La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Hike: Half-Day Tour

Hike lava trails around Arenal's base, then swim in the waterfall's mountain pool

A half-day guided tour from La Fortuna combines a hike through Arenal Volcano National Park with a visit to La Fortuna Waterfall, where you swim in the natural pool. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a bilingual naturalist guide, and a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local family ranch, designed for travelers with limited time who want two major activities in one morning and afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Arenal Volcano National Park1h 30m · entry included
2. La Fortuna Waterfall1h 30m

Arenal Volcano hike and waterfall visit

• Hike around Arenal Volcano base
• Visit La Fortuna Waterfall
• Swim in waterfall natural pool
• Enjoy traditional lunch at local ranch

The experience

You start with hotel pickup in the La Fortuna area and head into Arenal Volcano National Park for a hike around the volcano's base. The guide walks you across lava trails formed after past eruptions, pointing out the flora and fauna that now inhabit the slopes and explaining how the volcano shapes the region. You won't reach the summit (it's restricted and too strenuous), but you get close enough to see the landscape change as you climb, with views that open up as you ascend. The guide covers the geology, the eruption history and what makes this place ecologically significant, all while you're moving through the rainforest itself.

After the volcano hike, you head to La Fortuna Waterfall. A 20-minute walk down 500 stairs takes you into a canyon surrounded by rainforest, moving at a pace that lets you take it in. Once you reach the base, you change into your swimsuit and swim in the natural pool fed by mountain water. There's an observatory at the top of the stairs if you prefer to stay there instead, and facilities with bathrooms and changing rooms are available. The waterfall itself is tall enough to feel substantial when you're standing beneath it, and the setting (canyon walls, forest canopy, the sound of water) is what makes the swim different from a pool.

Lunch happens at a local family ranch called Los Rodriguez, located near the river. A family there cooks a traditional Costa Rican meal for the group, and you eat with views of the river and a chance to see local animals. You can have coffee and fruit after eating, which gives you time to rest before heading back. The tour wraps with hotel drop-off in the La Fortuna area.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in the La Fortuna and Arenal area.
• bilingual naturalist guide for both the volcano hike and waterfall visit.
• traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local family ranch.
• fresh local fruit snacks and Costa Rican coffee.
• all taxes and handling fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 31 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomeNot for back problems

Operated by Rainforest Explorers

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a half-day window and want to fit both the volcano hike and waterfall into one outing with a bilingual guide managing the logistics between stops.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How long does the hike around Arenal Volcano take?

The full tour runs 7 hours from pickup to drop-off. The volcano hike and waterfall visit make up the main activities, with travel time and lunch included in that span.

Can I swim at La Fortuna Waterfall, or is it just a viewing stop?

You swim in the natural pool at the base of La Fortuna Waterfall. The water comes from the mountains, and you have time to change and get in the water after the walk down the stairs.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch is a traditional Costa Rican meal cooked by a local family at their ranch near the river. Fresh local fruit snacks and Costa Rican coffee are also included, along with all taxes and handling fees.

Is the hike difficult, and what should I bring?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. Wear hiking or tennis shoes, bring a bottle of water, raincoat, insect repellent, swimsuit and a camera. The walk down to the waterfall is paced and takes 20 minutes, but the volcano hike involves ascending lava trails.

What if I have mobility issues or can't do the full waterfall walk?

An observatory at the top of the waterfall stairs has bathrooms and changing rooms, and you can stay there while the rest of the group goes down. The tour is not recommended for travelers with knee or spinal injuries.