error when authenticating{"id":28683,"date":"2023-02-13T05:26:16","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T10:26:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorerspassage.com\/?p=28683"},"modified":"2024-03-01T16:01:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-01T16:01:47","slug":"arenal-costa-rica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorerspassage.com\/chronicles\/arenal-costa-rica\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Travel Guide to Arenal in Costa Rica"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The perfect cone of Arenal Volcano is the beating heart of northern Costa Rica. An active stratovolcano, it spewn smoke and sulfur into the air as recently as 1998 and is currently out of bounds to trekkers because of it. But the mountain is now the kingpin of one of the most breathtaking and adventure-filled national parks in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whitewater rivers beckon rafters in the nearby rainforests, horse treks offer scenic rides, and hiking tours ring the Arenal reserve. Plus, there are adrenaline-pumping ziplines and broiling hot springs, to name just a few activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arenal area is famously known as the adventure capital of Costa Rica and this ultimate guide to traveling around Arenal can help you plan your jaunt to this ever-alluring corner of the country. It’s filled with practical info on how to get into the town of La Fortuna, along with some inspiration on what to bring and what to do when you arrive. Let’s just say the hiking boots and the waterproofs are likely to come in handy on the tours around Arenal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information, check out this amazing Arenal trip<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My experience in Arenal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I had heard tales of a mist-haloed, triangular peak of a volcano that rises high above the central plains of Costa Rica long before I came. When I finally arrived at Arenal, the sight didn’t disappoint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mountain itself dominated the horizon as I skirted around the snaking roadways that slink by Lake Arenal. Clouds clutched its top. Lush rainforests rolled down its flanks. At its base, woods of regimented Honduran pines and striped eucalyptus patchworked with coffee fields and open pastures. Signs promising adventure beckoned every 330 feet (100 meters) \u2013 a sloth reserve here, a rapids river there.<\/p>\n\n\n
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$\"Landscape$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
That was my first taste of a town that is one of the foremost adventure hubs of Central America, not just Costa Rica itself. There’s really no end to the heart-thumping tours that are on the menu, no matter if you want to whiz on wires through parakeet-filled rainforests or trek through muddied trails to hidden waterfalls. You simply have to travel to the Arenal area if you’re looking for an active retreat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ever since I was young, I have dreamed of exploring this incredible planet. I have been very fortunate to have explored over 50 countries across this extraordinary world and to have made travel my career. I am very grateful to run The Explorer\u2019s Passage, a premier adventure travel company, and in my opinion, the best tour operator in Costa Rica. Our team has over 30 years of experience there. If at any point throughout this guide you find yourself with questions, reach out to us<\/a><\/strong> and we\u2019ll gladly help build your dream trip!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inside this Guide<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n
Where is Arenal?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
How to get there?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Getting around Arenal<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
The best time to visit Arenal<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Top things to do around Arenal<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Where to stay in Arenal?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Where to eat?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
What to pack for Arenal?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Where is Arenal?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe peak of the Arenal Volcano rises almost midway across the northern top half of the country, some 70 miles (112 km) from the Pacific coast. It’s officially in the province of Alajuela, though the border with much-vaunted Guanacaste Province (one of the main attractions in Costa Rica, the land of Pura Vida<\/a><\/strong>) is less than 4 miles (6.5 km) to the west of the summit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lake Arenal, the adjoining body of water that’s also a major draw for relaxed cycling outings and hikes, stretches west into Guanacaste from the Arenal volcano for about 20 miles (32 km).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
La Fortuna is the nearest town also located in the province of Alajuela, situated about 80 miles (130 km) northwest of the city of San Jos\u00e9. To get to La Fortuna from Arenal, you would need to travel east for about 4 miles (6.5 km).<\/p>\n\n\n
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$\"Person$ <\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
How to get there?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When most people talk about visiting Arenal, what they really mean is that they’re heading to La Fortuna. That’s the town right on the eastern cusp of the Arenal volcano and now the de facto hub for most of the adventure outfitters that operate in the national park\u2019s region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A bus runs once per day from San Jos\u00e9 to La Fortuna and takes nearly four hours. You can do the trip a little faster in a shared or private minivan, though, which have flexible departure times and take just over three hours. As is normal in Costa Rica, buses from other destinations \u2013 even places like Monteverde, which is a mere 66 miles (106 km) away \u2013 will usually involve a change in either San Jos\u00e9 or somewhere else along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is also the very small La Fortuna Arenal Airport for those with extra cash to splash and less time to spare. It only hosts two services, one from Quepos and one from San Jos\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Getting around Arenal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The town of La Fortuna \u2013 the main hotel and tour outfitter hub of the Arenal area in Costa Rica \u2013 is 100% walkable. Taxis gather in the center near the bus stop to take you to the nearby hot springs, Arenal Lake, and other local attractions. Most people will either rideshare to keep costs down or rent their own car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re not on an organized tour and don’t have rides prearranged around Arenal, we like the latter option. Remember that Arenal isn’t just one location but a whole region centered on the mighty Arenal Volcano. The extra freedom of having your own wheels to travel will go a long way in La Fortuna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best time to visit Arenal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Arenal really comes into its own in the Costa Rican dry season. That runs from December to April and is the time with the clearest weather in these mid-altitude regions of the north. Clear skies mean two things: better views of the peak and less rain, which helps keep the hiking, biking, and bridle trails free from mud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, even the peak months in the Arenal Volcano National Park don’t guarantee unobstructed tours and prime adventuring conditions. Weather is very variable here, so you never really know when you’ll wake to find the Arenal volcano hidden behind plumes of mist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The upsides to visiting during the rainy season in Arenal are the wilder waterfalls and rainforests, as well as the cheaper hotel rates. You can expect temperatures during these months to be around 83\u00b0F (~28\u2103).<\/p>\n\n\n
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Top things to do around Arenal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Have we mentioned yet that Arenal is all about adventure? Well\u2026it is. From roaring whitewater rafting sessions to trekking through toucan-filled jungles, there’s tons to sink your muddied boots into in these parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out our recommendations for the top things to do around Arenal:<\/p>\n\n\n