La Fortuna · Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano tours
Arenal Jungle Tours runs three Arenal Volcano tours from La Fortuna: a 3-hour morning hike, a 4-hour afternoon hike that ends in El Choyín hot river, and a 6-hour hike with a volcanic lagoon, lunch and the hot river. All three cross old lava flows with a bilingual guide and include round-trip transport, from $57 per adult.
- Tours3
- From$57
- Duration3–6 h
- Departures7:30 AM · 10:20 AM · 1:40 PM
Our volcano hikes
Three ways to hike Arenal Volcano
Prices per adult in USD, VAT not included. Pick a departure time and book in a secure checkout.
See all tours
How to choose
Which Arenal Volcano hike is right for you?
All three include a professional bilingual guide with a spotting scope and round-trip transport from downtown La Fortuna and nearby areas.
- 01
Morning Volcano Hike
Choose it if you want the shortest hike and an early start. It leaves at 7:30 a.m., takes 3 hours and has views of the volcano and Lake Arenal, with no hot river. From age 4.
- 02
Afternoon Volcano Hike
Choose it to end the hike in a warm river. It leaves at 1:40 p.m., takes 4 hours and finishes in El Choyín hot river with a volcanic mud mask. From age 4.
- 03
Volcano Hike + Lunch and Hot River
Choose it for the full day. It leaves at 10:20 a.m., takes 6 hours and adds a volcanic lagoon, a traditional Costa Rican lunch and El Choyín hot river. From age 1, so it suits families with young children.
Compare
Compare the Arenal Volcano hikes
Prices per person in USD, VAT not included. Every tour includes round-trip transport from downtown La Fortuna and nearby areas.
| Tour | Duration | Departures | Adult | Child | Minimum age | Difficulty | Lunch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Volcano Hike | 3 h | 7:30 AM | $57 | $34 | Age 4+ | Moderate | Not included |
| Afternoon Volcano Hike | 4 h | 1:40 PM | $57 | $34 | Age 4+ | Moderate | Not included |
| Volcano Hike + Lunch and Hot River | 6 h | 10:20 AM | $64 | $40 | Age 1+ | Moderate | Included |
Arenal Volcano facts
What to know about Arenal Volcano
Is Arenal Volcano still active?
Arenal was active from 1968 until 2010 and has been resting since then. You will not see lava today, but you can walk across the lava flows it left behind.
How tall is Arenal Volcano?
About 1,650 meters (5,400 feet) above sea level. It is a young stratovolcano, estimated at less than 7,500 years old, known for its almost perfect cone.
Can you hike to the top of Arenal Volcano?
No. The crater and the area around it are closed to visitors for safety, because of unstable slopes and falling rocks. Tours, including ours, use permitted trails at the foot of the volcano.
How far is Arenal Volcano from La Fortuna?
La Fortuna sits at the foot of the volcano, on its east side, and the drive to the trailheads of our hikes takes 20 to 30 minutes. Transport is included in every tour.
What happened in the 1968 eruption?
On July 29, 1968, Arenal erupted suddenly and violently. The eruption buried the villages of Tabacón, Pueblo Nuevo and San Luis and killed 87 people, and it began 42 years of activity.
When is the best time to see Arenal Volcano?
The summit is often covered by clouds. Early mornings and the drier months, January to March, usually give the clearest views. From May to November, mornings tend to be clearer than afternoons.
Plan your visit
More around Arenal Volcano
Our Arenal Volcano guide tells you more about the volcano and its trails, and two more of our tours have volcano views: the Mistico Hanging Bridges and the zipline.
Questions about the volcano tours
Before you hike Arenal Volcano
Can't find your question? Write to us and we will help you choose.
Contact usThe Volcano Hike + Lunch and Hot River welcomes children from age 1, and children under 5 travel free. The morning and afternoon hikes are from age 4. Children from 6 to 10 pay a lower price on all three.
The Afternoon Volcano Hike and the Volcano Hike + Lunch and Hot River both end in El Choyín hot river with a volcanic mud mask. The Morning Volcano Hike does not include a hot river.
The Morning Volcano Hike takes about 3 hours, the Afternoon Volcano Hike about 4 hours and the Volcano Hike + Lunch and Hot River about 6 hours, from pickup to return.
Closed-toe hiking shoes, long pants, a rain jacket and insect repellent. For the tours with the hot river, also bring a swimsuit and a towel.
The morning and afternoon hikes cost $57 per adult and $34 per child, and the Volcano Hike + Lunch and Hot River costs $64 per adult and $40 per child. Prices are in USD and do not include 13% VAT.
La Fortuna · Arenal Volcano
Your day in the rainforest starts here
Pick a tour and a departure time and pay securely online. For groups or a custom itinerary, write to us on WhatsApp.
4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor · Travelers’ Choice 2026
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