Arenal Volcano Tours from La Fortuna
64 experiences at the foot of a cone that stopped erupting in October 2010, and is hidden by cloud on most afternoons.
Arenal stopped erupting in October 2010 and has been resting ever since. That is the first thing to know, because almost every photograph that sold you this trip is older than that: the black cone at night with a red seam running down it belongs to the 1990s. What stands above La Fortuna today is a green mountain, usually with its top in cloud, and the industry that grew up around forty-two years of eruptions is still here, still excellent, and now selling the forest instead of the fire.
This page is about the volcano and the town: what happened here, what you can actually see, how the six kinds of day differ and what a sensible three days looks like. The detail of each activity, including what to wear on a zipline and how many steps there are down to the waterfall, sits in the six pages below.
Choose a destination in Arenal Volcano
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Hot Springs
Hot springs heated by Arenal: Tabacón, Baldí, Ecotermales and Los Lagos, plus the free hot river under the bridge that nobody sells you.
9 experiences -
Hanging Bridges
The Mistico and Sky Adventures hanging bridges on Arenal's flank: a 3.2 km circuit, sixteen bridges, and a trail that is easy but not flat.
12 experiences -
Volcano Activities
Walking the 1968 lava flows, night walks after frogs and snakes, ATV runs on the farms below Arenal, and the sunset boat on the lake.
12 experiences -
Zipline & Canopy
Zipline courses and aerial trams around Arenal: 7, 9 and 12-cable circuits, the one that crosses the La Fortuna waterfall canyon, and what the weight limits…
12 experiences -
Waterfalls
The La Fortuna waterfall, 70 metres down a volcanic canyon with about 500 steps, plus the canyoning trips that abseil down waterfalls instead of walking to…
7 experiences -
Rafting & Tubing
Rafting and tubing on the rivers running off the Arenal massif: the Balsa, the Sarapiquí and the Peñas Blancas safari float.
12 experiences
Volcano Travel Experiences in Arenal Volcano
Arenal Rafting and Canyoning Combo: Two Specialist Teams, One Booking
White water rafting and waterfall rappelling with a specialist team on each side, booked as one. The office is shared with Arenal Rafting on avenue 333.
Arenal Three-Park Combo: 1968 Lava Field, 500 Steps to the Waterfall, Mistico Bridges
Early starts and small groups through three parks: the 1968 lava field, the 500 steps to the waterfall, and 16 bridges at Mistico. Casado lunch included.
Arenal Volcano Hike with a Local Guide: 9 am or 1 pm, Fruit and Drinks Included
Two departure times, a bilingual local guide, and transport, the entrance fee, fruit and drinks all covered, so nothing gets paid at the park gate.
Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall, Hot Springs Combo Tour with Lunch & Dinner
A day from Jaco with lunch and dinner both included: the waterfall for a swim, the 1968 lava trails at Arenal, and the Paradise Hot Springs at the end.
Arenal Zipline with Three Thermal Pools and a Mud Bath After
The flying is followed by the three thermal mineral pools and the volcanic mud baths, included in the price, at a base 8.5 km west of La Fortuna town.
Balsa River Rafting, Class III with Lunch, 30 Minutes from La Fortuna
The Balsa holds its water level all year, so the run is dependable in both seasons. Class III for beginners and regulars alike, 30 minutes from town.
Canyoning at Pocosol: Four Waterfalls in the Peñas Blancas Canyon
Four waterfall descents inside the Peñas Blancas canyon, in the Pocosol forest beside the Children's Eternal Rainforest, with the ecology explained.
Canyoning Rock: 4 Walls, 3 Pools and 2 Zip Lines Across the Arenal Canyon
Four rope descents in the Arenal River canyon, three pools where the jump stays optional, two cables across the gap, and lunch at La Roca Bistró after.
Canyon Rappels First, Class II-III Rafting After, with Lunch
The rappels down the canyon walls come before the Class II-III rapids, and lunch, refreshments and transfers are included. The photographs are sold separately.
Class III-IV Rafting on the Sarapiquí, from La Fortuna
Wave Expeditions runs the Class III and IV stretch of the Sarapiquí, an hour from La Fortuna through papaya, pineapple and yucca plantations below Arenal.
Desafío Mambo Combo: Lost Canyon Rappels, Balsa Rafting and El Salto Buffet
Waterfall rappels with Lost Canyon and class 2-3 rafting on the Balsa in one day, closing with an all-you-can-eat buffet beside the El Salto swimming hole.
Discovery Adventures ATV Ride in La Fortuna: Arenal River Crossing and Maleku Village
Three hours on the trails, with a crossing of the Arenal River, a stop at the indigenous Maleku village and the volcano's ecological park. Children ride too.
Ecoglide Canopy on the Arenal Slopes: Double Rope System, Ages 3 to 90
The only canopy course on the slopes of Arenal, on a double rope system, with a Tarzan swing. Fully accessible, and it takes riders from age 3 to 90.
Ecoterra 4-in-1: El Silencio Lookout, the Waterfall and 15 Bridges
The lookout at El Silencio is as close to Arenal as anyone can safely get, and lunch is à la carte with five dishes. Fifteen bridges to finish, at 2:30.
Go Adventure Canopy: 9 Cables, a 50-Metre Rappel and Montaña de Fuego Springs
Thirteen platforms over the Arenal River canyon, nine cables, and a fifty-metre rappel on rope. Hot springs at Montaña de Fuego included afterwards.
Go Adventure Combo: 7 Zip Lines, Class 2-3 Tubing and Hot Springs
Nine platforms and seven cables over the Arenal River canyon, then class 2 and 3 tubing reached on foot past the Maleku village, and hot springs last.
Half-Day Arenal: The Waterfall, the Volcano Trails and Lunch at Los Rodríguez
A half day with hotel transfers, a home-cooked lunch at the Los Rodríguez ranch, and an observation deck at the top for anyone skipping the 500 steps.
Hiking Lovers: Three Arenal Trails in a Day, Bridges, Waterfall and Volcano
Built for walkers: the canopy bridges, the climb down into the waterfall canyon and the trails at the base of the volcano, with no rides in between.
Horseback Ride to the La Fortuna Waterfall Through Rainforest
The approach to the falls on horseback rather than by road, riding through rainforest at a pace that lets you see what lives in it. Free parking on site.
Kayak or Paddleboard Hire on Lake Arenal, at El Castillo
Single kayaks, tandems and paddleboards to hire at El Castillo. Transport is not included, and the office is a black container just before the lake shore.
La Fortuna Falls, 500 Steps, and the Maleku Palenque
About 500 steps down to a 70-metre waterfall, then twenty minutes on foot to a Maleku palenque, and the Arenal hot springs at the end of the walking.
La Fortuna Night Walk at El Silencio: Wild Forest, No Enclosures
A wild forest rather than a managed enclosure, so sightings change nightly. The only local operator certified Family & Kids Friendly. Closed shoes required.
La Fortuna River Tubing from the Pink Hostel
Tubing on the La Fortuna river with professional guides and rapids on the friendly side, meeting at the Fortuna Pink Hostel in town rather than out of it.
La Fortuna's 70-Metre Fall, Bridges 135 Metres Up, and 15 Thermal Pools
The bridges run two hours and reach 135 metres up, the waterfall drops 70, and the spa at the end holds more than 15 pools at different temperatures.
Ratings collected by Viator, Tripadvisor and Civitatis