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With many of Costa Rica’s creatures only coming out after dark, the best way to spot more wildlife is by joining a night tour in La Fortuna.
We loved having a guide who knew the rainforest and made sure we didn’t miss anything from rare frogs to possums and even sleeping sloths!
But not all night tours in La Fortuna are created equal, and after doing a few different ones ourselves, we found some standouts. So keep reading to learn about the best tours!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our FAVORITE night tour in La Fortuna is this Rainforest Night Walk with an authentic Costa Rican meal. We spotted so many creatures with the help of our expert guide and got a great meal at the end!
Check out all the 5-star reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour books up quickly, especially in the busy season, so reserve now and you get FREE cancellation.
Best Night Tours in La Fortuna
1. Rainforest Night Walk and Authentic Costa Rican Dinner
This night walk and dinner tour was one of the best experiences we’ve had in Costa Rica – we saw so many amazing creatures!
It includes a 1.5-hour guided hike around La Fortuna’s mirrored lakes to the frog sanctuary. You’ll get to see both the biggest and smallest types of frog in Costa Rica – the bullfrog and the dart frog – as well as glass frogs and red-eyed tree frogs.
On top of a rainbow assortment of frogs, we also saw a huge green lizard and even a bullet ant, which made us super thankful that we were with our guide – you do not want to get stung by one of those bad boys. There are also sloths and toucans in the area, as well as tons of insects like beetles and some huge crickets.
After the nature walk, you’ll enjoy a traditional Costa Rican dinner, cooked over a wood-burning stove. There’s something special about a locally prepared meal, and we can honestly say that the one we got on this tour was one of the best we’ve had in the entire country.
This tour is $65 USD including entry to the frog reserve, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a delicious dinner, so we definitely think it’s great value for money. It also has lots of 5-star reviews you can read here!
Book this highly-rated night walk here and you’ll get FREE cancellation!
2. Night Walk Around the Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano is one of the must-visit volcanoes in Costa Rica and turns out, it’s also one of the best places to spot wildlife at night in La Fortuna. This Arenal Volcano walking tour takes you on a guided hike around the foot of the volcano to spot the fascinating nocturnal creatures that live here.
Some of the top creatures to spot include howler, squirrel, and white-faced monkeys. You might even see coatis, which I always find so cute! There are also tons of frogs and reptiles around, such as bocaracá vipers, red-eyed tree frogs, and toads.
One of our favorite parts of this tour was seeing the sky light up with fireflies. It created a really magical atmosphere in the rainforest.
We also loved this tour because our guide was awesome. He helped us snap some amazing photos of the wildlife and knew something about every creature we found!
The tour costs $49 USD and this is a small group tour with a max of 10 people. It’s also a great option for families!
Reserve your spot online here and you can pay later!
3. Night tour through the Tropical Forest at Tifakara
This Tifakara night tour is a quick tour that’s really budget-friendly. It’s also a self-drive option, so it’s a good way to save money if you’ve already got a rental car in La Fortuna.
It begins at the Tifakara Lodge (which is one of the most amazing places to stay in La Fortuna, just FYI) and then takes you on a guided night walk through the rainforest near the Arenal Volcano.
You’ll get to enjoy an hour-long walk through two different frog sanctuaries. You’re likely to see blue jeans frogs, glass frogs, and red-eyed tree frogs, just to name a few! Plus, there are plenty of sloths, snakes, tarantulas, and beautiful flowers as you go.
After the tour, you’ll receive a complimentary beer, wine, or cocktail by the pool at the Tifakara Lodge, which is the perfect way to round off the evening. The lodge is nestled right into the rainforest, so you might get lucky and spot even more wildlife while you’re enjoying your drink!
This is a small group tour with a maximum of 10 people. It’s a great option for anyone limited on time as it only lasts an hour and costs $34 USD.
Reserve this 1-hour tropical forest night walk online here.
Related Read: While visiting La Fortuna, it’s worth checking out the best hanging bridges in the area. Walking through and over the trees is an experience you don’t want to miss!
4. La Fortuna Frogs and Wildlife Night Tour
You’ll spot bats, reptiles, and frogs galore on this night jungle tour in La Fortuna! You’ll meet at the Daunus Ecocenter, which is a 10-minute drive from the town center.
From the Ecocenter, you’ll begin a 2-hour guided walk through the jungle to spot a whole host of nocturnal wildlife. The Ecocenter is very close to Sloth’s Territory, so you’re likely to see lots of these cute creatures lazing around in the trees, as well as tons of frogs, bats, and creepy crawlies! You can also spot ringed kingfishers resting in the trees as well as sleeping butterflies.
This is another small group tour and your guides will help you capture picture-perfect snaps of the animals and insects you see along the way. The tour guides know their stuff, so you’ll be sure to learn plenty of details about the creatures you see.
This tour is $64 USD and has multiple departure times every night. We personally recommend going at 5:30 pm because this is when the wildlife is the most active. The daytime creatures are settling in for the night and the nocturnal species are just waking up, so you get to see even more action!
Purchase your tickets in advance here!
5. Frog Watching Night Walk
There are 149 known species of frogs in Costa Rica, and while we can’t promise you’ll see them all on this frog watching night walk, it’s certainly a good place to start!
The tour begins at one of the top ecolodges in Costa Rica, the Arenal Oasis Eco Lodge, where you’ll head out to explore easy walking trails. This tour takes off at 5:45 pm, which is the perfect time to spot an abundance of frogs because the daytime species haven’t gone to sleep and the nocturnal frogs are just waking up.
Your guide will take you past frog ponds and through the forest to see tons of different species. You’ll even have the chance to see glass frogs, which are almost impossible to spot in the wild since they’re translucent and do an amazing job of blending into their surroundings.
You might catch a glimpse of some blue jeans frogs or black and green poison dart frogs too. It’s so cool to see these creatures in their natural habitat, and being with a guide who can teach you interesting facts about these animals really adds to the experience.
This walking tour costs $50 USD per person, and the group size caps at 8 people so it’s a super personal and close-knit adventure.
Book this adventure here and you can reserve now and pay later!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Related Read: If you’re staying in San Jose but interested in one of these night tours, we’ve made the trip for you! Check out our guide on the best stops from San Jose to La Fortuna.
What to Wear on a Night Tour in La Fortuna?
You’ll need to wear some comfortable, closed-toed shoes to protect your feet from the forest floor. It’s still pretty warm at night in La Fortuna so it’s a good idea to wear lightweight, breathable clothing.
We also recommend wearing long pants and long sleeves to protect against bugs and mosquitos. Bring insect repellent and a flashlight too, as you’ll be in the rainforest most of the time.
Other Things to do While You’re in La Fortuna
With a night tour checked off your itinerary, there are so many other things to do in La Fortuna you won’t want to miss! These are just a few of our top picks:
- Drink great coffee – It’s no secret some of the best coffee in the world comes from Costa Rica! We had the freshest cup of coffee and tasted amazing homemade chocolate on this Costa Rican coffee and chocolate experience that takes place on a small family-owned plantation.
- Hot springs – One of the best free activities in La Fortuna is the natural hot springs! The Free Natural Hot Spring River is a public river running through the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. It’s only 15 minutes outside La Fortuna and feels amazing after a day of hiking! If you don’t mind paying for a soak, there are tons of other amazing hot springs in La Fortuna to choose from too.
- Arenal Volcano – Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of La Fortuna! You can wander the trails at Arenal Volcano National Park on your own or as part of a hiking tour. For more unique volcano views, take to the sky aboard the Sky Tram, fly by on an ATV ride, or take a leisurely sunset cruise on Lake Arenal.
- Hanging bridges – Make sure to walk among the treetops! The Mistico Hanging Bridges are some of the best around here. There are 14 total bridges here with 6 of them being hanging bridges. It’s a fantastic place to spot wildlife especially if you join this guided tour!
- Visit a rope swing – El Salto, or “the rope swing,” is a hidden paradise with a swimming hole, more waterfalls, and a local vibe. You can easily walk to El Salto from town and swing into the refreshing waters – or ask the locals where it’s safe to jump!
Where to Stay in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Because La Fortuna is such a big tourist town, there are a ton of amazing places to stay. We even wrote an entire blog about the best hotels in La Fortuna. However, to make it super easy, we’ve narrowed it down to our top places for each price point. So keep reading to find one that suits your needs (and budget!).
Luxury – $$$
Those with a luxury budget can wake up to views of Arenal Volcano! The Volcano Lodge is set at the foot of Arenal Volcano. It has hot springs and a lush, tropical garden on the property where you can see lots of the beautiful birds of Costa Rica, including hummingbirds! Rooms here typically start at $200 USD per night. For a luxurious stay in a natural setting, book The Volcano Lodge online here.
For arguably the most luxurious hotel in La Fortuna, check out The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal. While the rooms don’t come cheap ($600 USD+), it’s a bucket list place to stay that’s perfect for visiting Costa Rica on a honeymoon! There’s also a resort-style pool, a fitness center, a swim-up bar, hot tubs, and a spa and wellness center. If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury, reserve your stay at The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal!
Mid-range – $$
Those with a medium budget should check out Casa Luna Hotel & Spa. I stayed here on my first visit to La Fortuna and loved it. The property is beautiful, with a large pool and four hot tubs surrounded by nature. They also include a delicious breakfast at the $170 USD room rate. Casa Luna is located a short drive from town and can be booked online here.
Budget – $
One of the go-to budget options is Selina La Fortuna. I’ve stayed in Selina hostels around the world, and this is a great one. It has a fun party atmosphere and a great co-working space where we spent a lot of time. You can also book on Booking.com or Hostelworld.com for the best rate.
La Fortuna Natural Green is another budget option suited to those who prefer to avoid hostels. They offer small chalets a short walk or drive from town. Rooms start at $75 USD and include free breakfast. To grab this great deal, check prices and availability on Booking.com.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
Joining a night tour is such a unique activity to do in La Fortuna. You get to see tons of different animals like birds, snakes, spiders, and plenty of frogs. It’s a really cool experience and it’s amazing to hear the sounds of the rainforest at night.
We hope you enjoyed this list and maybe even found a night tour you’re excited to take! We have tons of blogs about Costa Rica and would love to pass on some of our favorite recommendations so you can have an awesome vacation. We’ve listed some articles below and hope you enjoy them!
Best Activities for One Day in San Jose, Costa Rica