Lake Arenal Boat & Baldi Hot Springs Private Tour from San Jose

Boat across Costa Rica's largest lake, then soak in natural hot springs

A private tour from San Jose combining a 90-minute boat tour of Lake Arenal with an afternoon at Baldi Hot Springs. After exploring the lake and its islands by water, you'll have lunch and spend hours in the thermal pools, steam room and gardens before returning to the city. The guide is a naturalist who speaks English or Spanish, and all transport, entry and meals are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Lake Arenal2h · entry included
2. Baldi Hot Springs4h · entry included

Lake Arenal boat tour and hot springs

• Pickup from hotel in San Jose
• Drive to Fortuna Town (2.5 hours)
• Meet local guide at Lake Arenal
• Enjoy 90-minute boat tour on Lake Arenal
• Optional swim in safe lake area
• Lunch at Baldi Hot Springs
• Relax in thermal pools and enjoy facilities
• Return to San Jose after 4:00 PM

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your San Jose hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle for the 2.5-hour drive to Fortuna and Lake Arenal. Once you arrive, a naturalist guide leads a 90-minute boat tour across the lake, the largest in Costa Rica. You'll pass small islands and watch for wildlife in the ecosystem. The Arenal Volcano is visible from the water. For those who want to swim, the guide will take the boat to a safe area in the lake.

After the boat tour, you head to Baldi Hot Springs for lunch and the rest of the afternoon. A buffet meal comes first, then you move into the thermal pools. There are multiple ones at different temperatures, fed by natural hot springs. The complex also has a steam room, water slides, pool bars and quiet lounging areas. Lockers and towels are provided. You stay until 4 p.m., then begin the drive back to San Jose, arriving in the evening.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your San Jose hotel.
• private naturalist guide.
• 90-minute boat tour of Lake Arenal.
• lunch at Baldi Hot Springs.
• entrance to Baldi Hot Springs.
• access to all thermal pools, steam room and facilities.
• bottled water.
• towels and lockers.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Greenway Nature Day Tours

Is this one for you?At 10 hours door-to-door, this tour fills most of a day and leaves little room for other activities in San Jose. Book it if you want to dedicate a full day to the lake and hot springs, or if you're staying in the Central Valley and can spare the time away from the city.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

4 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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 will I see on the Lake Arenal boat tour?

The 90-minute boat tour covers the lake's small islands and the surrounding ecosystem. The Arenal Volcano is visible from the water, and your guide will point out the region's natural features. If you want to swim, the boat stops at a safe area in the lake.

Is the drive from San Jose very long?

The drive to Lake Arenal is 2.5 hours each way in a private air-conditioned vehicle. You'll travel through the Costa Rican countryside with your guide, then return to San Jose after leaving Baldi Hot Springs at 4 p.m.

What's included at Baldi Hot Springs?

Entry to Baldi Hot Springs, a buffet lunch, and access to all the thermal pools, steam room, water slides and lounging areas are included. Towels and lockers are provided. You stay until 4 p.m.