Costa Rica: volcano & cloud forest

Arenal & Monteverde, Costa Rica · Trip template

Adventure & road trips10 places · 4 lists · 3-day itinerary

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Costa Rica: volcano & cloud forest — Arenal & Monteverde, Costa Rica

Ziplines over the canopy, waterfalls you can swim under, and hot springs at dusk. This adventure trip itinerary maps out 10 hand-picked places across Arenal & Monteverde, Costa Rica over 3 days — from the must-see landmarks to the local spots worth the detour. Preview the whole plan on the map, then duplicate it in Arriv to swap in your own picks, set your dates, and invite your crew.

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3-day Arenal & Monteverde itinerary

Day 1

  1. 08:00Soda La Hormiga — Casado breakfast to fuel up
  2. 09:30Arenal Volcano National Park — Lava-field hike under the cone
  3. 13:30La Fortuna Waterfall — Down the steps for a cool swim
  4. 17:00Tabacón Hot Springs — Soak in the thermal river at dusk
  5. 20:00Don Rufino — Dinner and a well-earned drink

Day 2

  1. 08:30100% Aventura Zipline — Fly the canopy first thing
  2. 11:30Selvatura Hanging Bridges — Bridges through the treetops
  3. 14:30Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve — Cloud-forest walk with a guide

Day 3

  1. 08:00Río Celeste — Early start for the turquoise falls
  2. 17:00Rainforest Chocolate Tour — Back in town — chocolate to finish

What's on this Arenal & Monteverde itinerary

10 places across 4 lists.

Arenal & hot springs

  • Arenal Volcano National Park — Hike old lava flows to the base of the near-perfect cone. Bring a rain layer.
  • Tabacón Hot Springs — Natural thermal river winding through the jungle. Best at sunset.
  • La Fortuna Waterfall — 500 steps down to a 70m fall — swim in the pool at the bottom.

Monteverde cloud forest

  • Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve — Misty trails alive with birds — look for the resplendent quetzal.
  • Selvatura Hanging Bridges — Walk suspension bridges through the treetops, eye-level with the canopy.
  • 100% Aventura Zipline — Latin America's longest zipline plus a Tarzan swing. Not for the faint-hearted.

Wild day trip

  • Río Celeste — The waterfall that runs electric turquoise. A full-day trip from La Fortuna, worth every minute.

Eat & treats

  • Soda La Hormiga — A classic 'soda' — casado plates of rice, beans, plantain, and fish for a few dollars.
  • Don Rufino — The town's dinner splurge — grilled meats and a lively bar.
  • Rainforest Chocolate Tour — From cacao pod to cup — roast, grind, and taste your own chocolate.

Arenal & Monteverde adventure trip — FAQ

How many days do you need in Arenal & Monteverde?
This itinerary is built for 3 days and covers 10 spots across Arenal & Monteverde, Costa Rica. Once you duplicate it in Arriv you can stretch it out or trim it to fit your trip.
What are the must-do things in Arenal & Monteverde?
Highlights on this adventure trip itinerary include Arenal Volcano National Park, Tabacón Hot Springs, La Fortuna Waterfall, plus 7 more places you can explore on the interactive map.
Is this Arenal & Monteverde itinerary free?
Yes. Preview the full itinerary and map for free, then duplicate it into your own Arriv trip to customize it, add reservations, and plan together with friends.
Can I customize this Arenal & Monteverde trip?
Absolutely. Tap "Use this trip" to get an editable copy — swap places, reorder the days, set your travel dates, and share it with your group.

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