La Fortuna Waterfall Maleku Horseback Ride
This tour gives you a comprehensive introduction to the territory that surrounds La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano. You'll go horseback riding, hiking, and swimming, and experience one of Costa Rica's indigenous cultures at the Maleku Reserve.
- Duration: 4 hrs
- Available Days: Every day
- Schedule: 8:30 AM, 1:00 PM
- Hotel Transport Included
- Mobile Ticket Included
- Offered in English, Spanish
Experience Highlights
This beautiful horseback riding tour starts just half a mile (2 km) south of La Fortuna de San Carlos, where one of our guides or Don Adrian, the owner, will welcome you and escort you to the stable. Once there, the guide will provide safety equipment and instructions of the tour in general.
The guide will pick horses depending on the experience of each of the riders. The ride takes about 45 minutes, and you'll be accompanied by the sounds of the rainforest birds and the La Fortuna River. It is also possible (with a bit of luck) to spot toucans, monkeys, peccaries, coatis and more.
Once you arrive at the entrance of the waterfall, the horses are left behind so you can enjoy the great views from the lookout, this waterfall is 262 feet (80 m) tall. After a short rest and some water, you will walk down 200+ steps to the river. You'll cross over a suspension bridge of 65 feet (20 m) and then reach the bottom of the canyon. Here you can relax and swim in the cool waters of the river for about 30 minutes.
After enjoying the refreshing waters, the walk back to the top begins. Once everyone ready, another 25-minute horseback ride will start, and head toward the Maleku Reserve. At the reserve, participants will have the chance to learn more about the lives and habits of the indigenous people. Next, you'll return to the stable. The tour does not properly involve an indigenous Maleku territory, but a parallel process of its inhabitants, seeking to incorporate within the project all the particularities that this culture has, to generate specific initiatives to encourage sustainable tourism as a source of employment for this population.
This is a great tour recommended for children, families, couples, and young people. Please keep in mind that the hike up and down is moderately strenuous, and not recommended for people with limited mobility, a heart condition or physical ailment.
Attraction Visited
La Fortuna WaterfallLocated just 6 km outside the town of La Fortuna, this stunning waterfall provides visitors with a wonderful place to swim and relax. Situated at the base of the dormant Chato volcano amidst a thriving rain forest, the location for this waterfall couldn't get any better.
What to Bring
Comfortable clothing, long pants, hiking shoes, bathing suit, camera, sunscreen and insect repellent. Changing rooms onsite for waterfall hike.
What's included
Free transportation from downtown Arenal hotels, water bottle a visit to the Maleku Indigenous Reserve.
Transportation
Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “More Time and Rates” for full details.
Traveler Comments
Great experience but terrible weather. It rained the whole time. Despite the wet challenging stairs to the waterfall the guide took very good care of us.
An excellent tour
Overall, this is a great and fun activity and we never forget
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