Day trip

San José: Arenal Volcano, Waterfalls, Coffee and Hot Springs

4.7 / 5

28 reviews

Activity provider: Go Tours Costa Rica
Day trip

San José: Arenal Volcano, Waterfalls, Coffee and Hot Springs

Activity provider: Go Tours Costa Rica

From US$ 149 per person

Explore the Arenal Volcano area on a more scenic route than the traditional highway. Admire views of plantations, waterfalls, jungles, wildlife, and rustic towns, learn about Costa Rican coffee and native culture, and relax in the mineral hot springs.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 14 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide
Spanish, English
Pickup included
Pickup is available from most of the hotels in the San José area. Your exact pickup time and location will be provided upon reconfirmation of your tour. Please provide the name and address of your hotel.

Experience

Highlights
  • Enjoy a full-day tour to the Arenal Volcano and hot springs
  • Observe waterfalls, wildlife and a coffee plantation
  • Learn about Costa Rican coffee and taste a freshly brewed cup with local snacks
  • Eat lunch at La Fortuna with great views of Arenal Volcano
  • Relax in the thermal pools with different temperatures
Full description
Start your tour in the morning when you are picked up from your hotel in the San Jose area in an air-conditioned vehicle. Travel to Arenal on an alternative route that is more scenic than the regular highway to this popular destination. On the way, stop at a plantation where you will learn about the coffee of Costa Rica. Observe the coffee plants and see the workers picking the ripe cherries during the harvest season. Learn about this important product to the local economy and taste a freshly brewed cup of some of the best coffee in the world accompanied by traditional snacks. Continue the tour at the famous La Paz Waterfall. Stop at the San Fernando Waterfall look-out point and observe many exotic birds including toucans, hummingbirds, and many other colorful tropical species. Visit the iguana’s center, a place where you will see lots of iguanas at eye level resting on the top of numerous trees. Following this, arrive at the Town of La Fortuna, and enjoy a delicious Costa Rican lunch in a restaurant located at the base of the impressive Arenal Volcano. After lunch, visit various points around the volcano to take pictures of this amazing mountain on clear days. Next, participate in an indigenous presentation performed by native people from the Maleku Tribe, and learn about the native culture of Costa Ricans. Later, travel to the beautiful Paradise Hot Springs Resort and 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 this, go to a local typical restaurant to have a delicious Costa Rican dinner before you are taken back to your hotel in the San Jose area.
Includes
  • Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off from most San Jose area hotels
  • Professional bilingual guide
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Coffee tasting with local snacks
  • All entrance fees
  • Visits to La Paz Waterfall, San Fernando Waterfall, exotic bird gallery, coffee plantation, and iguana center
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Services not specified

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

Know before you go

  • Adult pricing applies to all travelers
  • May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • No walking is involved
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • This tour includes man-made hot springs pools, filled with natural thermal water
  • Hotel pickups commence approximately 30 - 60 minutes prior to this time, exact pickup time will be advised on reconfirmation
  • Times are subject to change due to local traffic conditions
  • Drop-off in the Arenal-La Fortuna centrally located hotels is available. Please note that if you choose this option, dinner will not be included in your tour because it’s in a restaurant on the way back to San Jose. 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 for the drop off charge
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 28 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.6/5
  • Transportation
    4.6/5
  • Service
    5/5
  • Organization
    4.7/5

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Un servicio EXCELENTE! Disfrutamos demasiado de esta experiencia. Este tour lo incluye todo, la belleza de la naturaleza, fauna costarricense, gastronomía, aguas termales, cultura y más. Gracias a Kenneth por tan excelente servicio, lo recomendamos al 100%.

March 27, 2023

Basically everything in the description. Our guides name was Juan who met all out expectations. Got home a little later than expected but if it meant more time at the hot tub, im not complaining. I did not do the zip line however some of the people we met did. Juan offered a last minute sign up offer if you change your mind.

March 27, 2023

Our guide was amazing from the moment he arrived at the hotel to collect to us until our drop off in he evening. He was a breath of fresh air, so happy and very knowledgeable on all things Costa Rica which he was so enthusiastic to share with the group as we drove from one destination to the next. We definitely got the most from our tour with a stop off at La Paz Waterfall, a taste of Costa Rican coffee at a coffee plantation, eating some great Costa Rican food amongst a variety of interesting birds and amazing views, spotting iguanas, and of course the famous Arenal and Hot Springs. A brilliant fun packed day. We even managed to fit in a sloth sighting and chocolate tasting at the local chocolate factory in La Fortuna. All in all I highly recommend this tour if you are looking for a variety of activities and want to get the most for your money!

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March 27, 2023

Product ID: 193076