Punta Arenas

Things to do in Punta Arenas

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Punta Arenas

View all Attractions
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve
No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve

5.5
4.8/5
9 reviews
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve is located on the watershed high in the Tilarán Mountains. The key difference between it and lowland rainforests is the altitude: moist air currents from the Caribbean side rise along the mountain slopes and condense into mist upon cooling, with white mist often filling the forest in the early morning, leaving the entire forest soaked in lush green. The preserve covers 10,500 hectares, with approx. 90% being primary forest. Epiphytes are a highly recognizable view here: mosses, ferns, bromeliads, and hundreds of orchid species hang in layers from the branches, with even the trunks appearing as if draped in a green carpet; the forest is home to birds such as the resplendent quetzal and the bare-necked umbrellabird, while mammals like jaguars and Baird's tapirs are elusive, attracting birdwatchers and naturalists year-round. The park's trails connect several highlights: the classic Cloud Forest Trail allows you to delve into typical cloud forest sections, and walking to the "La Ventana" lookout puts you directly opposite the Continental Divide, where you can overlook the mountain slopes on both sides when the weather is clear; in the hummingbird garden near the entrance, various hummingbirds flit around the flowers and trees, making it suitable for close-up birdwatching; a suspension bridge also spans the valley, allowing you to view the canopy layer covered in epiphytes at eye level. If you wish to experience outdoor activities like ziplining or bungee jumping, you need to book them separately, as the preserve itself focuses on hiking and nature observation.San Ramon · 36.3 km from Punta Arenas
HIKING - WATERFALLS & MONKEYS by GO WILD Adventures

HIKING - WATERFALLS & MONKEYS by GO WILD Adventures

2.4
Punta Arenas · 42.3 km from downtown
Arenal Volcano National Park
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano National Park

6.7
4.8/5
15 reviews
Arenal Volcano Park is located in Arenal Reserve. There are actually two volcanoes in this national park, Arenal Volcano with a height of 1633 meters and Chato Volcano with a height of 1140 meters. The latter has been active for nearly 3500 years. A collapsed crater and a beautiful lagoon. In contrast, Arenal Volcano is a very active volcano in Costa Rica. It erupted in 1968 and 1973. Until July 2010, the eruptions of large and small volcanoes continued, and the severity was much lower, but almost every day. There was smoke and lava coming out.La Fortuna · 54.9 km from Punta Arenas
Arenal Volcano

Arenal Volcano

5.7
5.0/5
1 reviews
Arenal Volcano has an elevation of approx. 1,633m, with a nearly symmetrical conical shape. The town of La Fortuna at the foot of the mountain is the gateway to visiting this area. It is a relatively young volcano, formed approx. 7,000 years ago. It erupted suddenly on July 29, 1968, destroying villages such as Tabacón at the foot of the mountain, and remained active for over 40 years thereafter. The sight of lava flowing slowly down the slopes and lighting up the night sky once drew many tourists to wait specifically for it. The volcano entered a dormant phase in 2010 and no longer spews magma today, but its perfectly shaped conical silhouette remains striking. On clear days, when viewed from the foot of the mountain, the dark rock walls contrast with the clouds and mist on the mountainside. Within the national park established around the volcano, multiple trails pass through the lava wasteland left by the 1968 eruption and the regrown rainforest, with greenery emerging from the crevices of the black volcanic rocks. You can often encounter howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, and toucans along the way. Volcanic geothermal heat also warms the natural hot springs at the foot of the mountain; soaking in the hot springs after a hike while looking up at the silhouette of the volcano is a common experience in this area. The nearby Lake Arenal has vast waters, suitable for birdwatching and water activities such as kayaking. The top of the volcano is often covered by clouds; there is less cloud cover in the early morning, giving a better chance to see the full mountain.La Fortuna · 55.6 km from Punta Arenas
Fortuna Waterfall
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

Fortuna Waterfall

5.6
5.0/5
7 reviews
Fortuna Waterfall is located in a rainforest canyon in San Carlos, approx. 5.5 km from the town of La Fortuna, at the foothills of the dormant Chato Volcano. Originating from theArenal Mountain Range, the Río Fortuna plunges approx. 70 m from the cliff edge, falling straight into the deep blue pool below. The sound of the water is deafening, and mist fills the air. The surrounding cliffs are covered in dense tropical vegetation. To view the waterfall, you need to walk down the steps to the bottom of the canyon, which involves over 500 steps round trip. There are platforms along the way for resting, and the trail passes through pastures and rainforest, where you may have the chance to encounter animals such as toucans and monkeys. Visitors who do not plan to walk the entire way can also overlook the full view of the waterfall from the viewing platform above. There is an open area at the bottom of the valley for taking photos, and you can also swim in designated areas to experience the cool, clear river water. The current is strong directly beneath the waterfall, so be sure to stay within the designated swimming areas. The return trip requires climbing back up the same way, which is physically demanding, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and allow plenty of time.La Fortuna · 54.5 km from Punta Arenas
Poás Volcano National Park

Poás Volcano National Park

6.1
3.0/5
1 reviews
Poás Volcano National Parkfeatures the active Poás Volcano as its centerpiece, with an elevation of approx. 2,700m, and the summit houses a massive main crater. Standing at the viewing platform, you can look down at the volcanic lake named 'Laguna Caliente': its surface shimmers with a mix of milky white and blue-green hues, constantly churning with sulfurous smoke, with liquid sulfur settled at the bottom. In stark contrast to the scorching main crater is Botos Lake on the south side: it lies quietly in a crater that has been dormant for thousands of years, with cool, emerald-green water surrounded by cloud forests. Along the forest trail to the lake, hummingbirds and toucans often flit through branches draped in moss and epiphytes, and you may occasionally encounter resplendent quetzals and Poás magnolias.Poas · 70 km from Punta Arenas
Antigua Capitanía de Puntarenas

Antigua Capitanía de Puntarenas

2
Punta Arenas · 366m from downtown
National Theater of Costa Rica
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

National Theater of Costa Rica

6
4.9/5
8 reviews
National Theater of Costa Rica is a Neoclassical-style theater. Its opening performance was Gounod's opera "Faust". Construction funds mainly came from taxes levied on coffee exports at the time, and this theater, born from the coffee trade, embodies the memories of Costa Rica's golden age of coffee. The theater has an elegant exterior, with statues of playwright Calderón de la Barca and composer Beethoven standing on the main facade, while the three sculptures on the roof symbolize dance, music, and fame, respectively. The interior is even more magnificent than the exterior: marble staircases with gold decorations, crystal chandeliers, exquisite sculptures, and 19th-century-style furniture can be found throughout the halls, and the auditorium can accommodate 1,140 seats. The ceiling mural "Allegory of Coffee and Bananas" was painted by Milanese artist Aleardo Villa and depicts the scene of coffee and banana cultivation and export at that time. This painting was once printed on the Costa Rican 5-colón banknote. The theater remains an active performance venue today, with groups such as the National Symphony Orchestra performing here year-round. The theater is located right next to the Plaza de la Cultura, and downtown attractions such as theGold Museumare within walking distance.San Jose · 82.5 km from Punta Arenas
Manuel Antonio National Park
No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park

5.8
5.0/5
6 reviews
Manuel Antonio National Park packs tropical rainforests, white-sand beaches, and abundant wildlife into a compact area. Covering approximately 6.82 square kilometers, it is one of the smaller yet most popular national parks in Costa Rica. The park is home to hundreds of mammal and bird species: white-faced capuchins, squirrel monkeys, and howler monkeys leap through the canopy; brown-throated three-toed sloths and Hoffmann's two-toed sloths move slowly while hanging from high branches; and toucans, iguanas, and coatis often appear along the trails. The animals here are accustomed to human presence, so the chance of encountering monkey troops along the trails during the day is quite high. The park is best experienced through a combination of hiking and beach time. The main trail is flat and easy to walk, connecting several beaches surrounded by rainforest. Among them, Manuel Antonio Beach has calm bay waters, making it suitable for swimming. The Cathedral Point loop leads to a highland that was once an island, now connected to the mainland by a natural tombolo. Along the way, multiple observation decks offer views of the Pacific Ocean and nearby small islands. Near the entrance, there is an elevated mangrove boardwalk called El Manglar, which is approx. 784 m long and easy to traverse. Additionally, sloths and squirrel monkeys are well-camouflaged; if you want to spot more animals, it is recommended to slow down and keep an eye on the canopy.Quepos · 100 km from Punta Arenas
Parque Acuático Villas Fantasía

Parque Acuático Villas Fantasía

3.3
Orotina · 32.1 km from Punta Arenas

Experiences you can't miss in Punta Arenas

Featured Cultural experiences in Punta Arenas

View all Cultural experiences
Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour
󱌍
4.9/5
· 2.5k reviews
Duration: 90 mins
English
Book now for tomorrow
100 consecutive positive reviews
FromSEK 306.00
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugarcane Tour La Fortuna
󱌍
Duration: 90 mins
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSEK 550.00
San José Highlights Audio Tour: Cultural Treasures and Historical Landmarks
󱌍
Duration: 1.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
20% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 71.00SEK 89
San José by Night: Food, Drinks & Local Culture Tour
󱌍
Duration: 4 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 744.00SEK 784
Vista Los Sueños: Cacao Plantation & Chocolate Tasting
󱌍
5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 472.00SEK 497
Guided Walking Street Art & Graffiti Tour in Jaco Costa Rica
󱌍
5.0/5
· 26 reviews
Duration: 2–3 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
26 consecutive positive reviews
FromSEK 387.00

Featured Food & drink in Punta Arenas

View all Food & drink
Farm to Table Cooking Class
󱌍
4.8/5
· 156 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
23 consecutive positive reviews
FromSEK 447.00
Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class
󱌍
5.0/5
· 12 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSEK 377.00
La Fortuna: Relax Termalitas Hot Springs Entry with Meal
󱌍
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 472.00SEK 497
San Jose: Bites and Sights Walking Food Tour including Markets
󱌍
4.9/5
· 912 reviews
Duration: 210 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
97.6% of travelers recommend
FromSEK 368.00
San Jose City Tour and central Market with local food
󱌍
Duration: 150 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSEK 745.00
Poas Coffee tour, La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 10 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 891.00SEK 938
Coffee Farm tour, Poas Volcano Park and La Paz Waterfall
󱌍
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 891.00SEK 938

Featured Spa & wellness in Punta Arenas

View all Spa & wellness
Hot Springs Pura Vida River and Thermal Pool Access
󱌍
4.9/5
· 8 reviews
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 268.00SEK 283
From 1 person for Arenal volcano and hot springs in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
󱌍
FromSEK 994.00
La Fortuna: Ecotermales Rainforest Hot Spring Day Pass
󱌍
4.8/5
· 21 reviews
Duration: 6 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 762.00SEK 803

Featured Outdoor experiences in Punta Arenas

View all Outdoor experiences
Monteverde Night Tour: Glass Frogs, lateralis, Sloths & Jungle
󱌍
4.4/5
· 128 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSEK 377.00
Full-day 1-day tour to Tortuga Island from San Jose, Costa Rica
󱌍
FromSEK 1,795.00
From Puerto Jimenez: Corcovado National Park Full-Day Tour
󱌍
4.8/5
· 5 reviews
Duration: 9 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 1,745.00SEK 1,837
From Puntarenas: Isla Tortuga Speedboat Trip with Lunch
󱌍
4.7/5
· 96 reviews
Free cancellation
41 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 679.00SEK 715
Monteverde: Cloud Forest Night Tour with Pablo
󱌍
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 302.00SEK 318
Monteverde Night Experience
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 236.00SEK 249
Night Walk Tour Monteverde
󱌍
5.0/5
· 9 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromSEK 298.00
From Puntarenas: Tortuga Island VIP tour Full-Day
󱌍
4.8/5
· 9 reviews
Duration: 7 hrs
Free cancellation
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromSEK 1,037.00SEK 1,092

Free things to do in Punta Arenas

More ways to travel from Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas cruises

See all cruises

Group Tours in Punta Arenas

View More Group Tours in Punta Arenas

What travelers say about Punta Arenas

user-avatar
YoYo_1I8Q7O5ODecember 1, 2025
5.0
Entering the Montevideo Cloud Forest, the world suddenly sinks into a grey-green seabed. Gnarled tree roots, wrapped in moss, resemble the spine of a prehistoric behemoth, and each fern is adorned with diamond-like droplets of mist. On the suspension bridge, hummingbirds flutter their wings eighty times per second, frozen before bromeliad blossoms, while twenty meters below, in the layer of decaying leaves, the legend of the golden toad's extinction gently turns its page with a sigh from the guide. The most magical moment is the "sun dog"—a crack in the thick fog, sunlight dyeing the steam iridescent, and thousands of shades of green awaken in an instant. Touching the roots of epiphytic orchids leaves your hands covered in cool mist, and you understand why the locals call this place "the forest of eternal breathing."

Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve

user-avatar
南美当地向导YolandaFebruary 16, 2020
5.0
We welcome tourists to the Arenal Volcano Park. It is so enjoyable to soak in the volcanic hot springs. Costa Rica is really a fairy-like country! There are more than 270 volcanoes here. The most famous one is the Arenal Volcano, which is located near La Fortuna, a well-known tourist destination in northern Costa Rica. It had a devastating eruption in 1968 and entered a long-term dormant state after 2010. It is now a national park for tourists to visit. On the way to the volcano, you can see many small ants moving in groups with mini leaves on their backs. Walking to the observation deck, the view here is very good. There is always a cloud of mist around the crater, and it is surrounded by cloud forests. There is a restaurant next to it, where you can have a drink and look at the volcano. The scenery here is too suitable for wide-angle, enjoy pure life pura vida! ❤️For more local fun in Costa Rica, please consult me!

Arenal Volcano National Park

user-avatar
criskotsuJune 16, 2022
5.0
Arenal is wonderful. During winter is hard to see the full cone without mist, or even some clastic material falling down at night. However, it’s a gorgeous location to visit anytime of the year, close to San Jose even for one-day trip

Arenal Volcano

user-avatar
乖小咪August 21, 2019
5.0
La Fortuna Falls in Costa Rica is a very spectacular waterfall. Although it is not very wide, it has a large amount of water. The mist stirred up by the waterfall is very large, like a fairyland. Many tourists are swimming in the pool below, very happy.

Fortuna Waterfall

user-avatar
Gavin-BeijingFebruary 4, 2020
5.0
The pure natural landscape is extremely beautiful, pristine and pollution-free. It is the Switzerland of Latin America, with Tabacon Hot Springs, Irazu Volcano, Waterfall Park, Blue River Forest Park, etc. You will never want to leave after visiting here!

National Theater of Costa Rica

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Punta Arenas?

Don't miss these attractions in Punta Arenas: Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve, HIKING - WATERFALLS & MONKEYS by GO WILD Adventures, and Arenal Volcano National Park. If you like Cultural experiences, try Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffe Tour. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Farm to Table Cooking Class.

You can give Farm to Table Cooking Class and Sloth Tour in La Fortuna and Tortillas Cooking Class a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.