Week Family Itinerary for Guatemala
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