One of the best places for an Arenal Volcano hike is the Arenal 1968 private reserve. It’s right next to the national park, offering impressive views of Arenal Volcano and lava fields.
Use this guide to plan your visit to the Arenal 1968 park to hike Arenal Volcano. In case you would like to do this as a tour with transportation and guide, you can book and get our La Fortuna tours discount here!
Arenal 1968 Park
This park got its name from the Arenal Volcano eruption of 1968 which was one of the most important and crucial events in Costa Rica’s history. The eruption destroyed 3 towns and killed several people, but it also changed the topography of the area. The forest on the west side of the volcano was gone as lava took over.
The reserve is one of the best places in the area to observe and witness these lava fields. With two trails going through the rain forest and lava fields, visitors can see the leftover lava rocks and boulders and walk through the forest to get impressive views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal.
Arenal 1968 Entrance Fee and Hours
The Arenal 1968 entrance fee is $25 USD for adults, children 6-11 cost $15 USD and 6 and under are free. This reserve is open every day from 8 AM – 5 PM. Last entrance is at 4 PM.
Arenal 1968 Hiking Trail Map
Here is the map of the hiking trails in the reserve.
The two trails, Lava flow 1968 and Trail Forest 1968 can both be done in one day. Combined, they are a distance of 7 kilometers. If you want to do both, go early in the morning so you will have plenty of time to enjoy the day as it gets dark by 6 PM everyday in Costa Rica.
In rainy season, there is a high possibility it will rain in the afternoon.
The trail tour companies will take you to is the Sendero Colada 1968 or the Trail Lava Flow 1968. The other one, Trail Forest 1968 goes around to the Lake “Los Patos” and through the rain forest. It is a little bit more challenging so I recommend it for those in better physical condition.
We recommend to hike the Lava Flow 1968 Trail only. If you really love hiking, you can go on the Los Patos trail but the Lava Flow is enough to get a good sweat and to see the volcano.
Arenal Volcano Hike: Lava Flow 1968 Trail (2.5 kilometers)
The lava flow 1968 trail is extremely interesting for visitors since it’s not often they get to hike through lava! The walk starts off fairly easy, going past open fields but once you enter the rain forest, you will start seeing the trail getting steeper and steeper.
Tip: If you have trouble walking or aren’t in the best physical condition, there are walking sticks at the entrance by the sign free of use. Just make sure to return it so others can use them
You’ll see large lava rocks along the path and then you will start walking through a large lava field. This part of the hike gets fairly steep so make sure you have water and go slow because you will get sweaty, especially on a hot day!
There is a nice viewpoint along the way of Lake Arenal but head all the way to the top for the best view point of both Arenal Volcano and the lake.
If you’re lucky, the volcano won’t be covered by clouds and you’ll have one of the best views of Arenal Volcano in the entire area!
Hike Going Back
The hike back is a lot easier as you’re going down. Just make sure to watch where you are walking because there are a lot of loose rocks!
Towards the end of the hike, you’ll start walking through extremely tall grass, making you feel like you’re in Honey I Shrunk the Kids! I love this part of the hike since it’s amazing how tall grass can grow. It’s at least 10 feet high!
One funny thing about this particular Arenal Volcano hike is that you’ll come upon an open field where you’ll see what looks like a large weird white rock covered in dirt. It’s actually one of the props left behind when they filmed the movie After Earth with Will Smith!
Arenal Volcano Hike and Tabacon Hot Springs Video
We did the Arenal 1968 hike as part of a tour combo with the Tabacon hot springs. Highly recommended for a way to experience 2 highlights of the Arenal area.
How to get to Arenal 1968 from La Fortuna
There is no public bus to the reserve. You can get there by taxi or drive if you rented a car.
It is about $10-15 USD one way by taxi (also check Uber as there are a few Ubers in La Fortuna).
By car, it is about a 15 minute drive from La Fortuna downtown. You do not need a 4×4 to the Arenal Volcano park. They have a large parking lot.
You can find Arenal 1968 private reserve on Google Maps and Waze.
If you do want to get there by bus, you must take the bus from downtown La Fortuna to Tilaran and ask the driver to drop you off at the crossing to the Arenal Volcano National Park. Get off and walk 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) to the private reserve. We do not recommend this option because you have to walk and then you need to wait for a bus going back to La Fortuna and there are only a couple of those buses a day. If you don’t have a car, grab a taxi/Uber or book a tour with transportation included.
Visiting Arenal 1968 Without a Guide
We have always gone with a guide to Arenal 1968 for a couple of reasons. We appreciated having a knowledgeable guide so that we learned more about the volcano and forest and point out wildlife.
It is also very nice to have transportation included in the tour.
But that being said, you can also perfectly visit Arenal 1968 without a guide and you will be able to hike both trails on your own time, not on a schedule.
Just please make sure when you are hiking, do NOT stray off the path. Do NOT touch any trees or plants with your bare hands as there are snakes. And don’t feed the wildlife.
Arenal 1968 vs Arenal Volcano National Park vs Arenal Observatory Lodge
All are great trails so whichever one you choose, it will be a wonderful experience and the views are excellent!
However, the Arenal 1968 private reserve has one advantage over the nationa park in that it is open everyday until 6 PM. The national park is open only until 4 PM and must enter before 230 PM.
Then the Arenal Observatory Lodge also has hiking trails and is open to the public. The Arenal Observatory Lodge day pass costs around $12 USD per person. With the entrance pass, visitors have access to the hiking trails, museum, hanging bridge, waterfall, visitor center and observation tower.
Arenal Observatory Lodge also offers a day pass where visitors can visit the pool and jacuzzi and lunch is included. Their day pass costs $32 USD per person. 7 AM to 9 PM for both passes.
What to Wear/Bring
Closed toed shoes, a rain jacket: a waterproof backpack or a rain cover, especially if you are bringing camera equipment, camera, long pants, hat, scunscreen and sunglasses.
Arenal Tours Deal
If you want to do this hike, we have a discount for this tour and others in La Fortuna! Get your La Fortuna tours discount here.
If you’re in San Jose, we have a tour partner that visits Arenal 1968 as part of their Arenal Volcano one day tour from San Jose.
You can also read about other things to do in La Fortuna and Arenal below!
Arenal combination tour (hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall, lunch, volcano hike and hot springs)
There are Amazon affiliate links in this post.
Kathleen Calcote says
This website has been incredibly helpful! Thank you for providing it. I have a question about time and order. We would like to hike the 1968 trail and see the La Fortuna Waterfall. Can both of these be done in a morning if we start early? If so, which order would you recommend that we complete them. We are a family of 4 (two adults, two teens) and we hike often in the US National Parks. We will have a rental car. Again, thank you!
Sammi says
You can, if you start early. You can do either of them but most people like to do La Fortuna waterfall in the middle of the day after a walk or something, so they can swim and refresh in the pool.
jackie says
Do we need to buy tickets ahead of time or can i buy them on site?
Sammi says
You can buy them on site or ahead of time. If you want a guided tour, you need to buy them ahead of time
Paul says
We have a service dog and wondering if that would be allowed at the Arenal 1968 park.
Thanks
Sammi says
Dogs are allowed in the 1968 park, on leash only at all times. They are not allowed in national parks (only certified service dogs in national parks).
Ed says
Thanks for your content
Admission is $25 for adults & $12 for children over 8yrs old.
esty says
If you had to choose between the reserve or Arenal National Park which would u choose to hike?
Sammi says
They are both great, but whichever would fit better in your schedule
Anya says
thank you for your blog
we are traveling in January and already booked a car through you guys.
quick question – what is the best time to go see a volcano for it to not be covered in clouds?
also a least busy time in tabacon hot springs – they have day pass, morning or night? and which day of the week for the least amount of people?
thank you in advance
Sammi says
It’s very difficult to say when the volcano will be clear, the clouds come and go quickly.
Nights are always the busiest at Tabacon
Nicole and Max says
Hi,
We have been referring to your helpful and informative Blogger for planning our holiday. Having read this article we are interested to do 1 of the self guided trails in Arenal 1968. But we are trying to find out if we should purchase tickets in advance (December holiday!!) but cannot find a website. The only one that keeps appearing (http://arenal1968.com/en/) but this refers to Tours and we are not interested in a Tour. Do you know, firstly if we need to pre purchase tickets for this Reserve or any of the others or can we just go on the day and there will be no problem? (For Manuel Antonio, there are only so many tickets in a day). Secondly, is there a Website for Arenal 1968? Your ‘extra’ help is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Sammi says
Hi Nicole, that is their website and if you want to do a self guided hike you can just show up and buy tickets at the entrance. (This is a private reserve, not a national park)
Kyle says
How do you pay at each of these hikes? Are credit cards accepted pretty much everywhere, or do I have to carry colones?
Sammi says
You’ll pay the entrance fee at the ticket office at the entrance of the reserve. They accept USD and colones.
Matt says
Hi Sammi, how is the security in the Arenal 1968 parking lot? If someone told you they were leaving luggage in their rental car while they hiked, what would your reaction be? Thanks!
Sammi says
To be honest, I wouldn’t leave my luggage in my car anywhere in Costa Rica unattended for long periods of times (I’m the better be safe than sorry type of person) but several tour operators go to the reserve so you’ll see a handful of tour buses in the large parking lot. There aren’t any security cameras or anything though, just the ticket office so even though I would say it’s somewhat secure because there are usually tour shuttles in the parking lot, there’s never a guarantee and if you have to leave luggage, put it in the trunk or if you don’t have a closed trunk, make sure it’s not visible.
Sammi says
Hi Rachel, there is no direct bus from La Fortuna to the national park. There is a bus that goes from La Fortuna to Tilaran and you can stop the bus driver to let you off at the intersection to the park but you will have to walk the rest of the way (kinda far for a walk).
Rob says
I can confirm this. You can take public bus and walk 2 km. We took a Uber for 5,000 Colon from zeta trece.
Sammi says
Thanks!
Rachel says
Hi guys, this website has been my go to for planning my trip to CR!
I’m trying to figure out the bus options to the Arenal National Park from La Fortuna and am not seeing any that take me out to that road. Is there a company that does it especially or is it a public bus? Do you know the name of it?
Jenn says
Just a heads up, it is now $15.
Sammi says
Thanks Jenn!
Artie Duncanson says
Awesome! A “Honey, I Shrunk The Kids” reference. I remember being so jealous of those kids who got to run around and climb on the objects. Though their encounter with the ant scared the crap out of me!
Sammi says
Haha yes it was one of my favorite movies as a kid. The ant part made me really sad when he died too 🙁
David A Cowoski says
We took the Jacamar Naturalist tour to the Arenal 1968. Our guide was great and very informative. He kept the kids interested and the distance of the hike was perfect. We also had the pleasure of meeting you guys on the hike! Which was pretty cool since we used your site as a guide for planning our trip!
Sammi says
Hi Dave! We’re so glad you enjoyed the hike and it was great meeting you!! 🙂