Canoa Aventura is a tour company in the Arenal area of Costa Rica. From hiking to more adventurous activities, they offer a huge variety of tours to fit every age and interest. While they offer many individual activity tours, they seem to specialize in combination tours. Chocolate and waterfalls? Volcano and hot springs? They can do it all.
We did a combination tour that included Mistico Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, and the Trail of 1968. (Trip reports available by clicking on the links.) We were a group of 16 and had two tour guides and a bus for just our group.
The two guides were excellent, as was the bus driver. The guides were extremely knowledgeable and adept at spotting wildlife. When we arrived at Mistico, they had originally intended to split us into two groups because of our size but quickly formulated a plan for us all to go together. They handled the large group with ease with one guide leading the way and the other one bringing up the rear. At some points we stopped for one of the guides to explain something to the entire group and at others we were more widely dispersed but always with a guide nearby to answer questions or point out wildlife.
At the end of the Mistico Hanging Bridges tour, one of the guides took a group picture in front of the sign with the volcano in the background. Then we gathered around a picnic table where they cut up fresh pineapple. It was the perfect refreshing treat after a hot walk!
The La Fortuna Waterfall part of the tour wasn’t really guided. They helped us through the process of filling out the forms and getting our wristbands. One of the guides came down with us and the other waited with the bus. Since this wasn’t really a trail but just stairs to the waterfall, there wasn’t any guiding needed or information to share. The guide was there just to be sure everyone stayed safe and that we all made it back to the bus on time. We appreciated that they provided towels for those of us who wanted to swim.
After the waterfall, we stopped for lunch at a local restaurant in La Fortuna called La Cava. Lunch was included in the tour and the guides had taken our orders on the bus on the way to the waterfall so everything was ready for us when we arrived. It was a well-organized stop, a much-needed break, and a great place to eat.
The last part of the tour was hiking the Trail of 1968. Our guide really shined here as he explained the science behind volcanoes and the history behind the 1968 eruption. He led a really fascinating discussion, complete with volcano drawings in the dirt. Both guides then walked up with us to the observation point, where they again took group pictures. Whether I am with just my family or with a larger group like this, I always really appreciate guides who take group pictures. It is rare to have pictures with everyone in them and we got two great group shots on this tour.
On the way out, the guides went above and beyond when they spotted a sloth in the trees and pulled the bus over so we could see it. We had already been with them for 8 full hours and I’m sure they were ready to go home, but they set up their scope and let us marvel at the sloth for over 10 minutes. We never would have known the sloth was there if they hadn’t pointed it out and we were so appreciative of them going the extra mile to be sure we saw it. It was the perfect ending to a fantastic day.
We really enjoyed our combination tour with Canoa Aventura. The guides were friendly and knowledgeable. They handled our large group expertly. I had been concerned about our longest tour (8+ hours) being on our first day but it turned out to be perfect. Everyone’s excitement level was high and I think the kids had the most energy to tackle all the hiking that first day. The guides kept it interesting, fun and exciting and gave us a great introduction to Costa Rica on our first day there!
