Booking choice: The Arenal Volcano Experience, from $165 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
All the full-day tours from San José include hotel pickup, a guide and lunch, and most include dinner and the hot springs entry. That makes the headline prices easy to compare.
Prices below are the live Viator from-prices in USD in 2026. They move with the season, so the checkout price is the one that counts.
The quick answer
The Arenal Volcano Experience is from $165 per person with lunch, dinner and Paradise Hot Springs. The Mega Combo adds about two hours of ziplining for $185. The private day with La Fortuna Waterfall and the Hanging Bridges is $249. Tours that start in La Fortuna cost about $100 to $105.
How much does an Arenal Volcano tour from San José cost?
From $165 per person for the Arenal Volcano Experience, rising to about $250 for a private day.
| Tour | From | Length | What the price adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arenal Volcano Experience | $165 | 14 hours | Scenic stops, lunch, dinner, Paradise Hot Springs |
| Mega Combo | $185 | 14 hours | About 2 hours of ziplines |
| Zipline and rappel combo | $185 | 14 hours | Ziplines and a 50 m rappel |
| Baldi Hot Springs day | $197 | 12 hours | Baldi complex, towels and lockers |
| Lava trails and hot springs | $205 | 13 hours | An hour on the 1968 lava trails |
| Private waterfall and bridges day | $249 | 12 hours | La Fortuna Waterfall, Hanging Bridges, private guide |
Happy with the easy day? Check dates for the Arenal Volcano Experience.
Check dates for the Arenal Volcano ExperienceWhat is included in the $165 price?
Hotel pickup in San José, an air-conditioned vehicle, a bilingual guide, coffee or tea with snacks, lunch, dinner and every entrance fee, including about two hours at Paradise Hot Springs.
The only things you pay on the day are gratuities, drinks beyond the meals and souvenirs. The Viator listing names the stops: a coffee farm, La Paz Waterfall, Cinchona, the Las Iguanas stop, Go Adventure Arenal Park for a cultural presentation, and the springs.
Is the zipline combo worth $20 more?
If you want adrenaline, yes: the Mega Combo spends about two hours on the zipline course and still gives you about three hours in the springs.
Same operator, same route, same meals. The rappel version adds a 50-metre rappel. If ziplines do not appeal, the flagship gives you the calmer afternoon.
Want ziplines in the day? The Mega Combo adds about two hours on the cables before the hot springs.
Explore the Mega Combo with ziplinesWhy is the private day so much more expensive?
Because it is private and covers different sights: La Fortuna Waterfall, the Arenal Hanging Bridges and the Los Lagos hot springs, each with paid entry.
It is $249 per person with lunch but no dinner. It is the only San José day here that walks down to La Fortuna Waterfall, so if that is on your list, it is the one to book.
Do children pay less?
Not on the Go Tours days: one price applies from age 5, and children under 5 cannot join.
Some other operators have child bands; the lava trails day, for example, prices children aged 3 to 10 separately. Check the age bands at checkout.
Is it cheaper to book direct with the hot springs?
Only if you already have transport: day passes are sold by the springs, but the tour price covers six hours of driving, a guide and two meals.
If you are staying in La Fortuna, a local tour from about $100 or a day pass makes more sense. See Arenal hot springs compared.
What extra money should you bring?
Cash for tips, souvenirs and drinks at the springs; everything else is paid.
Tipping the guide and driver is optional but customary in Costa Rica for a full-day tour. Bring small US dollar bills or colones.
Budget sorted? Check dates and keep free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the Arenal Volcano ExperienceFrequently asked questions
Is lunch included on the Arenal day trip?
Yes. Every San José day tour listed here includes lunch, and the Go Tours days add dinner and snacks.
Are the hot springs included in the tour price?
Yes, on every San José tour listed here; you do not pay an entry fee on the day.
Can I cancel for free?
Yes, up to 24 hours before the start time on Viator.
Ready to book
Choose your day
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Arenal Volcano Experience: Full Day from San José
- Hotel pickup in San José (default 6:30 AM) and air-conditioned transport
- Bilingual guide, plus coffee or tea with local snacks
- Lunch near Arenal and a Costa Rican dinner on the way back
Arenal Mega Combo: Ziplines & Hot Springs
- Hotel pickup in San José and air-conditioned transport
- About 2 hours of ziplining at Go Adventure Arenal Park
- Paradise Hot Springs (about 3 hours)
Private Arenal Day: Hanging Bridges & Waterfall
- Private guide and vehicle from San José hotels and Airbnbs (from about 6:30 AM)
- La Fortuna Waterfall entry (about 2 hours)
- Arenal Hanging Bridges entry (about 2 hours)
