Arenal Volcano National Park
A short-trail park above La Fortuna, with the cone of Arenal and lava fields from its 1968 eruption.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Arenal Volcano National Park sits in Alajuela province in northern Costa Rica, on the slopes of Arenal volcano above the town of La Fortuna. The cone is the park's main landmark. Lava from the volcano's 1968 eruption left fields of hardened rock, and marked trails lead across parts of them. On clear mornings, the cone is the main view.
Plan a short visit rather than a full day of hiking. The trails are short and the summit is closed, so the lava fields and the views are the reason to come. La Fortuna, the nearest town, is the usual base; its hot springs, hanging bridges and a waterfall lie outside the park. Bring water, since the lava fields offer little shade. The drier months, roughly December to April, usually bring clearer skies. Allow a half day to a full day.
Arenal Volcano National Park in five
- Buy park tickets onlineCosta Rica's national parks sell entry online through SINAC, with a higher rate for foreign visitors. Buy before you go.
- Walk the lava field trailsShort trails cross the flows of the 1968 eruption to viewpoints of the cone and Lake Arenal.
- Go early for a clear summitCloud often hides the cone by midday. Mornings in the drier months give the best chance of a view.
- Do not climb the volcanoHiking to the crater is prohibited and dangerous; the park's trails stay on the lower slopes.
- Base in La FortunaThe town is about 3 hours from San José or Liberia by car or shuttle, and has most hotels, tours and hot springs. The La Fortuna guide compares the town center and the volcano road.La Fortuna
Things to do in Arenal Volcano National Park
See all attractions in Arenal Volcano National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Foreign-visitor rate; buy tickets online through SINAC
- Permits
- None beyond the ticket; the summit is closed
- Season
- Open daily 8am to 4pm per ICT; drier from about February to April
- Nearest town
- La Fortuna, 15 km away per ICT
- Getting there
- San José or Liberia, about 3 hours by car or shuttle
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Drier, clearerJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, clearer
- FebruaryRain17 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°DriestFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Driest
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°DryMarchRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low21°Hot, dryAprilRain
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- MayRain27 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Rains startMayRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 362 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Green seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 486 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Wet, some sunJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 494 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, some sun
- AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Green seasonAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 389 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- SeptemberRain29 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low23°RainySeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 354 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- OctoberRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°RainyOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 454 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°Wet, windyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 448 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, windy
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Showers, holidaysDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 234 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers, holidays
Average daily high and low in La Fortuna, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Arenal Volcano National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Arenal Volcano National Park
02:07 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today24°21°100%Monday: Rain. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue25°21°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed25°22°96%Wednesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Thu23°22°93%Thursday: Rain. High 23°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Fri22°21°88%Friday: Rain. High 22°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Sat23°21°98%Saturday: Rain. High 23°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sun25°22°96%Sunday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 11:31 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Arenal Volcano National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Arenal Volcano National Park, checked
- Arenal Volcano National Park is open every day from 8am to 4pm (Costa Rican Tourism Board).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal as one stop on a longer route.
Read the guideLa FortunaHotels, springs and the waterfall in town.
Read the guideMonteverde and Santa ElenaThe base and the road to the cloud forest.
Read the guideMonteverdeReserves, quetzals and night walks.
Read the guideWhen to go to Costa RicaDry season, green season and which coast.
Read the guideGetting aroundShuttles, buses and driving.
Read the guideArenal Volcano National Park FAQ
Can you hike to the top of Arenal Volcano?
No. Climbing to the crater is prohibited. Park trails cross the old lava flows on the lower slopes, with views of the cone.
Do I need to buy Arenal park tickets in advance?
Buying online through SINAC before your visit is the safest option, as Costa Rica's parks have moved to online ticket sales.
When is the best time to see Arenal Volcano?
February to April, in the early morning. The summit is often in cloud later in the day and in the rainy months.
Is Arenal Volcano still erupting?
No. The tourism board describes activity as much reduced since 2011, so the park is about the cone and the 1968 lava fields, not a light show. Clear mornings give the best view.
Is Arenal Volcano National Park the same as La Fortuna?
No. La Fortuna is the town with hotels, tour desks and hot springs. The national park is a separate protected area on the volcano's slopes, with its own ticket and trails. Use the La Fortuna guide for where to sleep and soak, and this page for the park visit.