Northern Adventure

White Water Rafting

This is one of the most popular adventure tours in Costa Rica. Great water levels all year long in the northern plains guarantee a fantastic trip. It is calculated that there are over 30 rivers near La Fortuna. The Toro River offers a 15 mile trip, lush canyon vistas, natural hotsprings and class 3 and 4+ rapids. Peñas Blancas River can be traveled on a half-day tour. It is 8 miles long, features a beautiful landscape and has class 3 and 4- rapids. Sarapíquí River is also a good trip, featuring incredible wildlife and great landscapes in 10 miles of its length, featuring class 1, 2 and 3 rapids.

Hiking Tours

Some companies offer hikes in the Arenal Volcano area, including the exploration of the zone devastated in the 1968 eruption. You will also find tour operators guiding relaxed pace hikes to the Monteverde area, offering breathtaking landscapes, direct contact with the natural environment and giving you the opportunity to explore by yourself.

Bungee Jumping

Could jumping from a 40-meter-high bridge possibly be your idea of a relaxing vacation? You can do it. Several companies offer bungee jumping tours from the bridge over the Peñas Blancas River. Most of the bungee tours are directed from La Fortuna. No previous experience is required, and companies offer high levels of safety.

Canopy

At Termales del Bosque, Nature lovers will have the chance of experience a journey through treetops combined with horseback riding and the relaxing experience of a bath at the thermal waters of Río Las Palmas. The journey here passes five platforms along 400 meters with pauses to contemplate the horizon and the colorful birds that abound in the region. For more information, contact The Original Canopy Tour company at 257-5149

Horseback Riding

The magnificent landscape in the northern zone makes horseback riding an excellent option to explore and enjoy a good time. There are some tours offering breathtaking vistas of Lake Arenal, Arenal Volcano and even the trip through the Children’s Rainforest. You will ride on mountain trails, through narrow gorges and cross some rivers. It is also an opportunity to watch native flora and fauna. Tours are generally available to anyone ages 13-65 depending on health conditions and no previous riding experience is necessary.

Cave Exploring

From the north shore of Lake Arenal, about 25 kilometers northwest of El Tanque you can find the Venado Caves. There is a system of underground caves extending about 3 kilometers where visitors crawl, wade through rushing water, climb and pass through a narrow tunnel called “the birth canal.” The caverns weren’t discovered until 1945 when the owner of the farm fell into a hole. If you are definitively not claustrophobic, it will be a thrilling journey where you’ll encounter in some of the chambers a variety of bats, colorless frogs and rock formations created by the action of water on limestone over hundreds of years. Tours are usually directed from La Fortuna.

Windsurfing

Arenal Lake is paradise for windsurfers. With 23-35 kph easterly winds funneling through a mountain corridor all year round, the lake has acquired an international reputation as one of the best all-year freshwater windsurfing spots in the world. For taking off at high speed during the high-wind season, from November to April, experienced windsurfers can use four to five square meter sails with short boards. Even during the low wind season, long boards with six to 6-1/2 square meter sails can give a good ride. Windsurfing at Coter Lake is also good.