Arenal Adventure Vacation
In a country known for its heart-stopping activities – waterfall rappelling, canopy zip-lines, and cave spelunking, to name a few – what does it take to be Costa Rica’s adventure capital? Variety! The town of La Fortuna, located at the base of the active Arenal Volcano, is home to many of the country’s most exhilarating tours, including some unique to the area.
read more closeThe first time I visited Arenal, I packed each day full of adventure tours. Just imagining some of the excursions on my itinerary could make my hair stand on end, but that was part of the fun. My method was to start small, and gradually build up to the more challenging activities: canopy tours first and cave spelunking last!
Hanging Hiking
Arenal’s hanging bridges include a two-mile web of hiking trails and suspended bridges that cling to the mountainside and connect treetop canopies. The bridges range from 16 to 330 feet long, and while they may look tame from below, their towering height is enough to kick your adrenaline up a notch. Even better, this unique vantage point provides incredible views of Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and many wonders of the tropical rainforest.
ATV Tour
Don your helmet and goggles and get ready for some serious fun. Quad tours explore some of Arenal’s most scenic backcountry roads and include a pit stop at the famed La Fortuna Waterfall, where you can cool off in the chilly pool below the falls. Several river crossings and steep climbs will get your motor running as you follow your guide through rugged terrain to quaint farms on the outskirts of town.
Canopy Tour
If you’ve ever dreamed of flying, or of experiencing the world from a bird’s eye view, you can’t miss one of Arenal’s legendary zip-line tours. Prepare for a soaring ride above the treetops and enjoy aerial views of La Fortuna Waterfall and Arenal Volcano. For an added dose of adrenaline, take a ride on the area’s longest cable – at 2,200 feet long, you’ll hit speeds of up to 45 mph. And if you’re completely fearless, take a leap of faith on the Tarzan swing, where you’ll free-fall from 40 feet above the ground.
Whitewater Rafting
Choose between the Balsa River (Class II-III) and the mighty Toro River (Class III-IV) for a wild paddling adventure. The foaming river and churning rapids promise to get your heart racing and up the adventure quotient. If your itinerary includes a trip between Arenal and San Jose (or vice versa), consider booking the adventure connection, a one-way rafting trip that promises more thrills than any other mode of transportation!
Waterfall Rappelling
With just a rope and harness suspending you, scale down the slick rock face of a 200-foot waterfall and feel the adrenaline rush as you get soaked in the tropical cascade. Waterfall rappelling is one of Arenal’s most thrilling adventures, and one of the most beautiful. Hike into a picturesque rainforest canyon, where you’ll transform into a spider monkey as you climb and scramble through the narrow river gorge, and cannon ball into hidden pools of water. After a brief but thorough safety talk, your guides will start you on a 20-foot waterfall designed to whet your appetite for the adventure to come.
Cave Spelunking
If you don’t mind getting wet, and maybe a little dirty, a trip to the Venado Caverns is a must during your stay in Arenal. Forge into the massive cave system, where stalactites and stalagmites dot your path, and stingless scorpions are your constant companions. Though ensconced in total darkness, your ears will tune into the constant drip of water over ancient rock, bat wings fluttering above, and the gurgle of shallow streams underfoot. If you’re feeling extra courageous, take a turn wiggling through the narrow tunnel known as the “Birth Canal.” You’re not done yet: after making it through the tunnel, you’re next challenge is to scale the 22-foot vertical wall before returning to your fellow spelunkers.
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