New Year’s Eve is about lively gatherings with friends and family. Celebrations often include countdowns to midnight, toasts, and fireworks illuminating the night sky. Still, you might want something different.
If that’s the case, consider visiting Costa Rica! With its incredible culture, delicious food, and tropical landscapes, spending New Year’s Eve in Costa Rica is more than just a celebration; it’s part of its culture and charm.
A great way to explore Costa Rica’s many diverse ecosystems is by walking along hanging bridges through the treetop canopy. The amazing view paired with the adventure of crossing a swaying suspension bridge is on many bucket lists. There are a couple of key places where you can find hanging bridges in Costa Rica. There also are a scattering of more hidden spots.
La Fortuna is a cool spot for the New Year. It’s not just about nature; La Fortuna knows how to party! New Year’s Eve is filled with awesome fireworks, dancing, and fun games for kids.
A cool thing about Hanging Bridges La Fortuna is that many hotels throw special dinners. Additionally, the local Development Association hosts free fireworks and parties for locals and visitors alike. You’ll have a blast as you welcome the New Year in La Fortuna and be part of the community vibe.
La Fortuna is famous for its natural hot springs, heated by underground volcanic activity from the nearby Arenal Volcano. The best way to experience the springs is by staying at a thermal resort, buying a resort day pass, or heading to a spot on the river.
Many resorts offer hot spring pools with different temperatures alongside spa packages with stunning volcano views. The day passes allow access to some larger resorts like the luxurious Tabacon, family friendly Baldi and natural Ecotermales. Visitors can relax, spend the day there enjoying the thermal facilities and grab a bite to eat. It can be a more affordable option than staying at a resort.
No trip to Hanging Bridges La Fortuna would be complete without visiting one of the most iconic landmarks in Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano. Its presence looms over the entire area of Arenal/La Fortuna, and you can’t miss it, unless the clouds roll in. Visitors can hike around its perimeter through lush rainforests and hardened lava flows. The Volcano is in what is known as a resting phase, so hiking to the summit is not allowed due to the various toxic gases. The last eruption occurred in 1968.
You can visit on your own and do a self-guided hike, but going with a guide provides an opportunity to learn more about the wildlife, geology of the area, and the flora and fauna. We chose to do the self-guided option as the weather was cloudy during our visit. It depends on what type of experience you would like.
Within the Arenal Volcano National Park are two hiking areas, the Main Sector and La Peninsula. The Main Sector is the most popular as you’ll see the famous volcano views and lava flow hike. La Peninsula has paved trails around Lake Arenal and is less crowded. Many trails are relatively short, so depending on timing, you can explore a few in one day.
One of the most famous activities in La Fortuna is to visit a hanging bridges park. chose to go to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, and being suspended high above the rainforest floor surrounded by nature was an incredible experience. There are 15 bridges in this park, of which six are hanging suspension bridges. The 2-mile trail takes 2-3 hours, depending on how fast you walk, and visitors must wear closed-toe shoes. The ticket prices start at $32 USD per person for the self-guided tour. There is an option to go round the park with a guide for further knowledge about the wildlife, birds and their habitats.
Within the lush rainforests of Arenal Volcano National Park, and 3-4 miles from the town of La Fortuna, lies La Fortuna Waterfall. Cascading down from a staggering height of 75 meters (246 feet), this stunning waterfall is a sight to behold. It also offers visitors a chance to swim in the crystal-clear pools below.
The entrance fee costs $20, and there is a well-maintained hiking trail from the entrance area down to the waterfall. It takes around 15-20 minutes to walk down. One of the ways to enjoy the scale and surrounding nature is to take a dip in the water around the waterfall. There are rocks and strong currents in certain areas, but there are pools and shallower areas to hang out. However, once it’s time to return, the hike back up is 530 steps, and let me tell you it’s a workout. Once back up at the top, there are changing rooms, bathrooms, a gift shop and a bar/restaurant.
Most folks didn’t have time to go to Rio Celeste Waterfall, but this full-day trip from Hanging Bridges La Fortuna crops up on any top activity list. Located within the Tenorio Volcano National Park, this breathtaking waterfall offers vibrant blue waters and a hike through lush rain and cloud forest trails. The vibrant blue colour is a unique chemical reaction between volcanic minerals and sunlight, resulting in a beautiful blue pool below.
Experience an adrenaline rush on a ziplining adventure through the dense rainforest canopy surrounding La Fortuna. Sky Adventures Arenal Park offers packages where visitors can choose to zipline above treetops, cross hanging bridges, take on a challenge course and enjoy an aerial tram ride. The park has seven zipline cables and is one of the best in the area.
The rivers near Hanging Bridges La Fortuna offer excellent opportunities to do some whitewater rafting. Enthusiasts of all levels can take on Class II to IV rapids on stretches of river surrounded by stunning scenery and wildlife. The two main rivers accessible from La Fortuna are the Sarapiqui River and Balsa River. Each one offers a different class of rapids. Balsa is more suited to beginners, and Sarapiqui has more advanced whitewater rafting. Whichever you choose, this activity is one of the most adrenaline-pumping things to do in La Fortuna.
Absolutely! Costa Rica’s vibrant celebrations make it an ideal destination to ring in the New Year in the best way. Whether you spend the night in a lively party atmosphere or at a more intimate celebration, you’ll have a memorable start to the upcoming year.
New Year’s is a very family-oriented holiday for Costa Ricans. It’s a time when families gather for festive dinners and lots of laughter and joy. As midnight strikes, fireworks fill the air, and heartfelt hugs are exchanged.
The country enters its dry season in December. Therefore, the weather is usually warm and dry during New Year’s, with rain showers at the end of the month. Packing light clothing, sunscreen, and an umbrella, just in case, is advisable.
Although there’s no strict etiquette, tourists can improve their experience by embracing local traditions. Avoiding excessive noise early in the morning is appreciated.
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Claudio Granados is a local travel expert dedicated to sharing the true essence of ‘Pura Vida’ with EcoTerra readers. With years of first-hand experience exploring the Arenal region—from the volcanic trails to the Peñas Blancas River—Claudio provides authentic, boots-on-the-ground advice. His goal is to help travelers skip the tourist traps and discover the rich culture, hidden wildlife spots, and unforgettable adventures that La Fortuna has to offer
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