This Arenal Combo tour includes walking across the forest canopy at Mystico Hanging Bridges, hiking down to the La Fortuna Waterfall, hiking the Arenal Volcano then topping off your day at Tabacon Hot Springs soaking in the warm relaxing spring waters surrounded by lush natural rainforest. You will receive lunch, dinner, beverages, all transportation and an experienced bilingual nature guide to point out items of interest and share the local lore.
In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in the La Fortuna area to begin your day of action packed nature activities unique to this area of Costa Rica. You’ll most likely begin your first hike at the Hanging Bridges although it is possible the order of events might change. Sturdy metal bridges are held by strong, steel cables and hang several hundred feet above the forest floor, allowing amazing views of the surrounding jungle canopy.
Being high above the tree canopy allows for spectacular views of the jungle. Your guide will point out and help identify any birds or wildlife that may be visible on this leisurely walk. You will be required to wear enclosed hiking shoes to walk on the metal bridges. Be sure to bring your camera and binoculars.
On this tour you will go hiking at the La Fortuna Waterfall where you can take a cool dip if you like . There are over 400 steps built into the canyon wall forming a steep staircase surrounded by lush vegetation as you make your way down to the bottom of the falls. Along the way there are look out landings as you follow the length of the waterfall cascading 230 feet down into the gorgeous turquoise pool at the bottom. You can go in for a swim or just relax on the banks of the adjoining river enjoying the thunderous roar of the water and surrounding beauty. This hike is not suitable for people with knee problems because of the many steps down and back up.
During the day, you’ll stop for a “typical” Costa Rican style lunch. The traditional meal is comprised of freshly cooked beans, rice, meat or cheese protein, vegetable, green salad and the famous “picadillo” mild chopped salsa. This hearty lunch will hopefully revitalize your energy reserves for the next step of your adventure.
The hike around Arenal Volcano is one of the most popular as you are hiking on trails close to the massive living breathing volcano. Since 2010 it has been in a “sleeping” stage with only occasional steam escaping through the conical top instead of rumbling volcanic eruptions. Here you will find well maintained trails as your guide points out any visible wildlife and tells you the interesting history of this area. You will arrive at an observation platform which is the closest you can get to the volcano and explore a dried up lava flow. This is the perfect vantage point for epic photos.
After this active day of hiking, what better way to wind down than to indulge in the ultimate relaxation of soaking in a natural hot springs. Tabacon is an award-winning resort intentionally designed to blend into the existing rainforest with sculpted pools of waters forming private grottos. The natural spring fed river, heated by the volcano’s geothermal activity, flows down through the forest providing warm mineral waters creating an unmistakably romantic outdoor ambiance.
While you are at Tabacon, you are invited to enjoy a delicious buffet dinner in the beautiful open-air restaurant. When you are finished, your driver will pick you up at a prearranged time and take you back to your hotel.
Please bring bathing suit, towel, hiking clothes, hiking shoes, insect repellent, sun screen, and water bottle. One way transportation can take from 15 – 45 minutes depending on the hotel location. Total time of tour including round trip transport can take from 7.5 to 10 hours.
SUBJECT TO LIMITED AVAILABILITY, REDUCED TICKET CAPACITY. Food during the hike trail is not allowed, and running or jumping on the bridges is not allowed. Use of radio, speakers, and similar devices is not allowed in the Mistico Hanging Bridges park.
6 and up
Latitude: N 10° 29' 17.03"
Longitude: W 84° 43' 18.95"
04/09/2023
Our guide was super friendly but wish he would've used a scope like all of the other guides had along the trails.
08/22/2022
Great tour with a wonderful guide, but a lot more walking than we were prepared for or expecting. Still a wonderful experience.
07/22/2021
Wonderful.
06/04/2021
Fabrizio was by far the best nature guide we could have hoped for. He was so friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
01/03/2020
Combo tour was alot to do in 1 day, however we got it all done and the Hot Springs were fantastic. The walk at Arenal Volcano was a bit short and more of a walk than a hike
06/24/2019
Tour Guide, Walter was very knowledgable. Loved the hanging bridges.
The Arenal hike was simpler than expected.Local lunch was great. We were disappointed that we had to be dropped off in town for 2 plus hours before we could go to the Tabacon hot springs. Made our day more than 12 hours, The springs were amazing the dinner was fair at best.
Vechile was very dated and dirty
04/14/2019
For anyone who likes active vacations and learning (i.e. plenty-of-time-to-sleep-when-you-are-dead mindframe) this is quite literally the perfect tour because you get to see so much. The Hanging Bridges and our specific guide were the best parts.
12/26/2018
We expected to see more birds and animals. The guide told us that he wasnt the regular guide for this trip and that he does some all around the country guide work, but this time he is helping a friend since his actual trip got cancelled and he was free. He was very sweet and funny, but we would have loved to see more wildlife and birds.
11/14/2018
The guides were absolutely amazing!!!! They took a great tour and made it so memorable!!!
10/26/2018
This only got a six because we are too old and crippled for this amount of hiking, stairs, and mountains! Guide was very good. Tour was good except the difficulty level of the am volcano hike followed by waterfall stairs (which we didn't do), then flowed by 2 mile hanging bridges climb/hike was too much for us! Hanging bridges was the best part and we could have skipped the volcano. Tabacon was well over our dinner expectations and was fantastic. Hot springs were good but not very hot. Hotter springs at our hotel resort! Plus we were wiped out from overexertion! Very good tour for the physically fit though!!!
10/21/2016
Our tour guide Roy was the best. That guy knew every plant, spider, bird, animal and place.