Top 5 Must-Do Experiences in Costa Rica from Arenal Hills

Your Arenal Hills villa isn’t just a real estate investment, it’s your basecamp for experiencing what makes Costa Rica one of the world’s most remarkable destinations. From volcanic hot springs to impossible blue waterfalls, these five experiences define the essence of pura vida living.

#5: Soak in Volcanic Hot Springs Near Arenal Volcano

Distance from Arenal Hills: 10-25 minutes
Time: 2-4 hours

Arenal Volcano creates natural hot springs throughout the region. Mineral-rich waters heated by volcanic activity flow through the rainforest, creating everything from wild river pools to luxurious resort complexes. This isn’t your typical spa, it’s geology and relaxation combined.

Pro Tips

• Make it a weekly ritual rather than one-time visit
• Evening sessions offer magical sunset-to-nighttime ambiance
• October afternoon rains make the hot-cold contrast even more dramatic
• Many residents rotate between different properties to keep the experience fresh

#4: Witness Wildlife at Manuel Antonio National Park

Distance from Arenal Hills: 3.5 hours (perfect weekend trip)
Time: Full day

Costa Rica’s smallest national park packs incredible biodiversity into just 7.7 square miles. Pristine beaches backed by rainforest create the perfect habitat for three species of monkeys, sloths, toucans, and the endangered squirrel monkey found nowhere else on Earth. The beaches themselves rank among the world’s best, white sand meeting turquoise water while wildlife roams overhead.

Perfect Weekend from Arenal Hills

• Friday PM: Drive to Manuel Antonio, check into beachfront hotel
• Saturday AM: Park at opening, guided wildlife tour, beach time
• Saturday PM: Marina exploration, sunset cruise, waterfront dinner
• Sunday: Nearby waterfalls or spa, return to Arenal Hills

#3: Explore Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Distance from Arenal Hills: 2.5 hours
Time: Full day minimum

Cloud forests cover only 0.4% of Earth’s landmass, one of the planet’s rarest ecosystems. Monteverde protects one of the finest examples where clouds don’t float above but live within the forest itself. Trees are draped in moss and orchids, mist moves through like a living thing, and temperatures drop 10-15 degrees from the lowlands. Over 500 bird species live here, including the legendary resplendent quetzal.

Essential Tips

• Dress in layers. Cool at elevation, but you’ll warm up hiking
• Waterproof everything (it’s always damp)
• Go early (6-9 AM) for active wildlife and fewer crowds
• For quetzals, consider hiring a guide who knows nesting sites
• The scenic drive from Arenal via Lake Arenal is spectacular itself

#2: Experience Rio Celeste’s Impossible Blue Waters

Distance from Arenal Hills: 1.5 hours
Time: Half day

Rio Celeste flows in a color so blue it looks photoshopped, an electric, milky turquoise that seems impossible. Yet it’s completely natural, caused by volcanic minerals creating an optical phenomenon. Local legend says God washed his paintbrush here after coloring the sky. This might be the single most photographed natural feature in Costa Rica.

Planning Tips

• Morning visits (7-9 AM) offer best light and fewer crowds
• October brings higher water volume, more dramatic waterfall
• Check recent rain status—heavy downpours reduce color visibility
• Bring: hiking shoes, rain jacket, water, snacks, camera
• Combine with nearby swimming waterfall for a perfect day trip

#1: Zipline Through the Rainforest Canopy

Distance from Arenal Hills: 10-20 minutes
Time: 2-3 hours

Costa Rica invented ziplining in the 1970s when biologists strung cables to study rainforest canopy. Fifty years later, it remains the world capital of ziplining, not just an activity, but THE signature Costa Rican experience. Within 20 minutes of Arenal Hills are world-class operations where you’ll fly at 70 km/h over rainforest with Arenal Volcano behind you.

Your Arenal Options

Most Extreme Option
12 cables including a 980-meter line directly over La Fortuna Waterfall. Launch from 18-meter platforms over 120-meter canyons. Speeds reach 70 km/h. Includes the famous Superman position where you fly face-down.

Best Combined Experience
7 ziplines plus gondola ride up the mountain first. Soar over 200 feet above canopy with incredible volcano and lake views.

Family-Friendly Choice
15 ziplines in a less intense style. Perfect for first-timers or those seeking good value.

Your Costa Rica Experience from Arenal Hills

All five must-dos are easily accessible:

• Ziplining: 10-20 minutes
• Hot Springs: 10-25 minutes
• Rio Celeste: 1.5 hours
• Monteverde: 2.5 hours
• Manuel Antonio: 3.5 hours (perfect weekend)

This positioning is why Arenal Hills represents more than real estate, it’s lifestyle infrastructure and your basecamp for Costa Rica’s greatest experiences.

The Arenal Hills Advantage

As a property owner, you have what tourists lack—time. Time to do these experiences right. Time to return to favorites. Time to discover subtle joys like the second Rio Celeste visit when light hits perfectly, evening hot springs when you have pools almost to yourself, or the zipline run when you spot a toucan mid-flight.

These aren’t just five must-dos. They’re five reasons your Arenal Hills investment transcends real estate and becomes a gateway to one of Earth’s most remarkable countries.