Arenal Full Day: Mistico, the '68 Lava Field, the Waterfall Canyon and Optional Springs

The day opens on the hanging bridges at Mistico park, with a guide explaining the ecosystem as the group crosses them. Bridges and trails together give views over the surrounding forest, the volcano and the lake. A short drive leads to the park at the foot of Arenal. The trail there runs through the big lava rocks thrown out in the '68 eruption and climbs to a viewpoint over the volcano, the lava fields around it and the northern valley. Lunch is at a restaurant with a wide range of local-style dishes. Then the wet part. Twenty minutes down a staircase cut into the jungle takes you into a deep canyon and to the foot of the La Fortuna waterfall, where the pool is open for swimming and the big rocks around it are there to sit on. The hot springs at the end are a choice rather than a fixture. Anyone who wants to can carry on to a small hot springs resort, where the guide pours typical cocktails.