Combo jungle, Volcano hike, Fortuna waterfall, hanging bridges & Hotsprings

Supers guides, volcan dégagé, les ponts et le parc sont superbes. Les belles visites qui se sont finies par un apéro dans les thermes d’eau chaude !

We had a great experience with our guides Raul, Sergio & Winston. The ability to take the tourist bus from place to place eliminated our worries of driving and parking various places. We began at the La Fortuna waterfall which is an easy walk up and down well maintained staircases. Winston gave us a lot of information about the rainforest flora and fauna and Raul helped generate a very positive, excited, relaxed, Pura Vida environment. We spent time at the different viewpoints of the waterfall, our guides and others on the tour helped with photos, and we were given plenty of time to swim in the base of the waterfall where it pools before flowing into the river. You will want to wear a bathing suit and clothes you can easily get on and off for this excursion, just to make the most of your time. They did make time for changing in the restrooms but I felt it was easier if you had a swimsuit under your clothes. The second part was a hike to the highest point you can go safely on the Arenal volcano. It was an easy enough hike - we did it in hiking sandals but you may prefer closed toe shoes as it it rocky and there are tree roots. We went at an easy pace, learning again about various plants. We did not see any mammals that day but some interesting bugs. At the top of the hike if a field of lava rock from the 1968 eruption and gorgeous views of the jungle and Lake Arenal. At the end of the hike there was an option to use the rope swing into the volcano made lake and swim there as well. Then we were provided a lunch of comida tipico, casados, that were made by a local family. The last stop was the auguas termales - a natural river of hot springs. Again, not worrying about the parking was fantastic. We were given about 45 minutes to explore the area and relax in the water. Plus Raul and Sergio helped all of us put on a mud mask of volcanic mud. The entire experience was equal parts enjoying the company of others and relaxed intimate conversation with my husband. At the end the bus driver quickly delivered everyone to the places they were picked up. Overall a fun, comprehensive tour of several of the things La Fortuna has to offer. If you are an avid hiker, you'll find the hike easy. If you are more of a gentle nature hike kind of person, it is a bit challenging, steep in places, but never near a cliff, definitely doable at the pace the group goes. I recommend a deet based repellent but we were not swarmed with mosquitos even though it was rainy season.