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Arenal Volcano with a cloud over its summit, framed by rainforest.

Costa Rica · La Fortuna & Arenal

Free or nearly free

Plans with no ticket or under $25: rivers, swimming holes, simple hot springs and the national park trails.

13 places

  1. 1

    WellnessOpen

    El Chollín (Choyín) River: free hot river

    Route 142, opposite Tabacón, about 12 km west of town, by road9.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A naturally hot river fed by the same system that supplies Tabacón; it has rock pools and free access via a path opposite the resort entrance.

    Source: Costa Rica Travel Blog – Río Chollín/Choyín free hot springs (act. 28 may 2025) · 2025 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Free. Informal car watchers ask for between $5 and about ₡5,000 according to 2025–2026 sources. Since 2025 there is also a paid entrance, Choyín Río Termal, with lockers, towels and a restaurant.

    Tip: There are no lifeguards, toilets or lights: go in daylight and leave before dark. Theft is common: leave nothing on the bank or in the car. Rocks are slippery.

    Nearby: Tabacón hot springs (0.1 km) · El Silencio viewpoint (0.8 km) · Arenal 1968: trails on the 1968 lava flow (2.8 km)

    Sources: Costa Rica Travel Blog – Río Chollín/Choyín free hot springs (act. 28 may 2025) · My Tan Feet – La Fortuna free swimming holes: El Salto and El Choyín (act. 1 ene 2026) · Costa Rica Vibes – Arenal hot springs and day pass prices (act. 30 sep 2026)

  2. 2

    WaterOpen

    El Salto (river pool and rope swing)

    Under 2 km from the central park, across the bridge, by road1.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A cold-water pool on the Fortuna River, downstream from the waterfall, known for its rope swing; it is a popular local swimming spot.

    Source: My Tan Feet – La Fortuna free swimming holes: El Salto and El Choyín (act. 1 ene 2026) · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Free entry; a nearby lot charged ₡1,000 (January 2026).

    Tip: In the dry season it can be shallow and in the rainy season it rises fast: if the water turns brown, get out immediately. Do not leave belongings unattended.

    Nearby: Chocolate tours (1 km) · Rafting on the Balsa River (class II-III) (1.6 km) · Peñas Blancas River safari float (1.6 km)

    Sources: My Tan Feet – La Fortuna free swimming holes: El Salto and El Choyín (act. 1 ene 2026)

  3. 3

    CultureOpen

    La Fortuna central park and church

    La Fortuna centre0.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The town centre, founded in the 1930s as El Burío: the square with San Juan Bosco church, local diners serving casado and gallo pinto, shops and a volcano view on clear days.

    Source: Wikipedia – La Fortuna, San Carlos · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: The town’s name refers to its fertile land, not to escaping the eruption. It has been a district since 1952. Shuttles and most tours leave from here.

    Nearby: Costa Rican cooking class (0.1 km) · Rafting on the Balsa River (class II-III) (0.1 km) · Peñas Blancas River safari float (0.1 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – La Fortuna, San Carlos · OpenStreetMap – Parroquia San Juan Bosco

  4. 4

    NatureOpen

    Sangregado Dam (Lake Arenal dam)

    Route 142, about 17 km west of town, by road12.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The 1979 dam that nearly tripled the lake and still generates electricity; from the road beside it you see the lake and the volcano.

    Source: Wikipedia – Lake Arenal · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: It is a natural stop on the way to the Peninsula sector or Nuevo Arenal. Park only where allowed and do not go down to the reservoir.

    Nearby: Peninsula sector and lake viewpoints (1.5 km) · Mistico Hanging Bridges (1.6 km) · Horseback riding at Arenal (1.6 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – Lake Arenal · Costa Rica Sin Filtros – acceso al sector Península desde la represa

  5. 5

    WildlifeOpen

    Iguana bridge (Muelle)

    Muelle de San Carlos, about 28 km east of town, by road19.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A stop at the bridge over the San Carlos River in Muelle, where iguanas are often seen in the riverside trees; it is on the way if you arrive or leave toward the east.

    Source: OpenStreetMap – Puente de las iguanas, Muelle · 2026

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: It is only a short stop. Park off the road and do not feed the animals.

    Nearby: Proyecto Asís wildlife rescue (13.6 km)

    Sources: OpenStreetMap – Puente de las iguanas, Muelle

  6. 6

    WellnessOpen

    Termalitas del Arenal

    Route 142, about 4 km west of town, by road4 km from the centre

    Entry
    $10
    Hours
    9:00 to 22:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    Simple, cheap hot springs popular with Costa Rican families, with several pools in a wooded setting and picnic areas with grills.

    Source: Costa Rica Vibes – Arenal hot springs and day pass prices (act. 30 sep 2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    About $10 per person (September 2026 guide).
    Hours
    9:00 to 22:00 daily according to the 2026 guide; other sources say until 21:00.

    Tip: It gets crowded at weekends. You can bring your own food. There is a sister site, Relax Termalitas.

    Nearby: EcoTermales Fortuna (0.4 km) · Kalambú Hot Springs (0.5 km) · Titokú Hot Springs (0.5 km)

    Sources: Costa Rica Vibes – Arenal hot springs and day pass prices (act. 30 sep 2026) · Costa Rica Travel Blog – We compare all 14 La Fortuna hot springs (act. 28 may 2025)

  7. 7

    WellnessOpen

    Los Laureles hot springs

    Route 142, about 6 km west of town, by road4.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    ₡5,000
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not needed

    A budget option at the foot of the volcano with seven pools, one with a slide, and picnic areas with grills; it also has camping and cabins.

    Source: Costa Rica Vibes – Arenal hot springs and day pass prices (act. 30 sep 2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    ₡5,000 for adults and children 3 to 10; ₡4,000 for over-65s (September 2026 guide).
    Booking
    No booking needed: pay at the gate.

    Nearby: Kalambú Hot Springs (0.5 km) · EcoTermales Fortuna (0.7 km) · Titokú Hot Springs (0.7 km)

    Sources: Costa Rica Vibes – Arenal hot springs and day pass prices (act. 30 sep 2026) · Costa Rica Travel Blog – We compare all 14 La Fortuna hot springs (act. 28 may 2025)

  8. Arenal Volcano National Park (Volcano sector)8

    NatureOpen

    Arenal Volcano National Park (Volcano sector)

    Route 142 and a gravel road toward El Castillo, about 16 km west of town, by road10.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    $16.95
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    The park’s main sector at the foot of the cone, with three short trails through forest and 1992 lava flows, plus a viewpoint over the volcano and the lake.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal (horario, tarifas, senderos) · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $16.95 for non-resident foreign adults ($5.65 for children 2 to under 12), VAT included.
    Hours
    Daily 8:00 to 16:00 according to SINAC. A 2025 MINAE alert mentioned 14:30 as last entry and a 2026 guide says 14:00: arrive before 14:00.
    Booking
    No online sales or reservations: tickets are bought at the park booth, by card only (no cash).

    Tip: Trails are short (Heliconias 610 m, Coladas 1.7 km, El Ceibo 2.3 km): combine it with another activity. Mornings give the best chance of a clear cone.

    Nearby: Las Heliconias Trail (0 km) · Arenal 1968: trails on the 1968 lava flow (0.6 km) · ATV tours (0.6 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal (horario, tarifas, senderos) · MINAE alerta sobre tours ilegales al volcán Arenal y cerro Chato (15 jul 2025) · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park (act. 4 sep 2026)

  9. 9

    NatureOpen

    Peninsula sector and lake viewpoints

    Gravel road near the dam, about 19 km west of town, by road12.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $16.95
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    The park’s least visited sector, with a platform on the Lake Arenal shore. According to a SINAC statement reported by Delfino.cr (3 October 2024), the Península sector has the Los Miradores trail, 1.2 km long and accessible to everyone, including people with reduced mobility. Check with the protected area before you go.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal (horario, tarifas, senderos) · 2026 · +4

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Same fee as the Volcano sector ($16.95 non-resident adult, VAT included).
    Hours
    8:00 to 16:00; MINAE (2025) gave 14:30 as the last entry to the Coladas and Peninsula sectors.

    Tip: There are two gravel access roads. A 2026 guide recommends a high-clearance vehicle; an older one says any car gets in: check the road after rain. A good place for sunset over the lake.

    Nearby: Arenal Volcano National Park (Volcano sector) (1.5 km) · Las Heliconias Trail (1.5 km) · Sangregado Dam (Lake Arenal dam) (1.5 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal (horario, tarifas, senderos) · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park (act. 4 sep 2026) · Costa Rica Sin Filtros – Sector Península · MINAE alerta sobre tours ilegales al volcán Arenal y cerro Chato (15 jul 2025) · Delfino.cr – Trece áreas protegidas con sectores de accesibilidad (comunicado de SINAC, 3 oct. 2024)

  10. 10

    NatureOpen

    El Silencio viewpoint

    Route 142 near Tabacón, about 13 km west of town, by road9.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    $10
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A private reserve on the volcano’s northern slope with easy forest trails and a viewpoint facing Arenal and Cerro Chato.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park (act. 4 sep 2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    About $10 per person on your own (2026 guide).
    Booking
    Desafío runs a 3 h guided walk from $67 per adult, departing 7:30 and 13:30, minimum 4 people.

    Nearby: El Chollín (Choyín) River: free hot river (0.8 km) · Tabacón hot springs (0.8 km) · Arenal 1968: trails on the 1968 lava flow (2.2 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park (act. 4 sep 2026) · Desafío – El Silencio Arenal Volcano Guided Walk

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  11. 11

    WildlifeOpen

    Bogarín Trail (sloths and night walk)

    In town, under 1 km from the central park, by road0.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    $20
    Hours
    6:00 to 20:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A private trail a few minutes from the central park, known as an easy place to see sloths; it offers self-guided, guided, night and birding visits with local guides.

    Source: Bogarín Trail (oficial) · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Self-guided $20; guided $45; night walk $60; birding $80 (per adult).
    Hours
    Daily 6:00 to 20:00.
    Time needed
    About 2 hours (birding, 3 hours).

    Nearby: Costa Rican cooking class (0.5 km) · La Fortuna central park and church (0.5 km) · Rafting on the Balsa River (class II-III) (0.6 km)

    Sources: Bogarín Trail (oficial)

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  12. La Fortuna Waterfall12

    Photo: Isabella Jusková (bellaskova), CC0

    NatureOpen

    La Fortuna Waterfall

    Road toward San Ramón, about 5.5 km south of town, by road4.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    $18
    Hours
    7:00 to 17:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A fall of about 70 m in the forest reached by going down about 500 steps; there is a swimming pool at the base. It is run by the community association ADIFORT.

    Source: Catarata Río Fortuna – Preguntas frecuentes (oficial) · 2024 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Between $18 and $20 for foreign adults (the official page says $20; 2026 guides say $18). Children under 8 free.
    Hours
    Daily 7:00 to 17:00; last recommended entry at 16:00.
    Time needed
    Going down the 500–530 steps takes 20 to 30 minutes; the climb back depends on your fitness.

    Tip: There is free parking, lockers and showers, and a viewpoint that, according to the official site, meets the conditions of Law 7600 for people with disabilities.

    Nearby: Cerro Chato and its crater lake (2.1 km) · Arenal Oasis night frog tour (2.6 km) · Chocolate tours (2.7 km)

    Sources: Catarata Río Fortuna – Preguntas frecuentes (oficial) · Catarata Río Fortuna – FAQ

  13. Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park13

    Photo: Panegyrics of Granovetter, CC BY-SA 2.0

    NatureOpen

    Río Celeste and Tenorio Volcano National Park

    Day trip: about 73 km by road northwest of La Fortuna46.7 km from the centre

    Entry
    $13.56
    Hours
    8:00 to 14:00
    Booking
    Required

    A day trip to the turquoise river: a 3 km linear trail passes the roughly 20 m waterfall, the blue pool, the fumaroles and the Teñidero, where the water changes colour.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $13.56 non-residents and $5.65 children, VAT included. Private parking extra.
    Hours
    Entry 8:00 to 14:00; you can stay until 16:00.
    Booking
    Tickets only online at serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr; capacity 1,200 people per day.
    Time needed
    About 6 km round trip, around 3 hours.

    Tip: Entering the river inside the park is not allowed, nor are drones or single-use plastics.

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio · Costa Rica Vibes – Río Celeste (act. 30 sep 2026)

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