Luxury Arenal
Vacations & Tours made for you
Start PlanningExplore lush forests, go hiking and soak in hot springs
Nowhere else in Costa Rica allows you the luxurious yet captivating proximity to a (now) dormant volcano encircled by rich rainforest, diverse wildlife and a multitude of adventure activities. Spend your days here exploring the lush forests, getting to know your local hosts, soaking in a variety of different hot springs and looking out for the wildlife that call this area home.
Encompassing over 120 square kilometres (46 square miles), Arenal Volcano National Park lies on the southern shores of Lake Arenal with the conical peak of the volcano at its heart. Park rangers and geologists keep a very sharp eye on the volcano’s motions, whose last eruption was 1968, giving you the chance to get very close to the exhilarating and powerful mountain.
The great wealth of biological and geological diversity of the area means you can follow hiking trails through flourishing rainforests, coffee plantations and old lava fields, trek to the emerald crater lagoon of the dormant Chato, take a dip in hot thermal springs, rappel through forest canopies, ride white water rapids or visit La Fortuna.
You could also spend some time on a Costa Rican farm, harvest some crops with the farmers and enjoy an interactive cooking class using local ingredients like cassava, plantain, taro and sweet potato. You can also head out on specially designed Arenal wildlife tours and keep a look out for hummingbirds, tapirs, quetzals and deer. All of this while staying at some of Arenal’s most stylish and luxury hotels.
Experiences picked by our destination specialists
A word from one of our experts
If you want to add a little adventure to your luxury journey, then Arenal is a great place to spend some time. Think soaking in hot springs with a volcano view, zip-lining through rainforest canopies and unwinding in stunning eco-lodges. It's the perfect mix of adventure and pampering.
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Arenal
There are many incredible places to stay in Arenal. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Arenal example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
10-Day Trip
Classic Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Cloud Forests and the Pacific Coast
10-Day Trip
Classic Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Cloud Forests and the Pacific Coast
11-Day Trip
An Active Adventure Through Costa Rica
11-Day Trip
An Active Adventure Through Costa Rica
11-Day Trip
Costa Rica Family Explorer
11-Day Trip
Costa Rica Family Explorer
Discover more of Costa Rica
Corcovado and Osa Peninsula
Osa enjoys an exceptional wealth of biodiversity, from primary rainforests to sandy coastline. Remote and exciting, this is one of the best places for wildlife encounters in Costa Rica.
Dominical
A sleepy surf village with great access to the national park and various stunning beaches. Learn to ride the big waves or sit back and relax in nature watching fiery sunsets.
Manuel Antonio
One of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations, and for good reason. A marine reserve protecting an idyllic coastline and important, verdant rainforests. Spot dolphins, whales, howler monkeys and kingfishers.
Nicoya Peninsula
Tangled stone cliffs and winding mangroves greet the rugged, beautiful coastline of the Nicoya Peninsula. A natural paradise with a focus on sustainability and respecting the precious environment.
Pacuare Reserve
Exhilarating and remote, get off the beaten track here with white water rafting, vast areas of primary, virgin rainforest and masses of wildlife. Stay at sustainable, luxury lodges in this stunning riverside location.
Puerto Viejo
Located on the southern Caribbean coastline there’s plenty to do here. Visit Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge for wildlife, surf the big waves on Salsa Brava beach or find the calmer waters and beach bars at Limon.
Rio Celeste
Over 100 kilometres from San Jose, truly off the beaten track. Many habitats converge here attracting hundreds of bird species. Float on the azure blue river and meet with the Maleku Indigenous Tribe.
San Jose
A cosmopolitan city with some worthwhile highlights to explore. The colonial quarters of the city are vibrant and filled with smells of food stalls and ground coffee.
The Central Cloud Forests
Elevated, tropical evergreen forests, misty and humid, transport you to a magical paradise. Hike to waterfalls among almost luminous green lichen and moss punctuated, with pink tropical orchids.
The Coffee Valley
Fertile volcanic soil and a tropical climate make Costa Rica one of the best places in the world for growing delicious coffee beans. Learn about the culture connected with the land and enjoy hiking, horseback riding and more.
The Guanacaste Coast
Known for wide, long stretches of coastline and consistent sunshine, Guanacaste has long been a ‘surfers paradise’. Explore inland to discover the region's wildlife in Rincón de la Vieja National Park.
Tortuguero
Explore this region on foot or by boat, discovering its many lagoons, canals and rivers. With 11 different habitats attracting a diverse range of wildlife species, including turtles, this is a great place for nature lovers.
Meet your Latin America team
When to visit
The dry season runs from mid November to April, and most areas are dry, warm and sunny. Occasional blustery winds blow during January and February bringing the temperature down. During the wet season, from May to mid November, expect afternoon rains and sunny mornings.
Caribbean coast
May–November
Sea turtle nesting
May–November
Pacific Coast for winter sun
December–April
Birdwatching
Year round
Plan your trip to Arenal
Whatever you want from your adventure in Arenal, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Don't take our word for it
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.
