Volcano Travel · Tour
Half-Day Arenal: The Waterfall, the Volcano Trails and Lunch at Los Rodríguez
Ratings collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
La FortunaHalf a day rather than a full one, for anyone whose schedule will not take more, with hotel pick-up and drop-off at either end and lunch in the middle. The volcano section walks the base of Arenal inside the national park, on and around the old lava trails. Nobody goes to the summit: it is not allowed, and it would be punishing and dangerous besides. The route gets as close as the formed lava trails permit. The guide covers how the forest grew back after the eruptions, why the soil here is so rich, and what lives in it now. The waterfall is a 20-minute walk down 500 steps into a canyon, with a natural pool to swim in at the bottom. Anyone who would rather not take the stairs can stay at the top, where there are bathrooms, changing rooms and an observation point looking down on the fall. The same applies to anyone with mobility, back or knee trouble. Lunch is cooked by a local family at the Los Rodríguez ranch, beside the river, with coffee afterwards before the day carries on.
What's included
- All Fees and Taxes
- Fruits
- Lunch
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from La Fortuna/ Arenal only
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- Bilingual naturalist guide
Itinerary
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Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano National Park is the reason most people come to this part of the country. The walk goes around the base and climbs gradually, and the ground changes several times as it does. The guide covers what grew back after the eruptions, why volcanic soil supports so much life, and which species have made a home in it. You do not go to the summit. It is not permitted, and it would be both strenuous and dangerous. What you get instead is as close as the lava trails allow, with the history of the eruptions, how the volcano works, and the animals along the path pointed out as they turn up.
La Fortuna Waterfall
The waterfall sits in a canyon in the rainforest, and the water comes down off the mountains cold. Getting to it takes about 20 minutes down 500 stairs. There is no hurry on the way down. At the bottom there is a natural pool to swim in and rocks to stand on and look from. At the top of the steps there are bathrooms, changing rooms and an observatory for photographs from above. Anyone who would rather not go all the way down can wait there for the group, which is also the arrangement for anyone with mobility, back or knee problems.
Rain Forest Explorers
Lunch is a home-cooked meal at a local family ranch, the Los Rodríguez place, in the surroundings of the river. The family does the cooking and what comes out is traditional. Sitting there you get the river sounds, whatever animals come near, and time with the people whose kitchen it is. Coffee follows the meal, and after that the day moves on to the volcano.
Not included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off outside of La Fortuna/Arenal
Good to know
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- It is recommended that you wear tennis or hiking shoes and bring a bottle of water, raincoat, repellent, swimsuit and a camera.
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- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.
- Not recommended for travelers with knee problems
- Up to 15 travelers per booking.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Guiding available in: en, es.
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Ratings collected by Viator and Tripadvisor