Arenal Volcano Ecological Park · La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Arenal Volcano Guided Hike Two hours with a naturalist.
Photo gallery
Overview
A two-hour guided Arenal volcano hike on the park's lava-flow trails, with a bilingual naturalist guide who reads the terrain: eruptive history, what grew back and the wildlife a trained eye finds. Park entrance and round-trip transport from La Fortuna Zone 1 hotels are included.Format: Guided tour, in a shared group or as a private tour.
Options
Arenal Volcano Guided Hike Shared group or private.
Both options include
- Bilingual naturalist guide
- Round-trip Zone 1 transport
- Park entrance, three trails
- Nature Amplifier, Hugging Trees
- Restrooms, showers, rest areas
Shared group: Max 15 per departure · Children 6–10: $52 · Under 6: free · per person, tax included.
Private
Private Arenal Volcano Guided Hike
Just your group and the guide. Minimum 2 guests.
$75 per adult · min. 2
Private tour: minimum 2 guests, your group only · Children 6–10: $65 · Under 6: free · Tax included.
- Secure booking with Peek
- Questions? WhatsApp
The Park's Three Trails Marked by color, rated by difficulty.
| Trail | Color | Distance | Walking time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perezoso (Sloth Trail) | Blue | 2.5 km | About 1 h | Family-friendly, reaches the 2010 and 1968 lava flows |
| Saíno | Gray | 3 km | About 2 h | Intermediate to high |
| Lava 1535 | Pink | 2.5 km | About 1.5 h | Hard, lookout over the 1535 lava flow |
All three are natural volcanic ground and not wheelchair-accessible. Closed shoes with grip. At the 2010 flow, a yellow line marks the safe zone.
Open the park mapBefore You Go What's included, what to bring, what to know.
What’s included
- Round-trip transport from La Fortuna Zone 1 hotels
- Bilingual naturalist guide with wildlife-spotting equipment
- Park entrance
- Three trails with three levels of difficulty
- Nature Amplifier, a station that amplifies the sounds of the forest
- Certified Hugging Trees
- Digital map and trail briefing
- Restrooms and showers
- Rest areas
What to bring
- Quick-drying, comfortable clothing
- Hiking or tennis shoes
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Hat
- Rain jacket
- Camera
Important notes
- If you are not using hotel pickup, be at reception 15 minutes before the start to join your group.
- Bring your own water for the walk.
- Follow your certified guide's instructions at all times, especially on the more difficult stretches of trail.
- Cancellation: Free changes or cancellation up to 24 hours before your tour. Within 24 hours or no-show, 100% is charged. No cash refunds; eligible amounts return as a credit for a future visit. Changes in group size must be notified in advance by email or WhatsApp.
Not included
- Water activities: see the Day Pass.
Park rules
Pet friendly: dogs on a leash at all times (muzzle for large breeds); pick up after them.
100% smoke-free, vapes included.
No alcohol.
Do not take, damage or bring in plants or animals; do not feed wildlife.
No speakers or loud music.
What you bring in, you take out.
Closed shoes are mandatory on every trail.
Related tours
Other Ways to Explore the Park Birds at dawn, the forest at night, a day on the lagoon.
Choose another way to read the forest or add a day on the lagoon.
Arenal Bird Watching Tour
Birds at first light along the trails and the lagoon edge, with a guide who knows the calls.
- Departure
- 5:00 a.m.
- Duration
- 2 h
- Includes
- Naturalist guide and hotel pickup from Zone 1
- Price
- $65
Arenal Night Walk
The forest after dark, from the last daylight into the night, with a guide who finds what moves.
- Departure
- 5:00 p.m.
- Duration
- 2 h
- Includes
- Naturalist guide and hotel pickup from Zone 1
- Price
- $65
Arenal Volcano Day Pass
The trails plus the volcanic lagoon: kayak, stand-up paddle, Tarzan swing and water zipline.
- Entry
- 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Duration
- 3.5–4 h
- Includes
- Three trails and lagoon activities
- Price
- $40
Arenal Volcano Guided Hike FAQ Answers before you book.
Is the park entrance included?
Yes. The park entrance and the three trails are included in both options, shared and private. You do not need a separate Park Entrance ticket.
Is hotel pick-up included?
Yes, from hotels in La Fortuna Zone 1. Enter your hotel at checkout and you receive the pickup time by email. If you stay elsewhere, meet your guide at reception.
What is the difference between shared and private?
A shared hike joins you with up to 15 guests and one guide. A private hike is your group only, from two people, at the private rate shown on the tickets above, and it closes that departure to other guests. Both include the same two-hour hike.
When should I be at reception?
If you are not using hotel pickup, 15 minutes before your departure: 7:45 a.m., 9:45 a.m. or 12:45 p.m. Guests with pickup are collected at the time in their confirmation email.
What if it rains?
The trails stay open. Bring a rain jacket and shoes with grip: the ground is volcanic rock and roots, and it gets slippery.
Is this the Arenal Volcano National Park hike?
No. This hike runs on the trails of Arenal Volcano Ecological Park, a private park beside the National Park. The National Park (SINAC) has a separate gate and its own fees.
Questions Before You Book? Ask someone who walks these trails.
Message the park on WhatsApp before you book. Reception answers the same day: which departure fits your group, what the weather is doing and whether your departure still has room.
Ask on WhatsApp