Arenal is an area surrounded by rainforest and has amazing places to explore, one of them is of course the hanging bridges where in a combination of suspension bridges of different heights and lengths along with some ground hiking you will be able to encounter beautiful nature! At the bridges you can see many animals and birds, will have unique views of the volcano, the forests, the lake and will feel immersed in nature while finding many wildlife and beautiful flora in the way!
La Fortuna Waterfall is another place that you just can’t miss to visit! Like, how many times do you get to swim on a fresh, natural waterfall coming from the mountains, right? Starting with a hike down through 500 stairs you will be in the middle of a beautiful canyon in the rainforest where will be able to observe colorful birds and small mammals, but don’t worry, is not a strenuous hike, there are several points to stop in case you need to take your time and of course admire the unique place where you will be at that time. Once down by the foot of the waterfall you can rest by the rocks, swim to the waterfall and relax!
If you have knee or back problems we don’t recommend to do the hike, instead you can remain up on the main facilities where there is a nice observatory to see the waterfall, use the bathroom and get a cocktail or two while waiting for the rest of the group to come back up.
It’s about noon and although you will be given some refreshments and fruits in the morning your body is asking for a nice, fulfilling lunch and we will take you to the best place on the side of a river with a local family where you will have a unique, tasteful amd traditional meal! You can relax a bit later on one of the hammocks or chairs checking out some animals that can be seen from the ranch, take a cup of coffee or a nice natural beverage and get ready to get on the way to the best way to end up the day… with chocolate!
I’m pretty sure you are also a chocolate lover and we will take you to the perfect place so you can experience the whole process of how chocolate is processed, everything from seed until it goes in your mouth. Chocolate, besides being delicious has a lot of Costa Rican history involved and you will learn about it. Of course you will also have the opportunity to prepare your own chocolates and get creative trying different spices and flavors and will do some tasting too, keep in mind this is no regular chocolate, this is 100% organic
It’s been a perfect day but I’m sure you may want to go back to your hotel and relax, maybe enjoy some pool time, hot springs (ask for our options) or simply take a nap, we hope you had a great time as we did!
Adults
10 years old & olderChildren
5 to 9 years oldInfants
4 years old & youngerOur driver and guide will pick you up directly at your hotel front desk.
The day starts with a nice hike crossing the Arenal Hanging Bridges; this zone owns 250 hectares of protected area, formed by primary rainforest with an innumerable biological diversity. In this beautiful place you can take pictures either from the view or wildlife. Tropical fruit snack is offered at the end of this adventure.
After a couple hours hiking, you will enjoy a delicious Costa Rican snack in the middle of the forest, tropical fruits, refreshments, enough to get the energy to continue on this great hike through the bridges!
Its time for the famous La Fortuna Waterfall, a MUST TO SEE! Whether you plan on swimming or not, this 246 feet tall waterfall coming from the middle of the mountain is breathtaking. An observation platform offers a great view from the top right before you start the walk through 498 steps down to reach the swimming hole, your guide will guide you through and watch your belongings while you swim. You must bring a towel with you if you plan on swimming. After refreshing in the clear water, you will climb up back the 498 steps, you can do it at your own pace. Clean changing rooms are available to put dry clothes on.
A fresh and tasty typical lunch is going to be waiting for you at an outdoor private farm in the country side, allowing for a real contact of Costa Rica cuisine and our popular "casado" which translates to English as "married", it is the basis of our typical lunch and consist of rice, beans, salad, picadillo, meat of your preference (chicken, beef, fish, or pork), and fried sweet plantain. Vegetarian option is always available.
The Arenal chocolate tour is a unique opportunity to experience one of the most important Costa Rican traditions. The Arenal chocolate tour begins in the sugar cane fields where you will be able to taste delicious sugar cane juice. Next you will enter the cacao plantation, this is where the cacao beans that become chocolate are grown and also you will be able to observe the chocolate process and taste it.
This extraordinary half day is accomplished, leaving a very good taste of what this beautiful area has to offer and allowing for some relaxation time for the rest of the day. We will drop you off back at your hotel.
Carlos and Mainor were fantastic! We had a wonderful day, weather was perfect and Carols was incredibly knowledgeable about...everything! Huge bonus that he had a scope and we were able to have a crystal clear view of all the wildlife (sloths in trees, vipers tucked away at tree stumps and various birds not to mention hiding tarantulas and other creepy spiders and lizards). Carlos answered every question with ease! Everything from types of trees, plants, flowers to how ants carry leaves to their homes! Hanging bridges, waterfall and cacao plantation were amazing. Great lunch, plenty of snacks, fresh fruit...it was perfect!
Amazing people, amazing food, one of the best experience I've ever had.
Tony was amazing! Very nice and detailed. Customer service is excellent!!!
We had a fantastic tour with our guide Tony, driver giedy and chocolate tour guide Minor. Tony was fantastic- very friendly and full of knowledge. His ability to spot wildlife was incredible and he really went out of his way to find us species we wanted to see (bats!). We couldn't have been happier!
The tour was great!! Our tour guide Jason was wonderful. We saw frogs, spiders and monkeys on the hanging bridge tour. The Fortuna waterfall is worth climbing the 500 steps. We loved the chocolate tour! It was very interesting with a chocolate tasting at the end. The drive to the lunch place was longer than expected but the food was delicious! We highly recommend Rainforest Explorers!
Read some of the most asked questions about 3 in 1 Hanging Bridges + La Fortuna Waterfall + Chocolate Tour.