La Fortuna is one of those places in Costa Rica where it is difficult to sit still for very long. With Arenal Volcano towering over the landscape, rainforest in every direction, hot springs, rivers and waterfalls nearby, the area has become one of the country’s favorite destinations for outdoor adventures.
Among the many activities available here, canyoning offers something a little different. Instead of simply looking at a waterfall, you get to rappel down one. You hike through the rainforest, move through a canyon, climb rock walls and get soaked along the way.
For travelers looking for this kind of experience, Pure Trek Canyoning has been operating in La Fortuna since 2001 and specializes specifically in canyoning and waterfall rappelling. Its tours combine technical rope descents with rainforest exploration, making the activity accessible even to travelers who have never tried canyoning before.
What Is Pure Trek Canyoning?
Canyoning, sometimes called waterfall rappelling, is an adventure activity that combines hiking, rappelling, climbing and rainforest exploration.
With Pure Trek, the experience takes place in a rainforest canyon near La Fortuna. Rather than following a conventional hiking trail from one attraction to another, participants actually descend through the canyon using ropes and climbing equipment.
The regular Pure Trek Canyoning experience includes four rappels: three waterfalls and one rock-wall rappel. The tour also includes the company’s signature “Monkey Drop,” hiking along jungle trails between the descents and a short rock-climbing section.
That combination is what makes canyoning different from a typical waterfall visit. You are not simply reaching a viewpoint, taking a photograph and heading back. The waterfall becomes part of the adventure itself.
Pure Trek has been offering canyoning experiences since 2001, and the company says its professional guides have led thousands of travelers through its canyon. Its guides receive professional international canyoning training and are certified in canyoning by Costa Rica’s National Academy for Guides (INA).
What Can You Expect During the Adventure?
The day starts with transportation from your La Fortuna hotel or vacation rental. From there, the journey continues toward the canyon and rainforest area where the adventure takes place.
Once you arrive, the guides provide the necessary equipment and safety instructions before the rappelling begins. You do not need previous canyoning or rappelling experience. The guides explain the techniques and supervise the descents throughout the experience.
One of the attractions of the Pure Trek route is that the adventure is not limited to rappelling. Between waterfalls, participants hike through the canyon and rainforest, giving the experience a strong nature component.
And expect to get wet.
The combination of waterfalls, rainforest and rappelling means this is not an activity where keeping your clothes dry is part of the plan. Pure Trek recommends wearing quick-dry clothing and secure footwear, and bringing a change of clothes for afterward. Towels are provided.
For many visitors, that is precisely the appeal.
The Monkey Drop: One of Pure Trek’s Signature Moments
The Monkey Drop is one of the features that gives the Pure Trek experience its personality.
It is designed as a fun, splash-filled part of the canyoning route and adds another adrenaline rush to the waterfall rappels. The exact feeling is hard to describe until you’re standing there, looking down and preparing to make your descent.
The important thing is that the experience is guided. You are not expected to arrive knowing how to rappel, climb or manage the equipment yourself.
For someone trying canyoning for the first time, having professional guides there throughout the activity can make a major difference. Instead of trying to figure out the technical side independently, you can concentrate on following instructions and enjoying the surroundings.
Is Pure Trek Canyoning Suitable for Beginners?
One of the most common questions travelers have about canyoning is whether they need experience.
For the regular Pure Trek Canyoning tour, previous canyoning experience is not required. The company describes the experience as suitable for first-time participants as well as returning adventurers, with professionally trained bilingual guides providing instruction throughout the activity.
Pure Trek recommends participants be in moderate physical condition. Rappelling itself does require some physical effort, but the company says it has special procedures for lowering children, older adults and people with certain physical challenges so they do not necessarily need to rely heavily on their own strength during the descent.
The company also notes that the minimum age for its regular canyoning experience is five years old.
That does not mean everyone should automatically participate. Travelers with heart problems, serious health concerns or physical limitations should discuss their individual circumstances with the company before booking.
A Family-Friendly Adventure
Canyoning might sound like an activity reserved for serious adrenaline seekers, but Pure Trek has deliberately built its experience to accommodate families as well.
Children from age five can participate in the regular canyoning tour, and the company uses specialized equipment and guide-controlled descents when appropriate. The company’s FAQ also notes that it has welcomed participants ranging from young children to people as old as 80.
Of course, family groups should consider the physical demands of the activity and the comfort level of each participant.
For families with adventurous children, however, canyoning can be a memorable alternative to more conventional sightseeing. Everyone experiences the rainforest from a completely different perspective, and there is plenty happening along the way to keep the adventure interesting.
Safety and Professional Guides
Safety is naturally one of the first concerns when an activity involves waterfalls, ropes and vertical descents.
Pure Trek states that safety is its top priority and says it regularly invests in high-quality equipment and replaces gear to meet international standards. Its guides are professionally trained and certified in canyoning through Costa Rica’s National Academy for Guides.
This is particularly relevant for first-time canyoners.
A good canyoning experience is not simply about having ropes and harnesses. Participants need clear instructions, appropriate equipment and guides who understand how to manage changing conditions in a rainforest environment.
Pure Trek’s approach is designed around guided participation rather than expecting visitors to have technical climbing skills before arriving.
What Should You Bring?
You do not need to arrive with a suitcase full of specialized climbing equipment. Pure Trek provides the main canyoning and rock-climbing gear needed for the activity.
According to the company, the regular canyoning tour includes high-quality canyoning equipment, transportation, towels and a professional photographer.
Travelers should bring:
- Quick-dry clothing
- Secure shoes suitable for hiking and adventure activities
- A change of clothes
- A GoPro or other waterproof camera, if desired
- A sense of adventure
Your clothing will get wet, so wearing something that dries quickly is considerably more practical than cotton.
It is also worth leaving valuable belongings behind whenever possible. You are heading into a rainforest canyon, not a hotel lobby.
Lunch Is Part of the Experience
One particularly convenient feature of the regular Pure Trek experience is that transportation and lunch are included.
Depending on the timing of the tour, guests enjoy a fresh Costa Rican lunch at the Pure Trek headquarters either before or after the canyoning adventure. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available.
After spending part of the day hiking, climbing and rappelling through a rainforest canyon, sitting down to a traditional Costa Rican meal is a welcome change of pace.
It also means travelers do not have to organize a separate lunch stop around the activity.
Pure Trek Canyoning vs. Rainforest Falls
Pure Trek now offers more than its original canyoning experience.
In 2024, the company introduced Rainforest Falls, a separate adventure that takes travelers deeper into a rainforest setting for waterfall rappelling, swimming and optional jumps.
The two experiences have some similarities, but they are not identical.
The regular Pure Trek Canyoning tour focuses on four rappels, including three waterfalls and a rock wall, along with the Monkey Drop and canyon hiking.
Rainforest Falls adds a stronger swimming and cliff-jumping component. The experience includes a 32-meter (104-foot) waterfall rappel and optional jumps ranging from approximately 1 to 10 meters (3 to 33 feet), depending on the activity and conditions.
There is also a combination tour that brings both experiences together for a full day of adventure.
For travelers who want a classic waterfall-rappelling experience, the original Pure Trek Canyoning tour is the straightforward choice. Those looking for more swimming and optional jumps can explore Rainforest Falls.
Private Canyoning Experiences
Travelers who prefer a more personal experience can also book a private Pure Trek Canyoning tour.
The private option is designed for friends and families who want to experience the canyon together without joining a regular group. Pure Trek describes it as an opportunity for a more personalized adventure, with exclusive departure times available.
Private tours can be particularly appealing for families traveling with children or groups celebrating a special occasion.
Pure Trek also mentions options for adding special touches for birthdays, honeymoons, anniversaries and returning guests.
Can You Combine Canyoning With Other La Fortuna Adventures?
Absolutely.
La Fortuna is well known for combining several outdoor experiences into a single itinerary. The area around Arenal offers activities including canyoning, rafting, ziplining, hiking and hot springs. Costa Rica’s official tourism resources also highlight canyoning and waterfall rappelling among the adventure activities available in the Arenal and La Fortuna region.
Pure Trek offers several combination tours that pair canyoning with other activities.
One example combines canyoning with white-water rafting. After the canyoning portion, participants continue to a river adventure, creating a full day centered around two very different types of water-based adventure.
Other Pure Trek combinations have included activities such as mountain biking, cooking classes, hanging bridges and volcano or hot-springs experiences.
This makes canyoning relatively easy to fit into a longer La Fortuna itinerary.
Why Canyoning Fits So Well Into a La Fortuna Trip
The appeal of La Fortuna is its variety. You can spend the morning hiking around Arenal Volcano, the afternoon exploring a rainforest canyon and the evening relaxing in naturally heated pools.
Canyoning fits naturally into that mix because it combines several things travelers come to Costa Rica to experience: rainforest, waterfalls, wildlife, physical activity and a little adrenaline.
And there is something special about experiencing the rainforest from inside a canyon.
While hiking trails provide one perspective, canyoning puts you closer to the water itself. Along the way, Pure Trek says participants may have opportunities to spot wildlife such as toucans, sloths and monkeys.
You should not book the activity expecting a wildlife tour, of course. Sightings are never guaranteed. But the possibility of encountering wildlife adds another layer to the experience.
Is Pure Trek Canyoning Worth Including in a Costa Rica Itinerary?
For travelers interested in active experiences, canyoning offers something that many other La Fortuna tours cannot quite replicate.
Ziplining lets you fly above the forest. Hiking lets you explore it on foot. Rafting takes you down the river.
Canyoning puts you directly into the rainforest canyon, combining vertical descents, waterfalls, hiking and climbing in one experience.
Pure Trek has focused specifically on canyoning and waterfall rappelling since 2001, and its current offering is built around guided, equipment-supported adventures for both families and thrill-seekers.
The result is an experience that can work for someone who has never rappelled before while still giving experienced adventure travelers plenty of excitement.
For a trip to La Fortuna, it is an especially interesting option for anyone who wants to do more than simply see Costa Rica’s waterfalls from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pure Trek Canyoning
1. Is Pure Trek Canyoning in La Fortuna safe for beginners?
Yes. Previous canyoning experience is not required. Pure Trek provides professional bilingual guides, safety instructions and the necessary canyoning equipment. The company also states that safety is its top priority and that its guides receive professional canyoning training and certification.
2. What age can children be for Pure Trek Canyoning?
The minimum age for Pure Trek’s regular canyoning experience is five years old. The company uses special equipment and guide-controlled descents for children when appropriate. Families should still consider each child’s physical condition and comfort level before booking.
3. How many waterfalls do you rappel down with Pure Trek?
The regular Pure Trek Canyoning tour includes four rappels in total: three waterfall rappels and one rock-wall rappel. The experience also includes the Monkey Drop and hiking through the canyon between descents.
4. Do I need to know how to rappel before doing Pure Trek Canyoning?
No. The experience is designed for people without previous canyoning experience. Guides provide the necessary instructions and supervise participants throughout the rappelling sections.
5. What should I wear for canyoning in La Fortuna?
Wear clothing that dries quickly and secure footwear appropriate for hiking and adventure activities. You should also bring a change of clothes because you will get wet. Pure Trek provides towels and the main canyoning equipment required for the activity.
6. Does Pure Trek provide transportation from La Fortuna hotels?
Yes. Round-trip transportation from La Fortuna hotels and vacation rentals is included with the regular Pure Trek Canyoning tour. Guests staying at an Airbnb can provide their location during checkout so pickup arrangements can be made.
7. Can I combine Pure Trek Canyoning with other activities in La Fortuna?
Yes. Pure Trek offers several combination experiences, including canyoning with white-water rafting and other activities. The company also offers Rainforest Falls as a separate adventure, as well as a combo combining it with the original canyoning experience.
Final Thoughts
Pure Trek Canyoning offers a very different way to experience the rainforest around La Fortuna. Instead of simply hiking toward a waterfall, you become part of the landscape, descending waterfalls by rope, moving through jungle trails and getting wet along the way.
With guided instruction, professional equipment, family-friendly options and transportation from La Fortuna accommodations, the experience is designed to be approachable even for first-time canyoners.
For travelers building an adventure-focused Costa Rica itinerary, canyoning can be an excellent way to experience the Arenal region from a perspective that is difficult to get anywhere else.
And once you’re back at the Pure Trek base, dry clothes and a Costa Rican lunch are waiting. That sounds like a pretty good way to finish an adventure in the rainforest.