CentralValley Arenal
5
Day Itinerary •
Costa Rica
Five days across the Central Valley and Arenal gives you the full extraordinary depth of Costa Rica's volcanic highland interior, from two days in the remarkable Central Valley including Poas and Irazu volcanoes, the finest coffee tours in Central America and the fine Sarchi artisan region, to three days around the extraordinary Arenal Volcano with the finest hot springs, hanging bridges, wildlife walks and kayaking on the largest lake in Costa Rica. This extended route adds Irazu Volcano with its extraordinary emerald crater lake to the first day, the remarkable Sarchi craft region and the extraordinary drive to La Fortuna on Day 2, two full Arenal days with lava trails, La Fortuna waterfall, Tabacon and Baldi hot springs, the fine Cano Negro wildlife boat tour and the remarkable Lake Arenal kayaking.
Best Time To Visit
December to April for finest volcano views and dry trails
Getting There
Fly into Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO)
Getting Around
Hired car or shuttle. San Jose to La Fortuna 3 hours.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some jungle trails and kayaking
DAY 1
CENTRAL VALLEY DAY 1
MORNING
VOLCAN POAS AND VOLCAN IRAZU CRATERS
The extraordinary Poas Volcano acid crater and the remarkable Irazu Volcano 50km east of San Jose, the highest active volcano in Costa Rica at 3,432 metres with an extraordinary emerald green acid lake in its main crater. On clear days the remarkable Irazu summit gives a fine view of both the Pacific and Caribbean simultaneously. The extraordinary alpine landscape at 3,432 metres is unlike any other in Costa Rica. Entry approx 15 USD each. Check Poas status before visiting. 45 min drive
MIDDAY
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 house, extraordinary hummingbird feeders, fine jaguar rescue centre and the remarkable waterfall tunnel walks are the finest combination of wildlife experience and natural beauty near San Jose. Entry approx 45 USD. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
OROSI VALLEY AND COLONIAL CHURCH
The extraordinary Orosi Valley below Irazu Volcano, the most beautiful highland valley in the Central Valley, with the remarkable 1743 colonial church that is the oldest still in use in Costa Rica and the fine Termales del Bosque hot springs. The extraordinary birdwatching in the remarkable Tapanti National Park on the valley floor is the finest near San Jose.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Orosi Valley church museum contains the finest collection of 18th-century colonial religious art in Costa Rica, with remarkable paintings and extraordinary wooden sculpture saved from earthquake damage over three centuries. The fine hot springs at Termales del Bosque in the valley are the best value in the Central Valley. Approx 12 USD.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel in San Jose Early breakfast before the Poas drive. Check OVSICORI status the night before. | Lunch: Near Irazu or Orosi Outstanding local bean soup and corn tortillas at a highland soda near Irazu. | Dinner: Restaurante Grano de Oro The finest restaurant in San Jose. Extraordinary Costa Rican cuisine in a Victorian mansion.
DAY 2
CENTRAL VALLEY DAY 2
MORNING
DOKA ESTATE COFFEE TOUR
The extraordinary Doka Estate in Alajuela, producing remarkable Strictly Hard Bean arabica at 1,400 metres. The comprehensive tour covers the extraordinary cherry harvest, wet processing, sun drying and the fine cupping session revealing the complex flavour profile of Central Valley arabica. One of the finest coffee experiences in Costa Rica. Tour approx 20 USD. 45 min drive
MIDDAY
SARCHI ARTISAN VILLAGE AND OX-CART WORKSHOPS
The extraordinary Sarchi village, the artisan craft capital of Costa Rica, famous for the remarkable hand-painted ox-carts declared UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2005. The fine woodcarving workshops, remarkable leather furniture makers and the extraordinary main plaza with its painted ox-carts produce the finest artisan souvenirs in Costa Rica. 3 hours drive
AFTERNOON
ARRIVAL IN LA FORTUNA AND FIRST ARENAL VIEW
The extraordinary drive from the Central Valley down to La Fortuna, descending from 1,400 metres through remarkable changes in vegetation from highland coffee to lowland tropical rainforest. The fine first view of the extraordinary Arenal Volcano cone appearing above the lowland forest on the approach to La Fortuna is the finest introduction to the Arenal zone.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Grecia stone church, the only building in Central America constructed from prefabricated iron sheets imported from Belgium in 1897, is one of the most remarkable buildings in Costa Rica 15km from Sarchi. Almost entirely overlooked despite being one of the finest architectural curiosities in the country. Free entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Doka tour. | Lunch: Doka Estate after the tour Outstanding lunch at the hacienda restaurant with fine Central Valley views. | Dinner: Don Rufino, La Fortuna The finest restaurant in La Fortuna. Extraordinary Arenal views with excellent steak and fish.
DAY 3
ARENAL VOLCANO
MORNING
ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK
The extraordinary Arenal National Park lava trails crossing the remarkable hardened lava flows from the 1968 eruption. The fine Los Tucanes and Peninsula trails give outstanding close views of the volcanic cone. The extraordinary primary rainforest at the park boundary has remarkable wildlife including the fine 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 fall into an extraordinary turquoise pool in the rainforest. The steep 500-step descent rewards with fine swimming in the remarkable pool beneath the falls. The extraordinary basilisk lizard running on water across the river is a fine extra wildlife encounter. Entry approx 18 USD. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
TABACON HOT SPRINGS
The extraordinary Tabacon geothermal resort, the finest hot spring experience in Central America. The remarkable volcanic water feeds extraordinary natural-style pools through outstanding tropical gardens. The fine view of the Arenal cone above the steam on clear evenings is the finest in La Fortuna. The remarkable swim-up bar in the extraordinary hot river is the finest experience. 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 4
WILDLIFE
MORNING
CANO NEGRO WILDLIFE REFUGE BOAT TOUR
The most extraordinary wildlife boat tour in Costa Rica, a 3-hour journey through the remarkable Cano Negro wetland reserve 100km north of La Fortuna. The extraordinary wildlife visible includes enormous American crocodiles, caiman, remarkable roseate spoonbills, outstanding jabiru storks and the finest concentration of neotropical birds in Central America. The fine tour also gives remarkable encounters with river otters and the extraordinary Jesus Christ lizard. Tours approx 60 USD. 1.5 hours drive
MIDDAY
EL CASTILLO VIEWS AND BUTTERFLY CONSERVATORY
The extraordinary El Castillo village above Lago Arenal with the finest views of Arenal Volcano from any inhabited settlement, and the outstanding El Castillo Butterfly Conservatory with its remarkable walk-through enclosure for the extraordinary blue morpho butterfly. 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
BALDI HOT SPRINGS
The extraordinary Baldi Hot Springs, the most extensive hot spring complex in the Arenal area with remarkable 25 pools at different temperatures cascading down the volcanic hillside. The fine waterslides, swim-up bars and remarkable Arenal views make Baldi the finest alternative to Tabacon. Entry approx 45 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Venado Caves 40km from La Fortuna, a remarkable karst cave system with fine blind cave fish found nowhere else in Costa Rica, are almost entirely overlooked despite being extraordinary. Guided tours approx 30 USD. The remarkable underground river wade is the finest cave experience in Costa Rica.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast for Cano Negro Early breakfast before the 90-minute drive north to the Cano Negro launch point. | Lunch: Cano Negro village Simple traditional Costa Rican lunch in the extraordinary wetland village. Fresh fish and rice. | Dinner: La Choza de Laurel, La Fortuna Outstanding traditional Costa Rican restaurant. Extraordinary casado and local chicharron.
DAY 5
LAKE ARENAL
MORNING
MISTICO HANGING BRIDGES AT DAWN
The extraordinary Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges at dawn, the finest time for the remarkable wildlife activity at canopy height. The outstanding toucans, sloths and three-wattled bellbirds are most active before 8am. The extraordinary 330-metre suspension bridge gives the finest single view of the Arenal rainforest canopy. Entry approx 30 USD. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LAGO ARENAL KAYAKING
The extraordinary Lago Arenal kayaking on the largest lake in Costa Rica with the remarkable Arenal cone directly above. The fine kayak tours give access to the remarkable lake shore wildlife including the extraordinary Jesus Christ lizard and fine kingfishers. The remarkable afternoon wind on the lake makes morning the finest time for kayaking. Tours approx 35 USD. 3 hours drive
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO SAN JOSE THROUGH CLOUD FOREST
The extraordinary drive back from Arenal through the remarkable Cordillera de Tilaran cloud forest, passing the fine Laguna de Cote and extraordinary Monteverde reserve viewpoints. The remarkable change from extraordinary lowland rainforest to outstanding montane cloud forest and down to the Central Valley is one of the finest single-day drives in Costa Rica.
💎 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: Hotel breakfast before bridges Good breakfast before dawn hanging bridges visit. | Lunch: Soda near Lago Arenal Outstanding casado with fine lake and volcano views. | Dinner: San Jose hotel or airport Fine dinner in San Jose before departure.
Where To Stay
San Jose, Night 1 Hotel Grano de Oro or Fleur de Lys. Approx 80 to 180 USD per night. La Fortuna, Nights 2 to 4 Arenal Kioro or Tabacon Thermal Resort. Approx 150 to 400 USD. Budget Hostel Cactus (San Jose) or Arena Lodge (La Fortuna). Approx 20 to 60 USD.
Top Tips
1. Check Poas and Irazu volcano status at OVSICORI before visiting. Both may close without notice.
2. Book Tabacon hot springs in advance. Evening entry with volcano views is the finest experience.
3. Cano Negro is 100km north. Leave by 6am for the finest morning wildlife on the boat.
4. Mistico Hanging Bridges at dawn give extraordinary bird activity. Arrive at opening time.
5. Lago Arenal kayaking is finest in the morning before the afternoon wind builds on the lake.
6. Irazu Volcano is clearest on dry season mornings. The twin crater lakes are extraordinary.
Total Budget
90 to 580 USD/day