Arenal and La Fortuna guide: what to do around the volcano

When a client asks me where to start their Costa Rica trip, I almost always answer the same thing: Arenal and La Fortuna. It's the region I've been introducing first for years, because it sums up the country in a single place: a perfect volcano as a backdrop, tropical forest as far as the eye can see, waterfalls, hot springs rising from the ground, and adventure in every flavor. La Fortuna is the village living at the foot of the volcano; Arenal volcano, for its part, dominates the whole landscape. Here's my honest field guide, with the real activities, the real 2026 prices, and the advice I actually give my travelers.

Arenal volcano, emblem of Costa Rica

Arenal is Costa Rica's youngest volcano and long its most active. After more than 400 years of sleep, it woke violently on July 29, 1968 : the eruption destroyed several hamlets and cost 87 people their lives. For more than forty years, until 2010, it spat lava and gas almost daily: that's the era that made its reputation, when people came in the evening to watch the flows glow in the dark.

Today, Arenal has been dormant since 2010. So there's no more lava to see: let's be honest about that, many visitors still don't know. But its almost perfect cone, peaking at 1,633 meters, remains one of the country's most beautiful sights — when the clouds deign to lift, because it often plays hide-and-seek. The best moment to catch it clear: early morning.

How to get to La Fortuna and Arenal

La Fortuna sits in the north of the country, about 130 km from San José, or nearly 3 hours by road. That's one reason the region so often opens itineraries: it's easy to reach from the airport. Three options:

• The rental car — the most flexible, ideal for the Arenal region where activities are spread out. Allow around €70/day, basic insurance included. The road is good and well signposted.
• The shared shuttle — practical and economical door to door, but less freedom once there.
• The private transfer — the most comfortable, often chosen for a serene arrival on the first day.

To organize your arrival and your next stops, see our 15-day Costa Rica itinerary and our advice on car rental in Costa Rica.

What to do in Arenal and La Fortuna: the essentials

Arenal Volcano National Park

It's the reference “nature” outing. The trails cross the forest to the old 1968 lava flows, with superb viewpoints over the volcano and Lake Arenal. The Coladas trail has you walking on solidified lava; the Península sector offers the finest perspectives. Entrance costs about US$15 + 13% tax (≈ US$17) per foreign adult and US$5 for children (2026 prices, card payment at the entrance). The park opens early: use that to catch the volcano clear.

The La Fortuna waterfall (Catarata)

A waterfall of more than 70 meters dropping into a turquoise pool in the heart of the forest. You go down a staircase of about 500 steps (the climb back up wakes the calves!). Entrance is about US$18 per adult, US$5 for ages 5-11, free below; open every day from 7am to 5pm. Swimming is possible but the current is strong: stay careful near the falls.

The hanging bridges

To walk at canopy level. The Mistico park (Puentes Colgantes) lines up 16 bridges, several of them suspended, on a primary-forest course some twenty minutes from La Fortuna. It's one of the best outings for wildlife watching : sloths, birds, monkeys. Allow about US$28 to 39 depending on the formula (self-guided or guided). A naturalist guide truly changes the experience for spotting animals.

The hot springs (aguas termales)

This is Arenal's signature: the volcanic subsoil heats entire rivers. There's something for every budget, from grand luxury complexes to the free river. Prices vary by services (meals, day/evening); here are indicative 2026 benchmarks:

My field tip: a good rainy afternoon is the ideal moment for the hot springs. And if the budget is tight, the free Río Chollín river offers the most “raw” experience — come early, be careful on the stones, and leave nothing of value in the car.

Adventure: rafting, ziplining, rappelling

Arenal is also the adrenaline capital. The rafting on the Río Balsa (class II-III, family-friendly) or the Sarapiquí (III-IV, sportier) is superb. Thrill seekers chain together ziplines (canopy), waterfall rappelling, mountain biking or kayaking on Lake Arenal. It's also a fine gateway to hiking in Costa Rica.

Summary table: activities and indicative prices

To place all this in an overall trip budget, see our guide Costa Rica travel budget.

How many days and when to go?

I recommend 3 to 4 nights in La Fortuna: enough for the park, the waterfall, the bridges, a hot springs session, and one adventure activity, without rushing. Season-wise, the region gets a lot of rain — that's what makes it so green. The dry season (December to April) offers the best chances of clear skies over the volcano; in the green season, expect showers often in the late afternoon and organize activities in the morning. To fit Arenal into your calendar, see our guide When to go to Costa Rica.

Where to stay in La Fortuna

The choice is very wide: from small sodas and inns in La Fortuna village to lodges with volcano views and private hot springs on the Tabacón road. Three benchmarks:

• Budget : hotels and inns in La Fortuna town, walking distance from restaurants.
• Comfort : hotels with a pool and sometimes thermal pools, on the volcano road.
• High end : lodges facing the cone, with spa and hot rivers — perfect for a cocooning stay or a honeymoon.

We know these addresses one by one, to steer you toward the one that fits your trip and budget. Discover the region on our Arenal destination factsheet.

Practical advice (from the field)

• The volcano must be earned : book your “view” activities in the morning, keep hot springs and museums for the rainy afternoon.
• Plan on getting wet : grippy shoes for the waterfall's 500 steps, swimsuit always at hand, a light rain jacket.
• Car : handy to reach the bridges, waterfall, and hot springs, scattered around the village.
• Travel light on your footprint : favor local operators and respect the wildlife, in the spirit of the responsible tourism that is the country's pride.

Arenal combines perfectly with Monteverde, the Pacific (Manuel Antonio, Guanacaste), or the Caribbean coast. For a full panorama of the stops, browse our Costa Rica guide and our itinerary ideas. You can also build your trip directly south Toucan Dynamics, our booking platform.

Frequently asked questions about Arenal and La Fortuna

Is Arenal volcano still active?

It's classified as active but dormant since 2010 : there's no more lava or eruptions to see. The cone remains magnificent to admire, but don't come for a lava show — that era is over.

How many days should you spend in La Fortuna?

Three to four nights are ideal to enjoy the park, the waterfall, the hanging bridges, the hot springs, and one adventure activity without rushing.

How much do the Arenal hot springs cost?

Of free (the natural Río Chollín river) to US$110–115 for a grand luxury complex like Tabacón. Excellent mid-range options exist around US$40 to 60 (indicative 2026 prices).

How do you get from San José to La Fortuna?

Allow about 3 hours by road (130 km) by rental car (≈ €70/day insurance included), shared shuttle, or private transfer.

Want to discover Arenal with a local agency?

At Toucan Discovery, we are an inbound agency based in Costa Rica: we build your Arenal stay (and across the whole country) tailor-made, with our trusted addresses and guides. Request your quote: we reply within 24 hours. Prefer to build it yourself? Create your trip directly on Toucan Dynamics, or Contact us to talk it over.

Often combining Arenal with the neighboring cloud forest? Read our Monteverde guide.