EC EscapeCostaRica.com
Find Your Escape →
Menu ☰
Find Your Escape Ocean Escapes Rainforest Escapes Nature & Wildlife Adventure Escapes Volcano & Waterfall Relaxing Escapes Escape Collections Destinations (12 Hubs) Travel Guides (14) Where to Stay Guanacaste Real Estate
Launch Guide 09 · Regional Departure Guide · 7 min read

La Fortuna Nature and Relaxation Experiences: Volcanoes, Bridges & Thermal Rivers

How to structure your days in La Fortuna and Arenal—combining Mistico Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, lava trails, and Tabacón’s natural hot springs.

Key Planning Takeaways
Affiliate Disclosure: Tour buttons link to verified Viator or GetYourGuide listings, and hotel buttons link to Agoda. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you when you book on the partner platform. Read full disclosure →

The Smart Way to See Arenal’s Three Classics

Mistico Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, and the Arenal Volcano lava trails sit in three separate valleys around the volcano base. Booking the coordinated Combo Tour (12732P5) gives you a single naturalist guide, all three entry tickets, round-trip hotel transport, and a traditional lunch between stops.

Understanding La Fortuna’s Hot Springs Spectrum

Not all hot springs in La Fortuna are volcano-heated rivers. Tabacón Thermal Resort (113328P63) is fed by a natural gravity-flow magma-heated river winding through rainforest gardens, whereas several budget highway parks use pumped, heated pools. For a true relaxing escape, reserve the Tabacón pass with lunch or dinner.

What to Pack for an Arenal Day

Bring closed-toe hiking shoes with grip (mandatory at Mistico Bridges), a swimsuit worn under quick-dry clothes for the waterfall basin, a dry change of clothes in the van, and a waterproof phone pouch.

Verified Bookable Experiences Matching This Guide

Traveler overlooking the conical peak of Arenal Volcano framed by lush rainforest 08 · ARENAL TRIPLE CROWN ★ 4.9 (1,879)
La Fortuna & Arenal · 7–8 hrs · Small-group naturalist-guided signature day trip

La Fortuna Waterfall, Mistico Hanging Bridges & Arenal Volcano Combo

See La Fortuna’s three defining landscapes in one seamlessly coordinated day: cross rainforest suspension bridges at eye level with toucans and monkeys, descend to swim beneath the 70-meter La Fortuna Waterfall, and hike solidified lava flows at the base of Arenal Volcano.

Destination Visited: Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall canyon & 1968 Arenal Lava Trails
Actual Departure Point: Hotel pickup across La Fortuna town and the Route 142 Arenal volcano corridor (early morning start)
Included: All 3 park admissions (Mistico Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano trail), naturalist guide, traditional lunch, hotel pickup
Additional / Excluded: Optional evening hot springs admission (can be added separately) and guide gratuities
Requirements: Must be comfortable climbing ~500 canyon steps at La Fortuna Waterfall; closed-toe hiking shoes required
From $154 · Viator
✓ Free cancellation
Warm sunset glow over tranquil waters surrounded by tropical foliage 09 · THERMAL RIVER SOAK ★ 4.8 (310)
La Fortuna & Arenal · 4–8 hrs · Reserved thermal river pass with lunch or dinner

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa Natural Hot Springs Day Pass with Meal

Unwind in Costa Rica’s premier free-flowing thermal river resort, where magma-heated mineral streams cascade through manicured rainforest gardens at temperatures ranging from 77°F to 105°F, followed by a gourmet meal.

Destination Visited: Tabacón Thermal River Gardens at the base of Arenal Volcano
Actual Departure Point: Check-in at Tabacón Thermal Resort reception on Route 142 (15 min west of La Fortuna town)
Included: Full access to Tabacón's naturally heated volcanic river pools, cascading thermal waterfalls, towel, locker, and culinary lunch or dinner
Additional / Excluded: Spa massage treatments, premium bar beverages, and hotel taxi transfer
Requirements: Advance reservation required as daily visitor capacity is strictly capped; bring swimwear and sandals
See Current Price & Availability · Viator
✓ Free cancellation