Arenal Volcano Full Day Tour, Waterfall and Hot Springs Tour
Discover La Fortuna’s natural wonders on this full-day guided adventure featuring a scenic forest hike along the crystal-clear river to a panoramic viewpoint, a thrilling descent down jungle staircases and across a high suspension bridge to the magnificent 70-meter La Fortuna waterfall where you can swim in its refreshing pool, a cultural visit to a Maluku Indian village for an authentic lunch and insights into indigenous traditions, and a trek through primary forests and dramatic lava fields at the base of Arenal Volcano to witness spectacular views of the lake and valley before unwinding at a natural hot spring resort with a complimentary cocktail, all with round-trip transportation from your accommodation included.
Overview
Your guide, a local with 12 years on these trails, leads you through dense forest to spot sloths hanging lazy in the canopy or coatis rooting around roots.
You trek down a jungle staircase to La Fortuna Waterfall's base, 480 steps that sting on the way back up, especially if muddy, then jump in the pool for a cold plunge that shocks the sweat away.
Visit the Maleku village next. Sit in their main house, hear stories of their art and history firsthand, then dig into a hot lunch of rice, beans, and plantains cooked fresh. But save energy for the 10-hour pace, from La Fortuna pickup to volcano views and an optional hot springs soak with a cocktail at day's end.
Real talk: walking's moderate but steady, no elevators here.
Book now, these small-group slots go quick.
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in La Fortuna city only.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) live guide with 12+ years of local knowledge.
- All entrance fees to Catarata La Fortuna, Maleku Indian Village, Arenal Volcano National Park, and the natural hot spring resort.
- Bottled water and beverages to stay refreshed.
- Traditional Costa Rican lunch at the Maleku village.
- One complimentary cocktail at the hot springs.
- Alcoholic drinks beyond the included cocktail.
- Additional snacks or meals (no dinner provided).
- Gratuities for your guide.
- Personal expenses like souvenirs.
Itinerary
- Your guide picks you up from your La Fortuna accommodation. Start with 30 minutes of wildlife viewing in the area as you head out.
- Ride a Jeep or SUV 20 minutes to Catarata La Fortuna.
- Hike 30 minutes down the trails and jungle staircase to the waterfall base.
- Spend an hour swimming in the natural pool, surrounded by the 70-meter falls and lush canyon walls.
- Hike back up 40 minutes to the top.
- Visit Maleku Indian Village for 30 minutes, learning about their culture, art, and history in the Palenke.
- Take an hour for lunch at the village, exploring the butterfly garden and frog pond nearby.
- Bus or coach 20 minutes to Arenal Volcano National Park.
- Hike 2.5 hours through primary forest and 1968 lava fields, spotting monkeys, sloths, coatis, and birds, leading to viewpoints.
- Spend 15 minutes at the highest panoramic spot overlooking Lake Arenal, jungle, valley, and volcano.
- Break for 15 minutes with coffee.
- Bus 15 minutes to the hot spring resort for optional 1.5-hour swim in warm pools.
- Return to La Fortuna for drop-off.
What to Expect from the Tour
Here's practical advice to help your day go well, based on common experiences with wildlife, gear needs, and handling the elements. We've pulled this from what past guests told us after their trips.
- Gear essentials. Quick-dry layers and grippy shoes aren't optional. Several guests said forest trails turn muddy after rain, and the 480 steps to the waterfall test your balance without good traction. One packed extra bug spray for the thick vegetation where bites add up quick.
- Wildlife spotting. Keep pace with the guide to catch hard-to-see critters. One group got excited over a coati family on the volcano hike. Families said the small size lets everyone hear details, like pointing out sloths in trees during the forest walk.
- Swimming tips. Suit up ahead for the waterfall pool. Current picks up in deeper spots, so stay shallow if you're cautious. Guests recommended a towel and change of clothes as the spray wets everything, and the uphill return takes 30 to 40 minutes depending on your speed.
- Food and energy. Mention vegetarian requests when booking. People said the village lunch fuels you right with its home-cooked feel, but grab nuts or fruit for hikes. One visitor regretted not having extras when humidity hit hard.
- Group setup. Capped at eight, it's good for folks wanting calm. Past guests said it skips the rush of larger tours, giving time to linger at viewpoints or chat in the village without crowds pushing.
- Best time to visit. December to April suits most for drier paths and better views. Guests in early 2025 said January's clear skies made volcano panoramas sharper. May through November greens things up with fuller falls, but mud slows hikes. Some prefer that raw jungle vibe.
| Month/Season | Upsides | Downsides | Recommended Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-Apr (Dry) | Drier trails, sharper views of lake and volcano | More visitors, warmer afternoons | 7-8 AM for cooler starts and less heat |
| May-Nov (Rainy) | Greener forests, stronger waterfall flow, quieter spots | Muddy sections, potential delays | 9 AM to miss early showers |
Common issues. Skip if pregnant or with heart issues. Guests described the hikes as steady but uneven on lava, and bridges or steps wobble for newbies. Itineraries adjust for weather, but rain on trails can make it slippery yet more vivid. Guided beats solo for cultural insights at the village, and it handles transport to save you time.
FAQ
What if it rains on tour day?
The tour runs regardless, adjusting stops if needed for safety. Paths get slick, so sturdy shoes help avoid slips. Guests who hit showers said the forest looked lusher, and the hot springs felt even better afterward, turning a wet day into a steamy highlight without cutting key activities short.
Is this suitable for kids?
Yes for ages 8 and up with good energy, but not for younger ones due to hikes and steps. The 480 waterfall stairs mean carrying toddlers isn't practical, and lava fields are bumpy. Families shared that older kids enjoyed the village stories and wildlife, but pack snacks to keep them going through the 10 hours.
How tough is the physical side?
Moderate effort overall, with 4-5 miles of walking on uneven trails and 480 steep steps at the waterfall. Volcano hikes include rocky lava but stay mostly flat. Guests with decent fitness handled it, but those with mobility limits struggled on stairs—take it slow, use provided breaks, and skip if pregnant or heart concerns apply.
Vegetarian options available?
Yes, request them at booking for a adapted lunch at the village. It uses more beans, veggies, and plantains instead of meat, still full of local flavor. Vegetarians noted it was filling post-hike, but alert for allergies early—one added their own protein bars for extra boost during the afternoon.
Why book guided over DIY?
Guided saves time on transport and entry logistics, plus adds depth to spots like the Maleku village. You can self-visit but miss stories and wildlife calls. Guests said solo means piecing buses and fees (about $20-30 per site), while this bundles it seamlessly, with guides watching gear at swims.
Hot springs optional—why?
You can skip the soak if tired or prefer heading back early, no extra cost either way. It's 1.5 hours of warm pools fed by volcanic heat, with a cocktail included. Past guests loved unwinding there after hikes, saying the mineral water eased sore muscles, but opting out shortens the day if needed.
Book it today with Arenal Volcano Costa Rica Tours or simply following this link.