Duration: Full Day · Price: From $225 USD per group of 1–4 · Difficulty: Easy
About this tour
The perfectly conical silhouette of Arenal Volcano rising above the jungle canopy is one of the most iconic images in all of Central America — and your day begins with it as your backdrop. Your private bilingual naturalist guide picks you up from your hotel in San José and takes you directly into Arenal Volcano National Park, where wide lava-field trails wind through secondary rainforest still reclaiming the slopes from the dramatic 1968 eruption.
As you hike, your guide will explain how Arenal went from dormant cone to one of the most active volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere almost overnight. Look for the chocolate-dark basalt flows cutting through the green, howler monkeys crashing through the canopy overhead, and if you're lucky on a clear morning, the full summit reflected in Lake Arenal beyond. The 1968 lava fields are eerie and beautiful — a reminder that this landscape is always in motion.
After the hike, the afternoon is reserved for relaxing at natural hot springs in the Arenal area. The pools are fed by geothermal waters, with a range of temperatures, lush surroundings, and a calm atmosphere built for soaking away the day’s adventures.
Lunch is included at a comfortable open-air restaurant, where fresh Costa Rican flavors and local produce are served in a relaxed tropical setting. This tour is physically accessible to most fitness levels. The volcano trail is flat to gently rolling — it's a walk, not a climb — and the hot springs require no exertion at all.
What's included
- Private bilingual naturalist guide
- Round-trip hotel pickup & drop-off from San José
- Arenal Volcano National Park entrance fee
- Hot springs entrance fee
- Lunch and refreshments
- Bottled water & snacks
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities for guide and drivers
- Personal travel insurance
- Optional spa treatments available for extra cost
Good to know
- Hotel pickup from San José with private transfer to Arenal
- Bring a swimsuit and flip-flops for the hot springs
- Trail is mostly easy with short scenic walks
- The day includes roughly 3 hours each way from San José
- Free cancellation 48 hours prior