Hiking Arenal Volcano – one of Costa Rica’s most iconic and active volcanoes, is an epic adventure. It’s a fascinating journey though one of the most magnificent tropical forests and wildlife I’ve seen along my travels. Costa Rica in general is heaven for adventurous hikers looking for unique outdoor experience in the nature.
La Fortuna – the gateaway town for greatest hiking escapades gives an opportunity to explore the best volcanic landscapes. Arenal iconic cone-shaped smoking crater can be seen in a clear weather from La Fortuna town. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you plan your hiking adventure at Arenal Volcano National Park.
Hiking Arenal Volcano.
Arenal Volcano National Park is located in Arenal Volcano National Park, in the northern region of Costa Rica, near the town of La Fortuna.
Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic and active volcanoes. Rising to 1,670 meters (5,476 feet).
The park is a very popular destination for hikers, offering stunning volcano views, incredible biodiversity and a unique opportunity for hiking Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato – the two most interesting hiking adevntures.
Hiking advice for Arenal Volcano.
- WEATHER is crucial when it comes to Arenal Volcano visibility – check the weather forecast before any hikes in the park.
- There are great things to do in La Fortuna, so if you stick around you will have more chance to see the clear view of the giant Arenal.
- The best months for hiking Arenal Volcano with clearest views are December to April.
- Some hiking trails in Arenal Volcano National Park are very challenging in rainy conditions – hiking CERRO CHATO can be very demanding – read before you approach the trail. We read crazy stories how slippery the volcanic trails can be during rainy season.
- You can explore the park independently but I highly recommend taking a guide for few reasons – they have so many wonderful stories about the highlands, great knowledge about biodiversity – they will be able to spot the amazing fauna species.
Can you hike to the top of Arenal Volcano?
It is not possible to hike up to the summit of Arenal Volcano for safety and preservations reasons!
You can take number of hiking trails in Arenal Volcano National Park that you can explore independntly, with a private guide or organized tour. I highly recommend having a guide, as he will show you the beautiful biodiversity of one of the most amazing rainforests of this planet.
Where is Arenal Volcano?
Arenal Volcano is located in nortwestern Costa Rica, approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) northwest of San José, in the province of Alajuela, district of La Fortuna.
La Fortuna is the most convenient place to stay is when hiking Arenal Volcano, it’s a fabulous small town situated just a few miles from the national park and a gateway for Arenal Volcano and number of hiking trails.
I recommend staying few days in La Fortuna, it’s a lovely town with Volcan Arenal towering in the background, with lots of local craft shops and plenty of outdoor adventures. You can find various lodging options, from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hostels with a view of the volcano peak.
How to get from San Jose to La Fortuna?
There are several ways to get from San Jose to La Fortuna or Arenal Volcano.
PUBLIC BUS: You need to take a bus heading to Ciudad Quesada or San Carlos (3 buses daily). Prices range between 6-8 USD. The drive from San José takes approximately 3 to 4 hours.
SHUTTLE/MINI-VAN: Takes about 3 hours to reach La Fortuna.
How to visit Arenal Volcano?
There are number of hiking trails leading toward Arenal Volcano, Cerro Chato and hot springs, which you can explore with a tour or independently. A guide is not mandatory in the park, however we decided to hire Lion.
Arenal Volcano National Park.
- There’s an ENTRANCE FEE to the park: $15 for adults
- The park is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily.
- Hiking Arenal Volcano is recommended during daylight hours.
Arenal Volcano hiking trails.
Hiking Arenal Volcano can be done via several routes. One of the most spectacular is Arenal Observatory Lodge, it’s an adventurous trail leading through hanging bridges and dense tropical forest, and this is my favourite route! The real hanging bridges are unique experience.
Arenal Observatory Lodge
Arenal Observatory Lodge is a luxury resort and a great starting point for hiking Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato Volcano.
The Observatory Lodge is an amazing place to relax, have a cup of aromatic coffee while watching Arenal Crater. You don’t need to be a hotel guest. The views of Arenal Volcano from the trail are amazing.
Sendero Principal.
Sendero Principal main trail is approximately 3.5-mile loop trail, which is relatively easy and perfect for beginners.
Los Heliconias Trail.
Los Heliconias Trail is slightly more challenging and about 2 miles long. It’s a short well-marked trail that offers a fantastic opportunity to observe the forest biodiveristy, native plants and local bird species.
- Distance: 2 km (1.2 miles) loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Duration: 1-1.5 hours.
Arenal 1968 Trail.
More experienced and adventurous hikers will enjoy Arenal 1968 Trail, which leads along the old lava flow from the volcano’s last major eruption in 1968.
This 4-mile trail offers a moderate challenge and breathtaking views of Arenal’s peak! surrounding rainforest. The route in the rainforest brings an opportunity to spot diverse bird species and monkeys.
- Distance: 4.5 km (2.8 miles) round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2-3 hours.
Hiking Cerro Chato.
Choosing Arenal Observatory Lodge as your starting point for hiking Arenal Volcano will allow you to admire amazing view of the crater on the way to Cerro Chato green crater lake.
We took a local guide – Lion, he was an amazing leader! We had a great weather and in such dry conditions it would be doable alone.
Here is step-by-step guide on everything you need to know ahead of hiking Cerro Chato, especially if you are planning to go independently.
La Fortuna Waterfall.
La Fortuna Waterfall is an amazing outdoor attraction and a great choice for a half-day trip. You can hike down to the base of the waterfall to swim and enjoy the refreshing waters. The descent is steep but well-maintained.
- Distance: 1 km (0.6 miles) steep descent
Difficulty: Moderate
Outdoor attractions in La Fortuna.
- La Fortuna town – I highly recommend taking a walk along this charming town, there’s plenty of lovely craft shops, restaurants.
- Hot Springs Arenal Volcano – there are plenty of hot springs
- Sky Tram – beautiful views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal from the above.
- Adventures Park with canopy tours and zip-lining.
Hotels in Arenal Volcano.
La Fortuna is extremely popular town among traveles. Thus it offers all types of accommodation. We stayed in a hostel with a view of Arenal Volcano. Some of the places are highly overpriced but if you are looking for a unique stay Arenal Volcano Observatory Lodge & Trails is the place. It offers decent price for exceptional standard and location in the middle of the national park. It is surrounded by 860 private acres of tropical rainforest and featuring an on-site lake, a swimming pool, a sun terrace. Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails is located within the Arenal Conservation Area, only 2.7 km from the Arenal Volcano.
Arenal Backpackers Resort is a 5* alternative option if you are looking for budget-friendly option.
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