Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna waterfall tour
Hiking in Arenal, waterfall visit and relaxing in the hot springs.
Briefing
Discover in one day the main attractions of Costa Rica with this tour that includes hiking in Arenal National Park, visit La Fortuna waterfall, and relax in the hot springs.
We leave from La Fortuna de San Carlos, take the minibus and walk the trail that leads to La Fortuna waterfall. We will visit a native community, have lunch in a traditional restaurant, and hike through the jungle of the Arenal Volcano National Park. We will end up relaxing in the Arenal hot springs located in La Fortuna.
Tour details
Included
- Transportation by minibus
- Entrance fee to Arenal Volcano National Park Costa Rica
- Entrance to La Fortuna waterfall
- Entrance to the hot springs + cocktail
- Guide
- Traditional lunch
Not included
- Alcoholic drinks during lunch
Important information
During the tour you will visit protected natural areas, so you must be extremely respectful of the environment, and follow the guide´s instructions.
The tour has medium difficulty due to the demanding hiking, you do not have to be a professional athlete, but you have to be in good shape.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation! If you cancel at least 48 hours before the tour starts, you will receive 100% of the amount paid. After this time, or in case of no-show, no refunds will be given.
Tour itinerary
Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna waterfall tour
La Fortuna waterfall
At 7:00 a.m. the pick up from the lodging begins. At 7:30 a.m. travelers will be picked up at the meeting point. Once the whole group is gathered, the minibus will take us to the beginning of the trail. We will hike 8 km along La Fortuna River that runs within Arenal Volcano National Park. At the end of this route, a vehicle will be waiting for us to take us to a viewpoint located at the top, from where we will have panoramic views of the entire park. We will continue the route climbing the 500 steps that separate us from La Fortuna Waterfall, one of the most iconic waterfalls in Costa Rica, with its 70-meter waterfall.
Native community visit and lunch
We continue our tour visiting the Maluku native community. They will give us a demonstration of their culture, way of living and one of their palenkes, the houses where they live. After the visit to the community, we will walk 10 minutes to the restaurant where we will enjoy a traditional "tico" meal, with its rice and beans in one of its many versions.
Arenal Volcano
Batteries charged and the adventure continues! We will walk for half an hour until we reach the base of the Arenal Volcano, a colossus of 1,670 meters high. No need to worry, it has been sleeping for years, resting from a high activity period. We will start ascending through the cloud forest and we will see imposing trees, adorable sloths, monkeys, and other animals that live on its slopes. The area of the victims of the 1968 eruption will be visited. Afterward, we will reach the viewpoint that will give us incredible views of the volcano, Arenal Lake, the valley, the lava fields, and the jungle that surrounds everything.
🔊Spoiler alert: the highest part of the volcano may be covered by a cloud that usually clings to the top.
Arenal Hot Springs
Hiking downhill we will arrive at the transportation that will take us back to the Arenal Hot springs within a resort in La Fortuna. Relaxing in the hot springs, we will enjoy a national cocktail, putting an end to an intense day full of adventure and landscapes that all nature lovers dream of. Around 6:30 p.m., transportation will take us back to our lodging or meeting point. If you feel like it, you can stay longer in the hot springs of La Fortuna and return on your own to your lodging.
What to bring to Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna waterfall tour
- Daypack to carry with you what you need
- T-shirt and thin pants
- Raincoat
- Bathing suit + flip-flops + towel
- Hiking boots
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen with a high degree of protection
- Insect repellent
- Reusable water bottle (Single-use containers are not allowed in Costa Rica's national parks)
- Something to snack on
Where does the tour Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna waterfall tour start
La Fortuna de San Carlos, which travelers simply call La Fortuna, is one of the best-connected areas with San Jose, so you will find different bus options. It is also possible to hire private transportation or share a minibus with other travelers. If you have decided to rent a car to move around Costa Rica, it is a 130 kilometers drive that will take you about 3 hours on a road in good condition. Please, keep in mind we always recommend caution when driving in a new country 😉
Questions & Answers
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