Things to Do in Arenal

A small, shady plaza with benches, a fountain and local food vendors. Occasional evening concerts and a good spot to people-watch.

🕐 Always accessible

💡 Check the municipal noticeboard beside the church for free local events. Thursday evenings often have live music.

A free public spot where the Tabacón River meets cooler water from the Arenal River, creating natural warm pools. Rocks form small hot tubs at the edge. Popular with locals on weekends. No facilities—just river rocks and a gravel car park.

🕐 24 hours (access via gravel track off Route 142)

💡 Arrive before 9 am to claim a pool spot. The water temperature varies—test before sitting. Leave no valuables in the car; use a dry bag instead. No toilets, so plan ahead.

A short, steep path off the main road leads to a wooden platform with panoramic views of Lake Arenal and the volcano. No ticket needed.

🕐 Always accessible, but best from dawn to 10am

💡 Bring binoculars. The wind picks up by 10am, so go early for still reflections on the lake.

A short public trail that runs alongside the main hanging bridges complex. You get a good view of the canopy and possibly toucans without paying the expensive entrance fee.

🕐 Daylight hours

💡 Park just outside the paid entrance gate and walk 200m south. The free trail is unmarked but locals know it.

A small rescue centre with frogs, snakes, birds, and butterflies in natural enclosures. Entry is cheap, and the guided tour is informative. The frog exhibit is particularly good at night.

🕐 Daily 9:00–20:00

💡 Visit at dusk for the night-frog tour—it's included in the day price and runs 30 minutes. Go on a weekday to avoid school groups. Cash only for the low fee.

A 70-metre waterfall plunging into a clear pool with a well-marked trail and 500 steps down to the base. Entry is cheap, and you can swim in the cold water—just mind the current after heavy rain.

🕐 Daily 7:30–16:00

💡 Go early (opens 7:30) to have the pool almost to yourself. The steps back up are brutal, so save energy. Bring a waterproof bag for valuables.

A well-maintained park with trails winding through old lava fields and secondary forest. Good views of the volcano cone on clear days, plus howler monkeys and toucans. The park entrance fee is low by local standards.

🕐 Daily 8:00–16:00 (last entry 14:30)

💡 Go at sunrise before cloud cover rolls in. Bring water and snacks—the park has only a basic kiosk. The 1968 Trail is the best for volcano views without the steep climb.

Walk the well-maintained trails through lava fields and rainforest for close-up views of the volcano. The 1968 trail and the Coladas trail cost a small entry fee.

🕐 8am to 2pm daily

💡 Go early, before 8am, to see the volcano without cloud cover. The ranger station has a cheap map.

A private reserve with a flat 2km loop trail through primary forest. Entry is a few dollars and you can see howler monkeys, sloths and the volcano close up.

🕐 7am to 3pm daily

💡 Don't bother with a guide here; the trail is easy to follow and you can rent a spotting scope at the entrance for $2.

A network of quiet trails on a private reserve with views of the volcano's west flank. The lodge charges a small fee for non-guests to access the trails and hanging bridges. Fewer crowds than the main park.

🕐 Daily 7:00–15:00 (trail access only)

💡 Look for the active volcano vents on the far western trail. No restaurant access for day visitors, so pack a picnic. The road is unpaved—drive slow or take a taxi.