This tour begins visiting an open-air butterfly garden. It’s a very different concept from traditional butterfly enclosures that uses host plants to recreate a natural environment to attract local butterflies from the surrounding trees. This way, you avoid confining them into a huge cage and preventing them from accomplishing their role in the ecosystem. Here you can learn about the vital part these, and other, insects play keeping the forest healthy.

A short distance away from this garden, you’ll find The Orchid Trail, which is a natural exhibition of over 150 different kinds. These plants can be seen holding from the trees just the same way you would find them in the depths of the rainforest. Here you’ll discover how curious can be the behavior of these particular plants and how fierce can be its adaptations to survive the harshest environmental conditions.

Next, we will be taking a trail to the waterfall base and its crystalline waters. At the beginning of the trail, you will find a lookout where you can appreciate the beauty of the water body, which stands out from all the trees. On the way, you might spot different species of birds, mammals, and reptiles as the trail go through the rainforest part of the Arenal Volcano National Park. Once you reach the base, you’ll witness La Fortuna River Waterfall as it jumps from a 210 feet rocky wall into a natural pool. Here you can swim in its refreshing waters, take amazing photographs, or relax and enjoy the beauty of La Fortuna Waterfall.

Additional information

Please remember that the hike up and down the waterfall is fairly demanding, and not advised for people with limited mobility, physical ailment, or a heart condition. Well, you’ll have to walk along 530 steps.