Directions to Arenal Volcano and Arenal Springs Hotel
There are many ways to get to Arenal Volcano from San Jose, from Liberia, Guanacaste and from the Caribbean. In the following we will give you an explanation of each route and the respective trip. We also encourage you to view our maps to help you find your way.
From San Jose:
Naranjo Route: This is probably the oldest route and one of the most traveled. We start our trip in San Jose. From here we direct you towards the international airport Juan Santa Maria. As you pass by the airport, keep going following the signs to Naranjo. At the Naranjo intersection, turn right and go 2 Km. Here you will find the town of Naranjo. After you go through the center of Naranjo, follow the signs for Zarcero. From Zarcero keep going to the city of Quesada. From here go towards Florencia. In Florencia you will find a dead end. Here, turn left and keep going towards La Fortuna in San Carlos passing by the towns of Santa Clara, Los Angeles and el Tanque until you get to La Fortuna. From here we continue towards the Volcano about 5 Km. There you will find the Volcano Lodge Hotel and to the side of the hotel entrance you will find an entrance that has two choices: one to the right and the other to the left. You want to take the one to the left and then go about 500 meters. Now you have arrived to the Arenal Springs Resort. Enjoy the best view of Arenal Volcano. See the maps.
San Ramón Route: This is the fastest and clearest route. Once again we leave from San Jose going towards the Juan Santa Maria international airport. As you pass by the airport, keep following the signs to San Ramón. When you get to the San Ramón intersection, turn right for 1 Km. After you go through the center of San Ramón, follow the signs towards Bajo Rodríguez. This trip goes through the mountains with incredible views. After about 1.5 hours, you will arrive to Bajo Rodríguez. Continue towards the town of La Tigra. From la Tigra continue towards Chachagua. From here we go 12 Km to la Fortuna, San Carlos. From La Fortuna, we go about 5 Km going towards Volcano Arenal. There you will find the Volcano Lodge Hotel and to the side of the hotel entrance you will find an entrance that has two choices: one to the right and the other to the left. You want to take the one to the left and then go about 500 meters. Now you have arrived to the Arenal Springs Resort. Enjoy the best view of Arenal Volcano. See the maps.
Vara Blanca Route: This is an alternative route, but may be the most scenic. You will have the opportunity to visit la Paz waterfall in this route. You will leave from San Jose going towards the center of Heredia. In this city, look for the exit for Barva de Heredia. From here you start to go up the mountains until you get to Vara Blanca where you will run into the gas station in Vara Blanca. Turn to the right. At this point we go down until la Paz waterfall and then go back to going up the mountains. Then after going down to the end, you will turn left towards Venecia and then to Aguas Zarcas. At this point, you should turn right. Stay alert to find where you will turn to the left and take the route to Muelle de San Carlos. From Muelle, go until Tanque. Turn right and in 7 Km you will get to la Fortuna. From here you will continue about 5 Kilometers toward the Volcano. There you will find the Volcano Lodge Hotel and to the side of the hotel entrance you will find an entrance that has two choices: one to the right and the other to the left. You want to take the one to the left and then go about 500 meters. Now you have arrived to the Arenal Springs Resort. Enjoy the best view of Arenal Volcano. See the maps.
From Guanacaste:
Route around Arenal Lake: Guanacaste has turned into an important entrance point to Costa Rica since the construction of the Daniel Oduber international airport. You can get to Arenal Volcano by leaving Liberia going towards San Jose. After leaving Liberia, you will pass by the entrance to Bagaces. Keep going until you get to the intersection of the city Cañas. Here turn left. Pass the center of Cañas and continue to Tilarán. Before you get to the center of Tilarán, turn left towards Nuevo Arenal. Soon you will see Arenal Lake. Begin to circle it. When you get to Nuevo Arenal, turn left and go on the route to la Fortuna de San Carlos. After you pass by Tabacón Resort, you will go about 3 Km and then you will find the Volcano Lodge Hotel and to the side of the hotel entrance you will find an entrance that has two choices: one to the right and the other to the left. You want to take the one to the left and then go about 500 meters. Now you have arrived to the Arenal Springs Resort. Enjoy the best view of Arenal Volcano. See the maps.
From the Caribbean:
Route from the Caribbean Region of Costa Rica: Leaving from the Caribbean of Costa Rica you can avoid going through San Jose. After passing Guápiles, go about 15 Km and you will find the intersection of Rio Frio. Here turn left going towards Sarapiqui. At the end of the street, turn left towards la Virgen de Saripiqui, then towards Venecia, then to Aguas Zarcas. At this point, you should turn right. Stay alert to find where you will turn to the left and take the route to Muelle de San Carlos. From Muelle, go until Tanque. Turn right and in 7 Km you will get to la Fortuna. From here you will continue about 5 Kilometers toward the Volcano. There you will find the Volcano Lodge Hotel and to the side of the hotel entrance you will find an entrance that has two choices: one to the right and the other to the left. You want to take the one to the left and then go about 500 meters. Now you have arrived to the Arenal Springs Resort. Enjoy the best view of Arenal Volcano. See the maps. |
