Costa Rica Sun Tours - Arenal Volcano National Park

This morning you will be met by your driver-host at your hotel in San Jose. Following breakfast, you set off toward the Central Mountain Range where you'll visit an authentic Costa Rican coffee plantation and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

The coffee plantation visit introduces you to coffee cultivation and processing. La Paz has a well-designed trail system through its cloud forest that winds alongside the crystal-clear Peace River and leads to viewing platforms - bringing you up close to five beautiful waterfalls. You will also visit the Iguana Bridge, famous for its abundant iguanas. Lunch is included at the Peace Lode before you continue your drive to Arenal. 

The main attraction for visitors in this region is Arenal Volcano which rises majestically some 3,000 feet above the surrounding plains.  Arenal has occasional rumbles and small eruptions, and a constant emission of steam and other hot gases.  It also produces nearly continuous flows of thick pasty lava known as “blocky lava” that breaks off in chunks and can be seen glowing bright cherry red on cloudless nights.  The volcano is Arenal Volcano National Park’s centerpiece and it is surrounded by a vast rainforest of several thousand acres which is home to parrots, parakeets, four types of toucans and nearly 400 other bird species, 3 species of monkeys, peccaries and more.

Overnight at your hotel (L) 

Tonight, dinner is on your own. You may enjoy a quiet evening meal at the hotel overlooking the lush gardens and if you are lucky, take a glimpse of the majestic Arenal Volcano at night.

Our private bilingual host drivers are selected for their driving skills, knowledge of the country and orientation towards customer service.  He/she is responsible for staying with the vehicle while clients are at restaurants, doing hikes or other tours so that all personal belongings left in the vehicle are safe.  This service offers you more flexibility in travel time as you can request stops to photograph gorgeous scenery, view wildlife, visit nice local restaurants, meet local people, or take coffee breaks and stretch when you need it. 

Today enjoy a full day of authentic adventures-  hiking the Arenal Volcano National Park, exploring the Arenal Místico Hanging Bridges and enjoying a taste of local tico culture at an organic farm at Rainforest Explorers where you will be delighted with a “farm to table” lunch.  Overnight at your hotel (B, L)

Arenal volcano was the most spectacularly active in Costa Rica. For 30 years hotels in the region touted their views of the lava flows and red hot boulders ejected from the volcano glowing in the darkness.

For the past ten years the red hot lava has been biding its time and the activity at Arenal has been limited to puffs of steam and a few deep rumbles.  No one can predict when this quiet cycle will end and the glowing red orange cone will once again dominate the night sky but even when it’s not erupting spectacularly the peak is still an imposing and beautiful sight.

There’s always a chance that clouds will obscure the top of the volcano but volcano but if you stick around a couple of days taking advantage of some of the other attractions in the area you’re likely to also get great volcano views.

The Arenal Mistico Hanging Bridges Park is one of the highlights in La Fortuna. Though this park now has more activities other than hiking, the hanging bridges are still the highlight. The 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) hanging bridges trail has 10 regular bridges and 6 hanging ones with the tallest standing at 148 feet. The bridges allow for spectacular views of the rain forest and Arenal Volcano.

The trail’s design makes you feel like you’re walking deep into the rain forest, rather than in a well maintained park as you’re immersed in a sea of deep green and surrounded by a symphony of cicadas, tropical birds and monkeys.

Birds such as toucans and mammals like sloths and monkeys are just a few of the many creatures you can run into on the hike.  Our clients are extremely lucky to see several animals thanks to the sharp eyes of our guides.

Also today enjoy a guided journey to an Organic Farm.
Highlights: Local farm facing the Arenal Volcano and surrounded by rivers and rainforests. Run by a local family. A delicious home cooked lunch. Sample local fruits while you look for iguanas, sloths, and toucans!

Today, enjoy a taste of food and culture at a locally owned organic orchard. During a walk and traditional lunch, you will find, learn about, and taste some of the more than 70 seasonal products growing in the healthy and fertile lands near the Arenal Volcano. The farm also boasts abundant wildlife!

There are also activities that you can enjoy completely free, such as walks around the town, visit crystalline rivers or visit Lake Arenal, and if you rent a bike, you can take a ride through different towns near La Fortuna such as El Castillo or La Guaria. Finally, your vacation in La Fortuna Costa Rica will not be complete, if you do not visit the Arenal Volcano Hot Springs.

Tonight, dinner is on your own. You may enjoy a quiet evening meal at the hotel or adventure yourself to downtown La Fortuna for more local flavour and authentic restaurants.

Today depart the Arenal Volcano and continue to your next beach destination or return to San José – End of Services (B)

You may enjoy a short hike or walk around the hotel and grouds prior or after a delicious Costa Rican breakfast before you get ready for your next destination!