Arenal & La Fortuna

Home to Costa Rica's most famous volcano, Arenal is the adventure capital of the country. Whitewater rafting, zip lining, canyoning, hanging bridges, waterfall hikes, horseback riding, ATV tours, kayaking, and natural hot springs are all found within a short drive of one another. Add abundant wildlife, rainforest, and spectacular volcano views, and it's no secret why Arenal is so popular with tourists.

Whether you're traveling as a couple, family, or group of friends, spend a minimum of three nights here, but four is even better. There are enough activities to keep even the most adventurous travelers busy, while those looking for a slower pace can spend their days enjoying the hot springs, wildlife, and beautiful lodges.

At a glance

Why stay in Arenal?

Arenal has the widest range of adventure activities in Costa Rica. You can raft the Balsa River, zip line through the rainforest canopy, rappel down waterfalls, hike old lava fields, kayak on Lake Arenal, or cross hanging bridges through the canopy. Sloths, monkeys, toucans, frogs, and tropical birds are regularly spotted on guided walks and around hotel grounds. Most activities are close to La Fortuna, so you can fit plenty into a few days without spending hours traveling between them.

The hot springs are another major reason to stay. Some hotels have thermal pools on the property, while places like Tabacón and Ecotermales can be booked as a separate afternoon or evening experience. They're a great way to wind down after a morning of hiking, rafting, or canyoning.

Our take: Three nights is the minimum we recommend, and four is better if you want an exciting itinerary with varied activities. Plan two or three major excursions, leave time for the hot springs, and build in sufficient downtime to recover in between adventures.

Is Arenal a good fit?

Arenal is a great fit if you:

• Want to experience Costa Rica's volcanoes and rainforest.
• Enjoy having a wide range of activities to choose from.
• Love hiking, wildlife, and nature.
• Want to soak in natural hot springs.
• Are traveling with family or a group with different interests.
• Appreciate having a broad choice of hotels and restaurants.

If you're looking for beaches, nightlife, or a more remote, off-the-grid experience, another region may be a better fit.

Best things to do

Walk the hanging bridges

The hanging bridges are one of the best introductions to Costa Rica's rainforest. Elevated walkways wind through the forest canopy, offering opportunities to spot monkeys, toucans, sloths, snakes, and tropical birds that are often hidden from the forest floor.

Relax in natural hot springs

Arenal's geothermal activity heats dozens of natural mineral springs, making hot springs one of the region's signature experiences. Some are found within luxury resorts, while others are large thermal complexes with multiple pools, swim-up bars, and restaurants.

Hike around Arenal Volcano

Although access to the summit has been closed since the volcano's eruptions, several excellent trails explore old lava flows, regenerating rainforest, and viewpoints overlooking the volcano and Lake Arenal. Walking with a guide adds valuable insight into the area's volcanic history and wildlife.

Go whitewater rafting

The nearby Balsa and Sarapiquí Rivers offer some of Costa Rica's best rafting. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly introduction or more exciting Class III and IV rapids, there are options for a wide range of experience levels.

Fly through the canopy

Arenal is home to several excellent zip line courses, combining long cables with panoramic views of the rainforest and volcano. Many also include hanging bridges, aerial trams, or Tarzan swings.

Visit La Fortuna Waterfall

One of Costa Rica's best-known waterfalls, La Fortuna drops more than 200 feet into a natural pool surrounded by rainforest. The steep staircase back to the top is part of the experience, but the swim at the bottom makes the effort worthwhile.

Discover the region's wildlife

Arenal supports an incredible diversity of wildlife, from sloths and monkeys to toucans, poison dart frogs, eyelash vipers, and colorful insects. Guided wildlife walks, birdwatching tours, and evening frog walks all reveal different sides of the rainforest.

Explore Lake Arenal

Costa Rica's largest lake offers opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and boat tours, while the surrounding countryside provides spectacular views of the volcano on clear days.

Go canyoning

Few places in Costa Rica offer canyoning quite like Arenal. Guided excursions combine waterfall rappelling, natural rock slides, and short rainforest hikes for one of the region's most exciting adventures.

Where to stay

Arenal offers one of the country's widest selections of accommodations, ranging from intimate boutique lodges to internationally recognized luxury resorts.

Stay near La Fortuna if you'd like easy access to restaurants, cafés, shops, and tour departures. It's the most convenient base for travelers planning full days of activities.

Stay outside town if your priority is privacy, volcano views, hot springs, and wildlife. Many of the region's finest hotels sit on large rainforest properties where monkeys, toucans, sloths, and tropical birds are part of everyday life.

Our favorite hotels

Nayara Springs

One of the finest adults-only resorts in Central America, Nayara Springs combines spacious villas, private plunge pools fed by mineral water, exceptional dining, and impeccable service. It's our top choice for honeymooners and couples seeking a luxury escape.

Amor Arenal

Amor Arenal offers spacious casitas surrounded by rainforest, private hot tubs, and direct volcano views from many rooms. Its peaceful setting and excellent restaurant make it one of our favorite boutique luxury properties.

Nayara Gardens

The original Nayara property remains one of Costa Rica's standout hotels, with beautifully landscaped grounds, natural hot springs, excellent family accommodations, and easy access to the neighboring Nayara properties.

Nayara Tented Camp

Blending luxury safari-style tents with Costa Rican rainforest, Nayara Tented Camp offers one of the country's most unique hotel experiences. Spacious accommodations, private thermal plunge pools, and outstanding volcano views make it a favorite for couples and families alike.

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Home to Costa Rica's most famous natural hot springs, Tabacón combines luxury accommodations with an extraordinary network of thermal rivers and pools surrounded by tropical gardens. Even travelers staying elsewhere often visit on a day pass.

Chachagua Rainforest Hotel & Hot Springs

Located away from the busiest part of La Fortuna, Chachagua offers a quieter rainforest experience with abundant wildlife, spacious grounds, natural hot springs, and excellent value for travelers looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Best time to visit

Arenal is a year-round destination.

December through April generally brings drier weather, although cloud cover can still obscure the volcano. During the green season, the rainforest becomes even more vibrant, waterfalls flow more powerfully, and afternoon showers are common.

Rain rarely prevents activities from operating, but between August and October we usually recommend scheduling outdoor excursions earlier in the day whenever possible.

Pair it with

• Monteverde for cloud forests, hanging bridges, and birdwatching.
• Tenorio and the Northern Highlands for Río Celeste and boutique rainforest lodges.
• Tortuguero for canals, wildlife, and sea turtle conservation.
• Nosara for surfing, wellness, and relaxed Pacific beaches.
• Papagayo for luxury resorts and calm beaches.
• Manuel Antonio for rainforest, wildlife, and the Pacific coast.

Getting there

Arenal sits between Costa Rica's two international airports, making it one of the country's easiest inland destinations to include in an itinerary.

Approximate driving times:

• San José Airport: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
• Guanacaste Airport: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
• Monteverde: 3 to 4 hours
• Tenorio and Río Celeste: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
• Papagayo: 3 to 4 hours
• Nosara: 4 to 5 hours
• Manuel Antonio: 4.5 to 6 hours

The jeep-boat-jeep transfer across Lake Arenal remains one of our favorite ways to travel between Arenal and Monteverde, replacing a long mountain drive with a scenic crossing of Costa Rica's largest lake.

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Frequently asked questions

How many nights should I stay?

Three to four nights is ideal. That gives you enough time to enjoy several activities, experience the hot springs, spend time exploring the rainforest, and still slow down enough to appreciate your hotel.

Are Arenal and La Fortuna the same place?

Not quite. La Fortuna is the main town, while Arenal refers to the broader region surrounding Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Many of the area's best hotels are located outside the town center.

Can you always see Arenal Volcano?

No. Cloud cover can hide the volcano at any time of year, sometimes for much of the day. Early mornings often provide the clearest views, but no hotel can guarantee a visible volcano.

Should I stay in town or outside La Fortuna?

Stay in La Fortuna if you'd like restaurants, cafés, and shops within walking distance. Stay outside town if you prefer rainforest surroundings, volcano views, natural hot springs, and larger resort properties.

Are the hot springs included with every hotel?

No. Some hotels have their own natural thermal springs, while others have standard swimming pools. Many visitors also purchase day passes to dedicated hot spring resorts like Tabacón or Ecotermales.

Is Arenal a good destination for families?

Absolutely. The variety of activities means families can easily tailor each day to different ages and interests, from wildlife walks and hanging bridges to rafting, zip lining, farm tours, and hot springs.

Is Arenal worth visiting if I don't enjoy adventure activities?

Yes. Many visitors spend their time soaking in hot springs, enjoying spa treatments, watching wildlife, taking gentle nature walks, visiting coffee or chocolate farms, and relaxing at some of Costa Rica's finest rainforest hotels.