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The Best Activities in the arenal Volcano Region

 

The Arenal Volcano area, located in northern Costa Rica, is a popular destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and adventure. The star of the region is undoubtedly the Arenal Volcano itself, which towers over the surrounding landscape at over 5,400 feet tall. Despite being inactive since 2010, the volcano remains a striking presence and a symbol of the region's power and majesty.

About La Fortuna Town: 

La Fortuna is a charming community that has become a hub for tourism. La Fortuna is situated at the base of the volcano and offers easy access to a range of natural attractions, including hot springs, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

But La Fortuna is more than just a gateway to adventure; it is a vibrant town in its own right. Visitors can explore the local market, sample traditional Costa Rican cuisine, and learn about the history and culture of the region. The town also offers a range of accommodation options, from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts.

Whether you are seeking an adrenaline-pumping adventure or a peaceful escape into nature, the Arenal Volcano area and La Fortuna are sure to offer something to satisfy your travel dreams.

the best activities in the region

exclusive experiences for the terranova travel design travelers

Terranova Travel Design has created friendly relationships with fantastic suppliers. The properties we use and the tour operators we use are some of the best in the country, and although they are often small, family-run businesses, they are committed to the exclusive comfort of our passengers.

Thus, we can count on their expertise and local knowledge to create select experiences solely for our customers.

Please keep reading to find out about our best activities in the Arenal Volcano Region!

A Taste of Culture

You will experience local traditions in the countryside of Juanilama, located in Santa Rosa de Pocosol.
This immersive adventure includes a visit to local family homes, collecting ingredients in the family garden, and learning about various plants, root vegetables, and fruits.

Enjoy a cooking class and lunch featuring fresh garden ingredients and end the day with a cup of coffee and new friends.

Afterwards, travel to the Maleku Indigenous reserve, home to one of the smallest of the 8 Indigenous tribes in Costa Rica.

Learn about their culture, traditions, and lifestyle, gaining a deeper understanding of Costa Rican culture through connections with the locals. Don't miss out on this unforgettable adventure and the best activities in Arenal.

an adventure transfer | nectandra

As part of the best activities in Arenal, we will visit Nectandra, a stunning cloud forest reserve located in San Ramon.
Alvaro Ugalde, one of the founders of this reserve, was a key figure in the development of Costa Rica's National Parks. During our approximately 2-hour walk through the forest, we will marvel at its magnificent structure and discover the secrets it holds.

Cloud forests typically form above 2700 feet, allowing us to observe unique species of flora and fauna not typically found in rainforests. We will also learn from local experts about their significant efforts towards environmental education and conservation within the local communities.

Following the walk, we will enjoy a delicious lunch with our hosts before continuing our journey to your hotel.

A gourmet picnic is one of the best Arenal Volcano activities. 

Deluxe Arenal Volcano Walk + Picnic

The Arenal Volcano has been an active volcano for many years, but currently, it's in a resting stage, producing only occasional smoke at the top. This is an excellent opportunity to visit the park and learn about the volcano's history from our unique guide. He has lived around the volcano for over 60 years, experienced the big eruption in 1968, climbed to the top of the crater multiple times, and even organized expeditions for rescue operations and tourism development in Arenal.

The trail is approximately 2.5 miles long and offers a mix of ancient lava flows, lush rainforest, and stunning views of the majestic Arenal Volcano. After the hike, why not enjoy a picnic with an incredible view? Our staff can assist in setting up a perfect picnic spot at a lookout point directly facing the Arenal Volcano. This spot is perfect for relaxing, taking photos, and celebrating special occasions while enjoying delicious food surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Additionally, while on the trail, you may encounter a diverse range of wildlife such as monkeys, toucans, and sloths, making it a fantastic opportunity for nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers. Our experienced guide can also share insights about the surrounding flora and fauna. Moreover, you can relax and rejuvenate in one of the natural hot springs nearby after the hike, surrounded by the lush tropical rainforest. Don't miss the chance to experience the beauty and wonders of the Arenal Volcano with us.

Amazing
views

Delicious flavors

Great Comfort

Sloth Watching

The Sloth Sanctuary in Arenal, Costa Rica, is a unique experience for nature enthusiasts and animal lovers. Located just 600 meters from the central park in La Fortuna, the sanctuary covers around 30 acres of land, with a 2 km trail that winds through the lush rainforest.

Join the one-and-a-half-hour guided hiking tour and explore the sanctuary's natural habitat with an expert guide.

You can spot four to six sloths of different species, along with a variety of birds, snakes, insects, and frogs in their natural habitats.

One of the highlights of the tour is getting up close to the adorable baby sloths in the nursery, and for those who are feeling adventurous, the optional "Sloth Encounter" allows you to hold one of these fascinating creatures.

Baby Sloths

As cute as can be!

Three toed sloth | Best activities in Arenal
Three Toed Sloth

The wonders of slow motion

Three Toed Sloth on a Cecropia tree


Two Toed Sloth
Two Toed Sloth

The Two Sloth is nocturnal

Three Toed Sloth

Sloths are great swimmers

coming soon: 

packraft in the arenal lake

You will embark on an unforgettable adventure in Arenal by exploring the Arenal Volcano National Park on foot. Follow a beautiful and easy trail that leads to Lake Arenal. 

During the walk, the tour guide will share interesting information about the volcano, the surrounding area, and wildlife. 

Enjoy picturesque views along the way, and stop at various viewpoints to capture beautiful photos. Upon reaching the lake, the adventure continues with packrafting. 

Packrafts are small, inflatable boats that are perfect for navigating all types of water bodies. Lake Arenal is the largest lake in Costa Rica and provides 23% of the country's energy. 

Spend about 1.5 hours paddling around the lake while spotting aquatic birds and soaking in the beautiful scenery.

Packrafting | Best Activities in Arenal
arenal is an adventure hub

other than our most exclusive activities... 

Arenal Volcano is surrounded by very biodiverse and pristine forests, beautiful clear rivers, and a topography that allows adventure to be a main experience for travelers to the area. 

You can find them here: 

EXPERIENCE

Canyoning

You will start your tour going through luscious rainforests until you come to a point where you enter the river walking. Your tour guides will give you a briefing before coming in the river, and you will have a very short rappel for you to learn the basics.

Afterward, the adventure begins!

You will drop down 70 m (200 feet) waterfalls and towering walls deep into the tropical forest. Waterfall rappelling may appear a bit daunting, but once you begin your trip down circled by the intensity of a rich rain forest, your fears disappear.

EXPERIENCE

Venado Caves

The Venado Caves are only 45 minutes from La Fortuna, immersed in the north of Costa Rica. Here you can explore and see many stalactites, stalagmites, bats, and unusual insects.
You'll walk and even crawl into various caves, passages, and rock walls and hear about the importance of the caves. A distinct type of experience to your standard adventure tours!
EXPERIENCE

Rio Celeste Hike

See the enchanting turquoise river in Costa Rica on a day excursion from La Fortuna. You'll walk through the Tenorio Volcano National Park rainforest alongside the astonishing Rio Celeste. There is a superb waterfall, a hanging bridge, and outlook points.
You will also see where the two rivers join together to produce the striking sky blue color. It's a breathtaking and completely worth a day excursion from La Fortuna! It is a 1 hour and 45-minute drive from La Fortuna to Rio Celeste.
EXPERIENCE

Rainforest Ziplining

The region of Arenal is filled with excellent chances to enjoy ziplining. In some of them, you will see magnificent panoramas of the Arenal Volcano and the Arenal Lake when you're ziplining through these fantastic scenarios.
You will truly feel like a bird on the rainforest zipline tour.
EXPERIENCE

Rio Frio Safari Float (Pure Nature)

Dip in the marvelous nature on this authentic safari down Rio Frio, a slow-moving river in the Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve. This area is rated as one of the most suitable for wildlife observation. Some of the animals that you get to see white-faced and howler monkeys, different types of toucans, three-toed sloths, caimans, kingfishers, and more.
EXPERIENCE

Rio Frio Safari Floating Raft

You paddle down the river for around 2 hours on a raft. This also enables you to get closer to the wildlife. All you hear is the faint lap of the water as it sweeps up against the raft and the noises of dozens of birds gliding above your head. It is genuinely a pure nature experience.

Another alternative if you don't have a whole day for the safari float is the Penas Blancas Safari Float, as it's just 30 minutes from La Fortuna.
The safari float trips are one of the best experiences to enjoy in Costa Rica with children considering it's a laid-back way to see nature and spot wildlife.
EXPERIENCE

Hot Springs

Hot springs in the Arenal Volcano area are compulsory visits. Not only is it a great way to rest from the adventures of the day, but they are great for your health, and on tropical nights they are a pleasure beyond words.
Several hotels in the region have their own set of thermae, ask the Terranova Travel Expert about which is best for your wishes and needs.
Several hot springs resorts allow visitors with day passes; among them, you can find: Tabacon, Titoku, Ecotermales, Baldi, the Springs, Los Laureles, and Kalambú.
EXPERIENCE

Hanging Bridges

Hanging bridges are legendary. And if they go across the jungle, they turn into epic.
Discovering the rain forests of Arenal on a trail encircled by 600 acres (243 hectares) of private rainforest property by the lake. It is a comfortable 3.1 kilometer (1.9 miles) path with 16 bridges, some suspended and some hanging. Some will be sitting on the floor; some will be above the trees so that visitants can get various aspects of the rain forest.
It is pretty usual to see bats, snakes, several types of colorful birds, and, if lucky, monkeys or sloths along the trail.

From the hanging bridges, you can see one of the most beautiful views of the Arenal Volcano.
Along the way, it's usual to observe birds of several species, bats, coatimundis, and when lucky monkeys and sloths.
The hanging bridges are very well known, and even though it is well visited, you won't feel crowded and delight in the wilderness around.

EXPERIENCE

La Fortuna Waterfall

La Fortuna Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Northern Region; with a 75 feet drop, La Fortuna river is surrounded by a pristine forest that creates a postcard-perfect scenario.
It is essential to acknowledge that you must come down and then up hundreds of steps to see the waterfall. And you can bathe, although not under the waterfall.
EXPERIENCE

White Water Rafting

There are a few rivers for white water rafting close to Arenal. Raft your way through great white waters and in Class 2, 3, and 4 rapids. Paddle in the rapids, enjoy teamwork, swim in the gentle pools, and see all sorts of beautiful birds and wildlife while you're flowing down through forests and fields.
EXPERIENCE

Horseback Riding

Experience the countryside of Arenal by horseback, and visit the hidden places that horses can only reach. You'll travel through rivers, under trees, and up to spectacular viewpoints of the plains and encompassing hills, places you can't arrive at by car and foot.
This is a half-day activity, but you can also combine it with something else like ziplining or ATV.
EXPERIENCE

Lake Arenal

The most important lake in Costa Rica is artificial and originally planned to produce hydroelectric energy. Nevertheless, it's is also a spot for entertainment. Take a sunset boat trip, go fishing, stand up paddleboard, kayak, windsurf, or travel by boat across to the Monteverde cloud forests.
EXPERIENCE

Club Rio Outdoor Center

The Springs Resort and Spa has its theme adventure park welcoming outside customers, and it's an excellent site for families. They allow thermae day passes and a multi-adventure package.
Club Rio Outdoor Center multi-adventure pack
The multi-adventure set covers hot springs (2-day pass), transportation, lunch, and 2 of the following activities: tubing, kayaking, horseback riding, rock wall, or a guided nature hike.
EXPERIENCE

Arenal Volcano Hike

You can take a guided hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park to see the primary lava from the first colossal eruption and subsequent eruptions. The walking tracks provide you an excellent chance to observe the enduring consequences of the volcano activity.

To wrap it up:

When you come to Costa Rica make sure to have your Terranova Travel Designer include the region of the Arenal Volcano.  Through the month of February we will be talking about this amazing destination. 

Keep on reading! 

And! if you already made your decision and Arenal Volcano is absolutely included in your trip, check our Monteverde posts right here, or go on and... 

Ask your Terranova Travel Design Expert to reserve now!
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