5 curated date ideas for couples in La Fortuna — from Arenal Hanging Bridges Nature Walk and Soda Viquez Casado and Waterfall Trail to hidden-gem experiences. Every idea includes where to go, what it costs, and how long to plan for.
Walk the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges trail system, a three-kilometre loop through primary and secondary rainforest on the slopes of Arenal Volcano with sixteen bridges, six of which are suspended high above the forest canopy, swaying gently as you cross. The longest hanging bridge stretches nearly 100 metres, offering a bird's-eye view of the canopy where toucans, sloths, and coati move through the branches at eye level. Early morning visits offer the best wildlife sightings, with howler monkeys still drowsy and the Arenal emerald toucanet particularly active at dawn. The trail is well-maintained with clear signage and no technical difficulty, making it accessible for all fitness levels. On clear days, the perfectly conical profile of Arenal Volcano dominates the view above the treetops, its slopes still bearing the scars of the 1968 eruption that reshaped the region. The forest floor is a world of its own, with poison dart frogs in electric blue and red hopping between the buttress roots. This immersive nature experience brings you face-to-face with the astonishing biodiversity of Costa Rica's volcanic lowlands.
Food & drink · Budget-friendly · 3-4 hours · Soda Viquez & La Fortuna Waterfall
Begin your morning at Soda Viquez, a local institution on the main street of La Fortuna, for an authentic Costa Rican casado: a heaping plate of white rice, black beans, sweet fried plantain, crispy pork chop, fresh cabbage salad, and a fried egg, all for a handful of dollars. The soda's plastic tables and counter service belie the quality of the food, which is made fresh daily by a team of Tico grandmothers who have been cooking here for decades. After fuelling up, drive ten minutes to the La Fortuna Waterfall trailhead and descend 500 steps through dense rainforest to the base of the 70-metre cascade, where the Arenal River plunges over a basalt cliff into a pool of cool, emerald-green water perfect for swimming. The mist from the falls refreshes your skin as you stand at the base looking up at the curtain of white water framed by tropical vegetation. The climb back up is a workout, but the shared sense of achievement at the top, with jelly legs and wide smiles, is deeply satisfying. This is the classic La Fortuna date: honest food, natural wonder, and the joy of earning your view.
Surrender to the volcanic warmth of Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa, where naturally heated water from Arenal Volcano cascades through a series of landscaped pools, waterfalls, and channels set among lush tropical gardens. The resort's dozen-plus pools range from lukewarm to nearly forty degrees Celsius, allowing you to find your perfect temperature as you move between cascading falls and secluded pools hidden behind flowering heliconias and bird-of-paradise plants. The nighttime experience is particularly magical: the pools are lit by torches, the stars appear above the volcanic silhouette, and the surrounding jungle comes alive with frog songs and firefly flashes. The entry fee includes access to the Grand Spa's wet areas, a swim-up bar serving tropical cocktails, and a full dinner buffet featuring Costa Rican and international cuisine. Upgrade to a couples massage performed in a riverside cabana for the ultimate indulgence. This is the most romantic wellness experience in Costa Rica, a place where the earth itself provides the healing.
Nightlife · Splurge · 2-3 hours · Don Rufino Restaurant, La Fortuna
Reserve a terrace table at Don Rufino, La Fortuna's most acclaimed restaurant, for a farm-to-table dinner with a front-row view of Arenal Volcano as the sun sets behind it. The menu celebrates Costa Rican ingredients with international technique: start with ceviche of corvina in tiger's milk with avocado and plantain chips, followed by slow-braised short ribs in a Lizano-sauce reduction served with yuca purée and roasted root vegetables. The wine list features South American and Spanish labels at reasonable mark-ups, and the cocktail menu includes a smoky-sweet creation with mezcal, tamarind, and smoked pineapple. As darkness falls, the volcano sometimes puts on a show: while major eruptions ceased in 2010, the mountain still occasionally vents steam and rumbles, and on clear nights the conical silhouette stands black against the stars. The restaurant's ambiance is refined but unpretentious, attracting a mix of couples, families, and food-focused travellers. This is the finest dining experience in the Arenal region and a date that matches spectacular food with an equally spectacular view.
Experience · Mid-range · 2-3 hours · La Fortuna Rainforest
Join a naturalist guide for a two-hour night walk through the rainforest on the outskirts of La Fortuna, where the jungle reveals an entirely different cast of characters after dark. Your guide sweeps a flashlight through the understory to reveal red-eyed tree frogs clinging to heliconia leaves, sleeping toucans with their beaks tucked over their backs, and tarantulas waiting motionless at the entrances to their silk-lined burrows. The nocturnal highlight is often a glimpse of a kinkajou or two-toed sloth, creatures that are nearly impossible to spot during the day but become active after sunset. The forest soundscape transforms at night: a chorus of frogs, insects, and the distant rumble of howler monkeys creates a sensory experience that is both thrilling and meditative. The guide's expert knowledge of animal behaviour and ecology turns every sighting into a mini-lesson in tropical biology. This is an intimate, slightly thrilling date that reveals the secret life of one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet.
