13 Costa Rica Volcano Tours Worth Booking

1.Hanging Bridges Walk in Arenal Volcano

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 381 reviews · from $39Our pick

Walk Mistico Park’s rainforest trails near La Fortuna, crossing six hanging bridges and ten regular bridges on a roughly two-mile route. You may spot monkeys, toucans, sloths, frogs, snakes, and lizards. Choose a self-guided walk or add a guide for better wildlife spotting.

“We were going to go unguided, but asked to get a guide when we got there. It was well worth the extra money. Rained the whole time in typical CR style, but was still amazing! We had an 8yo and 5yo that had no issues.”

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2.Arenal Volcano and Thermal Hot Springs from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 236 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $195

Spend about 13 hours traveling from San Jose to La Fortuna, stopping in artisan-rich Sarchi, viewing Arenal Volcano, and relaxing in thermal pools. Lunch, dinner, hotel transport, and a guide are included. Guides such as Eric, Pedro, Harold, and Roberto have earned especially warm praise.

“Our tour guide was absolutely amazing! One of the best tour guides I’ve had in a long time! Definitely book this tour.”

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3.Poás Volcano and Coffee Tour with Tasting and La Paz Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 137 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $105

Travel from San José into Costa Rica’s highlands for Poás Volcano, a Doka Estate coffee tour with tasting, and La Paz Falls. Expect an early start, mountain roads, possible traffic delays, and guides such as Marcela, Nela, Victor, or Percy, with lunch purchased separately.

“Wow!! What a great experience! Our tour guide, Victor, was excellent- great knowledge, patient and very accommodating. He provided great recommendations for coffee breaks, food and souvenir shopping. Once we got to Poas Volcano, we were not allowed to enter due to gas activity from the volcano. However, Victor was determined to wait it out until it cleared to provide us the experience which we finally did. No regrets- met great people, took great photos and overall my husband and I had an awesome day!”

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4.Arenal Horseback Riding to La Fortuna Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 127 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $94

Ride a calm horse through reforested land and private farms near La Fortuna, then hike down to the dramatic La Fortuna Waterfall. Guides such as Otto, Kevin, Danny, Pablo, and Carlos help beginners get started. Expect a steep return climb, shared roads, and time for swimming.

“Just beware, the hike is rigorous! You don’t ride the horses to the waterfall, there is a hike down and up. That being said, it was a wonderful experience. Our guide Carlos was pleasant company, had interesting and informative things to say about things alingbthe way. Our group was small. The horses are typical service animals, not flashy or pet like. Carlosntreated them with kindness which made us feel good. The waterfall (Fortuna) and swim refreshed and invigorated us while also amazing us. Worth the price and a good day.”

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5.Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $149Top rated

From San José, visit Poás Volcano, Hacienda Alsacia Starbucks Coffee Farm, La Paz Waterfall, and Mi Cafecito in Sarapiquí. Guides such as Carlos, Ricardo, and Charlie lead coffee demonstrations, a traditional lunch, and a stop at El Congo Waterfall. Expect 8 to 10 hours, mountain roads, and weather that can hide the crater.

“Awesome tour and amazing guide, Ricardo. Everything was easy and arranged. Ricardo was attentive and made sure everyone was taken care of. Coffee plantation was beautiful and informative. We learned a ton about coffee production and roasting, and even got to plant our own tree.”

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6.Irazú Volcano National Park (Half Day)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 104 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $99

Travel from San José to Irazú Volcano in a small group, walk around the crater at 3,432 meters, and visit the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago. Guides such as Hayro, Donald, and Raquel add clear explanations in English and Spanish. Expect cold, fast-changing weather.

“Bad coordination between customer service and guide. Also, the driver refused to send me to the airport even it was mentioned on the website.”

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7.Miravalles Volcano: Hike Secondary Crater & Hot Springs Jungle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $176

Start near Liberia with a swim at Llanos de Cortes, then hike rainforest trails and two hanging bridges to Las Hornillas. See fumaroles, boiling mud pools, and sulfuric rocks before a volcanic-mud treatment and hot-spring soak. Guides such as Andy also add photos, lunch, and help along the way.

“Absolutely amazing experience!! Guide was phenomenal... kept everyone engaged and provided some knowledge as well!”

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8.Full Day Tour with Safari Float, Waterfall and Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 89 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $210

Start with a peaceful safari float on the Peñas Blancas River, then visit La Fortuna Waterfall, eat lunch at a local family ranch, and hike old lava trails near Arenal Volcano. Guides such as Tony, Pepe, Oscar, and Francisco add wildlife knowledge and local context. Hotel transport and park fees are included.

“Tony and Jaime were awesome. All 3 experiences were great. Tony was very knowledgeable and kind. Food was excellent. I would do it again.”

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9.Ecogarden Arenal Night Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $60

At 6 p.m., a guide such as Jose or Joshua leads you through Ecogarden Arenal near La Fortuna, searching for frogs, sloths, caimans, reptiles, birds, insects, and unusual plants. The two-hour walk includes a snack, with an empanada and warm sugarcane drink sometimes served afterward.

“Young Joshua who led us through this small sliver of jungle paradise was on point. His ability to locate even the smallest and most hidden of creatures was truly astounding. From the poison dart frog practically invisible under a leaf to a slot who came down from the upper reaches of the canopy stop right in front of us, it was one amazing experience after another. Great hospitality before and after and a truly memorable evening for all of us!”

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10.Arenal Hanging Bridges, Guided Walk, Hot Springs Optional

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $87

Explore Arenal Hanging Bridges on a guided 3-kilometer walk through forest layers, crossing 10 fixed and 6 hanging bridges. Guides such as Andreas and Gustavo help you spot frogs, snakes, and plants. Choose morning or afternoon, with hotel transfers, drinks, and optional hot springs.

“Andreas was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. Didn’t hesitate to stop the group to look for animals. We saw lots of snakes and frogs!”

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11.Combo Arenal : Suspension Bridges + Hot Springs + Fortune Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 79 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $249

Leave San Jose early for La Fortuna Waterfall, Arenal Hanging Bridges, and Los Lagos Hot Springs. You’ll hike, swim, watch for monkeys and frogs, and enjoy breakfast and lunch. Guides such as Hayro, Leni, Fernando, and Alejandro are praised for their nature knowledge and personal service.

“This was such an awesome experience! Our tour guide, Hayro, was very knowledgeable and went the extra mile to make sure we got the full experience. We saw so many beautiful animals including red frogs! We saw so may animals that we wouldn't have seen if we went on our own. My mom and I had a great time and will definitely be coming back!”

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12.Arenal Volcano Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $73

Walk Arenal’s old lava fields with Callidryas Tours on a roughly three-hour guided outing from La Fortuna. Guides such as Byron, Diego, Aaron, and Ricardo explain the 1968 eruption, plants, and wildlife. Expect uneven lava rock, volcano and lake views, transport, and fresh fruit at the end.

“It was a great experience our guide Aaron was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and professional but very personable as well. The driver was nice and did a nice job setting up the snacks. It was a great experience.”

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13.Arenal Hanging Bridges Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $66

From La Fortuna, you’ll explore 243 hectares of protected rainforest on a 3.1-kilometer circuit with 15 bridges. Guides such as Andres, Minor, and Jasmine use scopes and laser pointers to find monkeys, snakes, frogs, birds, and other forest life. Transport, snacks, water, and admission are included.

“Our tour guide for our Hanging Bridges tour was excellent. He was very dynamic and enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge about the rain forest we were walking through. Having a guide is a very different experience from walking through the forest on your own. He explained so many details about the various trees, visitors could not possibly have gathered the information on their own. It was very fascinating. It was also very interesting walking along the various suspension bridges across the very deep gullies. Some were longer and swayed more than others and some relatively short. They provided a beautiful view of the forest. Though the walk was not especially…”

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