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Volcano & rainforest · Costa Rica

Arenal

The classic volcano-and-rainforest base — hanging bridges, red-eyed tree frogs and hot springs beneath a perfect cone.
Getting there
~3 hr from San José; ~2.5 hr from Sarapiquí
Best for
Arenal volcano, rainforest, red-eyed tree frogs, hanging bridges, hot springs, toucans
The land
Rainforest around the iconic Arenal volcano cone and its lake
Good to know
The hanging bridges and night walks here are superb for frogs, sloths and birds
What it is
Arenal pairs Costa Rica's most iconic volcano with rich rainforest — hanging bridges, frog-filled night walks and hot springs beneath the cone.
Beneath the near-perfect cone of the Arenal volcano, this is one of the country's favourite rainforest bases. Canopy hanging bridges reveal birds and sloths, night walks turn up red-eyed tree frogs and other amphibians, and volcanic hot springs reward the evenings — all amid lush forest and toucans.
PhotoArenal — volcano & rainforest.
The reason to come

Volcano and rainforest

Arenal blends an iconic volcano with accessible, frog-rich rainforest.

Hanging bridges

Canopy walkways for birds, sloths and forest views.

Frogs & night walks

Red-eyed tree frogs and amphibians after dark.

Hot springs

Volcanic thermal pools beneath the cone.

Worth knowing

The perfect cone

Arenal's iconic volcano, wrapped in rainforest, is one of Costa Rica's signature sights.
PhotoThe Arenal volcano above the rainforest.
When to come — honestly

A year-round volcano base.

December – April
Best
The dry season — the clearest volcano views and easiest trails.
May – November
Good
The green season — lush rainforest and excellent amphibians.
Year-round
Good
A year-round rainforest base; the cone is often cloud-wrapped.
The volcano is frequently shrouded in cloud — views are never guaranteed, but the rainforest delivers regardless.
Context

Volcano country

Arenal is the classic volcano-and-rainforest base, strong on frogs, birds and hot springs.

It features on most multi-region itineraries.

We base Arenal for its rainforest, frogs and hanging bridges, with hot springs to end the day.

Beyond the obvious

More to Arenal.

PhotoHanging bridges

Hanging bridges

Canopy birds and sloths.

PhotoFrog night walk

Frog night walk

Red-eyed tree frogs after dark.

PhotoHot springs

Hot springs

Volcanic thermal pools.

Why Wild Voyager

We pack the wildlife in.

Costa Rica's habitats sit close together but each needs the right base and guide. We sequence them so you see the most — quetzals, macaws, tapirs — with no wasted miles.

Handpicked lodges

We choose the lodge and guides that fit your goals, not whatever is left.

We time it right

We build your visit around the season and the wildlife that delivers.

Wildlife you may see
Birds

Plan your Arenal trip.

Explore volcano-side rainforest, bridges and frogs. Tell us your dates and we will build the route around it.

Plan a Arenal trip

Field notes, now and then.

Where to go · When to go · Wildlife in season

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