Arenal Volcano National Park

Lava Trails, Rainforest and Epic Views

Arenal Volcano National Park stands in Costa Rica as a striking example of nature’s power. The volcano’s dark, solid slopes rise above lush green forests that surround bubbling hot springs and clear rivers. Visitors can hike trails to see steam rising from the earth or spot wildlife like monkeys and colorful birds. At night, the sky often fills with stars while nearby towns provide simple lodging and local food. This park shows how volcanic activity shapes both land and daily life in Costa Rica.

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National Park in Costa Rica

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	8

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in La Fortuna and by park staff, guides, and tour operators. Most signage is bilingual, though some is worn. In rural areas, basic Spanish is helpful, but visitors get by easily in English.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Arenal Volcano National Park Summary

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World-class for volcano landscapes and rainforest adventure. Hike jungle trails, watch wildlife, soak in hot springs and admire views of the iconic cone-shaped volcano.

Place score

8.4

Best at:

Natural sites

Volcanoes

Guided tours

Hot springs

Wildlife

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

♻️ 8

Sustainability

Costa Rica – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Costa Rican Colón (CRC) £1 ≈ CRC 605.44
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Costa Rica has a well-developed cashless payment system, and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in urban areas. However, it is still useful to carry cash in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, a 10% service charge is often included, but it is common to leave an additional tip of 5-10%.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not commonly allowed in Costa Rica. Alcohol consumption is generally confined to licensed venues such as bars, restaurants, and resorts.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and enclosed areas, including restaurants and public transport.

Independence Day (15 September)	National holiday with celebrations and parades
Christmas (25 December)	Family-centred celebration

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity, eco-tourism, and commitment to environmental conservation. It is a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure travellers.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - Aug.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

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Climate details

Dry season runs December to April, wettest months are September to November, rain is possible year-round on the volcano's Caribbean-influenced side

Holy Week (late March to mid April) and Christmas to New Year: hotels sell out, Costa Rican holiday travel fills tours and hot springs

Volcano summit is often cloud-covered in the afternoon, so visit trails and viewpoints early in the day

Don't miss

🌋 Hike the Las Coladas trail over old lava flows
🌿 Explore rainforest biodiversity on the El Ceibo circuit
🌄 Enjoy spectacular volcano views from multiple lookout points
🦜 Spot native wildlife along the shaded forest trails
🏞️ Visit the park’s ranger station for educational exhibits
🍃 Experience the peaceful atmosphere of Arenal’s nature reserve

You've been here?

Why travel to Arenal Volcano National Park?

This park is a must for anyone who loves the outdoors, wildlife or just jaw-dropping scenery. The trails are accessible for most fitness levels and take you through everything from dense jungle to open lava fields, with panoramic volcano and Lake Arenal views. You can spot sloths, coatis and a rainbow of birds or join a guided night walk for a glimpse of the rainforest after dark. Waterfall rappelling, hot springs and canopy tours are just a short drive away. But be aware: the weather is famously unpredictable – sunshine can turn to downpours in minutes and the humidity is high year-round. Trails can get muddy and slippery, especially in the rainy season (May–November) and some signage is worn, so pay attention and don’t stray off the marked paths. Climbing to the volcano summit or Cerro Chato is illegal and dangerous. Cell service is limited and there’s no public bus directly to the park entrance, so plan your transport ahead.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Estación de Guardaparques - Sector Península

🎡Places for activities

1 Waterfall Río Fortuna
2 Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
3 Arenal Natura Ecological Park
4 Hanging Bridges Arenal
5 Ecoglide Arenal Park
6 Termales Los Laureles
7 Arenal 1968
8 Cavernas de Venado

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Arenal Volcano
2 Lake Arenal

🎈Events

La Fortuna Festival (January)
Wildlife and birdwatching events
Rainforest conservation workshops
Local food fairs
Guided night hikes (seasonal)
Christmas and Easter celebrations
Arenal Volcano Marathon
Eco-tourism festivals
Photography contests
Nature workshops at Visitor Center

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Knowledge before you go

Arrive early; clear volcano views are often morning-only.
Start at the visitor center for trail maps and same-day safety updates from rangers.
Bring water and rain gear; trails cross lava rocks and humid rainforest sections.
If you want both park sectors, plan one day – entry is one-time and re-entry costs again.

How to travel to Arenal Volcano National Park

Arenal Volcano National Park is about 35 minutes by car from La Fortuna. From San José, drive via San Ramón and La Fortuna (about 3 hours). There’s no direct public bus to the park entrance; the closest bus stops at an intersection 2 km away, requiring a walk or taxi. Most visitors arrive by rental car, taxi or on a guided tour from La Fortuna.

Access summary

From San José Airport (SJO): Shuttle or rental car, about 3 hours.
From San José city: Direct shuttles or public buses to La Fortuna, 3–4 hours.
From Monteverde: Jeep–boat–jeep via Lake Arenal, roughly 3–4 hours total.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Arenal Volcano National Park

Most visitors base themselves in La Fortuna, which has everything from luxury hot spring resorts and eco-lodges to budget hostels and family-run hotels. Book ahead in high season (Dec–Apr). Some accommodations offer volcano views or shuttle service to the park. Camping is not permitted inside the park.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal

9.6

Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa

9.5

Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience

8.9

Nayara Gardens

10.0

Baldi Hot Springs Hotel & Spa

8.8

Arenal Paraiso Hotel Resort and Spa

8.4

Hotel Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa

9.4

Hotel Mountain Paradise

8.4

SUWA VILLA ARENAL

10.0

Arenal Backpackers Resort

7.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Arenal Volcano National Park

The park is divided into two main sectors: the Volcano Visitor Center and Peninsula. Trails are well-marked but signage can be worn – follow the numbers and stay on path. You can drive to the main parking lots (a 4x4 is only needed for the Vehicle Trail), but there’s no public bus directly to the park. The nearest bus stop is a 30-minute walk from the entrance. Taxis and organized tours are popular and most hotels in La Fortuna can arrange transport.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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-37 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 37% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

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The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+24 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CRC) is 24% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably more expensive compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Puntarenas, Costa Rica - 52 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£39	£95	£264
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£15	£45	£113
🍝 Food per day	£20	£45	£130
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£5	£21

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£22
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£3
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.75
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£13
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£75
🤧 Cold medication	£6
💇 Basic haircut	£12

Safety information overview

General safety

Arenal Volcano National Park is very safe, but stay on marked trails and avoid hiking to the summit or Cerro Chato (illegal and dangerous). Watch for slippery paths, sudden rain and wildlife. Cell service is limited; let someone know your plans.

Health & Medical

Medical care is available in La Fortuna, with clinics and pharmacies. Bring any needed medications. Tap water is generally safe, but bottled water is widely available. Mosquitoes can be a nuisance — use repellent, especially during rainy season.

Accessibility

Most main trails are easy and suitable for a range of fitness levels, but some have uneven or muddy sections. Wheelchair access is limited, though the Heliconias Trail is flat. Check with the park for up-to-date accessibility info.

Tap water

Tap water is generally safe in the area, but if you have a sensitive stomach, opt for bottled water. Bring a refillable bottle — there are restrooms and drinking water at the visitor center, but no fountains on trails.