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Arenal Volcano with a cloud over its summit, framed by rainforest.

Costa Rica · La Fortuna & Arenal

Adventure: rafting, canyoning and ziplines

Adrenaline activities around the volcano; most require a minimum age of 8 and include transport from town.

12 places

  1. 1

    AdventureOpen

    Canyoning and waterfall rappelling

    Private canyons around La Fortuna; departures from town3.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    $119
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Canyon descents on the volcano’s slopes, rappelling down waterfalls, the tallest about 60 m (200 feet); usually includes 4x4 transport and lunch.

    Source: Desafío – Lost Canyon Canyoning · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Lost Canyon (Desafío): $119 adults and $97 children 8 to 12, plus tax. Gravity Falls (waterfall jumping): $134.
    Hours
    Lost Canyon departs at 7:00, 10:00 and 13:00.
    Time needed
    About 5 hours including transport.

    Tip: Usual minimum age: 8. Verified operators: Desafío (Lost Canyon, Gravity Falls) and Pure Trek, whose tallest rappel is about 60 m.

    Nearby: El Salto (river pool and rope swing) (2.7 km) · Chocolate tours (2.8 km) · La Fortuna Waterfall (3.1 km)

    Sources: Desafío – Lost Canyon Canyoning · Arenal.net – Pure Trek Canyoning

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  2. 2

    AdventureOpen

    Rafting on the Balsa River (class II-III)

    Departures from La Fortuna with transport included0.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    $85
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The most popular rafting trip from La Fortuna: about 10 km with class II-III rapids in the first part and a calm stretch to look for monkeys, sloths and toucans.

    Source: Desafío – Balsa River Rafting Class II–III · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Desafío: $85 adults and $72 children 8 to 12, plus tax. Wave Expeditions: from $80.
    Time needed
    About 5–6 hours in total; 1.5 to 2 hours on the water.

    Tip: Minimum age 8. Includes a bilingual guide, gear and lunch. For more intensity, the same operators run the Sarapiquí (class III-IV, from $99–109).

    Nearby: Peñas Blancas River safari float (0 km) · Coffee, cacao and sugar-cane farm tour (0 km) · La Fortuna central park and church (0.1 km)

    Sources: Desafío – Balsa River Rafting Class II–III · Wave Expeditions – tours en Arenal (oficial)

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  3. 3

    AdventureOpen

    Ziplining in La Fortuna

    Route 142 west of town and El Castillo3.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    $93
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Several zipline parks surround the volcano, with cables of 40 to 1,400 feet, Tarzan swings and views of Arenal; most last 2 to 3 hours.

    Source: Ecoglide Arenal Park (oficial) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Sky Trek costs $93 per adult (2026); other operators do not publish rates online.

    Tip: Verified operators: Ecoglide (11 cables, 13 platforms and an optional Tarzan swing, 3.5 km west of the church), Sky Trek in El Castillo and the Arenal Paraíso canopy. Desafío combines it with rafting.

    Nearby: Termalitas del Arenal (0.6 km) · EcoTermales Fortuna (1 km) · Titokú Hot Springs (1 km)

    Sources: Ecoglide Arenal Park (oficial) · Sky Adventures – Ziplines (oficial) · Arenal.net – Canopy tours

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  4. 4

    AdventureOpen

    Sky Adventures: Sky Tram, Sky Walk and Sky Trek

    El Castillo, about 21 km from town, by road11.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    $51
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    An adventure park in El Castillo with an aerial tram, hanging bridges and ziplines, all with lake and volcano views; each can be done separately or as a combo.

    Source: Sky Adventures – Hanging Bridges (oficial) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Sky Tram $51; Sky Walk (bridges) $46 adults and $33 children 5 to 12; Sky Trek (zipline) $93 adults. Combos save more than 15%.
    Hours
    Sky Walk: 8:00, 9:00, 10:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 14:30. Sky Trek: 8:00, 9:00, 10:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:00.

    Tip: Sky Walk covers 4 km with bridges up to 236 m long and 70 m high. Sky Adventures sets the zipline minimum age at 5; Arenal.net says 8.

    Nearby: The Hand of Arenal (0 km) · Kayak and SUP on Lake Arenal (1.6 km) · Jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde (1.6 km)

    Sources: Sky Adventures – Hanging Bridges (oficial) · Sky Adventures – Ziplines (oficial) · Sky Adventures – Hand of Arenal / Aerial Tram (oficial)

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  5. 5

    AdventureOpen

    The Hand of Arenal

    Sky Adventures, El Castillo, about 21 km from town, by road11.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    $51
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A concrete sculpture of a giant hand emerging from the mountain, by sculptor Marco Antonio González from Upala, now a viewpoint and photo stop over Lake Arenal inside the Sky Adventures park.

    Source: Sky Adventures – Hand of Arenal / Aerial Tram (oficial) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Reached only by the aerial tram (Sky Tram, $51 adults, $36 children 5 to 12) or the park’s zipline tour.
    Hours
    Tram departures at 8:00, 9:00, 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00.

    Tip: It was first called ‘Hand of the Owner of the Mountain’. Altitude varies by source: 1,057 m (press, 2021) or 1,200 m (Sky Adventures). At the top there is an 800 m self-guided trail.

    Nearby: Sky Adventures: Sky Tram, Sky Walk and Sky Trek (0 km) · Kayak and SUP on Lake Arenal (1.6 km) · Jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde (1.6 km)

    Sources: Sky Adventures – Hand of Arenal / Aerial Tram (oficial) · The Costa Rica News – La Mano del Arenal (2021, act. 2024)

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  6. 6

    AdventureOpen

    Rafting on the Toro River (class III-IV)

    Toro River, Colonia del Toro area; about 70 km by road from La Fortuna46.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A more technical option than the Balsa, with class III-IV rapids in a narrow canyon east of the area, for people with some experience.

    Source: Arenal.net – Rafting cerca de Arenal · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Few operators run it now (Desafío and Wave no longer list it in 2026). Ask about minimum age and required level before booking.

    Nearby: Laguna Hule (4.8 km) · Blue Falls of Costa Rica (Bajos del Toro) (5.3 km) · Catarata del Toro waterfall (5.8 km)

    Sources: Arenal.net – Rafting cerca de Arenal · Desafío Adventure Company – tours en La Fortuna (oficial)

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  7. 7

    WaterOpen

    Tubing on the Arenal River (Club Río)

    Club Río, The Springs Resort, 9 km west and 3.5 km north of the centre7.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A roughly one-mile inner-tube run over class I-II rapids on the Arenal River, past blue pools, ending at a small beach with hot springs and waterfalls.

    Source: The Springs – Club Río Adventure Center (oficial) · 2025

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Bring water shoes and a long-sleeve shirt to avoid chafing your arms. The same centre offers river kayaking and horseback rides that cross the river.

    Nearby: The Springs Resort and Club Río (0 km) · Natura Eco Park (formerly Arenal Natura) (2.1 km) · Volcano Lodge hot springs (guests only) (2.3 km)

    Sources: The Springs – Club Río Adventure Center (oficial)

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  8. 8

    AdventureOpen

    ATV tours

    Around the volcano; one operator starts at Arenal 196810.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Guided ATV rides through farms, forest and gravel roads with volcano views; some include a stop for a volcanic clay mask.

    Source: Arenal 1968 – ATV Tours (oficial) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Time needed
    About 3 hours; one operator listed on Arenal.net departs at 7:30, 11:00 and 14:30.

    Tip: Ask whether you can ride alone or two-up and what licence is required. Arenal 1968 includes a snack and the clay stop.

    Nearby: Arenal 1968: trails on the 1968 lava flow (0 km) · Arenal Volcano National Park (Volcano sector) (0.6 km) · Las Heliconias Trail (0.6 km)

    Sources: Arenal 1968 – ATV Tours (oficial) · Arenal.net – Arenal ATV Tour

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  9. 9

    AdventureOpen

    Horseback riding at Arenal

    Several places; Mistico is about 20 km west of town12.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    from $58
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Horseback rides on forest trails and pastures with volcano views, or to the La Fortuna waterfall; several parks and farms offer them.

    Source: Mistico Park (oficial) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Mistico: rides from $58 (about 2.5 h); horses + bridges combo from $82.

    Tip: Other verified operators: Arenal 1968, The Springs (crosses the Arenal River) and Arenal Mundo Aventura (to the waterfall).

    Nearby: Mistico Hanging Bridges (0 km) · Sangregado Dam (Lake Arenal dam) (1.6 km) · El Silencio viewpoint (2.6 km)

    Sources: Mistico Park (oficial) · Arenal Mundo Aventura (oficial) · Arenal 1968 (oficial)

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  10. 10

    AdventureOpen

    Venado Caves

    Venado village, north of the lake; about 24 km by road from La Fortuna16.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    From $35
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Required

    Limestone caves with an underground stream, stalactites and narrow passages, explored with a guide, helmet and headlamp.

    Source: Cavernas del Venado (operador) · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    From $35 per person, with guide and equipment (other 2026 sources give $30 to $45).
    Hours
    Departures at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00.
    Booking
    The guide is mandatory and included; helmet, headlamp, boots and mask are provided. Book ahead; free cancellation with 24 h notice.
    Time needed
    About 2 hours.

    Tip: Wear clothes that can get wet and muddy, bring a change and a towel. Swimming in the underground stream is not allowed.

    Nearby: Mistico Hanging Bridges (7.5 km) · Horseback riding at Arenal (7.5 km) · El Chollín (Choyín) River: free hot river (8.7 km)

    Sources: Cavernas del Venado (operador)

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  11. 11

    WaterOpen

    Kayak and SUP on Lake Arenal

    Starts at El Fósforo, El Castillo area, about 23 km from town12.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    $85
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A guided paddle by kayak or stand-up board along the lakeshore, with the volcano in the background and stops for birds and monkeys.

    Source: Desafío – Lake Arenal Kayak or SUP · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Desafío: $85 adults and $75 children 8 to 12, plus tax; minimum 2 people.
    Hours
    Departures at 7:30 and 13:30.
    Time needed
    About 4 hours including transport.

    Tip: Recommended maximum weight 100 kg. Desafío also offers kayak fishing and a combo with mountain biking (Pedal & Paddle).

    Nearby: Jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde (0 km) · Butterfly Conservatory (El Castillo) (0.5 km) · The Hand of Arenal (1.6 km)

    Sources: Desafío – Lake Arenal Kayak or SUP

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  12. Mistico Hanging Bridges12

    Photo: Peter Sheik, CC BY 2.0

    AdventureOpen

    Mistico Hanging Bridges

    Near the dam, about 20 km west of town, by road12.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    From $32
    Hours
    6:00 to 15:50
    Booking
    Not stated

    A 3.2 km rainforest circuit with 16 bridges, 6 of them suspension bridges up to 45 m high, on the volcano’s northwestern slope.

    Source: Mistico Park (oficial) · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    From $32 plus taxes (self-guided); the guided walk is $44 plus taxes.
    Hours
    Daily 6:00 to 15:50 (last entry 15:50).
    Time needed
    About 2 h self-guided and about 2.5 h guided.

    Tip: It also runs night walks, twilight and birding tours (from $54) and horseback rides. Arriving early improves wildlife spotting.

    Nearby: Horseback riding at Arenal (0 km) · Sangregado Dam (Lake Arenal dam) (1.6 km) · El Silencio viewpoint (2.6 km)

    Sources: Mistico Park (oficial)

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