Arenal and La Fortuna: volcano, hot springs and waterfalls

Why go to Arenal

Arenal packs more variety into a few days than almost anywhere in the country. You can hike old lava flows in the morning, swim under a waterfall at lunch and soak in volcanic hot springs at night. It suits families, couples and adventure lovers equally, and it sits roughly between San José, Monteverde and Guanacaste, so it fits into almost any route.

Things to do

• **Arenal Volcano National Park** has trails across the 1968 and 1992 lava flows with views of the cone. You cannot climb to the crater, and that is forbidden for safety. The nearby **Arenal 1968** private reserve has more trails and a viewpoint over the lake.
• **La Fortuna Waterfall** drops about seventy metres into a green pool. A long staircase leads down to it, and swimming is allowed in the lower pools. Go early to beat the crowds.
• **Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges** take you through the rainforest canopy on a series of suspension bridges, a great way to see birds, monkeys and sometimes snakes at eye level.
• **Hot springs** range from big resort complexes like Tabacón and Baldi to smaller, quieter pools, and there are free spots along the river where locals swim. Several resorts sell day passes.
• **Lake Arenal**, the country's largest lake, is good for kayaking, stand up paddle and windsurfing at its western end.
• **Night walks** with a local guide reveal red eyed tree frogs, sleeping birds, tarantulas and sometimes sloths.
• **Adventure**: ziplining, canyoning, whitewater rafting on the Balsa River and horseback rides to viewpoints are all run by local operators.

Day trips

**Río Celeste** in Tenorio Volcano National Park, about ninety minutes north, is a river that turns a startling sky blue where two streams meet. The trail to the waterfall is muddy and steep in places. The **Caño Negro** wetlands near the Nicaraguan border are excellent for birds and caimans on a boat tour. **Venado Caves** offer a wet, muddy crawl through limestone caverns.

Where to stay

Stay in **La Fortuna town** to walk to restaurants and catch shuttles easily, from hostels to mid-range hotels. The road west towards the volcano is lined with **lodges and resorts** with volcano views from your room, many with their own hot springs. Around **Lake Arenal** and the town of **Nuevo Arenal** you will find quieter, more remote stays.

Food

La Fortuna has plenty of sodas serving casados and fresh fruit juices, plus pizza, steak houses and international food for tired travellers. Try a fresh trout dish near the lake and a coffee or chocolate tour, which many farms around town offer.

The volcano and the weather

Arenal is often wrapped in cloud, especially in the afternoon. Your best chance of a clear view is at dawn, and the drier months of February to April are clearest. Rain can fall in any month here, so pack a light rain jacket and plan hot springs for the wet afternoons.

Getting there and around

Shared shuttle vans and public buses connect La Fortuna with San José, Liberia and Monteverde. The famous jeep, boat and jeep transfer crosses Lake Arenal to Monteverde in about half the time of the road. Tours usually include hotel pickup, and taxis are easy to find in town. Read more in our destinations guide and plan the loop with Monteverde.