Whether it’s touring the quaint, beautiful villages, trying out some surfing on one of the many beaches, or going bungee jumping over the bright green ravines – there’s so much to do and so much to see…
In fact, there may be too much!
If you’re only visiting Costa Rica for a short vacation, it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed and concerned that you aren’t going to experience everything that you should.
What you need to do in this instance is cordon off your vacation into sections, choose a handful of locations you want to visit, and then narrow down everything you can do in those locations in a single day.
Of course, you might be there for longer than a day, but it’s a good idea to plan as if you won’t be and give yourself some room to improvise. Don’t forget to pack your essential items for your trip!
To give you an idea, I’m going to talk about the famous Arenal National Park and list all of the things I think you can do in a single day. This is one of the places you have to visit anyway, so think of this list as a free head start to your itinerary. You’re welcome!
Right, let’s get started…
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At A Glance
- 7 Things To Do in Arenal National Park, Costa Rica on a Day Trip
- 1. Tour The Water Of Lake Arenal
- 2. Face Your Fear Of Heights On The Hanging Bridges
- 3. Try Out The Local Cuisine In La Fortuna
- 4. Try Out The Local Coffee In La Fortuna
- 5. Go Wildlife Watching Near Volcano Arenal
- 6. Plunge Into Hot Water At The La Fortuna Hot Springs
- 7. Ignite Your Inner Explorer At The Venado Caves
7 Things To Do in Arenal National Park, Costa Rica on a Day Trip
1. Tour The Water Of Lake Arenal
Let’s begin with a popular activity. In Arenal National Park, there’s a beautiful lake named Lake Arenal. Here, you can start the day by renting a boat and exploring the area as it begins to wake up.
For those who love to rent a boat, Costa Rica gives you the perfect backdrop to have a bit of fun while also seeing the incredible landscape from a different perspective.
2. Face Your Fear Of Heights On The Hanging Bridges
After this is done, it’s time to explore Arneal on dry land! In my opinion, one of the best ways to do this is by travelling on the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, which span around 3,200 metres above the Arenal rainforests – and take around 2 to 3 hours to hike with a tour guide. If you’re afraid of heights, there’s no better way to get over it than this!
3. Try Out The Local Cuisine In La Fortuna
Near the Hanging Bridges is the town of La Fortuna, which is one of the most beautiful, scenic towns in all of Costa Rica. Here, you can try some of the local delicacies while looking out onto the rest of Arenal – including the monumental Volcano Arenal, which sits just 6 kilometres away.
Delicacies to try out include gallo pinto, sopa negra, patacones and… strawberries. Yes, you heard us, strawberries!
4. Try Out The Local Coffee In La Fortuna
While you’re in La Fortuna, this is also a good opportunity to sip the local Costa Rican coffee. As a country, Costa Rica is known for making some of the best coffee in the world, and it’s sure to perk you up before you get back on your feet and continue with your day!
5. Go Wildlife Watching Near Volcano Arenal
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Next up on the list is wildlife watching near Volcano Arenal. Because this volcano is active – the last Volcano Arenal deadly eruption was in 2010, and it has the potential to erupt frequently – it’s forbidden to climb. But you can get close enough to take in its incredible majesty and look at the local wildlife while doing so.
Some of the most common animals in Arenal National Park include howler monkeys, anteaters, collared peccaries, and jaguars – although you’ll be hoping you don’t come across one of them!
6. Plunge Into Hot Water At The La Fortuna Hot Springs
Hiking around Costa Rica can get a little tiring, especially when it’s hot. For this reason, I suggest you return to La Fortuna and dip into one of the gorgeous hot springs nearby.
There are many reasons why hot springs are beneficial both physically and mentally, but really it just allows you to sit back for a minute and submerge yourself into nature!
7. Ignite Your Inner Explorer At The Venado Caves
The last activity on our list has to be the Venado Caves, which is one of the most popular cave systems to explore in Costa Rica. For those who have always wanted to be an adventurer, this is the perfect way to unleash your inner explorer and feel like you’re treading into a different world.
I should mention, however, that exploring the caves can take a while, so you might have to stretch out your visit if you want to fit this one in… I know, what a shame!
A single day in Arenal, Costa Rica offers an abundance of activities and experiences that will leave you in awe. From exploring the breathtaking Lake Arenal by boat to hiking the thrilling Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges, and indulging in local cuisine and coffee in La Fortuna, there’s something for everyone.
Don’t forget to witness the wildlife near Volcano Arenal and relax at the rejuvenating hot springs before embarking on an exhilarating adventure through Venado Caves. So make sure to plan your day wisely and get ready for an unforgettable journey into this tropical paradise!
