The 15 Best Arenal Volcano Tours

1.Hanging Bridges Walk in Arenal Volcano

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

At Mistico Park near La Fortuna, you’ll follow a mostly shaded rainforest trail across six hanging bridges and ten fixed bridges. Look for monkeys, sloths, toucans, frogs, lizards, and snakes, then pause at an 18-meter waterfall. The roughly two-mile route takes 1 to 2 hours. Choose self-guided freedom or add a guide for better wildlife spotting.

“The park far exceeded my expectations. Highly recommend. Lots of various wildlife. We even heard howler monkeys. They sounded close by but vegetation was so thick we were unable to spot them. Definitely a highlight of our trip”

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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 Sarchi and La Fortuna, with a stop at the famous painted ox cart, volcano views, lunch, thermal hot springs, dinner, and hotel transport. Guides such as Eric, Pedro, Harold, and Roberto have earned strong praise, but long drives, weather, and occasional itinerary changes matter.

“This tour makes for a long day. We were picked up at the hotel at 8:30, and weren’t back until 10:30. I was really expecting a relaxing experience at the hot springs, and a lunch with a view of the volcano (like the pictures)- neither happened. We drove 45 mins or so to Sarchi and the Ox Cart Factory (by far the highlight of the tour), and then 3 hours to lunch (not at the Arenal 1968 as advertised), then to a view point at the hotel hot springs - Los Lagos (not the advertised Baldi). The hotel hot springs were not peaceful, or relaxing- lots of families and kids…”

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3.Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall

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

Ride a calm horse through reforested land and private farms near La Fortuna, then leave the saddle for a steep hike to La Fortuna Waterfall. You can swim at the river, spot monkeys and toucans, and visit a small Maleku cultural center. Guides such as Otto, Kevin, Danny, Pablo, and Carlos have earned warm praise.

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

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

Start early with a lava trail at Arenal Volcano, swim beneath 70-meter La Fortuna Waterfall, and cross 15 bridges at Mistico Park. Choose two to four activities, add lunch and hot springs if you wish, and ride between stops with a guide. Expect steep paths, many steps, and a long day outdoors.

“Fantastic tour! We hiked the mountain, swam in the waterfalls and seen many animals on the suspension bridges. It was a great day! Highly recommend”

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5.Full Day Tour with Safari Float, Waterfall and Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $210

Start near La Fortuna with a calm safari float on the Peñas Blancas River, where guides such as Tony, Pepe, or Isaac may point out sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and toucans. Swim at La Fortuna Waterfall, eat a home-cooked Costa Rican lunch at a family ranch, then walk old lava trails near Arenal Volcano. Hotel transport, park fees, snacks, and lunch are included.

“Learned how to howl at the monkeys ! Had a nature loving guide who showed us the habitat of many local animals.”

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6.Ecogarden Arenal Night Walk

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

At 6 p.m., you explore Ecogarden Arenal in La Fortuna with a guide such as Jose or Joshua, searching for frogs, sloths, caimans, birds, reptiles, and insects. The two-hour walk includes snacks, and some outings finish with a homemade empanada and warm sugarcane drink. Groups can include up to 20 people.

“Young Joshua who led us through this small sliver of jungle paradise was on point. His ability to locate even the smallest and most hidden of creatures was truly astounding. From the poison dart frog practically invisible under a leaf to a slot who came down from the upper reaches of the canopy stop right in front of us, it was one amazing experience after another. Great hospitality before and after and a truly memorable evening for all of us!”

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7.Arenal Oasis Night Walk from Arenal

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

You’ll walk flat rainforest trails at Arenal Oasis after dark, beginning with ponds that shelter at least 28 frog species. Naturalist guides such as Angie, Jason, Edson, Vitor, and Gerald point out red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, insects, sloths, and other night creatures. Hotel pickup from the Arenal Zone is included.

“We had a tremendous rainstorm earlier that day and the frogs, giant grasshoppers and more were out en mass. We had a phenomenal guide who was very knowledgeable and engaging, and who also pointed out a large snake and tree sloth. Great experience in a small group (6 of us). Don’t miss it!”

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

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

Walk 3 kilometers through Arenal’s forest with a local guide such as Andreas or Gustavo. Cross 10 fixed bridges and 6 hanging bridges, including one 100 meters long and 55 meters high. The trail has gentle slopes, no steps, safety rails, and non-slip concrete. Morning or afternoon departures are available, with optional hot springs.

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

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

Spend about four hours kayaking the Peñas Blancas River with a naturalist guide such as Christopher, Beto, or David. Watch for monkeys, crocodiles, sloths, toucans, bats, and iguanas, then visit La Cocina de Tita Yolanda for coffee, cacao, sugar cane, and a typical snack.

“The guides were knowledgeable about the animals in the area and kept an eye out for us to stop and take pictures. They were cautious about keeping us safe and they were very fun and kept us laughing. This was one of the highlights of our trip!”

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

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

Travel from San Jose to Arenal for La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Hanging Bridges, and Los Lagos Hot Springs. Guides such as Hayro, Fernando, and Alejandro are praised for wildlife spotting and local insight. Expect breakfast, lunch, a small group of up to 15, heavy walking, and a very long day.

“Awesome experience. Our guide was so knowledgeable and just all around amazing. If you get Haro be prepared for a great time.”

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11.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 near La Fortuna. You’ll cross cables up to 2,460 feet long, follow trails past farms and forest, and reach Silencio Observation Point for Arenal views. Guides such as Charlie, Dillon, Eddy, and Alberto are noted for calm instruction and friendly help. Hotel pickup, fruit, and water are included.

“Great experience with a peaceful horseback ride through the jungle. Zip lining was also so much fun and a great view. We even saw a white hawk!”

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12.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 stand-up paddleboard outing on Lake Arenal near La Fortuna. You’ll receive a safety lesson, paddle in sheltered areas, look for birds, turtles, fish, and otters, and enjoy fruit, photos, and video. The pace is friendly and adaptable, with assistance available for participants with disabilities.

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

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

Start at 7:30 am with a guided walk across Arenal’s hanging bridges, then descend to La Fortuna Waterfall for swimming. After lunch, explore trails at the volcano base before ending at Paradise Hot Springs with dinner. Expect about 9 to 10 hours, plenty of stairs, a small group, and guides such as Tony, Michael, Allen, or Anderson when available.

“Our family went on this tour. The hanging bridges and waterfall were nice, but you could do this on your own for a much lower price. The value-add of doing the tour is to have a guide who can spot wildlife. Unfortunately, our guide was not as skilled in this. The only wildlife we saw was as a result of other guides spotting them and us 'glomming on'. We also missed a number of species that other groups saw, perhaps because our guide was on his cell phone for part of the time. He didn't really seem to want to be there. The lunch at the coffee plantation afterward was…”

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14.Arenal Volcano Hike

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

Walk Arenal’s old lava fields near La Fortuna with a guide such as Byron, Aaron, Diego, or Ricardo. Expect a roughly three-hour outing with transport, park entry, fruit, and drinks included. The route can be adjusted to suit your group, with steep steps, loose lava rock, forest paths, and views toward Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal.

“The tour guide was brilliant. Really friendly and happy to help. Took us up to see the lava flows and then we had a lovely fresh fruit lunch afterwards. We haven’t seen a sloth by this point so they took a detour on the way back to find one for us.”

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

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

Drive an automatic 4x4 ATV through the forest near La Fortuna with a guide such as Nelson, stopping for Arenal Volcano views, wildlife sightings, river time, and local culture. The three-hour outing suits families and first-time riders, though it focuses more on safe exploration than high-speed thrills.

“My husband and I had the best time on this tour. It was so much fun and we also got to see a sloth and some monkeys! Would recommend!!”

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