La Fortuna packs an unusual amount of variety into a small area, built almost entirely around access to the Arenal Volcano and its surrounding rainforest. Here are ten things worth your time. Hiking the old lava trails in Arenal Volcano National Park gives close-up views of the volcano's slopes, with genuine chances to spot sloths, toucans, and coatis along the way. Natural hot springs, heated geothermally by the volcano itself, range from free public riverside spots to resort-style complexes — try at least one of each if your schedule allows. Canopy zip-lining through the rainforest is the area's signature adventure activity, widely available through operators based in La Fortuna town. The Mistico Hanging Bridges offer wildlife spotting at treetop level, a calmer complement to zip-lining on the same day if you want to vary the pace. La Fortuna Waterfall, reached via a steep but manageable trail, rewards the climb down with a swimmable pool at the base — go early to avoid the busiest hours. A guided night walk through the rainforest reveals a different set of wildlife entirely from daytime hikes — frogs, insects, and nocturnal mammals rarely visible otherwise. Lake Arenal, a scenic drive around its perimeter, offers volcano views from the water's edge and several worthwhile stops for photography along the way. A coffee or chocolate tour, available through several local farms, gives context on Costa Rican agriculture beyond the area's more adventure-focused activities. Horseback riding through the countryside surrounding La Fortuna is a slower-paced way to see the landscape if you want a break from hiking. Finally, a soak at one of the area's many hot spring complexes — whether on arrival, mid-trip, or your last evening — is genuinely one of the best ways to close out a few days of hiking and zip-lining. Book a guide for wildlife-focused activities specifically — sloths, toucans, and other wildlife are considerably easier to spot with someone trained to find them.