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Arenal in Five Days

One basecamp. Five days of the Costa Rica most people drive right past — shared with a handful of travellers.

Next departure: 14–18 January 2027

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5 days · airport to airport · 4 nights · Small group · max 6 travellers · Based in La Fortuna, Arenal

Arenal Volcano rising over the forest01 / 28

Arenal

Dates

Key facts

  • 4 nights in La Fortuna
  • 5 of our small-group experiences
  • natural hot springs
  • max 6 travellers

The journey

Most travellers give Arenal a day and tick the volcano off a list. This is the other version: five unhurried days from a single basecamp in La Fortuna, shared with a handful of travellers. We collect you at San José or Liberia airport, whichever suits your flights, and take you back at the end. In between: a lost-world canyon, the forest after dark, waterfalls with no map, the turquoise river before the crowds, and the birds at first light.

The route

Every leg, handled.

  1. 01La Fortuna
  2. 02Arenal
  3. 03Tenorio

Solid lines are road transfers, dashed lines boats and dotted lines flights.

Arenal in Five Days — route mapSAN JOSÉ AIRPORTLIBERIA AIRPORTLA FORTUNARÍO CELESTE
N 9°–11° · W 84°–86°road

Day by day

5 days, airport to airport.

  1. Day 01

    We meet you at the airport

    We collect you at San José or Liberia airport and drive you into the Arenal valley, the volcano rising in the windscreen. Settle into your lodge and meet the group over a welcome dinner.

    Meals
    welcome dinner
  2. Day 02

    Jurassic Canyon, then After Dark

    Into the canyon the buses skip: ferns, jade water and hidden cascades past the spot everyone knows. After dark, a guided walk into the forest as it wakes — perhaps a red-eyed tree frog, an eyelash viper, eyes shining in the canopy.

    Jurassic Canyon After Dark
    Meals
    breakfast
  3. Day 03

    Hidden falls and hot springs

    Our Hidden Falls & Wildlife day: several waterfalls, no crowds, no map, and a guide who shows you how to read the forest. Late afternoon, natural hot springs by the falls.

    Hidden Falls & Wildlife
    Walking
    4–5 h
    Meals
    breakfast
  4. Day 04

    Río Celeste, the local way

    Out early to the turquoise river before the buses arrive, then the swim only locals know — off the map, no one else in the water.

    Río Celeste, the Local Way
    Meals
    breakfast
  5. Day 05

    The Patient Hour, then home

    A last dawn with the birds, where no one else is looking, then the drive back to the airport in time for flights after 2 pm.

    The Patient Hour
    Meals
    breakfast

How the guiding works

Every day is one of our own small-group experiences, led by our local guides, with never more than six travellers.

Where you stay

Four nights in La Fortuna, in one lodge the whole time.

  • Tier 1Relaxed & characterfulSimple, comfortable places chosen for their natural setting.
  • Tier 2More comfortLodges with more services and more space.
  • Tier 3Most exclusiveThe most exclusive addresses in each area.

Each traveller chooses their own tier when requesting a place, and travellers on the same departure can choose different ones: you sleep where you chose and share every guided day with the group. Whichever you choose, a private room whenever possible.

Getting around

Airport transfers both ways and transport to every experience — always licensed tourist transport, never public buses.

What’s included

  • Airport transfers both ways (San José or Liberia)
  • 4 nights in La Fortuna in the tier you choose, a private room whenever possible
  • Daily breakfast and a welcome dinner
  • Five small-group experiences: Jurassic Canyon, After Dark, Hidden Falls & Wildlife, Río Celeste the Local Way and The Patient Hour
  • Natural hot springs at the falls
  • Park and reserve fees in the programme
  • Binoculars and a headlamp for the whole trip
  • Support throughout your trip

Not included

  • International flights
  • Lunches and dinners not listed
  • Travel insurance (recommended)
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses

The essentials

Airport to airport

We collect you at the airport and take you back at the end.

Small group

Max 6 travellers.

Where you stay

In the tier you choose.

Pricing

Priced on enquiry, depending on the tier you choose.

Dates

14–18 January 2027 · 11–15 March 2027 · 8–12 July 2027 · 11–15 November 2027

Enquiry only · no online payment

How booking works

  1. 01

    Request a place

    Choose your date and your lodging tier, and tell us who's travelling. No payment and no commitment.

  2. 02

    Your proposal

    We send the full programme, the price for your tier and the booking contract.

  3. 03

    Confirm

    A 50% deposit by bank transfer confirms your place and your acceptance of the contract. The balance is due 90 days before the start. You cover any bank fees on your transfers.

  4. 04

    Changed your mind?

    Within 8 business days of accepting, you can withdraw with a full refund.

Questions

The things people ask us first.

How active is it?
Moderate: up to 4–5 hours on foot on the longest day, on uneven, sometimes muddy trails.
When is it best?
The drier months (December–April) are easiest. July and November are green season: clearer mornings, afternoon rain and the forest at its greenest. It runs rain or shine; if something isn't safe, we swap it for an equivalent.
Who else will be in the group?
Never more than six travellers.
Can I do it privately, or on other dates?
Yes: it also runs as a private journey, on your dates. Arenal in Five Days, privately
Can I choose where I stay?
Yes. Every departure runs in all three lodging tiers, and each traveller chooses their own when requesting a place. The price depends on the tier.
What if a park or trail closes?
The programme runs rain or shine and is subject to change for reasons beyond our control, such as weather, rough seas or an official closure. If something can't go ahead, we replace it with an equivalent alternative.
What if I need to cancel?
Within 8 business days of accepting, you can withdraw with a full refund. After that: 91 days or more before the start, we keep 20% of the deposit and you choose between a refund of the rest and credit for a future trip; 90 to 61 days before, we keep 25% of the trip price, the rest of the deposit stays as credit and we refund any balance you've paid; 60 to 31 days before, we keep 50% of the trip price and refund any balance you've paid; 30 days or less, there's no refund, except anything our suppliers refund to us. Credit is valid for a trip starting within 12 months and can be passed to someone else. Refunds are made within 30 days. Your booking contract has the full terms.
Can I change my dates?
Up to 91 days before the start, once and free of charge; from 90 to 61 days before, once, with a change fee; within 60 days, the dates can't change and the cancellation terms apply. New dates depend on availability.
Do I need travel insurance?
It isn't required, but we strongly recommend it, with cover for cancellation and medical care.

Next departure · 14–18 January 2027

Six places. One basecamp. Five days off the grid.

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