Family Days in La Fortuna

Parents planning La Fortuna often ask what works at each age. This guide groups the activities by how old your children are and flags places to avoid. Prices are in US dollars and rounded.

Babies and toddlers

Baldi Hot Springs lets children under 5 in free. The resort has 25 pools and waterslides. It is open daily from 9am to 10pm and needs no booking. At Arenal Observatory Lodge, an 800 m trail is wheelchair accessible. The entrance pass is about $20 to $22.

Ages 5 to 10

At EcoTermales a child aged 5 to 11 pays about $30 for entry, or about $46 with lunch or dinner. At Baldi the child rate is $38 for entry alone and $56 with one meal.

A guided walk on the Bogarin Trail costs about $45 per person and keeps children interested because the guide points out frogs and birds. Sloths are possible but never guaranteed. Children must not touch or feed animals. Night walks cost $60 and are better for older children who can stay quiet.

Pure Trek accepts canyoning guests from age 5. The standard trip costs about $103 and includes four rappels. Parents should judge their own child’s comfort with heights and cold water.

Ages 11 and up

Baldi charges children of 11 and over the adult price of $51 for the springs. Mistico Arenal suits this group well, with 16 bridges on a 3.2 km trail, six of them hanging up to 45 m above the forest. Self-guided entry begins at $32 plus tax. Closed-toe shoes with good grip are required for everyone.

Kalambu is a family hot springs water park with thermal slides. Its current hours and prices are on kalambu.com.

Places that are not for children

The public hot river below Tabacon and El Salto have no lifeguards, slippery rocks and fast water after rain. Keep children away from both. At La Fortuna Waterfall the steps number about 500 each way, so small legs and carried children make the climb back hard. If you go, swim only in the pool at the base and never under the plunge.

Practical tips

  • Carry sun cream, a rain layer, insect repellent and spare dry clothes.
  • Do not leave bags in a parked car, because break-ins are the usual crime.
  • Check the age limit of any activity before you pay, and book popular slots ahead in school holidays.
  • Confirm hours and prices, which change.

Read more: Outdoor activities in La Fortuna and Day trips from La Fortuna .

Venue sites: Baldi Hot Springs and Arenal Observatory Lodge .

Family tours are searchable on Viator .