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

Costa Rica · La Fortuna & Arenal

Volcano trails and viewpoints

All the permitted walks around Arenal, from the national park to private reserves, and the best spots to see the cone and the lake.

12 places

  1. Arenal Volcano National Park (Volcano sector)1

    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)

  2. Las Coladas Trail and volcano viewpoint2

    NatureOpen

    Las Coladas Trail and volcano viewpoint

    Volcano sector; the viewpoint is 1.5 km from the entrance station9.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    Included in the national park ticket
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A 1.7–2 km route across the 1992 lava flows to a viewpoint facing the cone, Lake Arenal and the Tilarán range.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal (horario, tarifas, senderos) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: SINAC gives 1.7 km and a 2026 guide gives 2 km. The viewpoint has about 25 metal steps; wear closed shoes because the volcanic rock is uneven.

    Nearby: El Ceibo Trail (0.6 km) · Arenal Volcano National Park (Volcano sector) (2.1 km) · Las Heliconias Trail (2.1 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)

  3. 3

    NatureOpen

    El Ceibo Trail

    Volcano sector of the national park9.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Included in the national park ticket
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A mostly flat 2.3–3 km forest loop branching off Las Coladas to a ceiba tree (Ceiba pentandra) that SINAC estimates at more than 400 years old.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal (horario, tarifas, senderos) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: SINAC gives 2.3 km and a 2026 guide describes a 3 km loop. It is the shadiest section and the easiest place to see birds and monkeys.

    Nearby: Las Coladas Trail and volcano viewpoint (0.6 km) · Arenal Volcano National Park (Volcano sector) (1.5 km) · Las Heliconias Trail (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)

  4. 4

    NatureOpen

    Las Heliconias Trail

    Inside the Volcano sector of the national park10.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Included in the national park ticket
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A flat, narrow trail of about 610 m under dense vegetation that works as a connector inside the Volcano sector and shows the crater on clear days.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal (horario, tarifas, senderos) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Included in the national park ticket ($16.95 non-resident adult).
    Time needed
    About 15–20 minutes; it is the park’s shortest trail.

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

  5. 5

    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)

  6. 6

    NatureOpen

    Arenal 1968: trails on the 1968 lava flow

    Road to the national park, about 16 km west of town, by road10.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    $28
    Hours
    7:30 to 17:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A private reserve next to the national park with trails through forest and across the 1968 eruption lava flow, with some of the closest views of the cone.

    Source: Arenal 1968 (oficial) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $28 for adults and $16 for children 6 to 11 (guide updated July 2025).
    Hours
    Daily 7:30 to 17:00, last entry 16:00 (July 2025).
    Time needed
    Forest 1968 trail: 4.7 km; Lava Flow 1968 trail: 4 km. The official site mentions three trails of varying difficulty.

    Tip: There are steep sections with roots and rocks. It also offers a night walk, horseback rides, ATV tours and the Kuru natural spring pools.

    Nearby: ATV tours (0 km) · Arenal Volcano National Park (Volcano sector) (0.6 km) · Las Heliconias Trail (0.6 km)

    Sources: Arenal 1968 (oficial) · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Arenal 1968 Trail (act. 21 jul 2025)

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  7. 7

    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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  8. 8

    NatureOpen

    Arenal Observatory Lodge trails

    El Castillo side, about 23 km from town, by road8.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $22
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A 350-hectare reserve at the foot of the volcano with 11 km of self-guided trails, a waterfall, hanging bridges, an observation tower and a small museum; open to day visitors.

    Source: Arenal Observatory Lodge – pases de día (oficial) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Entrance pass $22 per person; day pass with lunch $40 (official site, 2026). A 2022–2026 guide still quoted $12.
    Booking
    Bought online through its booking system.

    Tip: It has 800 m of wheelchair-accessible paths. It is one of the best birding spots in the area.

    Nearby: Las Coladas Trail and volcano viewpoint (2.1 km) · Cerro Chato and its crater lake (2.5 km) · El Ceibo Trail (2.7 km)

    Sources: Arenal Observatory Lodge – pases de día (oficial) · Costa Rica Vibes – Arenal Volcano guide (act. 30 sep 2026)

  9. Mistico Hanging Bridges9

    Photo: Peter Sheik, CC BY 2.0

    AdventureOpen

    Mistico Hanging Bridges

    Near the dam, about 20 km west of town, by road12.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    From $32
    Hours
    6:00 to 15:50
    Booking
    Not stated

    A 3.2 km rainforest circuit with 16 bridges, 6 of them suspension bridges up to 45 m high, on the volcano’s northwestern slope.

    Source: Mistico Park (oficial) · 2026

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    From $32 plus taxes (self-guided); the guided walk is $44 plus taxes.
    Hours
    Daily 6:00 to 15:50 (last entry 15:50).
    Time needed
    About 2 h self-guided and about 2.5 h guided.

    Tip: It also runs night walks, twilight and birding tours (from $54) and horseback rides. Arriving early improves wildlife spotting.

    Nearby: Horseback riding at Arenal (0 km) · Sangregado Dam (Lake Arenal dam) (1.6 km) · El Silencio viewpoint (2.6 km)

    Sources: Mistico Park (oficial)

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  10. La Fortuna Waterfall10

    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

  11. 11

    AdventureOpen

    The Hand of Arenal

    Sky Adventures, El Castillo, about 21 km from town, by road11.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    $51
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A concrete sculpture of a giant hand emerging from the mountain, by sculptor Marco Antonio González from Upala, now a viewpoint and photo stop over Lake Arenal inside the Sky Adventures park.

    Source: Sky Adventures – Hand of Arenal / Aerial Tram (oficial) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Reached only by the aerial tram (Sky Tram, $51 adults, $36 children 5 to 12) or the park’s zipline tour.
    Hours
    Tram departures at 8:00, 9:00, 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00.

    Tip: It was first called ‘Hand of the Owner of the Mountain’. Altitude varies by source: 1,057 m (press, 2021) or 1,200 m (Sky Adventures). At the top there is an 800 m self-guided trail.

    Nearby: Sky Adventures: Sky Tram, Sky Walk and Sky Trek (0 km) · Kayak and SUP on Lake Arenal (1.6 km) · Jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde (1.6 km)

    Sources: Sky Adventures – Hand of Arenal / Aerial Tram (oficial) · The Costa Rica News – La Mano del Arenal (2021, act. 2024)

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  12. 12

    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

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