
Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon worth booking?
Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon is a 9-hour experience in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, from $118 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (8)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $118 per person
Popularly referred to as the Hule Lagoon, this beautiful lagoon with 55 hectares (136 acres) of diameter is located at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano, 11 km (6.83 miles) from the famous Poas Volcano. This area is renowned for its excellent trekking trails due to the variety of scenery and terrain, from clay, to dirt, volcanic rock, and grasslands in a rainforest at 800 m above sea level. You will ride over the border of the volcanic caldera, and then hike down to the Hule Lagoon and another small lagoon called "Congo," then go up to another trail bordering the volcanic caldera of the Hule Lagoon. Before returning to La Fortuna you will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch in a local Costa Rican family's home.
What you get
About this experience
Popularly referred to as the Hule Lagoon, this beautiful lagoon with 55 hectares (136 acres) of diameter is located at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano, 11 km (6.83 miles) from the famous Poas Volcano. This area is renowned for its excellent trekking trails due to the variety of scenery and terrain, from clay, to dirt, volcanic rock, and grasslands in a rainforest at 800 m above sea level. You will ride over the border of the volcanic caldera, and then hike down to the Hule Lagoon and another small lagoon called "Congo," then go up to another trail bordering the volcanic caldera of the Hule Lagoon. Before returning to La Fortuna you will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch in a local Costa Rican family's home.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Walking Sticks
- Lunch
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan with Wi-Fi
- Local taxes
- Bottled mineral water
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
- Energizing Snacks
Not included
- Gratuities
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
La Fortuna
You must contact Ecoterra Costa Rica at least 24 hours before your activity date to confirm your reservation and arrange transportation.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
You must contact Ecoterra Costa Rica at least 24 hours before your activity date to confirm your reservation and arrange transportation.
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
- Ecoterra Expeditions
Know before you go
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Not recommended for child aged 7 and under
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
7 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
7 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
6 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
What an Amazing Hike!
This was an incredible adventure! Our driver to and from our hotel was comfortable and on time. Be prepared—this is a long, somewhat difficult hike, and hiking shoes are definitely a must. Our guide, Joksan, was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and made the experience unforgettable. We learned so much about the surrounding rainforest, wildlife, and volcanic landscape. Without his expertise, it would have been easy to get lost on the trails. Reaching the end of the hike was incredibly rewarding, and we felt so accomplished. The delicious meal waiting for us afterward was one of the best we had during our entire trip. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a challenging and unique adventure!
via Tripadvisor
A hiker’s dream
This tour has been my favorite so far while in Costa Rica! I don’t particularly love highly traveled tourist spots, but they’re inevitable if you want to see a new country. However, this was not that at all! We started out at a local families home that led along a stunning path into the volcano, and provided breathtaking views of the Costa Rican country landscape. The path was so peaceful and private as we never encountered a single person along the way! However, it is to be noted that this trek is NOT for the inexperienced hiker- it was VERY uneven, with lots of very steep inclines and declines. And the path has lots of lava rocks and tripping hazards along the way. But if you do love to hike/trek, and want to get away from the main tourist attractions and see some stunning landscape, then this tour is a MUST! Pictures do not do it justice. It’s beautiful. I absolutely loved it!
via Viator
Off the beaten path
Daniela was terrific while leading us on a moderately strenuous hike to the Hule Lagoons. She was friendly and knowledgeable. Driver was Jonathan and he did a good job negotiating the challenging roads to the trailhead. Hike was tougher than I anticipated due to the slippery and sometimes very steep trail. However, with some care, it is quite safe since there are cables to hang on to on all the hardest sections. The end of the hike is on a rough road where we encountered some obnoxious ATVs, but the rest of the hike is in the forest and very quiet. Highlight for us was the terrific meal served at the farmhouse. It was great to enjoy a meal overlooking a beautiful view. Overall it was a great day and we'd recommend this excursion to either experienced hikers or very fit and adventurous novices.
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic trekking
I recommend this tour because they are really good, on time and offer you a lot. Trekking is hard and not for everyone, you have to be trained but see the Hule lagoon is priceless. The delicious lunch prepared by a very kind local family.... I recommend it, really GOOD....
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Great unexpected day
We had booked through a tour company and told them our priorities for the week which involved activity, volcanoes, hiking and animals. We were staying in Arenal and this was on our itinerary and we really didn’t know what to expect. We got picked up at 7:15 in the morning and were told we had about an hour and a half drive to where we were going. What an unexpected surprise. We did a 6 mile hike starting from a family’s property. The first 2 to 3K were up and down doing a very rugged hike through their unbelievable property. We made our way around to the three craters and back up the other side. We were able to see howler monkeys, birds, beautiful butterflies and a snake. The views were magnificent. Our guide was amazing. Before we were driven back to Arenal, we were brought back to where we started and fed an unbelievable lunch from the family who owns the property where the hike starts. This is definitely a tour for active people, but definitely off the beaten path, and highly recommended for people that want something a little different.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 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
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Ecoterra Expeditions, who run 9 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 69.4.
See everything Ecoterra Expeditions runsWhy this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for La Fortuna.
How much does Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon cost?
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Prices start at $118 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 Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon take?
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Plan for about 9 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 Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 8 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 Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon?
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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 Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon?
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Around 3 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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon 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 Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon?
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Included: Professional guide; Walking Sticks; Lunch; Transport by air-conditioned minivan with Wi-Fi; and Local taxes. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 25 listed pickup locations in and around La Fortuna. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon 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 Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon?
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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 Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon 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.
What do travelers say about Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon?
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Across 8 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, the guide, photo opportunities. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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