The turquoise Río Celeste river, a day trip from La Fortuna

Best Day Trips from La Fortuna (Río Celeste, Caño Negro & More)

Travel GuideBy Carlos Rodríguez · Founder & Lead Guide, Fortuna ExpeditionsPublished July 22, 2026· Updated July 23, 2026

Once you've done the volcano and waterfall, La Fortuna is a great base for day trips. The top three are Río Celeste (turquoise river), Caño Negro (wildlife) and Venado Caves (spelunking) — all within a 1-2 hour drive.

Here's what to expect from each and which is right for you.

Río Celeste (~2 hrs)

The sky-blue river inside Tenorio Volcano National Park — a moderate rainforest hike to the famous waterfall. The most popular day trip. Río Celeste Day Tour ($130).

Caño Negro (~1.5 hrs)

A wetland refuge best explored by boat — caimans, monkeys and dozens of bird species. Relaxed and great for families. Caño Negro Boat Tour ($96).

Venado Caves (~1 hr)

An underground adventure through limestone caverns with bats and formations — muddy, fun and unlike anything else in the area. Venado Caves Tour ($101).

Which Day Trip to Pick

Choose Río Celeste for scenery, Caño Negro for wildlife and families, and Venado Caves for adventure. With two spare days you can do two. Add one to a 3-day La Fortuna plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best day trip from La Fortuna?

Río Celeste is the most popular day trip for its turquoise river and rainforest hike. Caño Negro is best for wildlife and families, and Venado Caves for adventure.

How far is Río Celeste from La Fortuna?

About 2 hours by road each way, making it a full-day trip. Most travelers go with a guided tour that includes transport and park entrance.

Can you do Río Celeste and Caño Negro in one day?

They're in different directions, so it's better to do each as its own day trip rather than combining them.