La Fortuna: Arenal Volcano Hike, Lunch & Hot Springs River

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/12

Duration6h

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Rainforest trails volcano views lunch and hot river soak near La Fortuna

You’ll walk rainforest paths around Arenal Volcano with a local guide sharing stories along the way, pause for photos by a jade-green lagoon, enjoy a homemade Costa Rican lunch in good company, then unwind in the warm flow of Choyin hot springs river before heading back to town—a day full of color, laughter, and quiet moments you might not expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Arenal Volcano hike and hot springs

Pick up from hotels by 10AM
Arrive at park and start hike at 11AM
Hike rainforest to Arenal Volcano base
Observe green lagoon near mountain river
Enjoy local lunch in the park
Relax at Natural Hot Springs River for 45-60 minutes
Return to hotels and downtown

The Experience

You know that low, distant rumble you sometimes feel before you hear it? That’s how our morning started near Arenal Volcano. The air was thick and green, like walking through a living painting. Our guide, Carlos, pointed out a flash of scarlet—a toucan—while I tried not to trip over roots (failed at least twice). He told us about the old eruption days and how people here still talk about the night the sky turned orange. I didn’t expect to feel so small under all those trees and that huge volcano just sitting there.

The hike wasn’t too tough but the ground was springy from last night’s rain, so my shoes made this soft squelch with every step. We stopped by a lagoon that looked almost unreal—green as jade, mist curling off the surface. Carlos showed us some weird fruit (I forget the name) and said monkeys sometimes steal them from picnickers. There were birds everywhere but also these pockets of silence where you could just hear your own breath and maybe one far-off laugh from another group.

Lunch came after we’d worked up a real appetite—rice, beans, something slow-cooked and rich that I still think about. Everyone just sort of relaxed into their chairs then, swapping stories with Carlos about growing up in La Fortuna. Afterward we headed for Choyin hot springs river. The water felt like slipping into warm silk after the sticky hike—steam rising off the rocks and locals chatting nearby. I tried to pronounce “pura vida” properly; got it wrong apparently because Carlos grinned at me but didn’t correct me. Honestly, I could’ve stayed there all afternoon if they let us.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from select hotels in La Fortuna, a guided rainforest hike around Arenal Volcano with a local expert sharing stories along the way, a traditional Costa Rican lunch (with vegetarian options on request), and time to relax in Choyin’s natural hot springs river before returning to town.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Arenal Jungle Tours