There are so many activities to do in Arenal and La Fortuna that it can be difficult to narrow down which ones are the best to do. If you’re only in the area for a couple days, you can maximize your time by doing an Arenal 4 in 1 combination tour which lets you experience the best of the area.
We did the Arenal 4 in 1 combination tour which includes the hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, lunch, Arenal Volcano hike and hot springs. If you want to do this tour, get our discount for it here!
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Arenal 4 in 1 Combination Tour: First Activity
Arenal Hanging Bridges
The first activity we did on the Arenal Volcano Combo Tour was visit the Mistico Hanging Bridges private reserve. The 16 static and hanging bridges sit on 600 acres of private land developed purely for eco-tourism and wildlife viewing.
It is an easy 3.1 km trail that goes all around the the forest so is the perfect length for visitors to see many animals and plants. Additionally, they will learn about the geography and land of Arenal and enjoy the rain forest.
As we started off for the first bridge, one of the guides set up telescope pointed at a frog that was hiding in the leaves. Then another guide pointed out a pair of tent bats sleeping under the banana tree.
Our guide, Jairo has worked as a tour guide for over 15 years and he has seen the transformation of the land, the town and the volcano first hand. He taught us how to listen for certain creatures and notice the intricate structure of the vegetation in the canopy. Without our guide, we would have never known any of this information on our own!
He next spotted this eyelash pit viper hanging out along one of the bridges. It was fascinating to learn about the snakes in Costa Rica and e even took a photo of the snake for me!
The second to the last hanging bridge is 60 meters above the canopy floor and being that high up gives you sense of really being in the jungle. We got a nice view of the volcano and I saw the biggest and most beautiful butterflies I’ve ever seen!
La Fortuna waterfall: Second Activity
Next stop on the Arenal 4 in 1 combination tour was the La Fortuna waterfall. This waterfall is one of the treasures of this area and is a must see. Although the path down is pretty steep with 450 steps, it is completely worth it.
When you get to the bottom of the steps, you’ll hear the loud roar of water all around you. La Fortuna waterfall lies at the bottom of the Cerro Chato dormant crater and drops 75 meters into a bright emerald pool.
Downstream, there is a lovely calm pool, perfect for dipping your toes. You can swim in the La Fortuna waterfall but be very careful as the drop can be very strong!
After about an hour or so at the waterfall, we walked back up to the top. Thankfully, they built a very nice platform with benches and rails so you can take it slow. 450 steps is a lot!
Arenal 4 in 1 Combination Tour: Lunch
After the steep walk to the waterfall, we were ready for lunch!
For lunch, they took us to a local finca or farm for a traditional Costa Rican lunch: casado. It had rice, beans, tortilla, meat and salad (vegetarian options available).
After our lunch, the owner gave us a small presentation of the different crops he grows such as pumpkins, a type of orange and one fruit that is poisonous but good for sinusitis. We pressed a sugar cane using a traditional machine, drank the juice and tried his cacique which is made at a nice ole 70% alcohol!
Arenal 1968 Hike: 3rd Activity
Our next stop was the Arenal Volcano hike. Although it began raining at the start of our hike through Arenal 1968, a private reserve next to the Arenal Volcano National Park, I didn’t mind. We went on the Lava Flow 1968 trail which took us through lava fields and up to a beautiful viewpoint of Lake Arenal and Arenal Volcano.
This 3 km hike was also fairly easy. At the viewpoint, we could see both Arenal volcano and Lake Arenal! It was also incredible to walk through the lava fields and see all the rocks that fell during the eruption.
The Baldi Hot Springs: Last Activity of Arenal 4 in 1 Tour
After the hike, we were ready to relax in the hot springs. I was so excited for Baldi!
The temperature dropped as night fell, and all I could think about was how good the hot springs were going to feel. We decided to go to Baldi, the hot spring resort with waterslides, swim up bar and caves.
All the pools have something different. One is a giant jaccuzi, one has waterfalls, another has lie down beds. They were all amazing and soaking in the hot springs was the perfect way to wind down a fun day.
After we enjoyed and relaxed in the hot springs, we had dinner (buffet) which was included in the price.
What we thought about the Arenal 4 in 1 Combination Tour
The whole day was amazing and we learned so much from the tour. Having a guide makes you really appreciate everything you see and the places you visit. I highly recommend doing the Arenal Volcano combo tour if you’re interested in seeing all the attractions with a guide and you’re short on time as you get to visit the highlights of the Arenal area.
It is a bit expensive at around $200 per person (depending on which hot spring you visit) but it includes 5 different activities with food, entrance fees, and transportation. It’s perfect if you don’t have a ton of time in Arenal.
Get our discount off this Arenal Volcano combo tour! Click here to get the discount (the tour is called Combination Tour).
What to bring and wear
- If you want to get pictures of wildlife, a camera with a hefty zoom or bring a good telephoto lens. You will see a ton of wildlife at the hanging bridges so don’t miss any photo opportunities!
- Wear closed toed hiking sandals or hiking/tennis shoes. The hanging bridges do require a fully covered shoe but if you have hiking sandals, you need to sign a waiver. We love our KEEN hiking sandals.
- If you’re visiting in rainy season, definitely bring a waterproof rain jacket. We got soaked in July! You can read our rainy season packing list for more tips. If it rains, it is warm rain.
- If you’re going in dry season, you can wear shorts and a tshirt. This area gets pretty hot! In rainy season, it is still hot but more humid.
- Bring a day backpack with water, hat, repellent and other necessities. It is a long day so bring what you need. You will be able to leave things in the van. The tour company provides water.
Video of the Arenal 4 in 1 Combination Tour
You can watch the video of the Arenal Volcano Combo Tour below.
Read about other fun things to do in Costa Rica below.
Selvatura Park: ziplining and hanging bridges in Monteverde
Horseback riding in Arenal: Horseback riding tour through El Silencio Reserve
Diamante Adventure Park: Adventure park in Guanacaste with ziplining, animal sanctuary, ATV and horseback riding
Doka Coffee Tour: Learn about Costa Rican coffee with Doka, one of the biggest and best quality coffee producers in the country
Jaguar Rescue Center: Rescue center in Puerto Viejo
This post has Amazon affiliate links.
Melissa Hayne says
Hello! Wondering if this can be done with children? We have a very active 6 year old and 3 year old. Would likely wear 3 year old in a backpack carrier.
Sammi says
Hi Melissa, I see we are already in touch with you to assist you with the tour but the minimum age for this tour with our partners if 5. For children 5 and under, they can offer it to you as a private tour.
Katherine says
Hi! I would like to book this 4-in-1 combo tour for 2 on June 24. I don’t see the Combo Tour with Baldi Hot Springs in the list, like in the blog. Am I missing something? Thank you!!
Sammi says
Hi Katherine, you can check our booking page here to request to book with our discount for the combo tour and others, but unfortunately our partners do not offer the combo tour with Baldi hot springs anymore, they offer it with Ecotermales, Paradise and The Springs: La Fortuna tours discount
Joanie V Thomas says
Hello, I don’t see the 4 in 1 tour listed. Where can I purchase? Thanks!
Sammi says
Hi Joanie, on our booking page for La Fortuna tours with our discount, it is called Combination tour with XX hot springs (there are three choices for hot springs), here is our booking page: https://mytanfeet.com/special-deals/la-fortuna-arenal-tours-discount/
Catherine Nguyen says
Hello Sammie, I am traveling with children 11 and 7 years old. How many km of walking total is on this tour and would you children to be on this tour?
Thank you!
Sammi says
Hi Catherine, we sent you an email with the information but it is:
Hanging bridges: 2 miles (3.2 km), 2 hours
La Fortuna waterfall: ~1000 steps up and down total, 1.5 hours
Volcano Hike: 2.5 miles (4 km), 2 hours
Michelle says
Hi Sammie,
We’ll be spending the night in SJO since we’re arriving late. We were planning on waking up early to drive to Jacamar office and be there by 7am for the combo tour. Is it safe to leave our luggage in the car since we cannot check into our Airbnb yet?
Or should we spend half a day in SJO (we’ll already have a full day in SJO right before our flight) and make the drive to La Fortuna, do coffee tour and do the Combo Tour the following day?
Sammi says
I don’t recommend to leave from SJO to La Fortuna to do the combination tour on the same day, without traffic it’s about a 3 hour drive and there is a section that gets extremely foggy. There is often a lot of traffic around SJO and on the highway so you would need to give yourself at least another hour or more if you plan to stop and have breakfast. If you do not make it to the office by 7 AM, then they will leave, they cannot wait for you and you’ll be a no show which is a 100% penalty. So you’d need to leave no later than 4 AM and if you are lucky and do not run into any traffic or delays or stop along the drive, you can make it by 7 AM. But I would even leave earlier in case of delays and if you want to stopfor food/breaks so I’d recommend 3-330 AM.
So that being said, I recommend to get to La Fortuna without rush the next day and do the tour for when you’re already there to avoid any hassle and stress.
Jackie says
Hi we would like to go on a Tour with a 79 year old Grandma in good shape, just slower than the regular adult. Do you think this is possible for that age?
Sammi says
Hi Jackie, you can but you should book it as a private tour so then you guys can go at your pace. On a shared service, you have to be able to keep up with the group’s pace because there are other clients and they have to stay on a schedule and stay together
Elizabeth West says
Hi Sammi,
I am enjoying your website, thank you for compiling all this information.
A few questions: on the combination tour, do you have to do everything in one day or can you split it into two days? Also, which is your favorite of the hot springs?
Sammi says
The combination tour has to be done in one day
Keith says
Hi there! For the 4 in 1 tour, about how long are you in each stop? We will be in the Arenal area 2 full days. Thanks!
Sammi says
It’s around 2.5 hours for the hanging bridges, around 1 hour or so at Fortuna waterfall and around 2.5-3 hours at the volcano hike, then the hot springs you have from around 6 PM to 9-10 PM depending on how long you want to stay
Emily E says
Is this tour still available? I’m not seeing the “Arenal 4 in 1” option on the site anymore.
Sammi says
hi Emily, the name has changed to “Combination tour” and then it’ll be like Combination tour with Tabacon, Combination tour with Baldi, etc. etc.
Aldo Lua says
Hello,
My intention is rent a car in my trip on CR, Can I negotiate with Jacamar Naturalist tour a different price, excluding transportation? My trip will be in Octuber
Thank you
Sammi says
Hi Aldo, the price is the same regardless if you drive to their office or don’t need transportation.
Mich says
Would you recommend the Arenal National Park or the 1968 trail? Thanks!
Sammi says
Either one is great and offer very similar views! If you’re going late in the day, I would go to 1968 reserve because it opens until 6 PM and is open everyday.
Angela Money says
Is it possible to only book a 3 in 1 combo tour? excluding the hot springs at the Springs Resort? We are staying at that resort and have access to them, how does that change the cost? Do I add a special note during booking? Thank you! 🙂
Sammi says
Hi Angela! Yes you can! They call it “hiking lovers” which you can find on our booking page here: Arenal and La Fortuna tours discount
Toya says
Hi, if you don’t mind. What hotel/place did you stay ? And by any chance would you know if they have a max limit on how far they would come to pick you up ?
Sammi says
We stayed at a hotel near town, but Jacamar can pick up from in hotels in La Fortuna until Tabacon, past Tabacon there is an extra pick up fee.
Shivni Chaitra says
What time did you start the tour? We are driving there in the morning and will be there at around 10:30. Want to be able to do all that you have in the list + throw in a chocolate plantation tour if possible
Sammi says
Hi Shivni, the 4 in 1 tour picked us up at 7 AM and we got to the hanging bridges park at 8 AM. All those activities plus chocolate isn’t possible, there isn’t enough time, especially if you are there at 1030 AM. You will need to take out some activities as the chocolate tour has set schedules for tours as well so you will have to work around that.
alejandrjna says
Im interested in your services. How much is this combo tour. And to make sure we do hike around the volcano
Sammi says
Hi, we aren’t the tour operators, we did this tour with Jacamar Naturalist tours which we highly recommend.