Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park
NatureOpen
Day trips
from La Fortuna
Places 1 to 2 hours away by road that you can visit and return from in a day, on your own or with a tour
How to use this guide
This is for anyone based in La Fortuna for several days who wants a day out of town. Most trips take their own day, so choose by what interests you and by the day of the week. For turquoise water, Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park, about 73 km away: the trail is about 6 km round trip, around 3 hours, and entry is only from 8:00 to 14:00, so leave early. For birds, caimans and monkeys, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, about 91 km away, is toured by boat and takes the full day.
If you prefer something shorter, Proyecto Asís wildlife rescue is about 26 km away and its tours start at 8:30, 10:30 and 13:30; keep the other half of the day for Lake Arenal, which has no single entry point and is enjoyed with boat, kayak or paddleboard operators. Catarata del Toro waterfall, at Bajos del Toro, drops about 90 m inside an old crater, and the visit takes about 90 minutes including the descent.
Mind Sundays: Catarata del Toro and Proyecto Asís are closed, and Río Celeste or Caño Negro are the best option. The Jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde is a one-way transfer: it only fits if you are moving on to Monteverde. Windsurfing and kitesurfing on Lake Arenal depend on the wind, from November to April; outside those months, switch to kayak or SUP. On a tight budget, Río Celeste costs $13.56, against about $76 for the full-day tour to Caño Negro.
Tips
- Río Celeste tickets are sold only online, with a capacity of 1,200 people per day. Inside the park, entering the river, drones and single-use plastics are not allowed.
- At Proyecto Asís, online booking is required and you should arrive 15 minutes early. Tours are in English; in Spanish with 24 h notice.
- For the jeep-boat-jeep, travel with a backpack rather than a large suitcase: you carry your own luggage at each transfer.
- At Catarata del Toro you can see the falls from above; seeing them from below means going down about 350 steps. A combo ticket with Blue Falls is available.
- At Caño Negro, birds gather more in the dry months, when the water drops.
Places in this guide
Compare the places and save your favourites. Opening hours and prices change: confirm them before you go.
- See the full card: Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park
- See the full card: Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
2Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
WildlifeOpen
- See the full card: Catarata del Toro waterfall
Catarata del Toro waterfall
NatureOpen
- See the full card: Jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde
4Jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde
WaterOpen
- See the full card: Proyecto Asís wildlife rescue
5Proyecto Asís wildlife rescue
WildlifeOpen
- See the full card: Windsurfing and kitesurfing on Lake Arenal6
Windsurfing and kitesurfing on Lake Arenal
WaterSeasonal
- See the full card: Lake Arenal
7Lake Arenal
WaterOpen
More guides for this destination
La Fortuna hot springs
Day-pass hot springs, from best known to lesser known, ranging from the resort with a hot river to the free river. One of them only admits guests.
Rafting, canyoning and ziplines
Activities around the volcano. Most require a minimum age of 8 and include transport from town.
Volcano trails and viewpoints
All the permitted walks around Arenal, from the national park to private reserves, and the best spots to see the cone and the lake.
Free or nearly free
Rivers, swimming holes, simple hot springs and the national park trails, all with no ticket or under $25.
For rainy days or after dark
Tours under cover or that don’t need a clear sky, and night outings to see frogs, snakes and sloths.
Closed, prohibited or restricted
Places that still appear in old guides or on social media but cannot be visited today, or only under conditions; each one says what to do instead.