Arenal Volcano Tours
Arenal Volcano is a great base for adventure touring including ziplines, hanging bridges, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, caving, fishing on Lake Arenal, and more.
Located in northern Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano once erupted an average of 41 times per day. Today, the volcano is in a resting phase, but its commanding presence is still a sight to behold. The region is not only home to Costa Rica’s largest and most recognized volcano, but it also benefits from natural volcanic-fed thermal springs, waterfalls, Lake Arenal – Costa Rica’s largest lake, and a rich ecosystem of exotic wildlife. All this natural beauty has attracted adventure seekers worldwide. Now considered by many to be the adventure capital of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano is a great base for adventure touring including ziplines, hanging bridges, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, caving, fishing on Lake Arenal, and more.
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‘Slothies & Birds’ Nature Tour
Sloths are one of Costa Rica’s most recognizable creatures, with tourists flocking to the area to observe them each year. Embark on a short hike through the secondary forest and…
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Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Explore Costa Rica’s agricultural culture and local traditions on this coffee tour just outside the La Fortuna area. The tour takes place on a farm, where you will learn about…
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Arenal Cooking Class
The cultural element of this Arenal cooking class makes for a unique and informative culinary experience in the Arenal Volcano region. This Arenal cooking class takes places at “La Finquita”,…
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Stand Up Paddle Boarding on Lake Arenal
Spend the day mastering the art of stand-up paddleboarding on Arenal Lake. This tour (and full-body workout!) is suitable for all experience levels. Once you find your balance, you’ll paddle…
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Arenal Lake Kayaking
Explore Costa Rica’s largest lake by kayak. As you paddle across the calm waters of Lake Arenal, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano, and experience beautiful flora…
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Peñas Blancas Safari Float: Class I-II
Quietly paddling along the Peñas Blancas River is a great chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the rainforest. Sloths, iguanas, crocodiles, numerous tropical birds, and monkeys all await you…
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Pure Trek Waterfall Canyoning
Begin with a brief safety talk before gearing up and embarking on a short trek to the top of the first waterfall where you start your descent. There are five…
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Butterfly & Fauna Garden at Danaus Eco-Center
Visit the Danaus Eco-Center, a biological reserve committed to environmental training and education, conservation programs, and sustainable production. Follow the nature center’s trails through the secondary forest for a chance…
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El Silencio Horseback Riding & La Fortuna Waterfall
Ride along easy, pastoral trails that gradually ascend through local farmlands and discover a variety of ferns, bromeliads, and woodlands along the way. As you reach the Silencio Observation Point,…
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Rio Balsa Whitewater Rafting: Class II – III
About 1 – 1.5 hours from the Arenal area is the Balsa River, a perfect spot for first-time and experienced paddlers to enjoy class II and class III rapids. The…
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Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike
The Arenal Hanging Bridges hike is a rainforest canopy experience through a private nature reserve with over 1500 acres of rainforest. Traverse a trail connected by 8 fixed bridges and 6 hanging…
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Pure Nature Rio Frio Safari Float: Class I-II
This tour is for nature lovers who want to explore further away from the main Arenal tourist areas. You will transfer by ground approximately 1 ½ hours by ground to…
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Mountain Bike Arenal Lake to El Castillo Village
Ride from Arenal Volcano National Park to Lake Arenal on flat gravel roads on this half-day tour. Along the way, you will travel through the small town of El Castillo…
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Arenal Sky Aerial Tram & Trek Zipline
The Arenal Sky Aerial Tram & Trek Zipline tour starts with the Sky Aerial Tram, a high-tech cable-car that brings you to the highest point of the Arenal Reserve. With…
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Arenal Night Walk
Explore the nature and wildlife of Arenal by night on this walkthrough Danaus Eco-Center. Discover nocturnal animals of the Arenal area in action, such as sloths, caimans, frogs, bats, butterflies,…
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Arenal Hanging Bridges ‘Early Birds’ Hike
This early morning tour is for those who wish to discover the magic of the rainforest just after sunrise. The Arenal Hanging Bridges is an ecotourism project of trails and…
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Arenal Volcano Hike
Start your hike on a rainforest trail that crosses one of the volcano’s old lava flows from 1992. Thanks to the environment around the base of the volcano, you may…
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Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike
You’ll depart early in the morning for a 1 ½ hour drive to the Tenorio National Park. Here you’ll begin the 5-mile hike (approximately 4 hours) through a tropical forest…
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Arenal Hanging Bridges Hike
Hike across the Arenal Hanging Bridges with a naturalist guide for a perfect half-day Arenal tour. The Arenal Hanging Bridges is an ecotourism project, comprised of solid ground trails and…
What is the best way get to Arenal? Do I need to fly into a certain airport?
You can reach Arenal by car from most other destinations in Costa Rica. From San Jose, the drive is about 2.5 – 3 hours. The Liberia airport is roughly the same distance. Arenal also has a small airport, so you can take a private charter flight to more remote areas like the Osa Peninsula and Santa Teresa.
What kind of adventure activities can I access in Arenal?
Zip-lining, whitewater rafting, waterfall rappelling, mountain biking, and stand-up paddleboard tours on Lake Arenal are some of the best ways to get your adrenaline pumping in Arenal.
What about nature? Can I get that in Arenal?
Arenal’s secondary rainforest environment is home to a number of wild animals. Explore the Arenal Hanging Bridges or go on a safari float on a local river to spot wildlife. Some local eco-centers offer tours that allow you to get up close and personal with rescued animals.
Can I go to the beach in Arenal?
Arenal is inland, located in the north-central area of Costa Rica. Arenal is not a beach destination, but its one of the most visited places in Costa Rica thanks to its variety of adventure activities and famous hot springs. The best beaches to hit after a visit to Arenal are in Guanacaste or Manuel Antonio.
What is the hiking like in Arenal?
Hiking in Arenal is appropriate for most travelers. A hike around the base of the Arenal Volcano is a great way to learn about the history of the area through nature. The Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike is one of the most popular hiking excursions in the Arenal region!
Can I hike to the crater of the Arenal Volcano?
It is not currently possible to reach the top of the volcano to see the crater. The journey is grueling and incredibly steep and would take several hours. Aside from safety concerns, the volcano is not currently active and thus most hikes take place around its lush base. For the best shot at seeing a volcano crater, we recommend visiting Poas Volcano near San Jose.
Visit our Arenal page for a more in-depth exploration of Costa Rica’s adventure capital and all the best area hotels.