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The Cruise on Day 2

Today we will experience the best of Arenal. Enjoy this day out in Costa Rica with a morning Arenal volcano hike followed by Baldi hot springs You’ll have plenty of time to hike, and later to explore the 25 different swimming pools, saunas, and gardens located in the Baldi hot springs resort. You’ll also have a buffet lunch, and dinner.

More about Arenal Costa Rica

Positioned within Costa Rica’s fertile northern lowlands, the Arenal Volcano is an unavoidable presence while traveling within this part of the country. It is tall and imposing and has a reputation that precedes itself. Arenal’s perfectly symmetrical shape makes it a sightseer’s dream, while its abundance of outdoor activities makes it an easy place to check things off your “must-do in Costa Rica” list.

Located north of the capital San José, the charming town of La Fortuna sits beneath the country’s largest active volcano, Volcan Arenal, and the dormant Volcan Chato. There are hot springs at the foot of Arenal, on the thermal Tabacón River. Chato, meanwhile has a crater lake and rainforest trails leading to the gushing La Fortuna Waterfall and its natural pool.

Eat

Several traditional restaurants (called “soda restaurants”) are scattered around town. Check out La Choze del Laurel and Restaurante La Parada. Other, slightly more upscale, restaurants fuse Costa Rican with, say, American, Italian, and Asian influences. Don Rufino is a steakhouse, Nene’s Restaurant La Fortuna has great hamburgers, and La Cascada offers dinner with a view of the volcano.

Stay

As one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, La Fortuna is filled with hotels at a wide range of price points. Many of them have their own hot springs as well, including longtime landmark Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, which has the largest array of natural hot springs around, and the trio of Nayara Springs, Nayara Gardens, and Nayara Tented Camp, which has family-friendly and adults-only options. The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort is a boutique, budget-conscious option.

Play

This area is bursting with natural beauty. Visitors can ride aerial trams and walk across hanging bridges; there’s river rafting, waterfall jumping, and more. You can also hike the volcano and the surrounding rainforests, which are filled with wildlife—keep your sloth-spotting eyes on high alert. Cap the day with a dip in the Bondi, or head back out for a night hike where you’ll see red lava and spot some of the region’s dozens of frog species, among other nighttime creatures.