Arenal 1968 Trail: How to Hike Arenal Volcano
The Arenal Volcano National Park hike is a must-do in La Fortuna, so you can’t miss it on your Costa Rica Itinerary.
Wondering how to visit Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, Costa Rica? Get the most out of your experience and choose the Arenal 1968 Trail, which offers the most beautiful view of the Arenal Volcano.
We think this is one of the best hikes in Costa Rica that should not be skipped.
This ultimate guide to the Arenal Volcano hike includes the best time to visit, how to get there, what to expect on the hike, and tips for visiting.
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- Arenal 1968 Trail: How to Hike Arenal Volcano
- Where is Arenal Volcano?
- How to Get to the Arenal Volcano
- When to Hike to Arenal Volcano
- Arenal Volcano Day Trip
- Arenal Volcano 1968 Trail Opening Hours
- Arenal Volcano 1968 Trail Entrance Fee
- Arenal Volcano Hiking Trail Map
- Arenal Volcano Hike
- Arenal Volcano Hike on your own
- Arenal Volcano Hike Difficulty
- What to Pack for Hiking
- Tips for Hiking
- Where to Stay in La Fortuna
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Arenal Volcano 1968 Hike Details
Long Loop Distance: 4.7 km
Duration: 2-2.5 hours
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Short Loop Distance: 2.5 km
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Where is Arenal Volcano?
The Arenal Volcano is located 3.5 hours from San Jose in the northwest part of Costa Rica. It is a popular hiking destination, just a 30-minute drive from La Fortuna.
The most popular Arenal Volcano hikes are the Mirador el Silencio Trail, the Arenal Volcano National Park hike, and the Arenal 1968 Trail.
How to Get to the Arenal Volcano
To get to Arenal Volcano, you first need to get to La Fortuna, Costa Rica. The distance between La Fortuna and San Jose is about 130 km, which is 3-5 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
The easiest way to get from San Jose to La Fortuna is by car. You can easily rent a car at San Jose International Airport.
We have a detailed post on how to get from San Jose to La Fortuna with all the information you need.
The best way to explore Costa Rica is by renting a car. Although public transport is cheap, travel time is long, and some places are not accessible by bus. Renting a car in Costa Rica provides the freedom to explore at your own pace and visit hidden gems or get off the beaten path.
There are no public buses to the Arenal Volcano. If you don’t have a car, you can get there by shuttle bus or taxi from La Fortuna. Once you arrive, you can start your Arenal Volcano hike.
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When to Hike to Arenal Volcano
The tropical weather makes La Fortuna lush and green all year round, the perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
The best time to visit Arenal Volcano is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. But these months are the busiest time to visit Costa Rica, so we suggest booking tours and accommodation in advance!
It’s good to know that La Fortuna is one of the wettest places in Costa Rica! The weather is always humid, so tropical rains can occur anytime. The rainy season in La Fortuna is from May to November, and the wettest months are usually September and October.
Make the most of your visit and arrive as early as possible!
Arenal Volcano Day Trip
The best way to get to the Arenal Volcano National Park is to join an organized tour.
You can book a full-day tour that includes the impressive La Fortuna Waterfall, hot springs, and Arenal Volcano via Viator or GetYourGuide.
The tour price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, a local guide, entrance fees, beverages, and lunch.
Arenal Volcano 1968 Trail Opening Hours
The Arenal Volcano hike is available daily from 7:30 AM to 5 PM. The last entry is at 4 PM.
Arenal Volcano 1968 Trail Entrance Fee
The entry fee for the Arenal Volcano 1968 Trail self-guided hike is 25 USD per person.
Arenal Volcano Hiking Trail Map
Arenal Volcano Hike
The Arenal Volcano is one of the most famous volcanoes in Costa Rica and a must-see in La Fortuna. There are many different trails available around the volcano, where you can hike for a few hours or spend a whole day.
You cannot climb to the top of the Arenal Volcano. Although the Arenal Volcano is active, it is safe to hike in the area!
We started the day exploring the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, then visited the Arenal Volcano and enjoyed the hot springs in La Fortuna.
Book this excellent full-day adventure tour, which includes the impressive La Fortuna Waterfall, Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park, and Arenal Volcano Hike.
The Arenal Volcano 1968 Trail parking area is 30 minutes from La Fortuna and 10 minutes from the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park. Before you start the hike, you have to pay an entrance fee of 25 USD per person. The entrance fee includes parking.
Good to know
Private parking, restrooms, and showers are available.
Arenal Volcano Hike on your own
On the 1968 Trail, you can choose between two paths. There is a long loop of the Trail Forest (yellow color) and a short loop of the Trail Lava Flow (red color).
We did the longer Arenal 1968 Trail. The entire hike of the Arenal 1968 Trail is 4.7 km and takes about 2-2.5 hours to complete.
The trail is well-maintained, the signs were easy to follow, and our hike took 2.5 hours with photo stops. From the parking lot, head to the right and follow the trail, which leads through tall grass and a gravel path. Afterward, the hike crosses a Lava Field from the 1968 eruptions and leads to the most beautiful viewpoint. You can relax and enjoy epic views of the Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal.
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Then, you can choose to finish the hike on the short trail (red color) or take the long trail (yellow color) that passes by Lago Los Patos (Duck Lake). During the hike, you may see many wild animals, such as tapirs, deer, monkeys, snakes, coatis, birds, and lizards.
Both routes give you access to the most beautiful viewpoint. So whichever you choose you won’t be disappointed. Therefore, if you have limited time in La Fortuna, we recommend you choose the shorter hike. But for the best experience, take a long hike, relax by the lake, and see wildlife.
After the hike, you can take a break, enjoy a refreshing drink, or eat a delicious Costa Rican meal at Cafeteria Lava 68.
Arenal Volcano Hike Difficulty
The Arenal 1968 Trail is a moderate hike, but for us, it was easy to complete. However, we have seen that some people have difficulty trekking in the heat, so we recommend hiking in the morning!
Read our → Costa Rica Itinerary
What to Pack for Hiking
- Osprey Small Backpack: A very lightweight, versatile, and durable backpack, perfect for day hikes.
- Light Raincoat: Packable, lightweight, and waterproof raincoat with hood perfect for travel and hiking.
- Sunscreen: You don’t have to worry about sun damage with this reef-friendly UVA/UVB sunscreen.
- Hiking shoes or boots & socks
- Hat and sunglasses
- Mosquito repellent
- Camera gear
- Extra water
- Snacks
- Personal medication
- Local money
Tips for Hiking
- As unexpected rain can happen at any time, bring a light raincoat.
- Wear closed hiking shoes and lightweight, quick-dry clothes, as the weather is always warm and humid.
- Due to the very high humidity and temperatures, we do not recommend starting your hike in the middle of the day.
- Allow enough time to hike, as muddy and slippery trails can make the hike take longer.
- Don’t take unnecessary things with you.
- For a cheaper hiking experience, choose the Mirador el Silencio or the Arenal Volcano National Park hike, which also offers beautiful views.
- Do not use drones without permission.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.
Where to Stay in La Fortuna
We recommend staying in La Fortuna for at least 3-4 days to allow enough time to visit the best places. When you have a car, we suggest booking your hotel outside La Fortuna with a stunning view of the Arenal Volcano.
If you don’t have a rental car or are looking for budget accommodation, you should stay in the town center. Because you’ll be close to restaurants and can easily book tours or shuttles to attractions.
Although La Fortuna is a small town, the accommodation options are available for all budgets.
Best hotels in La Fortuna
- Luxury: Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa or Nayara Gardens
- Mid-Range: Los Lagos Spa & Thermal Resort Experience
- Budget: Arenal Xilopalo
We have a detailed post on the best areas and hotels in La Fortuna.
We hope you found our guide to the Arenal Volcano hike useful and will inspire you to visit. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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