LA GARZA HORSEBACK RIDING
Imagine cantering through sugar cane plantations, fording thigh-deep rivers, rounding up cattle and trotting through virgin rain forest on top of a fine, well bred Paso Fino steed. All this, while Arenal Volcano rumbles majestically in the background. Sounds too good to be true? Just come riding with us......
PEACE CLOUD FOREST
Our friend's truly enigmatic private cloud forest reserve in the Central Cordillera (A cloud forest is a special type of rain forest -- the famous cloud forest in Costa Rica, Monteverde, is called the "crowd forest" by local tour guides). Ascending about 1 1/2 hours from the hotel to about 7,500 feet you'll see a markedly different environment of plants. Here in the benign cloud forest the species of animals and plants change dramatically, and, because the cloud forest is a "closed" environment (atop the peaks only), the plant species seen here remain much as they were before the dinosaurs roamed the earth.
ASCEND THE STRANGLER TREE
La Garza in conjunction with Serendipity Adventures offer a unique way to see our magnificent 800+ year-old strangler tree - from within. An inspiring horseback ride from the casona to the forest, across rivers and through pasture and on a private horse trail in the forest, and you arrive at the base of the strangler tree. Using safety harnesses and ropes for security, first your Serendipity guide, then you, ascend the now-hollow trunk of the tree. OUTSIDE Magazine columnist Randy Wayne White thought this was the most interesting way to be inside a living organism -- and expressed hopes it would be the only time he would do so.
CAÑO NEGRO AND RIO FRIO BY SMALL BOAT
Small boats close to the water move silently beneath the overhanging trees, coming up to the birds and monkeys and lizards without disturbing them. With each boat carrying only 4 people, the silence and stealth permit real natural observation.
ARENAL VOLCANO WATCH
You can join a tour group to drive up to one of the viewing locations for the Arenal eruptions. Tour companies have access to several locations, and select the evening's spot based on both the lava flow conditions and the current cloud conditions. (NOTE: Because Arenal creates its own steam, condensation around the volcano often obscures lava flows. Viewing opportunities are erratic, but lava flows are visible ONLY after dark).
FORTUNA WATERFALL
15 minutes hike to the look out point of the waterfall, then a 20 minutes walk to arrive at the bottom of the cascade; where you can have a refreshing swim surrounded by nature, nature and nature!!.
TABACON HOT SPRINGS
Costa Rica's number one tourist attraction. Directly beneath Arenal Volcano*. Dozens of manicured pools filled with hot water from the volcanic river. A wonderful place to spend an evening, when the lava flow from the volcano is possibly visible.
VENADO CAVES
The Venado Caves Caves have 8 separate rooms with different rock formations including stalactites and stalagmites. You will be totally agape when you see a small waterfall flow from the center of the caves providing a most unique sight, as you walk down the middle of the stream.
FORTUNA CANOPY TOUR
An adrenaline-packed two hours. First spend forty-five minutes on horseback getting to the hillside with the tree platforms. Put on climbing harnesses, and climb stairs to the first platform. Hook onto the pulley on the steel cable, and GO! For thirty seconds you are zipping along the cable, arriving at the next platform breathless. The guide then moves your pulley connector to the next cable, and you once again zip for 30 seconds to the next platform. Seven platforms later, you rappel down to the earth and get back in the saddle.
PEÑAS BLANCAS FLOAT TRIP
Get on a raft to drift down the Peñas Blancas river, a smaller tributary of the San Carlos. The banks of the Peñas Blancas provide shelter for many water birds and other wildlife.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
There are several bike rental companies in Fortuna, and we're happy to arrange a bike for you.
WATER RAFTING
At the Sarapiquí River. Classes III, IV and V are offered at this place. More than twenty rapids on a river surrounded by a spectacular rain forest. It's a whole day trip. There are different classes for experienced or inexperienced travelers.
Imagine cantering through sugar cane plantations, fording thigh-deep rivers, rounding up cattle and trotting through virgin rain forest on top of a fine, well bred Paso Fino steed.
There is two ways to get up to the rapelling platform: One of our guide climb up for a rope helping the tourist
that is holding and seating in a chair.
You can join a tour group to drive up to one of the Arenal eruptions. Tour companies have access to several locations.