Arenal Volcano National Park Tour
3 Days and 2 Nights
On this three-day, two-night itinerary you’ll discover the iconic Arenal Volcano National Park whose steep conical slopes rise out of the vast surrounding rainforest. The journey to Arenal from San Jose includes an authentic Costa Rica coffee plantation tour and the lush and colorful La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
The coffee plantation visit introduces you to coffee cultivation and processing. La Paz has a well-designed trail system through its cloud forest that winds alongside the crystal-clear Peace River and leads to viewing platforms – bringing you up close to five beautiful waterfalls. Lunch is included at the Peace Lode before you continue your drive to Arenal.
Highlights
- The best lookouts for waterfalls.
- Learn about coffee and Costa Rican culture.
- Look for tropical creatures: sloths, toucans, monkeys, and iguanas.
- Meet the local Gonzalez Family farmers in Arenal Vida Campesina.
- The best organic traditional “farm-to-table” Lunch.
- Make your own Costa Rican tortillas!
- Small groups
- Go with the best guides!
ARENAL VOLCANO GUIDED TOUR
The Arenal Volcano erupted violently July 29th 1968 destroying the region west of its base with hot gases, rocks and later, lava flows. Today the volcano steams quietly and heats local rivers that have been developed into popular hot springs and spas. Forest vegetation is quickly returning and covering the massive rock fragments and lava flows, and rain forest wildlife once again flourishes in and around the park.
During your stay in Arenal, you’ll enjoy hikes in the National Park, exploring the Arenal Hanging Bridges, and for a little local flavor, a farm visit with lunch at Arenal Organic Farm Experience.
ARENAL VOLCANO HANGING BRIDGES TOUR
The Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges Park is one of the highlights in La Fortuna. Though this park now has more activities other than hiking, the hanging bridges are still the highlight. The 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) hanging bridges trail has 10 regular bridges and 6 hanging ones with the tallest standing at 148 feet. The bridges allow for spectacular views of the rain forest and Arenal Volcano.
The trail’s design makes you feel like you’re walking deep into the rain forest, rather than in a well-maintained park as you’re immersed in a sea of deep green and surrounded by a symphony of cicadas, tropical birds and monkeys.
Birds such as toucans and mammals like sloths and monkeys are just a few of the many creatures you can run into on the hike. Our clients are extremely lucky to see several animals thanks to the sharp eyes of our guides including birdwatching.
ARENAL ORGANIC FARM EXPERIENCE
A beautiful piece of paradise awaits just minutes from La Fortuna! Immersed in the warm and natural habitat facing the Arenal Volcano and surrounded by rivers and rainforests, we are invited to visit an organic orchard run by a local family. Here you will find, learn about, and taste some of the dozens of seasonal products growing in the healthy and fertile lands, typical of the nearby volcano – including a great variety of tropical fruits, tubers, and spices.
As a bonus, a walk on one of the many trails on this farm offers abundant wildlife sightings of animals that live here! The mix of vegetation, forest edge, living fences and fruit trees, attract animals such as toucans, parrots, sloths, and iguanas! The highlight of this visit for all is a delicious home-cooked lunch prepared by the owners – followed by a fresh cup of coffee and a tasty desert!
A transfer will be provided back to San Jose or on to your next beach destination. We can add some additional days to your adventure at Arenal Volcano to enjoy its natural beauty, amazing wildlife, and plenty of outdoor activities for visitors. So much to do, so little time! Here are a few other activities that your can enjoy during your stay in the adventure capital of Costa Rica!
BEST ARENAL VOLCANO TOURS:
Arenal Volcano La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Tour, Arenal Volcano Helicopter Tours, Arenal Volcano Canopy Zipline tours, Arenal Volcano ATV Tour, Arenal Volcano Horseback Riding Tour, Arenal Volcano Hike Tour and many more.
These Arenal Volcano Tours can be enjoyed from San Jose, La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Guanacaste and many more areas in Costa Rica.
Itinerary
ARENAL
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa | Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park Tour Day 1. This morning you will be met by your driver-host at your hotel in San Jose. Following breakfast, you set off toward the Central Mountain Range where you’ll visit an authentic Costa Rican coffee plantation and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
The coffee plantation visit introduces you to coffee cultivation and processing. La Paz has a well-designed trail system through its cloud forest that winds alongside the crystal-clear Peace River and leads to viewing platforms – bringing you up close to five beautiful waterfalls. You will also visit the Iguana Bridge, famous for its abundant iguanas. Lunch is included at the Peace Lode before you continue your drive to Arenal.
The main attraction for visitors in this region is Arenal Volcano which rises majestically some 3,000 feet above the surrounding plains. Arenal has occasional rumbles and small eruptions, and a constant emission of steam and other hot gases. It also produces nearly continuous flows of thick pasty lava known as “blocky lava” that breaks off in chunks and can be seen glowing bright cherry red on cloudless nights. The volcano is Arenal Volcano National Park’s centerpiece and it is surrounded by a vast rainforest of several thousand acres which is home to parrots, parakeets, four types of toucans and nearly 400 other bird species, 3 species of monkeys, peccaries and more.
Overnight at your hotel (L)
Tonight, dinner is on your own. You may enjoy a quiet evening meal at the hotel overlooking the lush gardens and if you are lucky, take a glimpse of the majestic Arenal Volcano at night.
Our private bilingual host drivers are selected for their driving skills, knowledge of the country and orientation towards customer service. He/she is responsible for staying with the vehicle while clients are at restaurants, doing hikes or other tours so that all personal belongings left in the vehicle are safe. This service offers you more flexibility in travel time as you can request stops to photograph gorgeous scenery, view wildlife, visit nice local restaurants, meet local people, or take coffee breaks and stretch when you need it.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
- Doka Estate
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens
INCLUDED
- Lunch
EXCLUDED
- Dinner
ARENAL
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa | Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park Tour Day 2. Today enjoy a full day of authentic adventures- hiking the Arenal Volcano National Park, exploring the Arenal Místico Hanging Bridges and enjoying a taste of local tico culture at an organic farm at Vida Campesina where you will be delighted with a “farm to table” lunch. Overnight at your hotel (B, L)
Arenal volcano was the most spectacularly active in Costa Rica. For 30 years hotels in the region touted their views of the lava flows and red hot boulders ejected from the volcano glowing in the darkness.
For the past ten years the red hot lava has been biding its time and the activity at Arenal has been limited to puffs of steam and a few deep rumbles. No one can predict when this quiet cycle will end and the glowing red orange cone will once again dominate the night sky but even when it’s not erupting spectacularly the peak is still an imposing and beautiful sight.
There’s always a chance that clouds will obscure the top of the volcano but volcano but if you stick around a couple of days taking advantage of some of the other attractions in the area you’re likely to also get great volcano views.
The Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges Park is one of the highlights in La Fortuna. Though this park now has more activities other than hiking, the hanging bridges are still the highlight. The 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) hanging bridges trail has 10 regular bridges and 6 hanging ones with the tallest standing at 148 feet. The bridges allow for spectacular views of the rain forest and Arenal Volcano.
The trail’s design makes you feel like you’re walking deep into the rain forest, rather than in a well maintained park as you’re immersed in a sea of deep green and surrounded by a symphony of cicadas, tropical birds and monkeys.
Birds such as toucans and mammals like sloths and monkeys are just a few of the many creatures you can run into on the hike. Our clients are extremely lucky to see several animals thanks to the sharp eyes of our guides.
Also today enjoy a guided journey of the Arenal Vida Campesina property where you can appreciate traditional and non-traditional cultivations and take part in activities like milking a cow, making tortillas, gathering of vegetables from the vegetable garden, cultural activities as the milling of sugar cane, typical dances and collecting water from our handmade well. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with the environment by sponsoring and planting a tree in danger of extinction and enjoying a typical, organic lunch made with products harvested from the property and cooked on a woodstove.
There are also activities that you can enjoy completely free, such as walks around the town, visit crystalline rivers or visit Lake Arenal, and if you rent a bike, you can take a ride through different towns near La Fortuna such as El Castillo or La Guaria. Finally, your vacation in La Fortuna Costa Rica will not be complete, if you do not visit the Arenal Volcano Hot Springs.
Tonight, dinner is on your own. You may enjoy a quiet evening meal at the hotel or adventure yourself to downtown La Fortuna for more local flavour and authentic restaurants.
ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
- Arenal Volcano National Park
- Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
- Arenal Vida Campesina
INCLUDED
Breakfast + Lunch
END OF ITINERARY
Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa | Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park Tour Day 3. Today depart the Arenal Volcano and continue to your next beach destination or return to San José – End of Services (B)
You may enjoy a short hike or walk around the hotel and grounds prior or after a delicious Costa Rican breakfast before you get ready for your next destination!
INCLUDED
- Breakfast
