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Luxury Arenal
Vacations & Tours made for you

Volcanos, adventure thrills and rainforest splendour
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Hiking trails

Head out on foot around Arenal Volcano

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In the wild

Go on privately guided wildlife tours

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Splash out

Visit the beautiful La Fortuna waterfall

Explore lush forests, go hiking and soak in hot springs

Nowhere else in Costa Rica allows you the luxurious yet captivating proximity to a (now) dormant volcano encircled by rich rainforest, diverse wildlife and a multitude of adventure activities. Spend your days here exploring the lush forests, getting to know your local hosts, soaking in a variety of different hot springs and looking out for the wildlife that call this area home.

Encompassing  over ‎120 square kilometres (46 square miles), Arenal Volcano National Park lies on the southern shores of Lake Arenal with the conical peak of the volcano at its heart. Park rangers and geologists keep a very sharp eye on the volcano’s motions, whose last eruption was 1968, giving you the chance to get very close to the exhilarating and powerful mountain.

The great wealth of biological and geological diversity of the area means you can follow hiking trails through flourishing rainforests, coffee plantations and old lava fields, trek to the emerald crater lagoon of the dormant Chato, take a dip in hot thermal springs, rappel through forest canopies, ride white water rapids or visit La Fortuna.

You could also spend some time on a Costa Rican farm, harvest some crops with the farmers and enjoy an interactive cooking class using local ingredients like cassava, plantain, taro and sweet potato. You can also head out on specially designed Arenal wildlife tours and keep a look out for hummingbirds, tapirs, quetzals and deer. All of this while staying at some of Arenal’s most stylish and luxury hotels.

Highlights

Enjoy an exclusive forest picnic with uninterrupted views of one Costa Rica’s most iconic vistas, the imposing Arenal Volcano

Float from La Fortuna to Arenal along the Peñas Blancas River, getting a unique view of Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest along the way

Experience a unique and exclusive evening tour led by an expert in conservation biology, delving into the fascinating world of bats

Prepare a feast of Latin and Costa Rican flavours at a private cooking class with an expert chef

If you want to add a little adventure to your luxury journey, then Arenal is a great place to spend some time. Think soaking in hot springs with a volcano view, zip-lining through rainforest canopies and unwinding in stunning eco-lodges. It's the perfect mix of adventure and pampering.

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James Sirotkin

Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Arenal

There are many incredible places to stay in Arenal. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

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Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Arenal adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Discover more of Costa Rica

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Corcovado and Osa Peninsula

Osa enjoys an exceptional wealth of biodiversity, from primary rainforests to sandy coastline. Remote and exciting, this is one of the best places for wildlife encounters in Costa Rica.

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Dominical

A sleepy surf village with great access to the national park and various stunning beaches. Learn to ride the big waves or sit back and relax in nature watching fiery sunsets.

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Manuel Antonio

One of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations, and for good reason. A marine reserve protecting an idyllic coastline and important, verdant rainforests. Spot dolphins, whales, howler monkeys and kingfishers.

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Nicoya Peninsula

Tangled stone cliffs and winding mangroves greet the rugged, beautiful coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula. A natural paradise with a focus on sustainability and respecting the precious environment.

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Pacuare Reserve

Exhilarating and remote, get off the beaten track here with white water rafting, vast areas of primary, virgin rainforest and masses of wildlife. Stay at sustainable, luxury lodges in this stunning riverside location.

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Puerto Viejo

Located on the southern Caribbean coastline there’s plenty to do here. Visit Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge for wildlife, surf the big waves on Salsa Brava beach or find the calmer waters and beach bars at Limon.

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Rio Celeste

Over 100 kilometres from San Jose, truly off the beaten track. Many habitats converge here attracting hundreds of bird species. Float on the azure blue river and meet with the Maleku Indigenous Tribe.

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San Jose

A cosmopolitan city with some worthwhile highlights to explore. The colonial quarters of the city are vibrant and filled with smells of food stalls and ground coffee.

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The Central Cloud Forests

Elevated, tropical evergreen forests, misty and humid, transport you to a magical paradise. Hike to waterfalls among almost luminous green lichen and moss punctuated, with pink tropical orchids.

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The Coffee Valley

Fertile volcanic soil and a tropical climate make Costa Rica one of the best places in the world for growing delicious coffee beans. Learn about the culture connected with the land and enjoy hiking, horseback riding and more.

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The Guanacaste Coast

Known for wide, long stretches of coastline and consistent sunshine, Guanacaste has long been a ‘surfers paradise’. Explore inland to discover the region's wildlife in Rincón de la Vieja National Park.

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Tortuguero

Explore this region on foot or by boat, discovering its many lagoons, canals and rivers. With 11 different habitats attracting a diverse range of wildlife species, including turtles, this is a great place for nature lovers.

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When to visit

The dry season runs from mid November to April, and most areas are dry, warm and sunny. Occasional blustery winds blow during January and February bringing the temperature down. During the wet season, from May to mid November, expect afternoon rains and sunny mornings.

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Caribbean coast

May–November

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Sea turtle nesting

May–November

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Pacific Coast for winter sun

December–April

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Birdwatching

Year round

When is the Best Time to go to Costa Rica?

When is the Best Time to go to Costa Rica?

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Plan your trip to Arenal

Whatever you want from your adventure in Arenal, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Plan with peace of mind

When you book a trip in today’s world there’s a lot to think about. But with the right advice and expert planning, you can do it with confidence.

If you book to travel with us but your plans are impacted by circumstances you can’t control, we’ll change your reservation or cancel your booking for a full credit towards future travel.

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