A staircase through the forest, the sound of water growing louder with every step, and a cascade plunging into a clear green pool at the foot of Arenal.
Some places are best discovered without hurry. This waterfall hike in La Fortuna invites you to explore one of the best-known cascades in Costa Rica on your own terms: you meet at the site reception around 9 a.m., then set off down a forest staircase toward a waterfall that drops more than 70 meters (about 230 feet) into a natural pool.
The setting is the shadow of Arenal Volcano, whose nearly perfect cone rises to around 1,600 meters (about 5,250 feet) above the green hills of the San Carlos region. On July 29, 1968, Arenal erupted violently, beginning a long period of lava flows and volcanic activity. Today it is far calmer, though volcanologists still monitor and study it closely.
Roughly 530 steps lead down through the rainforest, a descent of about 15 to 20 minutes. At the bottom, you can swim when conditions allow, take your time with photos, and watch for butterflies, tropical birds and, with a little luck, monkeys moving through the trees. Your entrance fee and the 13% tourism tax are included, and our team in San Francisco de Heredia answers your questions in English before your visit.
Around 9 a.m., you meet at the reception of the waterfall site near La Fortuna, with Arenal Volcano rising over the surrounding hills. From there, a built staircase of about 530 steps winds down through dense tropical vegetation; allow 15 to 20 minutes for the descent. Little by little, the roar of falling water fills the forest, until the cascade appears, plunging more than 70 meters into a natural pool framed by lush greenery. At the bottom, the time is yours: take a refreshing swim when conditions permit, settle on the rocks to admire the scene and capture it in photographs, or watch for colorful butterflies and tropical birds. If you are lucky, a few monkeys may reveal themselves in the canopy around you. Remember that the same steps lead back up, so set your own pace and enjoy the calm of the rainforest.
No payment now: we confirm availability within 48 hours, then send you a secure Banco de Costa Rica payment link.
Access is via a built staircase of about 530 steps. The descent takes around 15 to 20 minutes, and you return by climbing the same steps, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
Yes, swimming in the natural pool is possible when conditions allow. Bring swimwear and a towel so you are ready if the water is safe on the day of your visit.
You meet at the reception of the waterfall site, near La Fortuna, at around 9 a.m. Transport is not included for this excursion, so you will need to make your own way to the site.
The visit described in the program, the entrance fee to the site, the 13% tax on tourism activities and assistance from our agency team. Meals and drinks, tips, personal expenses, travel or repatriation insurance and transport are not included.
The surrounding rainforest is home to butterflies and tropical birds, and with some luck you may spot monkeys in the vegetation around the falls. Sightings are never guaranteed.
A waterfall hike in La Fortuna is a simple way to feel the rhythm of the Costa Rican rainforest: the cool air on the staircase, the spray rising from the pool, the flash of a butterfly against the green. If you would like to add this visit to your stay near Arenal, or fit it into a wider itinerary, our team in San Francisco de Heredia will gladly prepare a quote tailored to your dates and answer your questions in English.
