CentralValley Arenal
3
Day Itinerary •
Costa Rica
Three days across the Central Valley and Arenal delivers the essential Costa Rica experience, from the extraordinary perfectly conical Arenal Volcano rising above the remarkable Lago Arenal to the hanging bridges of the Arenal rainforest, the extraordinary geothermal hot springs heated by volcanic activity below, and the fine coffee culture and colonial architecture of the Central Valley highlands. This focused route covers the Costa Rican highlands at their finest. The extraordinary Poas Volcano crater walk above San Jose, the remarkable Doka Estate coffee tour in the Central Valley, the extraordinary La Paz Waterfall Gardens, the Arenal Volcano National Park lava trails, the remarkable La Fortuna waterfall hidden in the rainforest, and the extraordinary Tabacon hot springs fed by geothermal water from the volcano above.
Best Time To Visit
December to April, dry season for Arenal views
Getting There
Fly into Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO), San Jose
Getting Around
Hired car or shuttle bus, 3 hours San Jose to La Fortuna
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 180 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some jungle trails
DAY 1
CENTRAL VALLEY
MORNING
VOLCAN POAS CRATER WALK
The extraordinary Poas Volcano 37km north of San Jose, an active stratovolcano whose remarkable 1.5km-wide crater contains one of the largest acid lakes in the world. The remarkable turquoise acid lake at the crater floor is extraordinary in its violent chemistry and colour. The fine 30-minute walk from the visitor centre to the crater rim gives the finest volcanic view accessible from San Jose. Entry approx 15 USD. Check OVSICORI status before visiting. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
DOKA ESTATE COFFEE TOUR
The extraordinary Doka Estate in the Central Valley highlands, one of the finest coffee tours in Costa Rica at a remarkable third-generation family hacienda producing extraordinary Central Valley arabica since 1940. The remarkable tour covers the complete production process from cherry harvest through wet processing, sun drying and the fine cupping session. Tour approx 20 USD. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CATARATA LA PAZ WATERFALL GARDENS
The extraordinary La Paz Waterfall Gardens on the Central Valley slopes, where five remarkable waterfalls cascade through outstanding cloud forest alongside fine wildlife sanctuaries. The remarkable butterfly observatory, extraordinary hummingbird garden and the walk through the extraordinary waterfall tunnels are the finest combination of wildlife and natural beauty accessible from San Jose. Entry approx 45 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Laguna Fraijanes provincial park near Poas Volcano, a beautiful volcanic crater lake at 1,700 metres surrounded by extraordinary montane forest, is almost entirely unknown to tourists. The remarkable birdwatching and the fine crater lake views are extraordinary. Entry approx 5 USD. Entirely free of tour groups.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in San Jose Good breakfast before the Poas Volcano drive. Check volcano status at OVSICORI. | Lunch: Doka Estate restaurant Outstanding lunch at the extraordinary coffee hacienda after the remarkable tour. | Dinner: Restaurante Grano de Oro The finest restaurant in San Jose. Extraordinary Costa Rican cuisine in a beautiful Victorian mansion.
DAY 2
ARENAL VOLCANO
MORNING
ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK LAVA TRAILS
The most extraordinary volcano park in Central America, where the remarkable 1,670-metre Arenal Volcano dominates the landscape above the rainforest. The Los Tucanes trail crosses extraordinary hardened lava flows from the 1968 eruption with remarkable close views of the volcanic cone above. The extraordinary wildlife on the lava field margins includes fine toucans, remarkable sloths and the outstanding resplendent quetzal in the adjacent cloud forest. Entry approx 15 USD. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
LA FORTUNA WATERFALL
The extraordinary Catarata La Fortuna, a remarkable 70-metre single-drop waterfall plunging into an extraordinary turquoise pool surrounded by outstanding rainforest 5km from La Fortuna. The 500-step descent to the remarkable pool base is steep but the extraordinary swimming in the cool pool beneath the falls is one of the finest experiences in Costa Rica. Entry approx 18 USD. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
TABACON GRAND SPA THERMAL RESORT
The most extraordinary hot spring experience in Costa Rica, where remarkable geothermal water heated by Arenal Volcano feeds a series of natural-style pools and cascades through extraordinary tropical gardens. The fine view of Arenal Volcano on clear evenings and the remarkable swim-up bar make Tabacon the finest hot spring resort in Central America. Entry approx 60 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary bioluminescence in Laguna de Arenal on moonless nights, where remarkable microorganisms create extraordinary blue-green light as kayak paddles disturb the water, is one of the finest hidden natural phenomena in Costa Rica. Hire a kayak guide from La Fortuna for the extraordinary night paddle. The volcano silhouette is remarkable.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: La Fortuna town sodas Extraordinary gallo pinto breakfast at a local soda near the park. | Lunch: La Fortuna after waterfall Excellent fresh ceviche and casado at a La Fortuna soda. Extraordinary fresh juices. | Dinner: Don Rufino, La Fortuna The finest restaurant in La Fortuna. Extraordinary steak and river fish with Arenal views.
DAY 3
LAKE ARENAL
MORNING
MISTICO ARENAL HANGING BRIDGES
The extraordinary Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, where remarkable suspension bridges cross the rainforest canopy at up to 60 metres giving outstanding views of the treetops with Arenal Volcano behind. The fine 3km trail crosses 16 bridges including 6 extraordinary hanging bridges. The remarkable wildlife at canopy height includes toucans, sloths and extraordinary howler monkeys. Dawn is the finest time for bird activity. Entry approx 30 USD. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LAGO ARENAL VIEWPOINTS
The extraordinary Lago Arenal, the largest lake in Costa Rica at 87 square kilometres, with the remarkable perfect cone of Arenal Volcano reflected in the lake on clear mornings. The fine drive along the northern lake shore passes extraordinary viewpoints and the remarkable wind turbine farms. The outstanding Arenal Observatory Lodge gives the finest elevated view of the volcano and lake together. 3 hours drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO SAN JOSE VIA SARCHI CRAFT VILLAGE
The extraordinary drive back through the remarkable Central Valley passing through the fine Sarchi artisan craft village, where the remarkable hand-painted ox-carts declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage are produced in the finest woodcarving workshops in Costa Rica. The extraordinary artisan culture of Sarchi is the finest introduction to Costa Rican folk art.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Venado Caves 40km from La Fortuna, a remarkable karst limestone cave system with extraordinary stalactites and the fine blind cave fish found nowhere else in Costa Rica, are almost entirely overlooked by tourists. Guided tours from La Fortuna approx 30 USD. The extraordinary underground river crossing is the finest cave experience in Costa Rica.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, La Fortuna Good breakfast before the hanging bridges. | Lunch: Soda near Lago Arenal Extraordinary casado and fresh guaro sour at a lakeside soda with volcano views. | Dinner: San Jose restaurant Fine traditional Costa Rican dinner at La Criollita or Restaurante Nuestra Tierra.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
San Jose, Night 1 Hotel Grano de Oro or Fleur de Lys. Barrio Amon colonial. Approx 80 to 180 USD. La Fortuna, Night 2 Arenal Kioro or Tabacon Thermal Resort. Volcano views. Approx 150 to 400 USD. Budget Hostel Cactus (San Jose) or Arena Lodge (La Fortuna). Approx 20 to 60 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Check Arenal Volcano cloud cover before planning. Dry season (Dec to Apr) gives the finest views.
2. Visit Poas Volcano early morning. The remarkable crater clarity is finest before 10am cloud forms.
3. Book Tabacon hot springs in advance. Evenings with clear Arenal skies are the finest experience.
4. La Fortuna Waterfall entry includes the 500-step descent and pool. Allow 2 hours minimum.
5. Mistico Hanging Bridges are best at dawn when extraordinary wildlife is most active.
6. Poas Volcano may close without notice due to sulphur. Always check OVSICORI the morning of your visit.
Total Budget
80 to 560 USD/day