Our most recommended things to do in Alajuela Province, Costa Rica

La Fortuna: Waterfall, Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour

1. La Fortuna: Waterfall, Arenal Volcano and Hot Springs Tour

Escape into the nature of the La Fortuna on a guided hike. Walk by the river and follow a trail to a panoramic viewpoint. Have a delicious lunch at a Maluku Indian village and trek through forests, lava fields, and farmlands before relaxing at a natural hot spring resort with a drink. Be collected at your accommodation and be driven to the beginning of the forest walk. Trek on the easy track along the crystal clear La Fortuna river. En route, hop on a tractor cart uphill to a panoramic viewpoint. Spot the next location from a distance then begin the return walk down a jungle staircase. Halfway down is a high suspension bridge to cross. The trail leads further down the huge canyon, which was shaped by a volcanic mega-eruption. Encounter the spectacular La Fortuna waterfall. Be amazed by the lush vegetation on its 70-meter-high walls, the huge volcanic rocks at its foot, and the water splashing down in its massive pool. Bask in its beauty or even take a refreshing dip. Return to the viewpoint then walk down to the little village of the Maluku Indians. Seated in their Palenke (main house), enjoy a rest while listening to an interesting story about their culture, art, and history.  After being active for a few hours, the time has come to relax and enjoy a typical hot lunch. Next to the restaurant is a butterfly garden and frog pond that you can explore until your food is served.  Reenergized, take a 15-minute ride to the park at the foot of the Arenal volcano. Being the trek through the primary forest where you can see huge trees with giant roots. Besides a variety of birds, the forest is host to monkeys, sloths, and coati. Leave the forest and reach the highest viewpoint that exists around the volcano and absorb the most spectacular panoramic views of Lake Arenal, the jungle, the valley, the lava fields, and most of all the Arenal that towers over you.  Conclude your tour at the natural hot spring resort. Relax in its soothing warm water for about an hour and enjoy a complimentary cocktail. Afterward, you will be taken back to your accommodation.

From San José: Poas Volcano and Alsacia Coffe Farm

2. From San José: Poas Volcano and Alsacia Coffe Farm

Enjoy a tour to the Poas Volcano National Park, and immerse yourself in the beautiful local nature in the park and see the volcano. Finish the tour with a visit to a coffee farm where Starbucks coffee is grown. Visit the Poás Volcano National Park, enjoy the walk admiring local vegetation and animals, and notice where there is a notable change in temperature and exuberant cloud forest vegetation. See the Poás Volcano is an active stratovolcano of 2,708 m (8,885 ft), with a crater over a mile wide and 1,050 feet deep. Learn more about the volcano, which has erupted 40 times since 1828, including April 2017. Take time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, and walk along a path to the beautiful Botos Lagoon while you learn about the different ecosystems of the park. End the tour with a visit to the first Starbucks coffee farm, Alsacia where you can enjoy the views and have a delicious coffee.

San José: Guided Volcano, Waterfall & Coffee Farm Day Trip

3. San José: Guided Volcano, Waterfall & Coffee Farm Day Trip

Visit the Poás Volcano, the picturesque La Paz outdoor waterfall, and a coffee farm on a day trip from San José, Costa Rica. A wonderful choice for coffee aficionados and nature lovers alike, this tour includes a hotel pickup and lunch at a local restaurant. Enjoy a convenient pickup directly from your accommodation in San Jose and make your way to your first stop for the day, the Poás Volcano. Travel in an air-conditioned van and admire coffee plantations as well as flower and strawberry farms along the way. Poás is one of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes and last erupted in April 2017. The volcano and the surrounding park were closed for close to 17 months and a safety perimeter of nearly 2.5 kilometers was established around the erupting crater. At the volcano, you'll have time to enjoy the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles. Then, follow a trail to the Botos Lagoon, a crater lake located inside the Poás Volcano National Park. As you hike, learn about the different ecosystems in the park. After your trek, refuel with a delicious lunch of local fare at one of the restaurants in the area. Then, head out to your next destination, the La Paz Waterfall. Gaze at La Paz waterfall as you stroll along paved trails through cloud forests and rainforests. Make the most of excellent photo opportunitiesand see the falls from different vantage points on the outside. Then, head to your final stop for the day, the Hacienda coffee farm, the first and only Coffee farm. See the visitor center and learn what Coffee is doing to empower farmers, promote sustainable practices, and develop the next generation of coffee. At the end of your Costa Rica adventure, enjoy a convenient transfer back to your hotel in San José.

La Fortuna: Arenal Rafting Balsa River Class 2 & 3 Rafting

4. La Fortuna: Arenal Rafting Balsa River Class 2 & 3 Rafting

Get picked up from your accommodation in La Fortuna and set off for the beautiful Balsa River. Meet your expert guides who are rafting specialists who have competed around the world. After a quick orientation and safety instructions, climb aboard your raft to begin your wet adventure. Begin your 2.5-hour rafting tour as you navigate thrilling class 2 and 3 rapids. As you paddle downstream keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife including sloths, monkeys, exotic birds, and a lot more.  Halfway through the trip, take a well-earned rest stop on the riverbank. Here, take the opportunity to freshen up with a swim or enjoy some fresh Costa Rican fruit as a light snack.

La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano and Hanging Bridges Combo

5. La Fortuna Waterfall, Volcano and Hanging Bridges Combo

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in the La Fortuna area, and travel to Arenal Volcano to hike the paths surrounding the mighty mountain. Get back to nature in Arenal Volcano National Park, where most of the 850 species of bird identified in Costa Rica can be found. Look out for other wildlife, such as white-faced capuchin monkeys, jaguars and deer. Then, cool down with a swim in a natural pool at La Fortuna waterfall. Once we are refreshed, will move to the restaurant to taste our delicious typical meal "Casado" Marvel at the stunning landscapes of a secondary rainforest at the base of the park, and a primary rainforest with amazing biodiversity amongst the hanging bridges. Walk through the rainforest on a network of 15 suspension bridges of various levels of difficulty in Mistico Park.

La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano, and Falls Tour

6. La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges, Arenal Volcano, and Falls Tour

Have a wonderful day diving deep into the lush rainforest and follow your guide through scenic trails. Join this comprehensive Costa Rican adventure to discover all of the La Fortuna natural landmarks. Walk across hanging bridges, lava fields, and a jungle staircase to reach relaxing waterfalls. Get picked up from your hotel and start by visiting the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Learn about the local ecosystem from your professional guide as you hike across the tall bridges and narrow trails surrounded by the verdant forest, the Arenal Volcano, and a peaceful lake. Take a short drive to Arenal Volcano National Park. Trek among the big lava rocks from the 1968 eruption and reach a viewpoint with striking views of the volcano, the surrounding lava fields, and the northern valley. Unwind after all your hiking with a lunch break at a traditional restaurant. Finish off your adventure with a short walk into a deep canyon to gaze at the immense La Fortuna waterfall and swim in the refreshing pool. As a final treat, relax in a small hot springs resort and sip on fun cocktails.

San José: Arenal Volcano, Waterfalls, Coffee and Hot Springs

7. San José: Arenal Volcano, Waterfalls, Coffee and Hot Springs

Start your tour in the morning when you are picked up from your hotel in the San Jose area in an air-conditioned vehicle. Travel to Arenal on an alternative route that is more scenic than the regular highway to this popular destination. On the way, stop at a plantation where you will learn about the coffee of Costa Rica. Observe the coffee plants and see the workers picking the ripe cherries during the harvest season. Learn about this important product to the local economy and taste a freshly brewed cup of some of the best coffee in the world accompanied by traditional snacks. Continue the tour at the famous La Paz Waterfall. Stop at the San Fernando Waterfall look-out point and observe many exotic birds including toucans, hummingbirds, and many other colorful tropical species. Visit the iguana’s center, a place where you will see lots of iguanas at eye level resting on the top of numerous trees. Following this, arrive at the Town of La Fortuna, and enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch in a restaurant located at the base of the impressive Arenal Volcano. After lunch, visit various points around the volcano to take pictures of this amazing mountain on clear days. Next, participate in an indigenous presentation performed by native people from the Maleku Tribe, and learn about the native culture of Costa Ricans. Later, travel to the beautiful Paradise Hot Springs Resort and relax for a few hours in the multiple hot springs pools surrounded by lush tropical gardens. This hot springs facility is one of the best in the Arenal area and provides the perfect environment to relax in thermal mineral water pools, jacuzzis and cascading waterfalls. After this, go to a local typical restaurant to have a delicious Costa Rican dinner before you are taken back to your hotel in the San Jose area.

Arenal Hanging Bridges Half-Day Tour from La Fortuna

8. Arenal Hanging Bridges Half-Day Tour from La Fortuna

Discover a natural paradise of walking trails and 6 hanging bridges on the interpretative nature paths of Mistico Park. Get closer to nature and see the flora and fauna from a more intimate perspective as you get the chance to walk on the forest floor, swing from the branches or soar over the tree canopies like an eagle! Take in the amazing views at Waterfall Bridge, and learn more about the rainforest from a naturalist guide. Hear about the animal life, geography and history of the region, and get some breathtaking views of the volcano, depending on the weather.

San Jose: Tortuguero Park Day Tour with Breakfast & Lunch

9. San Jose: Tortuguero Park Day Tour with Breakfast & Lunch

The day begins with pickup from your accommodation in San Jose, Heredia, or Alajuela at 6:00 AM. On your way to breakfast, drive past rolling coffee plantations and admire the mountains of Braulio Carrillo National Park. At around 7:15 AM, stop for a traditional Costa Rican breakfast to set you up for the day's adventure. Enjoy fresh fruit juice, coffee, eggs, and the popular gallo pinto (a typical Central American rice and bean dish.) After breakfast, visit a local banana plantation and learn about the process of growing and exporting fruit. At around 10:00 AM, leave the bus behind and hop onboard a boat as you cruise into the jungle of Tortuguero National Park. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, which covers over 29,000 hectares, soak up the magic of this luscious green landscape. As you sail along the jungle canals, see native green sea turtles, as well as other endangered animals such as sloths, monkeys, and manatees. There are also countless colorful butterflies, toucans, herons, crocodiles, and more. Learn about each of the animals and their habitat in the jungle, as well as about local conservation efforts to protect them. Once you’ve worked up a bit of an appetite, enjoy a hearty buffet lunch. After lunch, take a relaxing stroll through Tortuguero Village where you’ll discover local life and learn about the history of the town and its residents. At the end of an unforgettable day, get back on the bus at around 3:30 PM and begin the return journey back to San Jose.

La Fortuna: Rainforest Chocolate Tour

10. La Fortuna: Rainforest Chocolate Tour

Visit a cocoa farm in the rainforest with majestic views of Arenal Volcano. See where cocoa is grown, processed and produced and unearth the hidden secrets of local chocolate production. This interactive experience lets travelers eat as much chocolate as they want while learning about the history, culture, and traditions of this popular Costa Rican sweet. In this 2-hour hands-on program, have the opportunity to learn interesting facts about cocoa and chocolate, its origin and history. Participate in all aspects of the production process, from the harvesting of the fruit, drying, and grinding of the seeds.  Discover why the cacao tree was very important to ancient cultures. Find out how cacao was not only used as a ceremonial drink, but its seeds were also used as currency because of its economic value, in many regions of Mesoamerica, including Costa Rica.

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What people are saying about Alajuela Province, Costa Rica

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 1,918 reviews

Raul was the most amazing tour guide! He was so easy to get along with and funny, truly the highlight of the tour! The hanging bridges were so beautiful and weren’t too scary if you’re afraid of heights like me. The waterfall was magnificent and we had a lot of time to explore it. The volcano hike was an easy flat loop. You’re able to bring changes of clothes and leave things in the van which was super helpful. Also lots of bathroom breaks and cafe opportunities in addition to lunch. If you’re looking for the best tour this is IT!

Great excursion with our guide Christian. Very experienced guide of 25 years and a super nice person. The hike up and down is not difficult if you are reasonably fit. It took less time than I expected. He explained everything we saw and is very knowledgeable about the biodiversity and eco practices of the country. Lunch was sabroso and the thermal pools were nice. Highly recommend.

Pepe and Joel were amazing! They were friendly, genuine and knowledgeable. We appreciated Pepe’s deep knowledge and passion for the land and work he does. We couldn’t have imagined for a better guide! He was genuinely concerned with our experience and made sure we both saw as much as possible but also learned about the beautiful Costa Rican heritage.

It was an amazing experience! Our guide Errol from Red Lava Tours was so kind and really good. We trekked through the rain forest on a beautiful trail, saw the vulcano at the view point and swimmed at the beautiful waterfall. We can highly recommend this tour!

We had an excellent time. Saw a lot of different wildlife. Our guide Diego was fantastic! Would recommend this tour.