Pre-Programme Arenal Volcano

Itinerary for your Pre-Programme 

Day 1: San Jose/Arrival 

Individual arrival at your hotel where you will spend the night and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. 

Day 2: San Jose/La Fortuna/Volcano Arenal Area 

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll meet your local guide who’ll accompany you on your transfer to La Fortuna Town where the magnificent Arenal Volcano lies. On your way there, you’ll stop to visit La Paz Waterfall Gardens situated in a private park. We recommend bringing a jacket as the park ranges in altitude from 1.300 to 1.600 m (4,200 feet to 5,200 feet) and it can get chilly if the clouds roll in.   

This Nature Park and Animal Sanctuary offers lush tropical rain forest, flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls and plenty of safe walking trails. Beside an orchid garden, don´t miss the butterfly garden and a hummingbird garden with 26 documented species with hummingbird hand feeding in the mornings and afternoons. Among other attractions see a small serpentarium with native snakes, visit a section with wild animals like jaguars, pumas, ocelots, jaguarundi and margays.  

Enjoy lunch in a nearby restaurant before driving to your hotel. Your hotel is set in an abundant tropical reserve, near La Fortuna. The reserve, more than 3.6 square km (900 acres) in size, is home to Costa Rica’s largest network of naturally flowing hot springs.  Dinner at your hotel and overnight. 

Day 3: La Fortuna/Volcano Arenal Area 

After breakfast, you’re in for some unforgettable highlights. 

This morning enjoy the sights and the sounds of the rainforest and experience its peacefulness as we quietly paddle the Peñas Blancas river. Monkeys, sloths, iguanas, crocodiles and numerous tropical birds await us! Our professional bilingual guide will share with you educational and interesting explanations of the plants and animals we encounter on the float. You will truly appreciate the wonders of Peñas Blancas river and the surrounding rainforest as we travel down the river without a motor, this way you will enjoy the journey quietly rowing and taking photos. Make sure to bring your camera and binoculars on this tour!  

After having lunch at a local restaurant in Fortuna Village get ready to explore the forest from the top of the trees. 

The Arenal Hanging Bridges are a 618-acre reserve of primary forest; It has a 3 km trail through the rainforest that allows you to take in nature’s beauty at its most pristine state. With 15 bridges from 5 to 100 meters long, one of them located at a height of 45 meters, you will get a 360° view of the tropical rainforest, and if the weather is on your side, you will see the most amazing views of Arenal volcano.  

Have a relaxing evening with dinner at the nearby restaurant and overnight stay. 

Day 4: La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano Area/Puntarenas 

Spend the morning at the hotel taking your time at breakfast and enjoying the facilities at your leisure. You can also have a bath in one of the warm, mineralised river pools, before savouring another tasty Costa Rican lunch.   

In the afternoon, you will be picked up and taken to Puntarenas Pier where MS Fridtjof Nansen awaits you.  

Please note that the order of sights might vary. 

Practical information

Included: 

One hotel night in San José including breakfast and two hotel nights at a hotel in the Arenal Volcano Area, all transfers and activities as described, entrance fees, 3 x lunch, 2 x dinner, English-speaking guide. 

Not included: dinner on day 1, drinks and gratuities 

Remarks/requirements: 

• Tour starts one day prior to embarkation in Puntarenas. 
• This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. 
• Minimum number of participants: 10 
• If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel the land adventure up to six weeks before departure.