Full-Day Arenal Volcano Tour from San José with Hot Springs

Overview

Depart from San José for a full day dedicated to discovering the Arenal Volcano. The scenic route takes you through tropical forests, small towns, and local farms. The itinerary includes a visit to a coffee plantation with tasting and traditional snacks, a waterfall stop for wildlife spotting, and an introduction to Costa Rican indigenous culture. The afternoon is spent relaxing in natural hot springs set within a lush garden. The excursion includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a bilingual guide, as well as traditional Costa Rican lunch and dinner.

Itinerary

1. Travel to the Arenal Volcano area, the most popular touristic region of Costa Rica, and enjoy many of the beauties of the country on this full-day trip. Your tour starts in the morning when you are picked up from your hotel in the San Jose area in an air-conditioned vehicle and you will then travel to Arenal on an alternative route that is more scenic than the regular highway to this popular destination. On the way to Arenal, you will stop in a plantation where you will learn about coffee of Costa Rica, here you will be able to observe the coffee plants and see the workers picking the ripe cherries during the harvest season. Your guide will share information on this important product to the local economy and other important facts (coffee degustation will be provided later in a rustic coffee shop).

   · 20 min

2. Continue your tour with a visit to the famous La Paz Waterfall, where you will stop on the side of the road for a few minutes to take pictures of this popular attraction surrounded by lush tropical rainforest.

   · 15 min

3. Later on, you will stop at the San Fernando Waterfall look-out point, where you will also have the chance to take pictures of this beautiful attraction and observe many exotic birds of Costa Rica at the birds’ gallery; it is very common to see toucans, hummingbirds and many other colorful tropical species. Taste a freshly brewed cup of some of the best coffee in the world while admiring the beautiful waterfall, definitely a great place to drink your coffee! This degustation will be accompanied by traditional snacks that local Costa Ricans normally eat with their coffee.

   · 30 min

4. Following you will stop at the iguana’s center, a place where you will see lots of iguanas at eye level, resting on the top of numerous trees. As part of this stop, you will also go to a place nearby where sloths are normally observed in their natural habitat.

   · 15 min

5. Continue on to the Town of La Fortuna, where you will savor a delicious Costa Rican lunch in a restaurant located near the famous Arenal Volcano. After lunch, participate in an indigenous presentation performed by native people from the local “Maleku Tribe”, where you will learn about the traditions and culture of this ethnic group.

   · 15 min· Admission included

6. Paradise Hot Springs

   Afterward, you will visit various points around the volcano to take pictures of this amazing mountain on clear days, and you will then travel to the beautiful Paradise Hot Springs Resort, a place where you will be able to relax for a few hours in the multiple hot springs pools surrounded by lush tropical gardens. This hot springs facility is one of the best in the Arenal area and provides the perfect environment to relax in thermal mineral water pools, jacuzzis, and cascading waterfalls. After enjoying the relaxing hot springs you will go to a local typical restaurant to have a delicious Costa Rican dinner and then will be taken back to your hotel in the San Jose area.

   · 2 h· Admission included

Pickup

Pickup or meet at the departure point.

Drop off at the Arenal-La Fortuna centrally located hotels are available. Please note that if you choose this option, dinner will not be included in your tour because it’s done in a restaurant on the way back. Also, there is an extra charge for drop-offs with luggage, but in the case of this tour, it doesn’t apply because the cost of the dinner will cover the drop-off charge. If you wish to take this option, you must let us know at the time of booking.

How to use your ticket

• The tour vehicle will wait for a maximum of 10 minutes after the specified pickup time. • Minimum age to participate is 5 years. • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at the time of booking if required. • Operates in all weather conditions. Please dress appropriately. • This tour includes man-made hot springs pools, filled with natural thermal water • If you are bringing children on the tour (ages 5 to 12), you must inform us in advance so we can prepare the required safety equipment for them. If we are not notified beforehand, children will not be permitted to participate, and tickets for anyone who does not take part in the tour will be non-refundable. • For safety reasons, the operator may refuse service to anyone who is intoxicated. If your tour is canceled for this reason, no refund will be issued. • Drop-off at centrally located La Fortuna hotels is available. In that case, dinner won’t be included since it is served on the return route. There’s an extra charge for drop-offs with luggage, but for this tour, it’s waived because the unused dinner cost covers it. If you wish to take this option, you must let us know at the time of booking. • This tour is perfect for those who want easy sightseeing in the morning, followed by a relaxing afternoon at the hot springs • This tour does not include ziplining/rappelling activities (The stop at Go Adventure Park is for the Indigenous presentation only) • The default tour time is 6:30 a.m., but the tour operator will confirm the exact pickup time & meeting point after booking. Automated booking platform emails may mention the default time, but the operator’s confirmation will be the official schedule. This is the list of things we recommend you bring on the tour: - Walking shoes or sneakers - Comfortable clothes (such as shorts and t-shirts) - Sunblock - Insect repellent - Swimwear - Towel - Raincoat or poncho - Change of clothes - Sandals for the hot springs.

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Not recommended for pregnant women.
• Not recommended for travellers with spinal cord problems.
• Not recommended for travellers with cardiovascular problems.
• Suitable for all fitness levels.
• Minimum age is 5 years.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• The tour is led by a multilingual guide.
• A vegetarian option is available upon request at the time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions; please dress accordingly.
• The tour includes artificial pools filled with natural thermal water.
• The total duration includes travel time, lunch, and dinner.
• Drop-off at La Fortuna hotels is available, but dinner will not be included in this case.
• For children aged 5 to 12, please notify in advance to prepare the required safety equipment.
• The programme focuses on sightseeing in the morning and relaxation in the hot springs in the afternoon.
• Ziplining activities are not included; the stop at Go Adventure Park is for the indigenous presentation only.
• The group is limited to 20 travellers.
• Confirmation is immediate upon booking.

Travelers

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation for a full refund at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure date.

• No refund possible less than 24 hours before departure.

Who is it for?

• Travellers aged 5 and over.
• Those seeking a balanced pace between sightseeing and relaxation.
• Groups or individual travellers (up to 20 people).

What makes it different

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off included for most San José area hotels.
• Comprehensive package including lunch, dinner, and coffee tasting.
• Combination of indigenous culture and hot springs relaxation.

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Product code: 62880P6

Activity offered by Go Tours Costa Rica via Viator.