Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Guided Hike, Arenal/La Fortuna

4.6 (18 reviews)
Hike a jungle trail skirting Arenal Volcano and see the stark effects of the 1968 eruption on the landscape

Overview

Embark on a guided adventure through Arenal Volcano 1968 Park, where you'll find the Arenal Volcano. As you navigate the path around the volcano's base, your expert guide will point out exotic birds, monkeys, and other creatures. You'll continue your hike through segments of the park that the lava flow affected during the volcanic eruption in 1968 that left the landscape devoid of vegetation. This unique terrain offers beautiful vistas of the crystal-clear Lake Arenal and the dormant Cerro Chato Volcano.

Highlights

  • Hike around the base of Arenal Volcano
  • Explore trails crossing the lava flow from the volcano's 1968 eruption
  • Take in gorgeous views of Lake Arenal and Cerro Chato
  • Learn about the park's history, forest formation, and volcanology

Know before you go

Duration
3.5 hours
Recommended for
5 years old & up
Group
Small group

What you'll do

Start your adventure with a transfer from your hotel in La Fortuna to the entrance of the 1968 Trail. When you arrive, you'll have the chance to read about the area's history before hitting the trails around the base of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Once you set out on the 1.5-hour route, keep your eyes peeled for colorful birds, monkeys, and other wildlife.

While the hike is relatively easy, one section of the trail is steep and rocky, which can be challenging for children and travelers who don't hike frequently. The standard excursion takes you on a 1.9-mile (3 km) trail, but another option for travelers with reduced mobility is 1.1 miles (1.8 km) long. Discuss your options when booking the adventure and with your guide.

In addition to the park's forested areas, you'll also walk through areas of the park that the 1968 volcano eruption affected. You'll discover landscapes where the lava flow obliterated much of the natural vegetation. Your guide may explain the park's history before and after the eruption, share a bit about forest formation and volcanology, point out flora and fauna that managed to grow in the area, and answer questions.

During the hike, you'll have ample photo opportunities. Have your camera ready for sweeping views of the massive Arenal Volcano, beautiful Lake Arenal, and the extinct volcano Cerro Chato. Once you finish the hike, you'll head back to La Fortuna to end the adventure.

Start times

  • Daily
    8:00 am, 3:00 pm

What's included

  • Transportation
  • Bilingual naturalist guide
  • Entrance fee
  • Water bottle

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Traveler reviews

18 total ratings, 14 with reviews
4.6
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.5
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.8
Transport
4.8
G
Greg W.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 20, 2024

It was a great introduction to the area. Our guide was great.

Tips for future travelers

Hike wasn't long, although the climb was a good workout. Bring water. LA Fortuna waterfall is a must see. Expect lots of stairs and people.

Amy
Amy S.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2024
Our guide belonged to an indigenous tribe from Costa Rica, and explained how a lot of the plants in the area have been used for years and years. We did the 3-mile loop, and had a really nice time. Read more

Our guide belonged to an indigenous tribe from Costa Rica, and explained how a lot of the plants in the area have been used for years and years. We did the 3-mile loop, and had a really nice time.

Tips for future travelers

We wore sneakers, and one person in our group wore flip flops, but there were places on the way down that had loose gravel/dirt, so sturdy shoes might be helpful.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bobbi
Bobbi S.
McHenry, IL | Reviewed on Mar 13, 2024
This was amazing. Our guide was knowledgeable. The hike was more difficult than expected. Very hard for my mom. Read more

This was amazing. Our guide was knowledgeable. The hike was more difficult than expected. Very hard for my mom.

Tips for future travelers

Make sure you are physically ready for a good hike up!!! Well worth the effort.

Quality of Experience
The view was amazing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Patient. Went at our own pace.
Transport
S
Samantha S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Mar 11, 2024
Mariano was wonderful. The private tour was a treasure! I would recommend spending the money for a private tour. Read more

Mariano was wonderful. The private tour was a treasure! I would recommend spending the money for a private tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tyler
Tyler S.
Mexico | Reviewed on Jan 25, 2024
The weather was awful and the whole tour was cut short. We came back drenched and cold. Can't really see what would have been very interesting about the tour even if the weather had cooperated. Read more

The weather was awful and the whole tour was cut short. We came back drenched and cold. Can't really see what would have been very interesting about the tour even if the weather had cooperated.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Adam
Adam G.
Boulder, CO | Reviewed on Sep 20, 2023
I'm a kimkim staff member, and I was on a work trip and experienced this activity. I was in a small group with five other people, which was a great size to hike and experience nature with our guide. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. I give this hike four stars because you can't hike up the volcano (local law prohibits it), so it was just at its base. The hike was very easy, and I wanted to go faster, but the guide would constantly stop and talk about different things, which was... Read more

I'm a kimkim staff member, and I was on a work trip and experienced this activity. I was in a small group with five other people, which was a great size to hike and experience nature with our guide. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. I give this hike four stars because you can't hike up the volcano (local law prohibits it), so it was just at its base. The hike was very easy, and I wanted to go faster, but the guide would constantly stop and talk about different things, which was fine because we were on a tour. We did get to see a tiny viper.

Tips for future travelers

Go earlier in the day to experience the cafe after the tour.

Quality of Experience
You can only hike the base of the volcano not hike up.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was very kind, friendly and knowledgeable.
Transport
Chandni
Chandni K.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Apr 24, 2023
Our guide was very helpful and attentive! We saw monkeys, snakes, and a sloth with him. Read more

Our guide was very helpful and attentive! We saw monkeys, snakes, and a sloth with him.

Tips for future travelers

Good amount of walking!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Brian
Brian L.
Bel Air North, MD | Reviewed on Apr 21, 2023
Our guide Kenneth was the best of our whole trip. Read more

Our guide Kenneth was the best of our whole trip.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Marie-Claude
Marie-Claude E.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 24, 2023
The guide did not seem very knowledgeable of the area. Read more

The guide did not seem very knowledgeable of the area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Cheri
Cheri A.
Simi Valley, CA | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2023

The hike was not too difficult, and it had 3 levels of difficulty to choose. I chose the longest route, and it was still a pleasant hike although it rained and we didn't have a view of the volcano or lake.

Tips for future travelers

I would suggest if you could not book in the future, but based on the weather, as it would've been excellent if we had a view of volcano and lake together at the mesa top.

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Itineraries with Arenal Volcano & 1968 Reserve Guided Hike