10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in La Fortuna de San Carlos That You Shouldn't Miss

September 28, 2021 Marissa Gamble

La Fortuna de San Carlos is at the center of an array of geological wonders.  The nearby Arenal is Costa Rica's most active volcano, routinely bursting with lava and ash, and the Catarata de La Fortuna is a waterfall pouring from a seventy-meter cliff.  The Tabacon Hot Springs are a relaxing intermission in the midst of the various spectacles, and the Leaves and Lizards Arenal Volcano Cabin Retreat is a blissful end to any day's excursion.
Restaurants in La Fortuna de San Carlos

1. Proyecto Asis

Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 4400 Costa Rica +506 4000 1553 [email protected] http://www.institutoasis.com
Excellent
85%
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5.0 based on 1,698 reviews

Proyecto Asis

Previous Reservation is required. Proyecto Asis is a Wildlife Shelter and Environmental Education Center located very close to La Fortuna. Wild animals which have been found wounded, forsaken or are rescued from the black market by the local forest rangers are brought here. Those that cannot be released are used within our educational programs. In order to finance our shelter, we offer daily tours and volunteer activities. Schedules: Monday to Saturday at 8:30 am or at 1:00 pm. Sundays Closed. Easy access facilities and trails for all ages.

Reviewed By connierussell - Thunder Bay, Canada

My husband and I spent the full day at Proyecto Asis. We had a guided tour of the Sloth Rescue Centre in the morning (which ended up being a very good idea since it was a hot day and rescued sloths' enclosure requires standing in the sun so better to do that early), walked down to the local 'soda' for lunch, then had a guided tour of the main rescue centre in the morning, finishing with a short volunteer stint where we helped prepare and deliver food to some of the wildlife. Both guides were very good, explaining the reasons various animals were at the centre, which ones would be able to released, and rehabilitation/release process. We very much appreciated the philosophy of the place and were impressed with the good work they were doing. (One has to be careful in Costa Rica not to be sucked in by shady places who pretend to be doing wildlife rescue but are in fact exploiting animals for profit.) Spending time at Proyecto Asis was one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommended!

2. Montana Safari

La Fortuna San Carlos, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 824417 Costa Rica +506 2479 1220 [email protected]
Excellent
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Montana Safari

This is the ideal rain forest river float for those looking for peaceful encounter with the plentiful wildlife that abounds along the Peñas Blancas River. You will spot monkeys, maybe some allusive sloth, iguanas, crocodiles and caimans, plus a large variety of species of tropical birds such as the sun bittern, keel, billed toucan, herons, kingfishers and our favorite, the Montezuma Oropendula..

3. Bogarin Trail

Calle 480, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica +506 8420 3661 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/BogarinTrailLaFortuna/
Excellent
90%
Good
6%
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5.0 based on 578 reviews

Bogarin Trail

Our private trail offer a lot of wildlife just 5 minutes away from downtown La Fortuna, this tour is for nature lovers, we oofer a selfguided tour or a guided tour with pur experts guides. To make a reservation with us please contact us directly!

Reviewed By nkrul - Rehoboth Beach, United States

We had gone hiking on other trails in the area without a guide, and hadn’t seen any wildlife yet. So we went with a guided tour by William at Bogarin trail and it was one of the best tours I’ve ever done!! William has an amazing eye to spot the wildlife. We caught a mom and her baby sloth on video and poison frogs and many other animals. A must do tour when you are in Arenal!

4. Costa Rica Dog Rescue & Adoption

300 meters before the La Fortuna Waterfall main entrance, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica +506 2479 1569 [email protected] http://www.crdogrescue.com/
Excellent
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Good
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5.0 based on 40 reviews

Costa Rica Dog Rescue & Adoption

Costa Rica Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization based in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, that helps rescue, care, and place homeless dogs from Costa Rica into loving homes. At Costa Rica Dog Rescue we are always in need of volunteers! We offer morning and afternoon volunteer programs where you can walk, play, and spend time with our dogs, as well as assist with the care of our facilities.

Reviewed By helloactive - Edmonton, Canada

By chance at lava lounge in La Fortuna a poster was noticed and I was able to participate. This is a fund raiser so one pays. There are numerous dogs and they are taken care of but more donations would help a great deal. They do attempt to adopt out the dogs to other countries including Canada. I enjoyed walking the three dogs that I walked.

5. Arenal Sanctuary Reserve

400 Metros Este, 300 Norte de la Iglesia Catolica, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica +506 8498 5833 https://arenalsanctuaryreserve.net/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 18 reviews

Arenal Sanctuary Reserve

We are a company focused on the preservation of the flora and fauna of our country, offering our visitors the best experience within nature, we have guides of high knowledge that will accompany you during the tour.

Reviewed By Smellyfish883

We went to see the private sanctuary and saw many types of amphibians and reptiles. We also caught a toucan sleeping and stumbled upon not one but two male three toed sloths. A great trip for those interested in conservation and habitat ecology.

6. Monkey Park La Fortuna

Excellent
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5.0 based on 36 reviews

Monkey Park La Fortuna

Monkey Park was born as a new proposal of educational and interactive experiences with whomever decides to visit us, seen to be the best activity park in the fortune with options for all ages, mixing technology, culture and nature. You are invited to visit, enjoy, and share it with everyone who wants to know, is a magic forest with giant trees and QR codes to scan the whole information of the nature, MONKEY PARK is waiting for you.

7. Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

La Fortuna, Arenal, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos Costa Rica +506 2479 1070 [email protected] http://www.arenalobservatorylodge.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails

11km. (7 miles) of well-maintained hiking and mountain biking trails wind through the Arenal Observatory's 870-acre (352-hectare) property. Pass through the rainforest, past waterfalls, and across hanging bridges. Climb one of the tallest observation towers in Costa Rica. Plenty of wildlife lives in the area, including monkeys, anteaters, coatis, frogs, and more than 500 species of birds.

Reviewed By susy505 - Calgary, Canada

What a mesmerizing experience! From the moment you arrive and find yourself with an unparalleled view of the volcano, to the incredibly extensive trails, Arenal Observatory Lodge is a hidden gem you simply cannot miss. Get away from the hubbub of town and explore nature as it should be: raw, vibrant, rich, and all around you. We were there for a couple of days and definitely need to come back! The food was delicious, with a view of exotic and intriguing birds that come to feed right next to us. We hit the trails and climbed atop the tower with a view over the trees, and then relaxed at the spa for a bit of pampering. Just wonderful!

8. Natura Eco Park Costa Rica

La Fortuna, 6 km towards to Arenal Volcano, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica +506 2479 1616 [email protected] http://www.arenalnatura.com/index.php
Excellent
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Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 657 reviews

Natura Eco Park Costa Rica

At Natura Eco Park you will experience the natural world in a whole new way, where beautiful frogs, birds, reptiles, and their natural habitats will have the starring role. Natura is a private Biological Station, where we are concerned at the conservation of habitats, as well as reserach and reproduction of amphibians and reptiles, many of these listed as endangered species by CITES. We are located in a section of the tropical rainforest, at the base of the Arenal Volcano, home to a large quantity of species which, with the help of our guides, will give you a new way to view and enjoy these impressive, complex worlds.

Reviewed By Sabinev500

we spend all day here - Carlos, related to the park, gave us a ride from la fortuna centre till the park for an honest price - Victor, at the park entrance gave us interesting information about the park - we saw a big group of coati's when we took the horse trail ... by foot ... very hard climbing but with the coati's AMAZING - the view on the arenal is wonderful when you are on the lava rocks - unforgettable to meet there the guide Wilmer from last year with another excursion - we have been swimming in the lake which was so relaxing in the middle of nature - the colours of the water: blue and green ... wonderful - see you next year

9. Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge

Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 21007 Costa Rica +506 2479 9526 [email protected] http://www.arenaloasis.com/#!frog-watching/c1uyl
Excellent
79%
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4.5 based on 346 reviews

Arenal Oasis Wildlife Refuge

Experience Arenal´s only wild frog sanctuary at night, when colorful tree frogs and other rainforest wildlife are most active and most easily observed. At least 28 frog species have made their home the ponds of Arenal Oasis. The Rojas Bonilla family carefully maintains native plants of Arenal, to create needed frog habitat in this private wildlife reserve of fresh spring water fed ponds; within a rainforest refuge connecting the rainforests of the Arenal Volcano and El Rio Burio. The night tour continues past the frog ponds along flat trails immersed in the noisy night rainforest. The guide will point out animals hiding from you. Support, enjoy and learn about the only wild frog sanctuary in the Arenal Volacano Area. Tours led by trained naturalist along flat rainforest trails start at 5:45pm at Arenal Oasis. Flashlights are provided and reservations are necessary. Included in the Tour: - Flashlights - Transportation Round Trip - Certified Naturalist Guide - Entrance Fee - Drinks What to Bring: - Camera - Closed Shoes - Long Pants - Raincoat - Confortable light Clothing - Big Smile

Reviewed By mandadenn - Washington DC, United States

We toured with Michael, a young, fabulously enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. We saw SO many frogs, at least 8 different types, and got excellent close up pictures of bunches of them. He even got great pics of a fer-de-lance viper that was off the trail with a pair of binoculars for everyone.

10. La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna de San Carlos 106-4417 Costa Rica [email protected] http://www.cataratalafortuna.com/
Excellent
64%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 9,261 reviews

La Fortuna Waterfall

The Fortuna River Waterfall is a natural area managed sustainably by Integral Development Association of La Fortuna (ADIFORT), a non-profit organization, having as its main objective to ensure the well-being and growth of La Fortuna community; projects that are possible to run thanks to funds raised by the visit of each tourist to this natural space. La Fortuna Waterfall is located in a biological reserve with an area of 210 acres of transition premontane tropical wet forest, part of the Arenal Volcano National Park and is located at 520 meters over the sea level, where there are sources of our mountains and the waters of La Fortuna River. To observe this splendid 70 meters high waterfall, visitors must pass a path of approximately 530 steps, which offers greater security to its passage and comfortable areas for rest and hydration through a forest with native trees of the area.

Reviewed By Diogomarcel - Foz do Iguacu, Brazil

the is a nice atraction in la fortuna, easy to get there and for sure a grear place to spend some time with nature, be ready for a long walk all the way to the falls , the conservation area is very nice and the park is well organized. high reccomended

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