Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike worth booking?
Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike is a 3.5-hour experience in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, from $115 per person. It scores 44 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 1 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 44 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (1)
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- From
- $115 per person
Join a guided tour of the Arenal Volcano area for better chances of spotting wildlife on the way to a scenic vista point overlooking Arenal. This is a unique opportunity where you can hike in the surroundings of an active volcano! Don't worry, it's not throwing lava anymore but it certainly left the lava trails where you will be walking around and be as close to this colossus and everything it represents such as the rainforest, home of animals, culture, amazing views, and fascinating history!
What you get
About this experience
Join a guided tour of the Arenal Volcano area for better chances of spotting wildlife on the way to a scenic vista point overlooking Arenal. This is a unique opportunity where you can hike in the surroundings of an active volcano! Don't worry, it's not throwing lava anymore but it certainly left the lava trails where you will be walking around and be as close to this colossus and everything it represents such as the rainforest, home of animals, culture, amazing views, and fascinating history!
What's included
Included
- Other
- Fruits
- Bottled water
- Spotting Scope
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Arenal/La Fortuna only
- Guide
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off outside Arenal/La Fortuna
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
La Fortuna de San Carlos
We start a walk on the trails that crosses the regenerating forest area and crosses over a large block of petrified lava, produced by past eruptions, steep slopes and sandy soils. It is possible to observe a great variety of plants, wildlife, magnificent rock formations. In addition to the volcanic landscape, the place offers wonderful views of Arenal area. During the tour, our experienced guides will provide you with interesting and educational information regarding the history of the Volcano, lithological cycles, forest formation processes, and general volcanology.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
La Fortuna
Hotel pickup and drop-off from Arenal/La Fortuna only. We will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel to start this great expedition. The exact pick up time will be confirmed on your itinerary once the reservation is confirmed.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Hotel pickup and drop-off from Arenal/La Fortuna only. We will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel to start this great expedition. The exact pick up time will be confirmed on your itinerary once the reservation is confirmed.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Faro Travel Costa Rica
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We don't promise a specific property, reserve, or park where the activity will take place. Faro Travel hereby reserves the right to change/substitute alternate service providers/operators, change routes and, if necessary, may alter or omit stopping places shown on the description/confirmation, due to no availability or any reasonable circumstance beyond its control.
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Interesting perspective from the back side of the volcano
We are on the backside of the volcano away from the town and where all the activity was during the last eruption. At the Ranger station we started our walk as we enjoyed the beauty of the surroundings on our way through the rain forest jungle. The walkway is all paved and an easy walk. Our trip leader noted around 65% of the country is slanted toward nature, and within that number 25% is under federal protection within the 11 national parks. At the end of our walk, we were at the lake water level, where we boarded our 50-passenger covered cruse boat for the 16 of us. Back in 1968, the locals noted a lot of steam vents erupting along the rivers over several days, a few days later there was a tremendous explosion on the west side of the then dormmate volcano. Two villages were destroyed and 78 people killed. The explosion spit out large rocks the size of a house, followed by magma flowing along the west slope of a volume (scientist estimate) enough material to pave a road 1.5 times AROUND THE WORLD We obtained some great views of the cone of the Arenal Volcano. Following the prolonged eruption tourists from around the world flocked to the area to witness the plastic flow, and primitive hotels sprung up in the expanding future town of (La Fortuna) on the other side of the mountain. Starting in 2019, volcano activity subsided, and larger hotels had taken the place of the small, as tourists are now interested to view the dormant volcano, enjoy the hot spring baths, and view the jungle wildlife around the newly developed federal park. This lake is the man-made “Arenal” Reservoir where four rivers keep it full supplying volume of water to the hydro elect dam at one end. The reservoir was started in 1960 with five villages needing to be abandoned (all now underwater). The hydroelectric dam started to produce power in 1979 and at that date provided ½ of all the electricity to the entire country. In the town square there are examples of diesel-powered generators that were the only electrical source for the local communities for years. The reservoir is 20 miles long and on average 2.5 miles wide, with depths up to180 ft. We observed no other boats on our long cruise. They say there is lots of wind surfing on the reservoir in the peak summer. We experienced an 18” chop at the far end before we landed. We cruised the shore where the “birders” in our group obtained more pictures.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Faro Travel Costa Rica, who run 55 experiences we rank across 9 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 44.7.
See everything Faro Travel Costa Rica runsWhy this scores 44
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for La Fortuna.
How much does Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike cost?
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Prices start at $115 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 National Park Guided Hike take?
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Plan for about 3.5 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 National Park Guided Hike worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 44 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in La Fortuna, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike?
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Around 0 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?
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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 3.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike 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 National Park Guided Hike?
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Included: Other; Fruits; Bottled water; Spotting Scope; and Snacks. Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off outside Arenal/La Fortuna; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 29 listed pickup locations in and around La Fortuna. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike offered in?
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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 National Park Guided Hike?
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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 National Park Guided Hike wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Arenal Volcano National Park Guided Hike if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
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