Waterfall & Volcano Hiking Adventure with Lunch, Arenal/La Fortuna

4.7 (10 reviews)
Swim under La Fortuna Waterfall, then set off across lava fields and cloud forest on a hike to the Arenal volcano's base.

Overview

Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this full-day adventure takes you deep into the volcanic landscapes and lush cloud forests around Arenal. Your day starts at La Fortuna Waterfall, where you'll follow your guide down winding stairs and paths and dive into the cascade's pool for a refreshing swim. Break for lunch at a favorite local farm-to-table restaurant, then you're off on a longer hike to the base of the Arenal volcano—following cooled lava flows and forest trails to reach a scenic viewpoint.

Highlights

  • Descend to La Fortuna Waterfall for a refreshing swim surrounded by the rainforest
  • Savor a traditional farm-to-table lunch at a local restaurant 
  • Follow your guide along cloud forest trails and solidified lava paths to the base of the Arenal volcano
  • Reach a lofty trail viewpoint for dramatic vistas across volcanic landscapes and Lago Arenal

Know before you go

Duration
8 hours
Recommended for
6 years old & up
Group
Small group
Food & Drink
Lunch Included. Drinks and fruit snacks

What you'll do

Your full-day excursion starts with a pick-up at your hotel, then it's off to one of the region's most famous natural wonders: La Fortuna Waterfall. Follow your guide and the rest of your small group on a short hike to the base of the falls, and cool off with a dip in the clear pool at its base. After plenty of time for relaxing and some memorable photo ops, you'll head to nearby La Finquita Farm & Restaurant to fuel up with a memorable farm-to-table meal of Costa Rican favorites.

After lunch, you'll set off on the second adventure of the day: an epic hike to the base of the Arenal volcano. Choose from several trails that take you across solidified lava flows from the massive 1968 eruption of the volcano as your guide points out diverse flora and fauna and unusual rock formations. Your destination is a scenic viewpoint where weather permitting, you'll be rewarded with dazzling views across Lago Arenal and the towering volcano. At the end of the hike, you can transfer back to your hotel or cap the day off with an extra optional visit to nearby hot springs (not included).

Start times

  • Daily
    7:30 am, 10:30 am

What's included

  • Round-trip transportation
  • Knowledgeable guide
  • Entrance fees
  • Lunch

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Traveler reviews

10 total ratings, 8 with reviews
4.7
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.7
Food
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.7
Transport
4.8
B
Brandon W.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 24, 2024
Our tour guide was fantastic. Read more

Our tour guide was fantastic.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Zeynep
Zeynep B.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2024
The tour guide was late. Read more

The tour guide was late.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M
Mark H.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024
Hugo was a good guide. Knowledgable. Great views. Not sure if you need a guide for this one other than to make the day plug and play. Read more

Hugo was a good guide. Knowledgable. Great views. Not sure if you need a guide for this one other than to make the day plug and play.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
V
Vishnu M.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Mar 02, 2024
Very interesting day filled with a hike to volcano, hike to water falls followed by a lunch. We loved the overall experience of this. Again your guides did an amazing job walking us through entire experience Read more

Very interesting day filled with a hike to volcano, hike to water falls followed by a lunch. We loved the overall experience of this. Again your guides did an amazing job walking us through entire experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Yelena
Yelena S.
Castro Valley, CA | Reviewed on Sep 15, 2023
The tour guide was great. Very knowledgeable and took as many photos as we wanted of us. Provided great knowledge of the places we saw. Read more

The tour guide was great. Very knowledgeable and took as many photos as we wanted of us. Provided great knowledge of the places we saw.

Tips for future travelers

Great way to see the arenal volcano and the waterfall. If it’s in the rainy season, mostly likely you won’t be able to swim at the waterfall but you can still go down to see it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cindy
Cindy S.
Riverside, CA | Reviewed on Jun 30, 2023
Our tour guide, Mariano from Serendipity Adventures, was AMAZING. He was so real and down to earth and had so much knowledge to share. He really made this an amazing experience. The restaurant he took us to was my favorite restaurant from the whole trip! Definitely an experience I would encourage others to take. Read more

Our tour guide, Mariano from Serendipity Adventures, was AMAZING. He was so real and down to earth and had so much knowledge to share. He really made this an amazing experience. The restaurant he took us to was my favorite restaurant from the whole trip! Definitely an experience I would encourage others to take.

Tips for future travelers

Main tip I would strongly suggest some good water shoes for your visit to La Fortuna.

Quality of Experience
Food
This was the best restaurant I tried in my whole trip. I wish I could visit this restaurant again!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mariano from Serendipity Adventures was amazing. Great knowledge, great food recommendations, and great attraction recommendations.
Transport
A
Aaron B.
West Albany, NY | Reviewed on Apr 24, 2023
The hike and included lunch were both amazing. We loved our guide and would definitely recommend this trip! Read more

The hike and included lunch were both amazing. We loved our guide and would definitely recommend this trip!

Tips for future travelers

Bring bug spray!

Quality of Experience
Food
the Casado at the local Soda was incredible!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Jaya
Jaya C.
Hermosa Beach, CA | Reviewed on Jan 03, 2023
It was a small group hike. Guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Hiking was not very hard except for few areas. La Fortuna falls was 500 steps down and little challenging on the way back. Lunch afterwards was fantastic at the farm. Read more

It was a small group hike. Guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Hiking was not very hard except for few areas. La Fortuna falls was 500 steps down and little challenging on the way back. Lunch afterwards was fantastic at the farm.

Tips for future travelers

Water is quite cold at falls so be prepared for it.

Quality of Experience
Food
Fresh and vegetarian friendly. Quite tasty
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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Itineraries with Waterfall & Volcano Hiking Adventure with Lunch