Arenal, Costa Rica

Days

5+

Activity Level

Easy

Host City

San José, Costa Rica

From

$2,195 USD

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Arenal, Costa Rica’s Volcano

Join The Explorer’s Passage (TEP) to explore Costa Rica’s famous Volcano! Arenal is located in La Fortuna and is a great destination for adventure enthusiasts. Wake up and see the massive volcano from your hotel window as you prepare for an exciting day. Spend the day hiking around Arenal Volcano, zip lining through the jungle with views of both Arenal Lake and Volcano or spend the afternoon relaxing in natural hot springs. Arenal will no doubt be a highlight of your trip!

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Trip Highlights

Explore the natural beauty of La Fortuna Waterfall and experience authentic Costa Rican culture at Vida Campesina. Begin your adventure with a scenic hike through the dense rainforest, following well-maintained trails that lead to the base of the waterfall. As you trek through the verdant foliage, listen to the symphony of tropical birdsong and the rustling of leaves, adding to the enchanting ambiance of the surroundings.

Discover the secrets of Arenal Volcano National Park on a guided tour with a naturalist guide. Located near the town of La Fortuna at the base of the iconic Arenal Volcano, this majestic waterfall cascades from a height of 75 meters (246 feet) into a serene pool below, creating a breathtaking sight that captivates visitors from around the world.

Feel the rush of adrenaline on a zip-line tour and explore the forest on a hanging bridges adventure. Embark on a thrilling zip-line tour through the treetops of the rainforest, enjoying bird’s-eye views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Explore volcanic hot springs, where you can soak in therapeutic mineral waters heated by geothermal activity.

Observe the diverse nocturnal wildlife of Costa Rica on a night walk tour. As the sun sets over the lush rainforests and volcanic landscapes, embark on an unforgettable journey to encounter some of the region’s most elusive and intriguing inhabitants.

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Let’s Plan Your Trip Today:


TRIP COST

From $2,195 USD per person.

*More info. on pricing

More questions? Read more about pricing here

Start dates

Custom Dates Available*

To inquire about a custom date,
please contact us!

Duration

Starts at 5 Days / 4 Nights 

*If you are interested in a longer trip, we can create an itinerary based on your interests that combines various destinations throughout Costa Rica.

Accommodations

Relax in comfort & luxury

*Various Options

Choose between 3.5 Star, 5 Star, or 5+ Star Accommodation Options

*Read more about your accommodations in Arenal

max. group size

No minimum or maximum

*All Private Groups

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Easy*

Primary activities:

Hiking, Horseback riding, Ziplining, Canyoning, Boating, and Wildlife Viewing

*Please refer to our Trip Activity Level Guide for more information

5 Day / 4 Night Trip Daily Overview

Sample Trip Itinerary

Custom trip itineraries are available for any size group. Please contact us for a complete detailed itinerary.

Want more information? Download a detailed itinerary.

Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!

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Day 1: Arrival in San José

Bienvenidos a Costa Rica! Once you arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (also known as the San José International Airport), you will be greeted by a member of our team. As you are transported to your hotel, take in the stunning scenery and natural beauty of this incredible country. Enjoy your first night in Costa Rica.

Accommodations: Arenal Manoa or Tabacon Resort

Day 2: La Fortuna Waterfall & Vida Campesina

Today you will hike to the beautiful La Fortuna Waterfall, one of the most popular natural attractions in the area. Afterwards, you will experience authentic Costa Rican culture at Vida Campesina where you will have a guided journey of the property and have the opportunity to gather your own organically produced tubers, fruits, and vegetables. Learn about the traditional process of milling sugar cane and enjoy a refreshing juice squeezed in the handmade trapiche. At La Guaria Morada restaurant, learn to prepare traditional Costa Rican recipes with a local family and participate in a rural, traditional dance before enjoying a family dinner together.

Accommodations: Arenal Manoa or Tabacon Resort

Day 3: Arenal National Park Tour

Start your day with a delicious local breakfast at your hotel as you prepare for an exciting day exploring Arenal Volcano. Your day will include two hikes through Arenal Volcano National Park, where a naturalist guide will share the history and wildlife of the area, including a hike through the 1992 lava flow and a hike to the shores of Lake Arenal for a panoramic view of both the volcano and lake. After the hike, cool off with a cold drink before embarking on a boat tour of Lake Arenal to a spot known as “el tapón.” After the tour, you will have the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate in the local hot springs for the afternoon.

Accommodations: Arenal Manoa or Tabacon Resort

Day 4: Zip-lines, Hanging Bridges, and a Night Walk Tour

Get ready for an adventure-filled day in Costa Rica! Start the morning with an exciting zip-line tour through the rainforest canopy of Arenal Park. The zipline tour starts with a tour in the Sky Tram to reach the top of the Arenal reserve, then begins a tour of adventure full of adrenaline above the treetops, which consists of a system of zip lines that allows you to observe the rainforest and its landscape from a different perspective. After the zip-line, enjoy a delicious lunch before embarking on a Hanging Bridges Adventure, where our experts will guide you through the forest and reveal its secrets. You will have the opportunity to appreciate the balance of the mystical life that happens every moment during the excursion. In the evening, explore the natural beauty of Danaus Ecocentro on a night walk tour, where you will have the opportunity to observe different species of nocturnal fauna in their natural habitats, such as frogs, snakes, insects, bats, skunks and even active sloths. The tour takes about 2 hours with a professional guide from the reserve and is a great way to end the day.

Accommodations: Arenal Manoa or Tabacon Resort

Day 5: Final Day in Costa Rica

Start your last day in Costa Rica with a delicious breakfast, and then transfer to the San Jose Airport for your journey back home. We hope you had an amazing time exploring this beautiful country and we look forward to your next trip with us. Safe travels!

Accommodations: N/A

Create your OWN Unique Experience

Customizing Your Costa Rica Advenutre

Are you interested in another activity or destination in Costa Rica? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? Prefer to start and end your trip in Liberia? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:

With The Explorer’s Passage, you can choose between a variety of trip options in Arenal:

  • Canyoning
  • Sloth Observancy
  • Mountain Bike Excursion
  • Arenal Lake Boat Excursion
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Caving
  • Canopy Tours
  • Surfing
  • Snorkeling
  • Scuba diving

In Costa Rica, you can choose among the destinations below:

  • Guanacaste
  • Manuel Antonio
  • Tortuguero
  • Osa
  • Monteverde

In addition to their time in Arenal, many travelers choose to add in other destinations to their trips, including (but not limited to) some of the following:

  • Argentina
  • Easter Island
  • Galapagos
  • Peru
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Paraguay
  • Uruguay
  • Panama
  • Colombia

Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Costa Rica!

Hear what travelers are saying:

5-Star Review Average on TripAdvisor! Read More >
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“Everything was amazing. Federica, Maikol, and Carly all made sure we made the most out of the Costa Rica experience. They were professional, fun, and very knowledgeable about the country.”
– Rafael V.
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“Thanks so much to The Explorer’s Passage for planning an awesome trip to Costa Rica for us! We had so much support and help before and during our trip“
– Annie O.
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“My wife and I just got back from Patagonia after completing the W Trek that Explorers Passage had arranged for us. From our first contact with Jeff Bonaldi to our last transfer, our experience was stellar. Jeff guided us through the rather complicated logistics and was very responsive to concerns before and during the adventure. His focus was always on how to make the adventure memorable not on the bottom line for his company. I rarely write reviews but felt compelled to do so because our experience was beyond 5 stars.”
– Steve B.
relax in comfort and luxury

Trip Accommodations

For the nights before and after your Arenal adventure, you can relax in the comfort and luxury of 5+ Star premium accommodations – featuring some of the finest hotels in Costa Rica. Alternatively, 4 Star and 5 Star hotel package can be reserved as well. ‘Single supplement’ options are also available for solo travelers who prefer a private room.

5+ Star Accommodations

Nayara Tented Camp | La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Nayara Tented Camp offers 21 luxury tents, including 12 that are mirror image tents linked together to form a two-bedroom unit that can accommodate two couples or a family with four children. The highlight of the camp are the private tents, which are located on a hilltop and offer stunning views of Arenal Volcano. These luxury air-conditioned tents also feature a signature plunge pool for guests to enjoy. This resort is all about stunning natural beauty, intimate spaces, and connecting with nature. Their mission is to offer you authentic, warm, and extraordinary service and share our “Pura Vida” tradition. Experience natural and cultural richness while being environmentally and socially responsible in everything you do.

Nayara Tented Camp website

5 Star Accommodations

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa | La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa is a five-star carbon neutral resort located at the base of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest. The resort offers a unique blend of nature, adventure, and luxury, with luxurious accommodations, services and amenities in a natural setting. The resort’s unique thermal mineral spring river emerges from the volcanic earth, creating waterfalls, streams, tranquil pools, and ponds for guests to enjoy. The resort also features Shangri-La Gardens, an adults-only hideaway where guests can indulge in world-class cuisine inspired by local fares or surprise that special person with a gala dinner in the middle of the rainforest. Inside the gardens is located The Spa, which combines a beautiful location with a singular spa experience, where treatments are rendered in open-air bungalows, all of them with private jacuzzi.

Tabacon website

4 Star Accommodations

Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs | La Fortuna, Costa Rica

At Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs, every guest room offers a breathtaking view of the Arenal Volcano, making it the perfect place to stay for those looking to experience the natural beauty of the area. The unique volcanic region is well-known for its healing hot springs, and Arenal Manoa has its own mineral-rich hot springs. Arenal Manoa offers a fine dining experience at on-site restaurant La Saca, or guests can indulge in a freshly made wood-fired pizza on the patio at Alambique Bistro. Guests can also interact with nature, such as birdwatching from their private patio or exploring the countless trails on the property.

Arenal Manoa website

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Check here for our Frequently Asked Questions for Costa Rica, and if you can’t find the answer you are looking for then send us a message.

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Arenal offers a variety of activities such as hiking around the Arenal Volcano, exploring La Fortuna Waterfall, relaxing in natural hot springs, zip-lining through the rainforest canopy, and wildlife watching.

The dry season from December to April is generally considered the best time to visit Arenal, as the weather is typically sunny with lower chances of rain. However, Arenal’s lush greenery is year-round, and the rainy season (May to November) can be a great time to visit for fewer crowds and lush landscapes.

Travelers usually fly into Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica’s capital. From there, you can take a domestic flight to La Fortuna Arenal Airport or arrange a shuttle or private transfer, which takes approximately 3-4 hours.

Arenal offers a range of accommodations to suit every traveler, from eco-friendly lodges nestled in the rainforest to boutique hotels with stunning volcano views. There are also options for budget travelers and luxury seekers alike.

Arenal Volcano was one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica until its last major eruption in 2010. While it is currently in a resting phase and not erupting, visitors can still admire its iconic shape and hike through its surrounding trails.

Arenal is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, hummingbirds, and a variety of colorful frogs and butterflies. Nighttime tours also offer opportunities to spot nocturnal creatures like kinkajous and frogs.

Yes, Arenal offers many family-friendly activities such as visiting wildlife sanctuaries, exploring hanging bridges in the rainforest, taking gentle boat rides on Arenal Lake, and enjoying relaxing hot springs that cater to all ages.

Essentials include lightweight clothing suitable for warm weather, comfortable hiking shoes, insect repellent, a rain jacket or poncho, swimsuit for hot springs, sunscreen, and a camera or binoculars for wildlife viewing.

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Trip Support

ARENAL TRIP Support

There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.

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Personal Attention & Preparation Before Every Trip

We get very involved with our travelers before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from us on preparation, trip experience, and training. It also gives you the platform to ask questions about any aspect of the trip. We also provide comprehensive packing lists, pre-adventure checklists, and other detailed information.

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Staff Support & Logistics

We go above and beyond our competitors in handling every aspect of your trip, so that you can focus exclusively on experiencing all that Costa Rica has to offer. Our knowledgeable support staff takes care of the details of your in-country ground transportation, lodging, meals, tours, park fees, and activities. We’ve even scheduled a bit of free time for you to explore, relax, shop, or eat on your own.

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Additional Trip Information

Check out our detailed educational content on Arenal, written by our adventure team. The article provides a complete overview of everything that you need to know about this amazing journey to Costa Rica.

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info@explorerspassage.com