Arenal Volcano tour: Rainforest, suspension bridges & hot springs

Suspension bridges above the rainforest, lunch in the cloud, then thermal pools with the volcano behind you

This full-day tour from La Fortuna combines three stops around Arenal Volcano: a hike across suspension bridges in Mistico Park rainforest, a traditional Costa Rican lunch buffet, and afternoon time in the 28 thermal pools at Baldi Hot Springs Resort with views of the volcano. A live guide leads in English or Spanish, and the day includes breakfast, transport, towels and all meals.

Step-by-step itinerary

Arenal Volcano hike and hot springs

• Breakfast near Arenal lake
• Hike suspension bridges and trails
• Enjoy authentic lunch
• Relax in Arenal hot springs

The experience

The tour starts with a typical Costa Rican breakfast near Arenal Lake before heading to Mistico Park, where you walk suspension bridges that rise above the rainforest canopy. The hike lasts about two and a half hours on clean, easily accessible trails (the kind families with children can manage), and from the bridges you see the exuberant tropical forest from all angles, with chances to spot wildlife. Arenal Volcano itself sits across the lake with its distinctive conical shape visible throughout the morning.

After the hike comes an authentic lunch buffet with rice, beans, eggs, plantain, fresh cheese and your choice of traditional dishes. Then you move to Baldi Hot Springs Resort, where 28 thermal pools fed by the volcano's geothermal energy let you soak while looking directly at Arenal behind the hotel. The pools range in temperature, and the resort's all-inclusive buffet dinner is part of the day. Bring extra dry clothes and sandals or shoes you don't mind getting wet.

The full day runs twelve hours from pickup. Your guide speaks English or Spanish, you choose at booking, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles transport between sites. Bottled water comes with you throughout, and towels are provided at the hot springs. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the tour accommodates all fitness levels, though the suspension bridge hike does involve heights and uneven terrain.

What’s included

• Breakfast buffet with coffee or juice.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• live guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch buffet at Mistico Park.
• afternoon access to all 28 thermal pools at Baldi Hot Springs Resort.
• dinner buffet at the resort.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• towels at the hot springs.

Options for this experience

3 options

Group Prices-PrivateGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00, 06:30, 07:00 and 07:30Arenal rainforest: hanging bridges and hot springs, duration 12 hours, pickup included

Hanging Bridges, Waterfall and Hot Springs in the Arenal Volcano RainforestGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00, 06:30, 07:00 and 07:30Includes pickup

Arenal Volcano PrivateGuide in English or Spanish · 06:00, 06:30, 07:00 and 07:30Arenal Volcano Rainforest: hanging bridges, waterfall and hot springs, with a traditional lunch, pickup included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 06:00, 06:30, 07:00 and 07:30

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 85 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 34 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats available

Operated by Seven Sense Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Choose this if you're doing one trip from your base and want volcano views, rainforest canopy walks, and hot springs in sequence: the full day and suspension bridge hike mean you'll see all three, but plan for continuous activity from morning through evening.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Mistico Park and what do you actually do on the suspension bridges?

Mistico Park is a rainforest reserve near La Fortuna where you walk a network of suspension bridges built high above the forest floor. The bridges let you move through the canopy at treetop height, giving you views of the exuberant tropical forest from all angles and chances to see wildlife on the clean, accessible trails. The hike lasts about two and a half hours.

Can you see Arenal Volcano from the tour, or is it too far away?

Arenal Volcano is visible across the lake from Mistico Park during the hike, and you can see its distinctive conical shape clearly. At Baldi Hot Springs Resort, the volcano sits directly behind the hotel, so you see it again while you're soaking in the thermal pools.

How many thermal pools are at Baldi Hot Springs, and do they all feel the same temperature?

Baldi Hot Springs Resort has 28 thermal pools fed by geothermal energy from the volcano. The pools range in temperature, so you can move between warmer and cooler water depending on what feels right to you.

What meals are included, and will there be enough food if I have dietary preferences?

Breakfast is a traditional Costa Rican buffet with rice, beans, scrambled eggs cooked to your preference, ripe plantain, fresh cheese, and coffee or orange juice. Lunch and dinner are both all-inclusive buffets with many traditional Costa Rican food choices, so you can pick what suits you from the spread.