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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Arenal Sky Aerial Tram & Trek Zipline

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 rainforest canopy and the Arenal volcano as your backdrop, you’ll have time for photos before receiving a safety briefing. This part of the tour is […]

Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike

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 bridges with a naturalist guide to uncovering the magic of the rainforest and the importance of conservation.  Keep an eye out for tropical […]

Arenal Hanging Bridges Hike

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 bridges maintained for the observation and protection of nature. Explore the canopy of the rainforest with a professional ornithologist guide on a trail connected by […]

Slothies & Birds Nature Tour

‘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 try to find these gentle creatures! It is likely you will spot at least one sloth, try as they may blend in. Learn about the […]

Arenal Hanging Bridges Hike Tour

Arenal Hanging Bridges Hike

Hike across the Arenal Hanging Bridges with a naturalist guide for a perfect half-day Arenal tour. This ecotourism project of solid ground trails and state-of-the-art hanging bridges was designed for the observation and conservation of Costa Rica’s incredible nature. The reserve, with nearly 370 acres of rainforest, is home to countless species of amazing birds, […]

Pure Trek Waterfall Canyoning Tour

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 rappels, four of which are along waterfalls, and one dry rock face, ranging in height from 50 to 20 meters, and are all promise to […]

Pure Nature Rio Frio Safari Float Class I-II

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 the Frío River, an important area for much of Costa Rica’s wildlife. Float down the river peacefully as you try to spot monkeys, sloths, iguanas, […]

Rio Balsa Whitewater Rafting Class II – III

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 dynamic on this river is typical of most rivers in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica: consistent Class III rapids for the first half, and […]

Safari Float Jacamar

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 on this adventure! A professional bilingual guide will accompany you to share educational explanations of the plants and animals you encounter. Traveling down the river without […]

Arenal Volcano Hike Tour

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 also spot plants, and wildlife during the hike. Once you have reached the top of the lava flow, stop to enjoy a magnificent view of […]

Mountain Bike Arenal Lake to El Castillo Village

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 before passing through pieces of lush rainforest. Here you might spot toucans, coatis, and monkeys. After a snack and some time to rest, you’ll have […]

Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike

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 on paved stair pathways.  Along the way, observe the volcano vents emitting gases. The grand finale of this hike is the magnificent Rio Celeste Waterfall […]

Butterfly & Fauna Garden at Danaus Eco-Center

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 to observe the local wildlife in its natural habitat. Don’t miss the butterfly breeding center, where Danaus reproduces nearly 30 different species of butterfly: it’s a […]

Arenal Night Walk Guided Tour

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, spiders, and more. An experienced naturalist guide will provide details and background about what you see and hear after dark. Minimum Age: 5 years Passenger […]

Stand Up Paddle Boarding on Lake Arenal

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 off to navigate the lake’s waters, with awesome volcano views from every angle. Minimum Age: 6 years Passenger Minimum: 2 Duration: half-day, departs in the […]

Arenal Volcano Kayaking

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 and fauna. Along the way, keep your eye out for the wildlife that surrounds the lake, including iguanas, monkeys, and birds. Minimum Age: 7 years […]

Venado Caves Guided Tour

Venado Caves Tour

Formed over 15 million years ago, the Venado Caves are the perfect stomping grounds for adventurous travelers. Carefully explore an underground labyrinth of chambers and passages, spotting stalactites, stalagmites, and other fascinating cave characteristics along the way.  Bats, spiders, and other wildlife can be spotted in the Venado Caves, so keep an eye out. Be […]

Coffee and Chocolate Tour

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 coffee production in Costa Rica, which plays a key role in the country’s history and economy. The farm is a model of sustainable agriculture where […]

Maleku Indigenous Cultural Tour

Maleku Indigenous Cultural Tour

Transfer about an hour to an Indigenous reservation in the Northern Plains of Costa Rica, where three Maleku communities live: El Sol, Tonjibe, and Margarita. Visit the Tonjibe community to meet a local family, who will share how they have adapted their lifestyle while keeping their traditions and cultures alive. The home materials you will […]

El Silencio and La Fortuna Waterfall Tour

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, you will have a chance to take in the views of the volcano and enjoy the scenery. After, visit La Fortuna Waterfall. Grab some photos of […]

Tropical Hands-on Cooking Class

Tropical Hands-on Cooking Class

This hands-on tropical cooking class introduces you to Costa Rican cooking with esteemed local chefs. During this fun afternoon, you will learn all about tropical cooking, ingredients, grilling, and even cocktails! Enjoy amazing views and a laid-back, “pura vida” atmosphere while you learn about food and prepare your meal. The class is great for beginners, […]

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.


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