Town Strolls and Rainforest Walks in La Fortuna

Walking in La Fortuna means a short stroll through a small, flat town and longer walks on the nature trails nearby. This page explains what to do on foot, with a guide or without one.

Walking the town

The centre is a compact grid around the central park. The park has a manicured garden and a fountain, and Arenal volcano frames the view when the sky is clear. The church faces the park. Around it you will find craft stalls, tour desks and sodas, the small family restaurants that serve a casado, a plate of rice, beans, salad and a main dish. Expect to pay about CRC 3,500 to 5,500, at about CRC 450 to the dollar. Soda La Parada, Soda Viquez and Soda Mima are three names to look for.

You can see the whole centre without a guide, and the tour desks around the park can arrange the nature walks below.

Guided walks in the forest

The Bogarin Trail begins at the edge of town and runs 2.5 km through forest. Its prices run from $20 for a self-guided visit to about $45 with a guide. After dark, a guided night walk costs $60 for about 2 hours, and a birdwatching walk costs $80 for about 3 hours. The trail is open from 6am to 8pm. Bring a torch, avoid flash and never handle animals.

At Mistico Arenal a guided walk costs from $44, and night, bird and twilight tours begin at $54. Self-guided tickets start at $32 plus tax. The trail covers 3.2 km and 16 bridges, six of which hang, and visitors need closed-toe shoes with good grip.

Walking at the base of the volcano

The national park charges about $15 for foreign adults and offers the Las Coladas trail, about 1.8 km, across hardened lava. Arenal Observatory Lodge has 11 km of trails and charges about $20 to $22 for an entrance pass. Arenal 1968 is a private reserve with about 7 km of trails and a ticket of about $25. The volcano itself is off limits, since the cone and the zone around it have been closed to the public since 1998.

What to carry

  • Closed shoes with grip, a rain layer and water.
  • A torch for night walks.
  • Cash in colones for small purchases, though cards and dollars are common.

Practical tips

  • Leave valuables at the hotel, since break-ins at roadside parking are the usual crime.
  • Check hours and prices with the venue before you set out.

Read more: Attraction tours in La Fortuna and Solo activities in La Fortuna .

Venue sites: Bogarin Trail and Arenal Observatory Lodge .

Guided walks are listed on Viator .