Costa Rica Arenal Volcano Guided Hike
A guided 3–4 hour walk on old lava flows and rainforest trails in Arenal Volcano National Park, with park entry and hotel pickup.
$139 per person
Nature & Beach · Costa Rica
Costa Rica: Arenal Rainforest & Guanacaste Beaches: 6 Days
Two nights under Arenal Volcano with the rainforest hanging bridges, then three beach nights on the Guanacaste coast. Shared shuttles included.
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Transfers and key tickets included
- Economy, Comfortable or Superior
Attractions
Your days, with paid experiences clearly marked as optional.
5nights
3hotel levels
3optional add-ons
0flights included
Liberia Airport→La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano→Mistico Hanging Bridges→Tamarindo
Part of your tripOptional add-on (not included in the trip price)
1Day 1
Pura vida
A day at your pace.
Pura vida
Why it is worth itLand at Liberia and ride your shared shuttle to La Fortuna, about 3 hours, through cattle country to the foot of Arenal Volcano.
Insider tipYour plan has opening hours and the best time to go.
2Day 2
Hanging bridges and the volcano
A day at your pace.
Hanging bridges and the volcano
Why it is worth itYour Mistico Hanging Bridges entry is included: walk 16 bridges through the canopy and look for toucans, sloths and frogs.
Insider tipYour plan has opening hours and the best time to go.
Optional add-on
Costa Rica Arenal Volcano Guided Hike
A guided 3–4 hour walk on old lava flows and rainforest trails in Arenal Volcano National Park, with park entry and hotel pickup.
$139 per person
Optional. Not included in the trip price.
Optional add-on
Costa Rica Tabacón Hot Springs Evening
An evening pass to Tabacón’s natural thermal river and pools, with dinner buffet and transport from your La Fortuna hotel.
$259 per person
Optional. Not included in the trip price.
3Day 3
To the Pacific coast
A day at your pace.
To the Pacific coast
Why it is worth itRide your shared shuttle around Lake Arenal to Tamarindo on the Guanacaste coast, about 3.5–4 hours.
Insider tipYour plan has opening hours and the best time to go.
4Day 4
Beach day
A day at your pace.
Beach day
Why it is worth itA free day on Tamarindo beach: a surf lesson, a paddleboard on the estuary or simply a hammock.
Insider tipYour plan has opening hours and the best time to go.
Optional add-on
Costa Rica Tamarindo Sunset Catamaran
A 4-hour afternoon sail with snorkeling, open bar and snacks, ending with sunset on the water. Pickup from your Tamarindo hotel.
$169 per person
Optional. Not included in the trip price.
5Day 5
Guanacaste your way
A day at your pace.
Guanacaste your way
Why it is worth itVisit quieter Playa Langosta or Playa Conchal, or book a mangrove boat in Las Baulas National Park through your plan.
Insider tipYour plan has opening hours and the best time to go.
6Day 6
Hasta pronto
A day at your pace.
Hasta pronto
Why it is worth itYour shared shuttle returns you to Liberia Airport, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Insider tipYour plan has opening hours and the best time to go.
The order of stops can shift with the weather, and access to some sites can change with the season or local conditions. See Day by day for the full plan.
Why this trip
Two nights under Arenal Volcano with the rainforest hanging bridges, then three beach nights on the Guanacaste coast. Shared shuttles included. Hotels, the transfers and tickets listed under Included, and a personalized day-by-day plan are arranged; sightseeing is at your own pace.
- Three ways to stayEconomy keeps it simple and under $2,000; Comfortable and Superior step up the hotels.
- Key tickets bookedThe timed tickets and transfers listed under Included are arranged before you go.
- Your own paceA daily plan with insider tips, not an escorted group tour.
- Make it yoursThree optional experiences; add only what suits you.
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Starts and ends
- Liberia (LIR)
- Getting around
- Transfers and trains listed under Included are arranged; no rental car needed
- Accommodations
- Economy: 3-star hotels: La Fortuna town near Arenal and a boutique hotel close to Tamarindo beach.Comfortable: Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs and the beachfront Tamarindo Diria, or similar.Superior: Nayara Gardens rainforest casita and Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, or similar.
- Best time
- Starts January 5–December 15. Holy Week and December 16–January 4 are priced on request.
- Great for
- Families, couples and friends who want wildlife, a volcano and a beach in one week
- Flights
- Not included; fly into and out of Liberia (LIR)
Day by day
Times and order can shift with the weather and opening hours; your plan has the details.
Day 1Pura vida
Land at Liberia and ride your shared shuttle to La Fortuna, about 3 hours, through cattle country to the foot of Arenal Volcano. Settle in and enjoy the evening sounds of the rainforest.
Stay: 3-star hotel in La Fortuna town with volcano views, or similarArenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs, or similarNayara Gardens, rainforest casita with outdoor tub, or similar (night 1 of 5).
Stay: 3-star hotel in La Fortuna town with volcano views, or similarArenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs, or similarNayara Gardens, rainforest casita with outdoor tub, or similar (night 1 of 5).
Day 2Hanging bridges and the volcano
Your Mistico Hanging Bridges entry is included: walk 16 bridges through the canopy and look for toucans, sloths and frogs. In the afternoon, choose the optional guided Arenal Volcano hike, and in the evening the optional Tabacón hot springs.
Stay: 3-star hotel in La Fortuna town with volcano views, or similarArenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs, or similarNayara Gardens, rainforest casita with outdoor tub, or similar (night 2 of 5).
Stay: 3-star hotel in La Fortuna town with volcano views, or similarArenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs, or similarNayara Gardens, rainforest casita with outdoor tub, or similar (night 2 of 5).
Day 3To the Pacific coast
Ride your shared shuttle around Lake Arenal to Tamarindo on the Guanacaste coast, about 3.5–4 hours. Feet in the sand by late afternoon, just in time for a Pacific sunset.
Stay: 3-star boutique hotel in Tamarindo, a short walk to the beach, or similarHotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort, beachfront, or similarCala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, Tamarindo, or similar (night 3 of 5).
Stay: 3-star boutique hotel in Tamarindo, a short walk to the beach, or similarHotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort, beachfront, or similarCala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, Tamarindo, or similar (night 3 of 5).
Day 4Beach day
A free day on Tamarindo beach: a surf lesson, a paddleboard on the estuary or simply a hammock. In the late afternoon, choose the optional sunset catamaran sail with snorkeling.
Stay: 3-star boutique hotel in Tamarindo, a short walk to the beach, or similarHotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort, beachfront, or similarCala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, Tamarindo, or similar (night 4 of 5).
Stay: 3-star boutique hotel in Tamarindo, a short walk to the beach, or similarHotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort, beachfront, or similarCala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, Tamarindo, or similar (night 4 of 5).
Day 5Guanacaste your way
Visit quieter Playa Langosta or Playa Conchal, or book a mangrove boat in Las Baulas National Park through your plan. Evenings are for fresh fish and casados in town.
Stay: 3-star boutique hotel in Tamarindo, a short walk to the beach, or similarHotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort, beachfront, or similarCala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, Tamarindo, or similar (night 5 of 5).
Stay: 3-star boutique hotel in Tamarindo, a short walk to the beach, or similarHotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort, beachfront, or similarCala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, Tamarindo, or similar (night 5 of 5).
Day 6Hasta pronto
Your shared shuttle returns you to Liberia Airport, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Flights are booked separately.
Map
Numbered stops; lines are schematic, not directions. Optional experiences have blue markers.
Expand map
- 1Liberia Airport
- 2La Fortuna & Arenal Volcano
- 3Mistico Hanging Bridges
- 4Tamarindo
- 5Costa Rica Arenal Volcano Guided Hike (optional add-on)
- 6Costa Rica Tabacón Hot Springs Evening (optional add-on)
- 7Costa Rica Tamarindo Sunset Catamaran (optional add-on)
Included in your tripOptional add-on
What’s included
Included
- 5 nights in your chosen hotel level, with breakfast where the hotel includes it
- Shared shuttles: Liberia Airport to La Fortuna, La Fortuna to Tamarindo, and Tamarindo to Liberia Airport
- Mistico Hanging Bridges entry
- Personalized day-by-day plan and booking coordination
Not included
- All flights
- Most meals, drinks and personal spending
- Optional add-ons unless selected and paid for
- National park entry and tours not listed
- Travel insurance
No rental car is included or needed: the transfers and trains under Included are arranged. itsTripEasy sometimes books rental cars for a trip; this one does not need one. You book your own flights. Hotels are subject to availability; an equivalent is confirmed before your trip is finalized.
Questions
What if I need to cancel?
Plans change. If you need to cancel, you'll receive trip credit toward another itsTripEasy trip: within 24 hours of payment, 100% trip credit, so you can swap to a different destination; 90 or more days before your trip start date, 100% trip credit; less than 90 days before, no trip credit, unless you added Flexible Cancellation: with it, you get 100% trip credit if you cancel at least 10 days before your trip start date, for a trip you take within 12 months. Other trip credits never expire. To cancel or change your dates, use the cancellation request form. For a date change, choose the reason "I'd like to change my dates".
How many people can share a room?
Up to 3 people share one room (a triple or family room); 4 people may use a family room or two rooms, and the price per person drops as more people share: 2 sharing saves a little, 3 sharing more, 4 sharing the most. For a larger group, use Plan My Trip.
Do I need a car?
No. The transfers and trains listed under Included are arranged. itsTripEasy sometimes books rental cars for a trip; this one does not need one. You book your own flights.
Are flights included?
No. You book your own flights: fly into Liberia (LIR).
When is the best time to go?
Starts January 5–December 15. December to April is the dry season; May to November is the green season with afternoon showers and fewer crowds. Holy Week and the holidays are priced on request.
Will we see wildlife?
Very likely, but wild animals are never guaranteed. Sloths, toucans and howler monkeys are common around Arenal.
Which hotels do the three levels use?
Economy: 3-star hotels: La Fortuna town near Arenal and a boutique hotel close to Tamarindo beach. Comfortable: Arenal Manoa Resort & Hot Springs and the beachfront Tamarindo Diria, or similar. Superior: Nayara Gardens rainforest casita and Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas, or similar. Rooms for 3 use a triple or family room; 4 people may use a family room or two rooms. Own room means a private room.
Can the trip be customized?
Choose Economy, Comfortable or Superior, 1–4 people per room and up to 3 extra nights at each end (6 total). Extra nights are in La Fortuna (start) or Tamarindo (end). Add optional experiences separately.
Optional add-ons
Make your trip a little more special. Add one for some or all of your travelers, here or in the booking box. Each add-on goes into your cart as its own item.
Costa Rica Tabacón Hot Springs Evening
An evening pass to Tabacón’s natural thermal river and pools, with dinner buffet and transport from your La Fortuna hotel.
$259 per person
Costa Rica Tamarindo Sunset Catamaran
A 4-hour afternoon sail with snorkeling, open bar and snacks, ending with sunset on the water. Pickup from your Tamarindo hotel.
$169 per person
Good to know
Earn 1 point per $1 actually paid toward your trip. Points are not earned on an unpaid balance.
Tropics. Bring rain gear, sunscreen and insect repellent. Swim only at beaches with safe conditions and watch for rip currents. Hotels named are examples, subject to availability. Extra nights do not add tours.
