Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River

Outty Ranking 63 4.5 · 4 traveler reviews5 hoursFrom $69
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Outty Ranking

63/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.5/5

Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River worth booking?

Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River is a 5-hour experience in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, from $69 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
63 / 100
Rating
4.5/5 (4)
Duration
5 hours
From
$69 per person

Begin an unforgettable journey on an exciting guided adventure that combines nature, history, and relaxation in the heart of La Fortuna. Starting at 10:20 a.m. from the center of La Fortuna, this tour takes you to explore the stunning rainforest trails leading to the base of the iconic Arenal Volcano. Enjoy scenic rainforest paths, visit the historic lava flows from the years 1525, 1968, and 2010, and learn about the rich biodiversity of the area. The hike includes two hours to the base of the volcano and an hour of descent to the picturesque Green Lagoon, a pristine volcanic formation. Afterward, savor a traditional Costa Rican lunch. To top off this adventurous day, indulge in a typical Costa Rican lunch and unwind in the natural hot springs of the Tabacón River, renowned for its revitalizing properties.

What you get

    About this experience

    Begin an unforgettable journey on an exciting guided adventure that combines nature, history, and relaxation in the heart of La Fortuna. Starting at 10:20 a.m. from the center of La Fortuna, this tour takes you to explore the stunning rainforest trails leading to the base of the iconic Arenal Volcano. Enjoy scenic rainforest paths, visit the historic lava flows from the years 1525, 1968, and 2010, and learn about the rich biodiversity of the area. The hike includes two hours to the base of the volcano and an hour of descent to the picturesque Green Lagoon, a pristine volcanic formation. Afterward, savor a traditional Costa Rican lunch. To top off this adventurous day, indulge in a typical Costa Rican lunch and unwind in the natural hot springs of the Tabacón River, renowned for its revitalizing properties.

    What's included

    Included

    • Transportation in La Fortuna area
    • Lunch
    • All Fees and Taxes
    • Bilingual tour guide

    What you'll see and do

    1. Arenal Volcano National Park

      Our guides will walk you through the rainforest to the foot of the Arenal Volcano over the old lava fields, after the hike you can swim in the rainfall green lagoon right inside the park then lunch will be served to head out to the natural hot springs river to relax at the end of the activity then we will bring you back to the starting point or hotels on the way .

      240 minutes here

    2. El Choyin

      Visti the free zone of el Choyin River natural termal water coming from the Arenal Volcano

      45 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    La Fortuna

    50 meters north of Pali La fortuna

    Meeting point

    La Fortuna

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.

    Ends at

    50 meters north of Pali La fortuna

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Arenal Hike & Adventures

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River in La Fortuna, photo 2Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River in La Fortuna, photo 3Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River in La Fortuna, photo 4Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River in La Fortuna, photo 5Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River in La Fortuna, photo 6Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River in La Fortuna, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    3 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Physical effort

    3 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    1 mention

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    4 verified traveler reviews for Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    3
    4 star
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    3 star
    1
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    Sort
    Camper66289879209 · January 2026

    Great leadership and knowledge shared by guides!

    Outstanding leadership from Sergio and his colleague on Jan 22. Was very patient with my wife who struggled at times on the walk.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! 🌋🌿 We’re truly happy to hear that Sergio and his colleague made such a positive impact on your hike. Their patience, leadership, and genuine care for our guests are exactly what we aim to deliver on every tour. We especially appreciate you mentioning how supportive they were—everyone experiences the trail differently, and our guides are trained to ensure each guest feels safe, comfortable, and encouraged along the way. Thank you for choosing us for your Arenal Volcano Hike and Hot Springs River experience. We hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica for another adventure in the future! Warm regards, Arenal Hike & Adventures Team

    via Tripadvisor

    Marie_K · June 2024

    Disorganized tour

    They started by picking us up late. Not their fault because apparently there was a funeral procession. However, it would have been nice if they let us know they would be over 30 mins late picking us up. We got there and most of the tour participants spoke Spanish so we thought maybe we got on the wrong tour. The guides figured it out and put us in a group pretty much by ourselves so the guide could speak English. Hike was ok- he asked us what difficulty trail we wanted but he ignored us and took us on the easy trail when we asked for difficult. Clearly there was no choice. Volcano views were awesome. When we ended the hike we had lunch, which was fine. Then they told us to continue on to another tour that we didn’t book since some people in the group were going to the hot springs and some went to the hanging bridges. The guides seemed pretty disorganized. Hot springs were nice. Overall, their disorganization caused my daughter to have an unnecessary panic attack because no one seemed to know who was getting on which bus to go where. I should have been more wary of the low tour price. Would not do again.

    Response from the operator: Tahnk you for your review, of course unexpected things happened that day and maybe not guides best day they are humans usually we dont have this many situations happening suddenly, we do apologize for your daughter's panick attack we don't want nobody to suffer them and of course we will take actions to correct this type of incovenients so our guides can solve sooner and in appropiate way, hope you had a nice rest of the trip in Costa Rica and thank you for choosing us even tough we could reach your expectations and we didn't solved situations in a better way we will work on that for sure, thank you for your review once again !!

    via Viator

    V6556COdianag · January 2021

    Excellent trip

    We had a great time on this hike. It was challenging but not too difficult. Sneakers were fine for walking. Raul our guide was fun, knowledgeable and provided many interesting factors and stories. Lunch was delicious. We ended up completing the itinerary for the day which included the Arenal observatory and a hot spring swim. We had not booked this part but enjoyed it and were pleased to do it. We would highly recommend Raul as a guide and this outfit. Our drive was great, transporting us to the various stops as well as picking us up and dropping us off at our hotel. He also had stories about the history of the area as well.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the hike and found it both rewarding and accessible. Raul will be thrilled to know his stories and guidance made a lasting impression — he truly loves what he does! We're also glad you got to enjoy the full itinerary, including the Arenal Observatory and hot springs. It means a lot to us that you’d recommend both our team and the experience. We hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica again soon!

    via Tripadvisor

    GuevaraR · December 2020

    Great tour

    Our guide name was Aaron. He was a great guide. He was very patient with us and explained in detail everything about the area. The hike is challenging. It rained on us on the way and we were not able to see Arenal volcano since it was cloudy. Overall, we had an excellent experience and a delicious lunch. I highly recommend this tour company!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're happy to hear you had an excellent experience despite the rain and clouds. Aaron will be so pleased to know his patience and detailed explanations made your hike memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again — hopefully with a clear view of the Arenal Volcano next time!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    5 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    Available for selected locations
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Arenal Hike & Adventures, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.5.

    See everything Arenal Hike & Adventures runs

    Why this scores 63

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)83
    Review evidence (18% weight)22
    Booking momentum (14% weight)11
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)43
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for La Fortuna.

    How much does Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River cost?

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    Prices start at $69 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in La Fortuna usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River take?

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    Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in La Fortuna is not rushed.

    Is Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in La Fortuna, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River?

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    Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in La Fortuna can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in La Fortuna and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central La Fortuna within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in La Fortuna?

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    On Outty we rank every La Fortuna experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Upper Balsa River White Water Rafting Class 3/4 in Costa Rica, White Water Rafting Class II and III, Authentic Coffee and Chocolate Tour at North Fields. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit La Fortuna?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in La Fortuna?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River?

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    Included: Transportation in La Fortuna area; Lunch; All Fees and Taxes; and Bilingual tour guide. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 47 listed pickup locations in and around La Fortuna. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River offered in?

    +

    It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Arenal Volcano Hike and Hotsprings River?

    +

    Across 4 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

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