La Fortuna, Costa Rica, is one of those places that feels made for a family adventure. Between the rainforest, wildlife, volcano views, hot springs, and kid-friendly tours, there are so many amazing things to do with kids.
We stayed in the Arenal Volcano area near Tabacón, and it ended up being one of our favorite parts of our Costa Rica family trip. Even with some rainy weather, everything felt magical, lush, and full of adventure.
Here are the best family-friendly activities to add to your La Fortuna itinerary with kids.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products and services I use and love. As always, all opinions are my own.
Take a Sloth Tour with kids near Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
One of our favorite activities while staying at Tabacón in the Arenal Volcano area was the Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class. It was beautiful, kid-friendly, and absolutely worth it.
This was such a special experience because it combined wildlife, nature, and local Costa Rican culture in a way that was easy and fun for the whole family. We saw different types of sloths (4 sloths in total), plus frogs, birds and bats, and the pace of the tour worked really well with the kids.
A huge thank you to Mar, who made the experience extra special. She made sure Zoe was right at the front of the line and answered every question with so much patience and kindness. That kind of guide makes such a big difference when traveling with children.
In addition to seeing wildlife, we squeezed fresh sugarcane, drank the juice, made tortillas, and had lunch afterward. It felt like more than just a wildlife tour; it was a fun, hands-on Costa Rica experience that the kids could really participate in.
The whole Sloth Tour took about 2 hours, and we booked it through Viator. Don’t forget to book through Rakuten if you use it, so you can earn points or cash back.
Visit La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica
La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the most famous places to visit in the area, and it is a great activity to add if your kids are comfortable with stairs and walking.
The waterfall is absolutely beautiful, surrounded by lush rainforest, and the scenery feels like something out of a movie. There are many steps down to the waterfall, which means you also have to climb them back up, so this activity is better for families with kids who can handle a bit of a workout.
You can swim near the waterfall depending on conditions, but the water can be strong and cold, so always be careful with children and follow posted guidance.
Go on a Night Walk near Arenal Volcano to spot the iconic red-eyed frog
Another amazing activity we did while staying near Tabacón was a Night Walk Around Arenal Volcano. The kids were absolutely thrilled.
This was one of those tours that felt like a real rainforest adventure. We started our walk at 5:30 pm, right before sunset, and we saw red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, and other reptiles, and everything felt so exciting once it got dark. Flashlights were provided, which made it easy and fun for the kids to explore safely.
It actually started raining during the walk, but luckily we had picked up raincoats from a store in La Fortuna the day before. They definitely came in handy, and honestly, the rain made the whole experience feel even more like a true Costa Rica rainforest adventure.
This was such a cool experience and very easy to book. We booked the Night Walk Around Arenal Volcano on Viator just one day before, which made it a great last-minute activity.
Take a hike at the Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
We also visited Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal while staying in the Tabacón / La Fortuna area, and I definitely think it is worth adding to your family itinerary.
The park is usually open daily, and entrance fees for foreign visitors are typically around $15 USD + tax for adults and $5 USD + tax for children. Always double-check the official park information before you go, since hours and prices can change.
One very important thing to know before you go to the Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica: the park is open daily, but the last entry is at 2:30 PM. Make sure to arrive earlier in the day so you have enough time to enjoy the trails without feeling rushed.
Another helpful tip for families: the bathroom you see at the very beginning is the only bathroom, so make sure everyone uses it before starting your hike.
When we first arrived, it was pouring rain, so it felt like we might not get much of a view at all. But then the weather started to clear, and we were still able to do one hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
The tip of the volcano never fully opened up for us, but honestly, it was beautiful anyway. The rainforest, the clouds, the dramatic volcano views, and the whole atmosphere made it feel like such a special Costa Rica experience.
Even with the rain, it was absolutely worth visiting. If you are looking for things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica with kids that feel outdoorsy but not too intense, Arenal Volcano National Park is a great choice.
Tip: Bring rain jackets, comfortable walking shoes, water, and snacks. The weather around Arenal can change quickly.
Explore Hanging Bridges in La Fortuna, Costa Rica with kids
Hanging bridges are a great family-friendly activity near Arenal Volcano because they feel adventurous without being too intense.
Two popular places to visit are Místico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park and Sky Adventures Arenal Park. Místico is a great choice for families with younger kids because you can walk at your own pace and enjoy the rainforest, bridges, and volcano views.
Sky Adventures is better if you want to combine hanging bridges with other activities like the Sky Tram or ziplining.
Kids love the excitement of walking above the rainforest, and it is also a fun way to look for birds, monkeys, insects, and other wildlife.
Tip: Go early, wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and pack raincoats because the weather near Arenal Volcano can change quickly.
Ziplining in La Fortuna Costa Rica with Kids
Ziplining near Arenal Volcano is one of the most exciting things to do in La Fortuna with adventurous kids.
Two popular family-friendly options are Arenal Ecoglide Park and Sky Adventures Arenal Park. Arenal Ecoglide is a good choice for first-time ziplining or younger kids because it is known as a more beginner-friendly canopy tour. Sky Adventures Arenal is great for older kids or families who want a bigger adventure, with ziplining, aerial views, and the option to combine it with the Sky Tram or hanging bridges.
Make sure to check age, height, and weight requirements before booking because every tour is different. If your kids are brave and love adventure, ziplining can be one of the highlights of a Costa Rica family trip.
Soak in Thermal Pools and Hot Springs of Costa Rica
The Arenal Volcano area is famous for hot springs, and staying at Tabacón Resort made this part of our trip so easy and special. Since access to the hot springs was included with our hotel stay, we could enjoy them without having to plan another separate activity.
The hot springs at Tabacón were natural, with warm mineral water flowing through lush gardens instead of feeling like regular pools. The whole area is big and beautiful, so it was easy to walk around, explore different pools, and find spots that worked for both adults and kids.
The kids had an absolute blast. After busy days filled with sloth tours, night walks, hiking, rain, and adventure, it was so nice to come back to the hotel and relax in the warm water. It felt peaceful for us, but still fun and exciting for them.
Another thing we loved was that the hot springs at Tabacon were open late until 10 pm, which made them perfect after a full day of exploring La Fortuna.
Take a Chocolate or Coffee Tour in La Fortuna with Kids
A chocolate or coffee tour is a great family-friendly activity in La Fortuna, especially on a rainy afternoon or slower day.
For chocolate, popular options include the Don Olivo Chocolate Tour and the Rainforest Chocolate Tour. Kids love seeing how cacao turns into chocolate, and tasting it along the way. For coffee, look for a local farm tour where you can learn how coffee is grown, roasted, and prepared.
Tips for visiting La Fortuna, Costa Rica with kids
La Fortuna is very family-friendly, but a little preparation makes a big difference when traveling with kids.
- Bring raincoats or ponchos — Rain can happen quickly in the Arenal Volcano area, especially during the rainy season (summer and early fall)
- Pack bug spray — Since many of the best things to do in La Fortuna with kids are in the rainforest, bug spray is very helpful.
- Wear comfortable shoes that can get wet or muddy — Many family-friendly activities in La Fortuna are outdoors, and the trails can be slippery after rain.
- Book popular La Fortuna tours ahead when possible — Sloth tours, night walks, ziplining, hanging bridges, and hot springs can be popular with families.
- Pack snacks and water for the kids — This is especially helpful for hikes, national park visits, waterfall stops, and longer tours.
- Be flexible with the weather — The Arenal Volcano area can be cloudy or rainy, but the scenery is still beautiful.
Bottom line
Is La Fortuna Worth Visiting with Kids? Yes — La Fortuna was absolutely worth visiting with kids. It had the perfect mix of wildlife, nature, adventure, and relaxation.
Our favorite experiences were the sloth tour, the night walk, and the thermal pools at Tabacón. The area felt safe, beautiful, and full of activities that made the kids excited to explore.
If you are planning a Costa Rica family trip and wondering about the best things to do in La Fortuna, Costa Rica with kids, I would definitely include this area in your itinerary. Between the sloths, frogs, volcano views, rainforest walks, waterfalls, hot springs, ziplining, and hanging bridges, La Fortuna is one of the best places in Costa Rica for a family adventure.
