Arenal Volcano Tour from San Jose: Zip Lining & Hot Springs
Zip line over the Arenal River, then soak in thermal pools fed by the volcano itself
A 14-hour combo tour from San Jose to La Fortuna that combines volcano sightseeing, waterfall stops, and adventure activities (zip lining through rainforest canopy, rappelling 150 feet, and soaking in natural hot springs) with coffee tasting, lunch, and dinner included. Hotel pickup and drop-off in the San Jose area are part of the booking. A bilingual guide leads the whole day. Not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, knee problems, or cardiovascular concerns.
Step-by-step itinerary
Arenal Volcano Full-Day Combo Tour
- Pickup from San Jose hotel
- Drive scenic route to Arenal
- Visit coffee plantation and briefing
- Stop at La Paz Waterfall
- Stop at San Fernando Waterfall lookout
- Enjoy coffee and local snacks
- Visit Iguanas Center and sloth viewing
- Lunch of authentic Costa Rican cuisine
- Zip lining and rappelling adventure
- Indigenous tribe cultural presentation
- Relax at Paradise Hot Springs
- Dinner at Costa Rican restaurant en route
- Return to San Jose hotel
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in the San Jose area.
- air-conditioned vehicle transport.
- entrance fees to all attractions.
- coffee tasting with local snacks at the plantation.
- lunch and dinner at local restaurants.
- professional bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
- zip lining and rappelling equipment.
- access to Paradise Hot Springs and Gardens.
Times
- Every day 06:30
Before you book
Operated by Go Tours Costa Rica
Prices and times updated yesterday
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The experience
The day starts before dawn with pickup from your San Jose hotel, then a drive along the scenic route toward Arenal that takes you past plantations, local towns, and volcano views. The first real stop is a coffee plantation where your guide walks you through how Costa Rican coffee grows and is processed, followed by a tasting of the beans in a rustic restaurant paired with traditional local snacks. From there you move to La Paz Waterfall, one of the country's most photographed natural attractions, where you stand in the rainforest and shoot pictures of the cascade. A second waterfall stop at San Fernando gives you a lookout point and another cup of fresh coffee while you watch for hummingbirds in the exotic bird gallery nearby.
The Iguanas Center comes next: a bridge viewing point where you see these rainforest animals at eye level in their natural habitat, and a nearby spot where sloths are normally found in the wild. After that, you eat a hearty lunch of authentic Costa Rican cuisine at a restaurant near the base of Arenal Volcano itself. Then the adventure part: a two-hour zip lining run through the rainforest that strings together seven cables, a 150-foot rappel line over the Arenal River, and a short presentation from members of the Maleku indigenous people who explain their culture and traditions of the region.
The final stretch is a couple of hours at Paradise Hot Springs and Gardens, where natural thermal water fills small pools, Jacuzzis, and cascading waterfalls on larger lagoons surrounded by tropical gardens. You soak and relax here before heading back toward San Jose, stopping for dinner at a typical Costa Rican restaurant on the route. The whole day (travel, meals, activities, and entrance fees) runs 14 hours from pickup to drop-off.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want multiple activities (zip lining, hot springs, coffee tasting, wildlife spotting) in one 14-hour day. Skip it if you prefer a single focus or have concerns with rappelling and sustained physical exertion.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
What exactly happens during the zip lining and rappelling part of the tour?
The rainforest zip lining adventure lasts two hours and includes seven cables strung through the canopy, a 150-foot rappel line over the Arenal River, and a short presentation from the Maleku indigenous people about their local culture and traditions.
Are the hot springs at Arenal natural or man-made?
Paradise Hot Springs and Gardens uses man-made pools and Jacuzzis, but they are filled with natural thermal mineral water heated by the volcano, and the whole complex sits in tropical gardens with cascading waterfalls on larger lagoons.
What's included in the meals on this tour?
Lunch is a hearty authentic Costa Rican meal served near Arenal Volcano, and dinner is a typical Costa Rican dish at a restaurant on the drive back to San Jose. Coffee or tea with local snacks are also provided at the coffee plantation and waterfall stops.
Can I do this tour if I have children, and what's the minimum age?
Children as young as five can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult the entire day, and you need to inform the operator in advance so they can prepare the required safety equipment for the zip lining and rappelling activities.
How long is the drive from San Jose to Arenal, and what will I see on the way?
The scenic route drive to Arenal takes up a significant portion of the 14-hour day and passes through plantations, local towns, waterfalls, jungles, and volcano views before you reach the main attractions near La Fortuna.
What should I wear or bring for a day that includes zip lining, waterfalls, and hot springs?
The tour operates in all weather, so dress appropriately for rain and sun. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet at the waterfalls and hot springs, and bring secure footwear for the zip lining and rappelling activities.
Arenal Volcano Tour from San Jose: Zip Lining & Hot Springs
14h · EN · ES
from US$ 185 per person
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