Costa Rica · ARENAL VOLCANO TOURS

The 15 Best Arenal Volcano Tours

38 tours  ·  from $31

Arenal stopped erupting in 2010 and turned into the best day’s walking in the country. The 15 below cover the lava trail, the canopy bridges and the hot-spring combos, with prices, transfer times and how much of each day is driving.

Hanging Bridges Walk in Arenal Volcano - The 18-meter waterfall gives the walk a focal point
Arenal Volcano Tours, Hanging Bridges Tours, Hanging Bridges Tours in La Fortuna, La Fortuna Tours, Tour Reviews, Volcano Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in La Fortuna

Hanging Bridges Walk in Arenal Volcano

1.Hanging Bridges Walk in Arenal Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 381 reviews · from $39Our pick

At Mistico Park near La Fortuna, you’ll follow a marked rainforest trail across six hanging bridges and several fixed bridges, with views of an 18-meter waterfall and possible monkeys, sloths, toucans, frogs, and snakes. Choose a self-guided walk or arrange a guide for better wildlife spotting. Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours.

“Such a beautiful park and I really liked that it’s kid and family friendly, anyone can do this park regardless of physical fitness. Amazing wildlife sightseeing, highly recommend as a family excursion and a light day on vacation.”

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Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose - The long road through Costa Rica’s agricultural belt
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Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

2.Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 236 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $195

Spend about 13 hours traveling from San Jose to La Fortuna for Sarchi’s famous ox cart, an Arenal volcano viewpoint and trails, included lunch and dinner, and several hours at a thermal resort. Guides such as Eric, Pedro, Harold, Pablo, and Max have helped make this long day personal, but weather, resort changes, and pickup delays can affect the plan.

“Our driver and tour guide was amazing. We got to see 30% of the volcano and enjoy the wonderful hot springs of Los Lagos. The overall tour was good for our family but we would have planned it better for us. I would do things differently. We literally only saw the volcano for 5-10 mins, which is fine, but not what I expected.”

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Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall - Reaching the Pino Blanco Waterfall lookout
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Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall

3.Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 127 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $94

Ride a tame horse from Arenal Mundo Aventura through reforested land and private farms, then walk steep steps to La Fortuna Waterfall for photos or a swim. Guides such as Otto, Kevin, Danny, Pablo, Carlos, Paz, and Crystal have earned praise for their patience. The ride suits beginners, but the waterfall hike is demanding.

“The experience was great! Our guide Otto was awesome and made the tour great. The horseback ride was a good length without getting too sore and the falls were beautiful”

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Best of La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges, Waterfall and Arenal Volcano - Swimming below the 70-meter waterfall
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Best of La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges, Waterfall and Arenal Volcano

4.Best of La Fortuna: Hanging Bridges, Waterfall and Arenal Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · from $124Top rated

Start at 7:30 a.m. with a guided Arenal lava-trail hike, then swim at La Fortuna Waterfall and cross Mistico’s rainforest bridges. Add hot springs for a relaxing finish. Guides may include Diego, Gabriel, Ivan, Harvin, or Daniela. Hotel pickup, snacks, and park fees are included, with lunch available as an option.

“This hit all the major attractions in the area in a single day. Daniella was a very friendly and knowledgeable guide. I would definitely recommend this tour!”

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Ecogarden Arenal Night Walk - The 6 pm start sets the mood
Arenal Volcano Tours, Evening Experiences, La Fortuna Tours, Night Walks, Night Walks in La Fortuna, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in La Fortuna

Ecogarden Arenal Night Walk

5.Ecogarden Arenal Night Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $60

At 6 pm, your guide leads you through Ecogarden Arenal near La Fortuna for about two hours. Look for frogs, sloths, caimans, snakes, birds, lizards, and insects that appear after dark. Guides such as Jose and Joshua are praised for sharp wildlife spotting. Snacks are included, and the walk ends back at the meeting point.

“The tropical rainforest ecogarden really brought the unique flora and fauna of Costa Rica to life. Up close and personal we saw sloths, butterflies, toads, frogs, leaf-cutting ants, caimans, lizards, spiders all under a dense canopy of foliage. Great experience, interesting and educational.”

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Arenal Oasis Night Walk from Arenal - What the three-hour walk is like
Arenal Volcano Tours, Evening Experiences, La Fortuna Tours, Night Walks, Night Walks in La Fortuna, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in La Fortuna

Arenal Oasis Night Walk from Arenal

6.Arenal Oasis Night Walk from Arenal

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 80 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $70

From La Fortuna, follow a naturalist through Arenal Oasis after sunset, where spring-fed ponds shelter at least 28 frog species. Guides such as Angie, Edson, Vitor, Aaron, Jason, and Gerald have spotted red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, sloths, insects, and more. Hotel pickup, flashlights, and bottled water are included.

“Super tour, the guide is so nice and patient, he explains everything and very professional. I appreciate how they have the relation with the nature , the animals.”

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Arenal Hanging Bridges, Guided Walk, Hot Springs Optional - A guide turns a forest walk into wildlife watching
Arenal Volcano Tours, Guided, Hanging Bridges Tours, Hanging Bridges Tours in La Fortuna, Hot Springs in La Fortuna, La Fortuna Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in La Fortuna

Arenal Hanging Bridges, Guided Walk, Hot Springs Optional

7.Arenal Hanging Bridges, Guided Walk, Hot Springs Optional

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $87

Explore a 600-acre rainforest reserve near La Fortuna with a local guide such as Andreas or Gustavo. Walk 3 kilometers across 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges, watch for frogs and snakes, and learn how the forest changes from ground level to canopy. Hotel pickup, drinks, entrance fees, and family-friendly access are included.

“Andreas was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. Didn’t hesitate to stop the group to look for animals. We saw lots of snakes and frogs!”

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Wildlife Safari Float by Kayak in Peñas Blancas River from Arenal - Kayaking versus floating in a raft
Arenal Volcano Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, La Fortuna Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Wildlife Safari Float by Kayak in Peñas Blancas River from Arenal

8.Wildlife Safari Float by Kayak in Peñas Blancas River from Arenal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $88

Paddle or gently float the Peñas Blancas River with a naturalist guide such as Christopher, Beto, David, or Marco. Watch for monkeys, crocodiles, toucans, sloths, iguanas, and birds, then visit La Cocina de Tita Yolanda for coffee, sugar cane, chocolate, and a typical snack.

“An absolutely wonderful kayak experience!!! We met at the office and were taken to the river via shuttle. We had a wonderful time in our kayak and got to see a lot of wildlife! Our guide David was great! We never felt rushed going down the river and experiencing the wildlife. In the end, we even got a nice snack and a chocolate-making demonstration with tasting! We would absolutely recommend Canoa Adventure for the Wildlife Safari Float by Kayak!”

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Combo Arenal : Suspension Bridges + Hot Springs + Fortune Falls - Hanging bridges above the rainforest
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Combo Arenal : Suspension Bridges + Hot Springs + Fortune Falls

9.Combo Arenal : Suspension Bridges + Hot Springs + Fortune Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 79 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $249

Travel from San Jose to Arenal with a small group of up to 15 people. Walk to La Fortuna Waterfall, cross rainforest suspension bridges, spot wildlife with guides such as Hayro or Leni, then relax in more than 15 Los Lagos hot-spring pools. Breakfast and lunch are included, but expect a long day with plenty of stairs.

“Be prepared for rain if you are going in October/November! The rain was light but steady. Wear good shoes w/ grip; there are quite a bit of inclines on the hanging bridge tour. Ask for Hayro! He was super knowledgeable about the animals, plants, history and Costa Rican culture. We happened to go on a really great day with several clear views of the volcano. Hayro let’s you tailor the trip to your liking; more time here or less time there depending on what interests you :) Breakfast and lunch were provided and we stopped for souvenirs and fruits”

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Arenal Canopy and Horseback Riding Adventure - Why nervous first-timers usually manage well
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Arenal Canopy and Horseback Riding Adventure

10.Arenal Canopy and Horseback Riding Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $162

Pair eight rainforest zip lines with a one-hour horseback ride to Silencio Observation Point. You’ll cross 3 km of cables, then follow farmland and forest trails toward Arenal views. Guides such as Charlie, Dillon, Eddy, Alberto, Valeria, and Danilo have been praised for calm instruction and friendly help. Hotel transport and fruit are included.

“Hotel shuttle pickup and drop off was smooth. Our 2 guides were amazing, I forget their names. Very professional. Felt safe the entire time. Would visit again!”

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Lake Arenal Private Paddle Board Experience - Paddling Lake Arenal in protected water
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Lake Arenal Private Paddle Board Experience

11.Lake Arenal Private Paddle Board Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $70

Join Jose for a private 2.5-hour paddle board outing on Lake Arenal near La Fortuna. You’ll receive a basic SUP and safety lesson, paddle in sheltered areas, look for birds, turtles, fish and otters, and enjoy fruit, photos and video. The tour returns to Embarcadero 1, with transportation not included.

“Jose was a very friendly and professional guide. He taught the basics of supping very patiently and made us feel confident on the paddle board”

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Arenal Best 4 Attractions Full Day Combo Incl. Lunch and Dinner - La Fortuna Waterfall: beautiful, steep, and brief
Arenal Volcano Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Full-Day, La Fortuna Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews

Arenal Best 4 Attractions Full Day Combo Incl. Lunch and Dinner

12.Arenal Best 4 Attractions Full Day Combo Incl. Lunch and Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 77 reviews · 9 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $273

Spend 9 to 10 active hours around Arenal with guides such as Tony, Michael, Allen, or Anderson. Walk 16 hanging bridges, descend to La Fortuna Waterfall, hike among old lava flows, then soak at Paradise Hot Springs with dinner included. Pickup is available from downtown La Fortuna hotels, with groups capped at 15.

“Our guide Andres was great! We opted into the 4 excursions day which included Hanging bridges, Fortuna Falls, Volcano and Hotsprings with lunch and dinner included. For us it was personally way too long of a day. By the time we finished lunch we were ready to go back to our hotel but still had the volcano hike plus the hot springs remaining. 😅 I’d recommend 2 excursions MOST for one day”

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Arenal Volcano Hike - What the three-hour outing actually includes
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Arenal Volcano Hike

13.Arenal Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $73

Walk Arenal Volcano’s old lava fields and forest trails with a local guide such as Byron, Diego, Aaron, or Ricardo. Expect volcano history, uneven lava rock, lookout points, possible wildlife sightings, transport, and a fresh fruit snack. The roughly three-hour tour suits most reasonably active visitors and ends back at Callidryas Tours.

“This one is not so much hike as it is educational. Our guide was fabulous and knowledgeable about the area, the history, creatures around us, etc. He was great. The “hike” itself is mildly strenuous for a short time, and we think as a family (with teenage boys), we probably could’ve completed the hike out and back in 45 minutes at a decent pace.”

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The Discovery Adventures ATV Guided Experience in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano - Automatic 4x4 quads make the route easier
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The Discovery Adventures ATV Guided Experience in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano

14.The Discovery Adventures ATV Guided Experience in La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Join Outback Quad and Hire and Tour for a three-hour ATV ride near La Fortuna. You’ll receive a safety briefing, drive automatic 4x4 quads through forest trails, pause by the Arenal River, and look for monkeys, sloths, and volcano views. Guide Nelson is known for keeping rainy rides cheerful and fun.

“What an experience! It was so much fun! and trails were challenging enough to keep things exciting but still felt safe. Perfect mix of adventure and enjoyment.”

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Arenal Hanging Bridges Hiking Tour - Morning timing and animal sightings
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Arenal Hanging Bridges Hiking Tour

15.Arenal Hanging Bridges Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $66

From La Fortuna, ride by air-conditioned minivan to a 243-hectare protected forest. Walk a 3.1-kilometer circuit across 15 suspended and stationary bridges while your guide points out monkeys, snakes, frogs, birds, and rainforest plants. Guides such as Andres, Harvin, and Daniela have earned praise for sharp wildlife spotting and clear explanations.

“This was a truly great tour. Gustavo is a wonderful, knowledgeable guide. The fauna and flora are outstanding. The park itself is very nice and very well maintained. One of the best tours we have had on our Costa Rica trip.”

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New in Arenal Volcano Tours

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★ 5.0Full Day Class II-III Rafting and Canyoning Rappelling from La Fortuna-ArenalFrom $19145 reviews
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★ 4.5Arenal Volcano Guided Hiking Tour – Lava Trails & RainforestFrom $7735 reviews
★ 4.5Side by Side Tour (Arenal Volcano) 2 – 5 people39 reviews
★ 4.5Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike from ArenalFrom $10835 reviews
★ 4.5Moonshine Sunset Cruise on Lake ArenalFrom $7443 reviews
★ 4.5Hanging Bridges of Arenal – Guided Nature Walk with NatureFrom $8540 reviews
★ 4.5Hanging Bridges & Arenal Volcano with Lunch and HotspringsFrom $9936 reviews
★ 5.0Combined Tour (Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Volcano)From $28343 reviews
★ 4.5Arenal Volcano Expeditions Walk with Optional Hot SpringsFrom $5841 reviews
★ 4.5Arenal Volcano Hike Expedition with Optional Hot SpringsFrom $5735 reviews
★ 5.0Arenal Full Day TourFrom $18545 reviews
★ 4.5Arenal Volcano Hike plus Baldi Hot Springs and DinnerFrom $14029 reviews

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