Who says there isn’t much to do in Nuevo Arenal? While you certainly won’t find as many options for thrills as in La Fortuna, you don’t need to head out that far to enjoy a fantastic day full of outdoor adventures. CR Paraiso is an ICT-certified tour operator and Nuevo Arenal’s new, and only adventure park! Another bonus is that you get to avoid the crowds that Central America’s Adventure Capital attracts year-round (with good reason!).
Adventures for Everyone at CR Paraiso
CR Paraiso is located just a 10-minute drive from town (on an unpaved road, it’s part of the experience), on a gorgeous, lush property overlooking Lake Arenal. It’s the perfect setting for all of their activities – horseback riding, night tours, birdwatching tours, guided nature hikes, and the main event: a great little canopy zipline course.
Hiking at CR Paraiso
We recently had the chance to take the canopy zipline tour, and were very impressed. It starts with a nice, mild 20-minute hike through the rainforest to get to the first platform. During this time, we learned a lot about the project, as well as about the great variety of wildlife you can spot on the property. The guides – Allan and Mario – were great at finding and showing us the creatures around us. We got to see a coati, many species of birds (including a beautiful woodpecker!), a scorpion and more.
Canopy Zipline Tour
Then, the fun starts: they have 9 ziplines, 9 platforms and brand-new safety equipment. The course is fun, but not too extreme and very easy, so it’s perfect for beginners and families. We were the only people on the tour, so it was a very special experience, and so refreshing compared to most zipline courses, which can get crowded fast. We also loved that the guides are locals, and know the area like the back of their hand. It was a wonderful time, and the views of the lake, the rainforest, and even Arenal Volcano if you’re lucky, really make it worth it!
**Please note that we visited in 2019. The operation of the tour may vary a bit.
We can’t wait to go back and take one of their famous night hikes or birdwatching tours!
Lodging at CR Paraiso
If you are looking for a place to stay during your trip to Nuevo Arenal. CR Paraiso also conveniently offers 2 fully-equipped vacation rental houses on their gorgeous property. Their 5-bedroom house is perfect for families or groups, while the 1-bedroom is ideal for a couple looking to get away.
