Since you’ve arrived today and it’s already late morning, take a leisurely check-in at your chosen hotel — popular options include Arenal Springs Resort, Nayara Gardens, or a cozy casita near town. Drop your bags, freshen up, and enjoy a light brunch at Café Mediterráneo or Organico Fortuna to refuel before heading out.
Spend the afternoon getting oriented: stroll the central town to browse artisan shops and pick up any last-minute supplies or souvenirs at Mercado Municipal, then visit the peaceful La Fortuna Catholic Church and Parque Central. If you’d like an easy nature introduction, head to the Arenal Eco Zoo or the free viewpoint at La Fortuna Waterfall from above (skip the descent if you’re conserving energy) for close-up views of the Arenal Volcano on clear days.
Unwind at one of the area’s thermal hot springs — Tabacón, Baldi, or the more intimate Ecotermales are excellent choices for a warm soak as the sun sets and the volcano lights up the horizon. Finish with a relaxed dinner at Don Rufino or Lava Lounge, savoring casado or fresh seafood and planning tomorrow’s volcano-side adventures.
Start the day with a hearty breakfast at your hotel or try Cafe de Los Deseos in town, then head to Arenal Volcano National Park for a morning of easy-to-moderate hiking along the Las Coladas and El Ceibo trails. These paths offer panoramic views of the volcano, old lava flows and opportunities to spot toucans and howler monkeys while learning about the 1968 eruption at interpretive overlooks.
After lunch in town (La Choza de Laurel or Soda La Hormiga are local favorites), visit La Fortuna Waterfall for a dramatic descent to the pool — swim beneath the falls if you’re up for it — or choose a guided hanging bridges walk at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges for canopy-level wildlife viewing and photo ops. If you prefer a more educational stop, the Arenal Observatory Lodge has short trails and great volcano vantage points plus a small museum about the area’s geology.
Unwind with a soak at one of the region’s hot springs: for a luxe experience book Tabacón, for lively pools choose Baldi, or for a quieter soak try Ecotermales or the intimate springs at Nayara Gardens; many resorts offer evening packages with dinner options. Finish the night with a relaxed dinner nearby — Don Rufino or Lava Lounge provide farm-to-table dishes and craft cocktails — and, weather permitting, step outside afterward for stargazing against the silhouette of the volcano.
Fuel up with a strong breakfast at your hotel or at Café de Los Deseos, then head to Arenal Volcano National Park for a morning of hiking—take the El Ceibo trail to stroll through secondary forest, view old lava flows and watch for toucans and howler monkeys while you soak in sweeping volcano vistas. If you'd prefer a steeper option, arrange a guided hike to more rugged viewpoints or join a birding walk with a local naturalist to deepen your wildlife sightings.
After lunch in town (try La Choza de Laurel or Soda La Hormiga), descend the stairway to La Fortuna Waterfall for a refreshing swim beneath the cascade or opt for the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges for canopy-level wildlife watching and photography as you traverse suspension bridges amid the rainforest. For a culture-and-nature combo, stop by the Arenal Observatory Lodge for short trails, educational exhibits about the volcano, and panoramic photo opportunities before returning to town.
Wind down with a soak at one of the area’s thermal springs—choose the lively pools at Baldi for a fun soak, the luxurious gardens and river-fed springs at Tabacón, or the tranquil, intimate baths at Ecotermales or Nayara Gardens for a peaceful sunset dip. Cap the night with a relaxed dinner at Don Rufino or Lava Lounge, sampling local casado or fresh fish while you swap highlights from today’s adventures.
Enjoy a relaxed last morning with a stroll through La Fortuna’s Parque Central and the nearby artisan stalls to pick up any final souvenirs—look for handmade coffee, coconut candy and local ceramics. If time allows, stop for a leisurely breakfast or excellent coffee at Organico Fortuna or Cafe de Los Deseos, or take a short visit to the Arenal Eco Zoo for one last close-up of regional reptiles and frogs before you check out.
After checking out, savor a final lunch at Don Rufino or Lava Lounge to celebrate your trip with a casado or fresh fish while enjoying volcano views if the skies are clear; many restaurants will safely store luggage if your transfer is later in the day. If you have a few spare hours, detour to the La Fortuna Waterfall viewpoint for one last panoramic photograph (skip the long descent if pressed for time) or shop Mercado Municipal for coffee beans and handcrafted goods to bring home.
If your travel schedule keeps you in town into the evening, treat yourself to an early dinner and a final soak at the more intimate Ecotermales or the hot-spring pools at your hotel for a soothing send-off. Otherwise, head to your transfer with plenty of time, keeping a small snack and water handy for the journey, and enjoy one last glance back at Arenal’s silhouette as you depart.