Arrive at your pickup point and relax on a scenic private transfer from San José or Liberia with your driver, enjoying roadside views as you approach the lush Arenal region. Once in town, check into your hotel—popular options include Arenal Springs Resort & Spa or Tabacón Boutique Hotel—and take a short walk around the grounds to stretch your legs and spot local birds and butterflies.
After unpacking, stroll into La Fortuna town for a casual lunch at La Choza de Laurel or Soda Viquez to sample traditional casado and fresh gallo pinto. Spend the afternoon visiting the La Fortuna Waterfall viewpoint (short hike down to the base if you’re up for it) or explore the Arenal Volcano National Park trails for easy vantage points and introductory hikes with your driver available for flexible pick-up times.
Unwind at one of the area’s thermal springs—Baldi or EcoTermales are great choices for a first-night soak—or opt for the quieter Tabacón if you prefer a more upscale hot-springs experience. Finish the evening with dinner at Don Rufino or Nene’s Restaurant in town, enjoying Costa Rican specialties while planning activities for the next days with your driver’s help.
Wake up to volcano views and a leisurely breakfast at your hotel, then take a guided walk in Arenal Volcano National Park for close-but-safe vantage points of old lava flows and lush secondary rainforest; the trails are gentle and your driver can drop you at the main trailhead. After the walk, stop by the La Fortuna town market or Café Mediterráneo for a mid-morning coffee and fresh pastry while you plan which hot-springs venue you’ll visit later.
Spend the afternoon luxuriating at the thermal springs—choose Baldi for lively pools and slides, EcoTermales for a tranquil, intimate setting, or the upscale Tabacón for garden-fed springs and spa services—book a massage or reserve a private pool for extra relaxation. If you prefer a shorter hot-springs session, combine it with a visit to the Arenal Observatory Lodge grounds to enjoy birdwatching and panoramic volcano viewpoints before returning to town with your driver.
As daylight fades, savor a romantic Valentine’s-style dinner at Don Rufino or at the open-air Steak House La Parada, sampling local trout or casado specialties while watching the mist roll around Arenal. Finish the evening with a night soak at your chosen springs (many facilities light pools at night) or a stroll through La Fortuna’s center to pick up a dessert or artisanal chocolate before heading back to your hotel.
Start your day with an early breakfast at your hotel, then head to one of La Fortuna’s signature adventure parks—Sky Adventures for their long, scenic zipline and Sky Tram combo, or Arenal Mundo Aventura for an adrenaline-packed canopy tour; your driver can drop you at the entrance so you arrive for the first safety briefing. If you prefer a steadier start, choose Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges for a guided walk across suspension bridges through primary and secondary rainforest, where you’ll often spot toucans, tanagers and howler monkeys from the trails.
After a mid-day picnic or lunch at the park café, continue exploring with a longer hanging-bridge circuit at Mistico or book a multi-activity package at Sky Adventures that combines the zipline with a nature hike and tram ride to panoramic Arenal views. For a different pace, ask your driver to take you to La Fortuna River for an optional white-water tubing or a relaxed kayak trip on Lake Arenal while you recover from the morning excitement.
Return to town to freshen up and reward yourself with dinner at Restaurante Luna or Don Rufino, where you can order fresh trout or a hearty casado and reminisce about the day’s highlights. Finish the evening soaking in nearby hot springs—Baldi or EcoTermales are perfect for loosening any sore muscles after ziplining, while Tabacón offers a tranquil, candle-lit soak if you prefer a quieter end to an active day.
Stroll into La Fortuna town after breakfast to soak up local life—browse the colorful municipal market for fresh fruit, artisanal cheeses and hand-made coffee, then pop into Café Mediterráneo or Rainforest Café for a second coffee and people-watching. Visit the small but charming Iglesia de La Fortuna and the nearby municipal park to chat with vendors and watch children playing, giving you a genuine feel for daily Costa Rican rhythms.
Take a relaxed lunch at La Choza de Laurel or Soda Viquez, sampling a hearty casado or trout, then join a short cultural experience like a chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo or a guided tour at the Arenal Farmers Market to learn about local produce and traditional cooking. If you prefer nature, ask your driver for a short trip to El Salto or the EcoGlide coffee estate for a farm tour and tasting—perfect for an easy, informative afternoon without rushing.
Return to town for an early evening visit to the La Fortuna art and souvenir shops, then dine at Don Rufino or Nene’s Restaurant for a relaxed meal of local specialties and fresh fish while exchanging stories from your trip so far. Cap the night with a leisurely soak at EcoTermales or a quieter pool at your hotel to unwind and prepare for tomorrow’s adventure, enjoying soft lighting and the chorus of tropical night sounds.
If you’re departing today, enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel—Arenal Springs Resort & Spa or your chosen lodge often serve fresh tropical fruit and made-to-order eggs—then let your driver handle a timely transfer to your next destination with scenic stops on request. If you’re staying on, use the morning for a gentle outing: visit the Arenal Observatory Lodge grounds for birdwatching and panoramic volcano views, or take a guided walk to the La Fortuna Waterfall for a brisk hike and a quick swim at the base before heading back to town.
For those continuing in La Fortuna, book a half-day excursion with your driver: opt for a trout lunch and farm tour at a local trout farm, a chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo followed by a coffee tasting at Don Juan Eco Farm, or a calm paddle on Lake Arenal to enjoy volcano reflections and lakeside scenery. If you’re en route out of town, plan a relaxed lunch in La Fortuna at La Choza de Laurel or Don Rufino near your pickup time to savor one last casado or fresh trout before the transfer.
If your schedule allows an evening in town, celebrate your stay with dinner at Nene’s Restaurant or Restaurante Luna, enjoying local specialties and a final view of mist drifting around Arenal, then soak one last time at EcoTermales or Baldi for a soothing end to your visit. If you’re traveling this evening, coordinate with your driver for a smooth drop-off and use the ride to rest and review photos from the trip—your driver can recommend a convenient roadside stop for one last souvenir or snack on the way.
Use this gentle morning as a buffer — enjoy a slow breakfast at your hotel (Arenal Springs Resort & Spa or your chosen lodge) and let your driver take you for a short birding walk at the Arenal Observatory Lodge grounds, where trails and feeders often bring toucans, hummingbirds and tanagers into view. If you’re feeling more active, ask your driver to drop you at the La Fortuna Waterfall trailhead for a brisk descent to the base and a refreshing swim before returning to town.
In the afternoon choose an extra excursion that suits your energy level: book a chocolate-and-coffee combo at ChocoMuseo followed by a farm tour and tasting at Don Juan Eco Farm, or head out for a calm paddle on Lake Arenal to enjoy volcano reflections and lakeside scenery with your driver handling logistics. For something different, reserve a trout-farm lunch at Tilapias La Fortuna or a guided horseback ride to scenic viewpoints — both offer relaxed pacing and local flavor.
Wind down with an evening tailored to recovery or celebration: soak in EcoTermales or Tabacón for a tranquil thermal experience under starry skies, or stroll La Fortuna’s main square for casual dinner options like Nene’s Restaurant or Don Rufino if you prefer a sit-down meal. If you still have time and energy, ask your driver for a short night-walk with a local naturalist to spot frogs and nocturnal wildlife before returning to your lodge to pack or rest for the next leg of your trip.
Ease into the day with breakfast at your hotel, then ask your driver for a short transfer to the Arenal Observatory Lodge for peaceful birdwatching along the well-maintained trails and feeders — early mornings here often bring toucans, tanagers and hummingbirds into view. If you prefer something more active, have the driver drop you at the La Fortuna Waterfall trailhead for a brisk hike down to the base and a refreshing swim before heading back up and into town.
Choose an afternoon that suits your energy: take a relaxed chocolate-and-coffee workshop at ChocoMuseo followed by a farm tour and tasting at Don Juan Eco Farm, or book a calm paddle on Lake Arenal to enjoy volcano reflections and lakeside scenery with your driver handling logistics. Alternatively, visit a local trout farm such as Tilapias La Fortuna for a fresh-caught lunch and a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable aquaculture in the region.
Return to La Fortuna for dinner at Don Rufino or Nene’s Restaurant, savoring trout or a traditional casado while swapping highlights from the trip so far. Cap the night with a restorative soak at EcoTermales or Tabacón — both offer illuminated pools and warm gardens perfect for relaxing under the stars — or arrange a short guided night walk with a naturalist to spot frogs and nocturnal wildlife before turning in.
Take a leisurely breakfast at your lodge—Arenal Springs Resort & Spa or your chosen hotel—then ask your driver for a short transfer to the Arenal Observatory Lodge for peaceful birdwatching along easy trails and the observation tower; early mornings here commonly bring toucans, tanagers and a parade of hummingbirds to the feeders. If you prefer a more active start, have the driver drop you at the La Fortuna Waterfall trailhead for the brisk descent to the pool and a refreshing swim before returning to town.
After lunch in town at La Choza de Laurel or Don Rufino, spend the afternoon on a relaxed excursion: book the chocolate-and-coffee combo workshop at ChocoMuseo followed by a farm tour and tasting at Don Juan Eco Farm, or opt for a calm paddle on Lake Arenal to enjoy volcano reflections and shoreline scenery while your driver handles logistics. For a hands-on local experience, consider a trout-farm visit (Tilapias or a nearby finca) where you can see sustainable aquaculture and taste freshly prepared trout for a late lunch.
Wind down with a soothing soak at EcoTermales or Tabacón—both offer illuminated pools and warm gardens ideal for stargazing and conversation—or choose Baldi if you’d like a livelier atmosphere with multiple pools. Finish the night with dinner in town at Nene’s Restaurant or Restaurante Luna, sampling local specialties and reflecting on the extra day’s discoveries before returning to your hotel to rest or pack for upcoming travel.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your lodge, then ask your driver for a short transfer to the Arenal Observatory Lodge for peaceful birdwatching along the trails and the observation tower—early mornings often bring toucans, tanagers and a flurry of hummingbirds at the feeders. If you prefer more movement, have the driver drop you at the La Fortuna Waterfall trailhead for the brisk descent to the pool and a refreshing swim before returning to town.
After lunch in town at La Choza de Laurel or Don Rufino, choose a half-day experience that suits your mood: join the chocolate-and-coffee combo at ChocoMuseo followed by a farm tour and tasting at Don Juan Eco Farm, or head out for a calm paddle on Lake Arenal to capture volcano reflections and shoreline scenery with your driver handling logistics. For a hands-on local option, visit Tilapias La Fortuna or a nearby trout farm for a fresh trout lunch and behind-the-scenes look at sustainable aquaculture.
Wind down with a soothing soak at EcoTermales or the upscale Tabacón to enjoy illuminated thermal pools and garden-fed cascades under the stars, or pick lively Baldi if you prefer multiple pools and a more social atmosphere. Finish the night with dinner at Nene’s Restaurant or Restaurante Luna, savoring local specialties and swapping highlights from your extended stay before returning to your hotel to rest.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel—Arenal Springs Resort & Spa or your chosen lodge—while taking one last look at Arenal’s slopes from the terrace, then use the morning to pack and check hotel billing details with the front desk. If you have time and want a gentle walk, ask your driver for a short transfer to the Arenal Observatory Lodge gardens for final birdwatching and photos of the volcano from the observation tower before returning to settle your bags.
Savor a relaxed lunch in town at Don Rufino or La Choza de Laurel and pick up any last-minute souvenirs from the artisan shops near the main square; your driver can help load purchases into the vehicle and recommend convenient roadside stops en route. Alternatively, choose a final therapeutic soak at EcoTermales or Tabacón for a peaceful afternoon of warm pools and a massage to loosen up before travel, then return to your hotel to finish packing and confirm next-day transfer details with your driver.
Spend your last evening enjoying a memorable dinner at Nene’s Restaurant or Restaurante Luna—order local trout or a hearty casado—and take a final stroll through La Fortuna’s central park to soak up the town atmosphere one more time. Finish the night with a calm soak at your hotel pool or a short visit to nearby EcoTermales (if you prefer a later thermal experience) so you sleep relaxed and ready for your transfer on Feb 23.
Enjoy a final leisurely breakfast at your lodge—Arenal Springs Resort & Spa or your chosen hotel—while taking in last views of Arenal’s slopes and confirming pickup details with your driver. Use the remaining morning for a short stroll around La Fortuna’s central park to pick up any forgotten souvenirs or a final coffee at Café Mediterráneo, then return to the hotel to finish packing and settle bills before your transfer.
If your transfer is later in the afternoon, savor one last Costa Rican lunch at Don Rufino or La Choza de Laurel and ask your driver for a scenic photo stop at the Lake Arenal viewpoint or along the road where Arenal’s cone and old lava fields are visible. For earlier departures, let your driver handle a smooth, timely transfer to the airport or next destination—request a brief roadside stop for a final snack or bottled coffee if you’d like one last taste of the region.
If you remain in town this evening before onward travel, celebrate the trip with a relaxed dinner at Nene’s Restaurant or Restaurante Luna and soak in a final thermal session at EcoTermales or the hotel’s pool to unwind. Otherwise, use the evening travel time to rest on the route, review photos, and plan highlights to share with friends and family once you arrive at your next stop.