Things to do in La Fortuna with kids

Last updated on July 1, 2025

La Fortuna was one of the most highly anticipated destinations on our Costa Rica road trip. Steve had been there 20 years previously when the volcano was still spewing lava. He has a fabulous memory of sitting in the hot springs, sipping cocktails and watching while the volcano lit up the sky. 

The volcano is now dormant, but still a spectacular sight, plus there’s plenty more to do in La Fortuna and Arenal, from sloth walks to chocolate making and ziplining. It’s one of the country’s premier wildlife spotting destinations and there are plentiful farms and nature reserves on the outskirts of town. Plus it’s also a big hub for adventure activities, and of course there’s the volcano that dominates the skyline.

Many people are put off by how touristy La Fortuna can be. The downtown lacks charm, and the whole area is overrun with tour operators, making it very busy. While this is true, just a short drive beyond the centre, you’ll find yourself immersed in lush jungle, quiet reserves, and the kind of wildlife encounters that make Costa Rica so special. We still had a wonderful time there, and it’s a handy place to see a lot of Costa Rica’s highlights – like wildlife, jungle, coffee, cacao and adventure activities – all in one place. It’s a popular spot to pair with a beach stay to see two sides of Costa Rica. 

Here’s our guide to the best things to do in La Fortuna with kids (or without).

We also have family guides to Santa Teresa and Manuel Antonio.

The best things to do in La Fortuna with kids (or without)

1. Visit the Hot Springs

La Fortuna is famous for its abundance of natural hot springs, all heated by the Arenal Volcano. Soaking in one of these steamy pools surrounded by jungle is a quintessential Costa Rica experience. Many hotels have their own private springs (like we enjoyed at El Silencio del Campo), but there are also several standalone resorts you can visit, ranging from luxurious to lively to laid-back.

Some of the most popular options include:

• Tabacón – the most luxurious and beautiful setting, with naturally flowing thermal rivers and lush landscaping.
• The Springs Resort – sprawling, high-end, and good for views of the volcano.
• EcoTermales – a quieter, more intimate option with limited numbers each day.
• Baldi Hot Springs – big and busy with waterslides and a party vibe. Popular with kids but one that we gave a wide berth!
• Paradise Hot Springs – more affordable with well-kept facilities.

There’s also a free hot spring option at El Choyin (near Tabacón). It’s a natural stretch of river with warm thermal water. Expect a more rustic experience—no changing rooms or facilities—and it can get crowded at peak times, but it’s a great budget option and feels very local.

2. Go on a sloth-spotting walk

La Fortuna is one of the best places in Costa Rica to see sloths in the wild. But it can be pretty tricky working out which one to choose. Some are accused of collecting sloths from elsewhere and putting them in their reserve, and there are even reports of fake sloths up in the trees!

I spent a lot of time researching and finally decided to try the Bogarin Trail. It’s just off the main road, but still feels peaceful and wild. We did a two-hour walk along easy trails and saw five sloths, a tree frog, a poison dart frog, owls, and more. Our 7-year-old was mesmerised, while the 4-year-old struggled a bit with the heat. I recommend going early in the morning if it’s a hot day. And I also highly recommend doing a guided walk as the sloths are hard to spot, plus you need to use the guide’s viewing scope to see them properly.

Other great options include Ecogarden Arenal, known for its sustainability focus, and Proyecto Asis. At Proyecto Asis, you do a sloth walk in the wild as well as a tour of the sanctuary, which guarantees up-close sightings. 

3. Explore Mistico Hanging Bridges

Mistico Hanging Bridges, just outside La Fortuna, is one of the most beautiful places we visited in the area, filled with wild jungle and epic views of the volcano and trees below. The jungle canopy walk is a big adventure for both little and big explorers, taking you across six (or eight, depending on the route) wobbly suspension bridges with stunning views of the rainforest. 

We were slightly nervous about the gaps (okay, I was!), but it felt safe overall, and the kids loved the adventure. 

The self-guided walk takes about 1.5–2 hours to complete and is doable without a guide. Although doing the guided tour would mean you spot more wildlife. 

There’s an onsite café selling poke bowls if you need a quick lunch after.

4. Take a chocolate-making workshop

We had a fantastic time at Two Monkeys, a family-friendly chocolate tour designed with kids in mind. The boys loved grinding cacao nibs and making their own hot chocolate, while we tried the traditional version with cayenne pepper. They also got to create their own chocolates, using moulds and multiple toppings.

While we waited for the chocolates to set, we explored the garden, learning a bit more about how cacao is grown. The setting is sublime, and the experience is hands-on, informative, and a definite crowd-pleaser. We all loved it.

If you’re keen to learn about coffee too, other combined tours include Don Juan and Finca La Esperanza. Or you could do just coffee at North Fields. We opted for Two Monkeys as it sounded the most kid-friendly, plus we did a coffee tour in Monteverde.

5. Do a gentle jungle rafting trip

If your kids have a bit more stamina (and don’t mind sitting still), the Peñas Blancas River offers gentle, wildlife-rich rafting tours suitable for families. We skipped this as two hours on a boat felt like a bit much for our youngest, but it could be perfect for slightly older kids.

6. Visit El Salto rope swing

This is a popular local swimming hole with a natural rope swing for the brave. We didn’t manage to try it ourselves as the kids were too young, but it’s free, fun, and a hit with families and locals alike. Just be cautious as the current can be strong in rainy season and the swing looks fairly perilous!

7. Explore Ecocentro Danaus

This small private reserve just outside of town offers a short, manageable trail perfect for young kids. It’s quieter and less well-known than some of the larger parks, but great for seeing wildlife in a more low-key setting.

9. Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall (if your kids can handle the steps!)

We debated doing this one, as the trail includes around 500 steps, which can be a challenge with little legs. We ended up skipping it after doing Rio Celeste with many complaints! But for families with energetic kids or older children, it’s a spectacular sight—especially if you pack swimwear for a dip at the bottom. Steve went and loved it.

10. Hike around the volcano

This is another one for more active kids and families. You can’t hike on the volcano, but you can go around it and even walk inside some of the hardened lava flows. The two main trails are Sendero Las Coladas (Lave Flow Trail) and Sendero El Ceibo. A quieter option is El Silencio Mirador, which culminates in an epic viewpoint of the volcano. 

11. Stay in a jungle treehouse

We had a magical stay at an amazing treehouse with views of the volcano. Just ten minutes from Fortuna, it felt worlds away in the middle of the forest. The rustic accommodation was surprisingly comfy, and waking up to sunrise and volcano views, with bird calls all around, was one of the most memorable moments of our trip. There’s also a shared swimming pool.

Be aware that the treehouse is called Cabana y Mirador Los Tucanes, but it’s tricky to find as the sign down the road says Cabanas Rous & Campos!

Where to stay in La Fortuna with kids

We already mentioned the treehouse, but two other places we loved are El Silencio del Campo and Hotel Mansion Arenal.

El Silencio del Campo

This mid-range hot spring resort feels far more intimate (and affordable!) than some of the bigger players in town. While it’s close to the main road and the pool area isn’t huge, the hot springs are truly special, and the setting around them is gorgeous. We had the whole area to ourselves during the daytime. Breakfast and dinner were both good, and the spa is well worth a splurge—I had one of the best massages of my life there! They also have good family facilities, including a playground, mini farm and trampoline. We saw a lot of wildlife on the property, including a sloth and loads of incredible lizards. 

Check availability and book now.

Hotel La Mansion Inn Arenal

Set right on the lake, this place offers a quieter alternative to the bustle of La Fortuna town. The view from the pool is breathtaking. It’s more bucolic than jungle-y, and while the restaurant isn’t a standout, the accommodation is comfortable and well-suited to families. It’s about 30 minutes outside the centre of La Fortuna on the way to Monteverde. It worked well with our itinerary as we stopped there en route to Monteverde and straight after Mistico, which is in the same direction.

Check availability and book now.

Cabana y Mirador Los Tucanes

I already talked about the treehouse, Cabana y Mirador Los Tucanes, in number 11 on this list, but it’s definitely one of the most special places to stay with kids in La Fortuna.

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