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!

RATES

We cannot provide you accurate rates at this moment. Please contact us at [email protected] for any assistance you require with this and other activities that may interest you.

Tour Itinerary

img

7:30AM (aproximately) Hotel Pick Up!

Our driver and guide will pick you up directly at your hotel front desk.

img

8:10am Hike at the Arenal Hanging Bridges

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.

img

10:30am Enjoy a typical snack!

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!

img

11:30am Tour to La Fortuna Waterfall

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.

img

1:00pm Bon Appetite!

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.

img

2:00pm: Enjoy the sweetness!

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.

img

4:00PM Hotel Drop off!

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.

People Love Us

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!

Jenna Rivers

2017-01-22

Amazing people, amazing food, one of the best experience I've ever had.

Sheena law

2017-03-18

Tony was amazing! Very nice and detailed. Customer service is excellent!!!

Marki Rae DeSimone

2017-05-19

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!

Claire Durrant

2017-12-31

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!

Silke Berlinghof-Nielsen

2018-04-15

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Read some of the most asked questions about 3 in 1 Hanging Bridges + La Fortuna Waterfall + Chocolate Tour.

Transportation is included from any hotel in La Fortuna and the Arenal area, some hotels are located further away from the main area, in this case an extra fee may apply. If your place is not on the list just ask us!
Pick up is usually between 7 and 7:30am (it varies depending on the location of your hotel) and takes about 7 hours to complete. By 5:30 pm you will be heading back to your hotel, after all 3 activities have been completed successfully. It's the perfect combination to explore as much as possible if won't be spending much time in the Arenal area.
A delicious Costa Rican lunch will be provided and served by a local family in a beautiful location next to one of the rivers so you can be in peace with nature and be able to observe some more animals and birds. Snacks as fruits and water will be offered throughout the day.
Sure they can! Everyone can have a great time at the hanging bridges and at the waterfall, although we believe is more enjoyable for kids 4 years old and over.
Hiking shoes or sneakers will be ideal for the hikes as well as comfortable clothes: shorts, t-shirts, tank tops. A change of shoes and clothes may be also required if you plan to go for a swim to the refreshing waterfall! Don't forget a bathing suit, there will be changing rooms before starting the hike down to the waterfall if needed or after the hike. Bring also mosquito repellent and sunscreen and a raincoat in case of an usual rainshower.
Sure, keep in mind it will be under your supervision and we highly recommend a waterproof case.
Not entirely, the walk on the bridges is soft and goes at an easy pace so you can learn and see as much as possible of our rainforest. The length of the tour on the longest trail is of 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) and lasts 2 to 2,5 hours to complete. The hike to the waterfall though is a hike down on steep stairs, 520 stairs to be precise and then back up. Is worth the adventure, kids and people of all ages can do it. You can make it slowly at your own pace and enjoy the views, usually takes 20 minutes on the way down and 25 on the way up. We do not recommend the visit to the waterfall to the ones with hip or knee problems, but if you have any of these conditions and wish to be part of the tour you can remain at the main facilities of the waterfall park where there is an observatory, restrooms and a nice restaurant so you can enjoy of a drink or two. And for the chocolate tour little walks are needed. Is a great tour for everyone and some beautiful scenery of the rainforest will always be encountered.
If a shower or rain happens before or during the tour, it continues as planned, remember is the rainforest and it should be expected. Unless there is a tropical storm in sight then the tour may be cancelled or postponed but we will contact you in advance to inform you.
Yes, we offer pick up and drop off to most destinations in the country, please contact us to coordinate it and quote the extra fee.
We are very accessible, with a 24 hour notice you can get a refund, just don't forget to notify us.
We have in Arenal Tropical weather, it means is usually hot and humid with some rain always on the sight, not heavy rain, usually sun showers towards the end of the afternoon or late evenings. During the months of January, February, March which are considered to be summer, temperature goes between 28°-32° Celsius or 82-90 Fahrenheit and during the rainy season it varies from 22°-28° centigrades or 71-82 Fahrenheit.
We consider Arenal to be the epicenter of adventure! Being the number one favorite destination of the world according to tripadvisor it offers pretty much every activity that can be done in the country in one destination. You can stay in Arenal for weeks and will always have something different to to every day. There are main attractions for everyone, there are the activities that will bring up your adrenaline such as whitewater rafting, zipline, waterfall rappelling, lake kayaking, biking, strenuous hikes, waterfalls and more. But if are not such an adventure seeker can find other kind of activities like peaceful walks, hanging bridges, gardens, safari and bloat trips to sightsee, cultural events and many more.
That's a great question, there are many different resorts that offer hot springs, some are for guests use only which is fine because are more exclusive and quiet but if wish to explore more options or if you stay at a hotel with no hot springs there are plenty of options to choose from. Tabacon Resort and Spa Being one of the most popular natural hot springs spot in the world most visitors come to enjoy the peaceful surroundings with a variety of pools of different temperatures and sizes all hidden within the most wonderful and attractive tropical gardens that open up the way for relaxing exploration. The pools are filled with water from an actual hot water river that flows all around the property. There is anything more natural than this. Temperatures vary from 22° to 40° Celsius (72-105F) and you can see small natural cascades to soften your body and spirit. 2. Baldi Hot Springs Consider as the largest hot springs in the world it offers 25 pools of all sizes and temperatures amidst the rainforest surrounded by waterfalls and caves so that everyone can enjoy. Is more like a family place, it offers a water playground for the little ones, water slides, caves to explore, wet bars and restaurants so that everybody can spend a relaxing and fun time. 3. Los Perdidos Hot Springs This being part of the astonishing The Springs Resort, you can get a day pass and enjoy amazing panoramic views as well as a relaxing time at the hot springs, make sure you visit the unique little pools at the bottom of the resort that are immerse in the rainforest at the most peaceful place on earth. 4. Eco Termales A great option to relax and explore. Although it is a smaller option, it also is a more exclusive place, is not as crowded as other places get from time to time and also has its pools also filled with the river water, very natural and relaxing ambience. 5. Paradise Hot Springs Another beautiful, little place to enjoy a relaxing time. It's located right in front of the volcano which makes you have a wonderful view too. Transportation is only included with Los Perdidos option, to all other options you can drive or call a taxi from frontdesk. Depending to your hotel location these can be from 5 up to 25 minutes away. Which one do you prefer? You can combine any of these options with any activity you do during the day or you can get a day pass too and enjoy of a nice lunch or dinner, just ask us!