Water Bike Tour Lake Arenal: Pedal on Water

Pedal across the lake instead of motoring through it

A water bike tour on Lake Arenal mixes pedaling and floating across three bays of the lake, with a guide in English or Spanish who shares the area's history and points out birds and wildlife. The tour includes a lifevest, the bicycle, hydration and energy bar, plus complimentary photos and videos. Minimum age is 10 years. Maximum recommended weight is 120 kilos.

Step-by-step itinerary

Water bike tour on Lake Arenal

• Depart from Embarcadero El Fosforo del Castillo
• Pedal water bike through three bays
• View Lake Arenal and surrounding towns
• Observe birds and possibly otters
• Enjoy photos and videos taken during tour

The experience

How do you tour a lake without a motor? You pedal. Water Bike Tours is the only operator in the country running bicycle tours on water, which means you're propelling yourself across Lake Arenal on a traditional bicycle that floats. The setup is simple: you get a water bicycle with all the gear you need, a lifevest, and a support boat that travels alongside. The tour leaves from Embarcadero El Fósforo del Castillo and takes you into three separate bays, each one a different stretch of the lake with its own view and rhythm.

The guide narrates as you pedal: the history of Lake Arenal, the towns that sit below the waterline, and what you're seeing around you. On clear days the volcano shows itself. Bird species move through the trees along the shore, and if the timing is right, otters surface. You'll stop for photos and video, which the operator provides at no extra cost. Hydration and an energy bar keep you going through the 90 minutes, and the whole thing runs with a guide who speaks English or Spanish.

The minimum age is 10 years or 1.30 meters tall. The maximum recommended weight is 120 kilos for the equipment. Bring a change of clothes in case of rain, sunscreen and a hat. The tour works for anyone with moderate fitness. You're pedaling on water, not climbing, so the effort is steady rather than intense.

What’s included

• Water bicycle with full equipment.
• lifevest.
• bottled water and energy bar.
• insurance policies.
• complimentary photos and videos.
• support boat accompanying the tour.
• guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 10:00, 13:00 and 15:00

AgesAdult (50 years) · Senior (51 to 69 years) · Youth (19 to 49 years) · Child (10 to 18 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Water Bike Tours

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here since the guide narrates from the water and keeps everyone together across the three bays. The pedal-powered approach suits travelers who want to move under their own effort rather than sit in a motorized boat, and it appeals to anyone looking for a low-impact way to see the lake without adding fuel emissions to it.

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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 (19 to 49 years); Child (10 to 18 years). Children under 10 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's the difference between a water bike and a regular boat tour on Lake Arenal?

A water bike tour has you pedaling the bicycle yourself, which propels the bike across the water without a motor. A support boat travels with the group, and the guide narrates from the water instead of from a motorized vessel, so you're moving under your own power and hearing the lake's history as you go.

Can I see the volcano from the water bikes?

Yes, if the weather allows it. The volcano shows up in its best view on clear days, and the guide will point it out during the tour across the three bays.

What's included in the water bike tour price?

The tour includes the water bicycle with all equipment, a lifevest, hydration (bottled water), an energy bar, insurance policies, and complimentary photos and videos taken during the tour. A support boat accompanies the group throughout.