I booked a private tour with Adrian and I will say he was very friendly open to suggestions as we toured the Arena Volcano up the mountain. WiFi was provided during this tour so guys don’t worry you can never be stranded. I felt safe the entire tour. A stop was made by the waterfall and Adrian offered fruit as a snack during that time he also took lots and lots of pictures of me. Guys he could be a professional photographer. If you love pictures like me Adrian is the guy to go to. I also requested to go shopping and he had no issue with that. Later during the day he brought me to a nice restaurant where we had lunch. My tour went so well and even though it started raining towards the end of the day Adrian never stopped going. My tour was amazing I will rate Adrian a 10 +.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Entrance fees
- Premium SUV type vehicle
- Bilingual local driver and guide (English/Spanish)
- Bottled water and beverages
- Fresh fruit
- Wi-Fi connection on board
Excludes
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner costs
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
As we enter the heart of the rainforest, we make a brief stop at the exact spot where nature steals the limelight: the majestic La Paz Falls. This drop in water bursts through the vegetation, creating one of the most photogenic scenes along the way. Our local guide will show you the perfect angle to capture your first memorable photos of the trip — that kind of image that doesn’t need filters to tell your story. And while you enjoy the sound of falling water, you will also have the opportunity to sample fresh fruits from the region, proudly offered by local farmers. A simple, tasty, authentic moment... of those that become indelible memories.
Later, we will pause on a terrace nestled in the mountain, a cozy place where coffee smokes in ceramic cups and the singing of hummingbirds competes with the rumor of San Fernando Falls. Imagine a terrace hidden in the mountain, the sound of water falling in the distance, hummingbirds fluttering around you... Here we stop to take in the San Fernando Falls, taste (optionally) a typical dish and be engulfed by the calm of this magical corner But this is not just any place: 15 years ago, an earthquake shook its foundations and forever marked those who inhabit it. Since then, it has become a symbol of resilience and beauty, a must-see stop to reconnect with the essentials. From here, between typical dishes, sips of local flavor and breathtaking views, you can experience what locals call: the silence that speaks.
Upon arriving at La Fortuna, we head towards the best viewpoint of one of Costa Rica’s most imposing natural icons: the Arenal Volcano. With its perfect conical silhouette and 1,670 meters high, this colossus not only dominates the landscape, but also the history of the region since its great eruption of 1968. We will walk roads surrounded by live forest, where nature has claimed its space between ancient lava smelts. Sometimes white monkeys, sloths, coati and tropical birds surprise us, while our local guide — expert storyteller — shares stories that connect science, legend and daily life. The highlight: a strategic viewpoint from which you can gaze at the volcano in all its glory, capture unforgettable postcards and live that moment where everything stops before the calm force of nature.
After visiting the volcano, we will head to a secret corner that does not appear in the tourist guides, but that keeps a story as warm as its waters: a thermal river hidden in the forest, reached only by those who know the secrets of La Fortuna. Few know that this river changed forever in 1968, after the Arenal Volcano erupted. Neighbors in the area say that, amid the chaos and desperation to help those affected, many crossed this river on foot... only to discover that the water was boiling, literally. Since that day, the river has never been the same. Today, the river has become a natural sanctuary: pools of thermal water between trees, gentle steam rising to the sky, and the murmur of the forest. There are no lockers here, no rows, no tiles. Just nature, living history and the magic of sharing this place with a local who grew up listening to the legend — and now tells you in person, as you immerse your feet where it all began.
Thermals, comfort and good vibes to close the day As a final part of this unforgettable trip and premium service, we’ll stop at a beautiful resort that combines the best of both worlds: the tranquil atmosphere breathed between its gardens and hot spring pools, and the more festive vibes around its thermal wet bar, perfect for those who prefer to close the day with laughter, Latin music and a cocktail in hand. With multiple spaces, this place offers everything from quiet corners for those seeking connection with nature, to livelier areas for those who enjoy socializing and celebrating the lived experience. In addition, you will find comfortable facilities to change, shower, rest and various options to enjoy delicious food or refreshing drinks (not included). A perfect closure to a day that had it all: adventure, nature, history... and now this well-deserved moment to simply enjoy prior to our return to San Jose.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We booked the private Premium Adventure from San Jose Arenal Volcano Waterfall and Thermal tour and we had a great experience. Our guide, Adrian, led us on an incredible tour. It turned out to be a rainy day but that did not put a damper on our adventure. On our way to the volcano we saw waterfalls and wildlife including coati, hummingbirds and toucans. We sampled local foods and even visited a coffee plantation. We spent time relaxing in the heated river as well as the heated pools of the resort. The cloudy skies obscured our view of the volcano at the overlook but we were lucky enough to get a view of the peak from the restaurant in Fortuna. Adrian is a fantastic guide. He was not only knowledgeable about Costa Rica but also friendly and fun to explore with.
We just returned from an incredible trip to Costa Rica, and I can’t say enough great things about our tour guide, Adrian. From start to finish, he did an outstanding job and made the entire experience truly unforgettable. Our first stop near San Isidro was at a beautiful resort where we had an amazing time relaxing and taking in the surroundings. From there, Adrian guided us to Dominical and then up toward Manuel Antonio, where we spent three incredible nights. He took us to some amazing spots to see wildlife and made our visit to Manuel Antonio National Park a highlight of the trip. We then continued on to Arenal, where the weather couldn’t have been better—we were lucky enough to get a perfect view of the volcano! One of our favorite experiences was the river boat tour Adrian took us on—it was incredible to see so many monkeys and wildlife up close. We wrapped up our trip with our stay at the Peace Lodge, which was absolutely fantastic and the perfect ending to an already amazing journey. Adrian went above and beyond every step of the way. His knowledge, professionalism, and passion for Costa Rica really made the trip special. Hands down, we highly recommend Adrian to anyone planning a trip—you won’t be disappointed!
Our family had the pleasure of spending several days with Adrian during our trip to Costa Rica, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. From the moment we met him, Adrian was professional, punctual, knowledgeable, and incredibly kind. He went above and beyond to make sure our family was comfortable, safe, and able to enjoy everything Costa Rica has to offer. Traveling with children can sometimes be challenging, but Adrian was patient, accommodating, and always willing to adjust plans when needed. What truly sets Adrian apart is his attitude. He is genuinely caring, thoughtful, and easy to be around. He quickly became someone our entire family looked forward to seeing each day. His knowledge of Costa Rica, its culture, wildlife, and hidden gems made our experience so much richer. Adrian is bilingual, making communication effortless, and he consistently exceeded our expectations with his attention to detail and willingness to help. It is rare to meet someone who combines professionalism with such warmth and authenticity. If you are visiting Costa Rica and need a guide or driver, do yourself a favor and book Adrian. He played a huge role in making our trip memorable, and we are incredibly grateful for everything he did for our family. Thank you, Adrian, for helping create such wonderful memories.
Best tour of our trip! We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Adrian. His communication before the tour was excellent. He reached out and we planned our day to Arenal together based on our preferences. He was flexible and changed things based on our needs. He picked us up in a comfortable and new vehicle. He is knowledgeable and personable. He showed us the best view of Arenal, took us to local hot springs and even found me a toucan! I would highly recommend him!
I had an amazing experience with Adrián and would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Costa Rica. I’ll be honest—I was a little about booking a tour in Costa Rica since I’m Tico and was traveling with family friends who know the country well. I didn’t want something that felt overly touristy or like a copy-and-paste resort experience. But this ended up being the best “touristy” thing we did—and it didn’t feel touristy at all. From start to finish, everything felt authentic and thoughtfully put together. One of the highlights was visiting the thermal river—it was incredibly relaxing and truly felt like you were in the middle of the jungle. Seeing local families there enjoying the space made it feel even more special and real, not touristy at all. We also stopped at a few local sodas along the way, and those were some of the best parts of the trip. The food was great, and it gave us a chance to experience Costa Rican culture in a way you just can’t get at bigger restaurants. Adrián was knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and made the entire experience feel personal rather than scripted. You can tell he genuinely cares about showing people the real Costa Rica. If you’re looking for something authentic, relaxed, and memorable—this is it. I’d absolutely do it again
The day with Adrian was amazing! He was very flexible and accommodating to what we wanted to explore. He took us to local stops and had much to share about Costa Rica, the nature, and the culture . As great as La Fortuna was (much thanks to the itinerary), we really enjoyed our conversations with Adrian and his company on the trip. Will definitely be coming back to Costa Rica for more adventures with Adrian!!
This was an amazing experience with great hot spring, volcano view and a hike! I highly recommend.
If you’re visiting Costa Rica and have the chance to tour with Adrian, don’t think twice—book it. Our day with him was absolutely incredible from start to finish. I joined a tour with him along with another couple, which made it feel like a small, private experience. We started the adventure by visiting the volcano, where the views were breathtaking. Adrian shared so much interesting information about the area, the landscape, and Costa Rica’s natural beauty. Along the way, he even took us bird watching and introduced us to authentic local food that was both delicious and a true cultural experience. On our drive to the volcano, we stopped at several local food vendors and got to try a variety of fresh fruits and tasty snacks. One of the highlights of the day was visiting the hot springs. It was the perfect way to relax and soak in the beautiful surroundings after a day of exploring. To end the day, we visited a chocolate factory where we got to taste some incredibly fresh and delicious chocolate. The experience was fascinating, and the tasting was amazing. Afterward, we enjoyed an incredible dinner, which was the perfect way to wrap up such a memorable day. What truly made the experience special was Adrian. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and professional, and he made the entire day feel effortless and fun. You can tell he genuinely loves sharing his country and giving visitors an authentic Costa Rican experience. I highly recommend Adrian if you’re looking for a tour that combines nature, culture, relaxation, and amazing food. It was easily one of the best experiences of my trip!
Adrian was the most incredible guide! We had very limited time to take some sightseeing- he took into account all of our requests and tried to make our dreams come true! he knows all the hidden gems and made sure we were comfortable and safe. We are going to return and will be looking for Adrian to escort us to all the cool spots. We were three adults and one child that was 6 and he managed to hit all our requests!
Adrian was the best tour guide! He showed us all the top spots and truly made the most of our time in Costa Rica. He’s very go-with-the-flow and genuinely focused on helping you have the best possible experience. I would recommend anyone and everyone trust their Costa Rica trip in Adrian’s hands.
Costa rica is a super amazing country, and it becomes more amazing. If you have Adrian as your Guide visited costa rica all the way from India asa solo traveller, and he was my Guide who curated the most perfect trip for five days. Please join his Stores and hire him as a guide, and you will never be disappointed. He is the most reasonable and has the best Services..
Adrián took me to Fortuna and it was the most perfect Pura Vida experience. The pick up was well organized, the transport was very luxurious and it was a very well organized yet relaxed experience. He took us to places that were very local and I even left my sunglasses in his car and and he dropped them off the next day for me! In summary if you want to experience Pura Vida to the max then Adrian is your guy!
We had an absolutely incredible experience on the Premium Adventure from San José: Arenal Volcano, Waterfall and Thermal tour, and our owner/operator and guide, Adrian, made it truly special. After promptly picking us up at our hotel, we headed out toward La Paz Waterfall, stopping along the way to take amazing photos of cascading falls and sample delicious strawberries and other fresh local fruits from a roadside stand. Soon after, we stopped at a charming local soda with a scenic view to enjoy a fantastic breakfast while snapping pictures of another distant waterfall…San Fernando. This location was also a paradise for bird lovers, filled with different species including hummingbirds and even a toucan. Next, we traveled to the Arenal Volcano area, where Adrian brought us to scenic viewpoints overlooking the volcano and a stunning lagoon below, followed by more photo opportunities right at the water’s edge. Our favorite stop of the entire day was the natural thermal river heated by Arenal’s past eruptions. Lying back in the warm, flowing water surrounded by nature was unbelievably relaxing, an experience we’ll never forget. From there we continued to Los Lagos Hot Springs, where we soaked in beautiful pools nestled in lush garden surroundings. It truly felt magical. We wrapped up the day with a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. An excellent ending to a perfect adventure. Adrian was a phenomenal guide. He’s fully bilingual and shared fascinating insights about Costa Rica’s history, its many volcanoes, and the towns we passed through along the way, which made the drive fly by. He also made spontaneous stops at roadside stands where we tasted unique fruits like water apples, taro chips, and a refreshing sugar-cane drink…little touches that made the tour feel authentic and personal. What really stood out was Adrian’s genuine pride in his country and his commitment to supporting local people and businesses. You could tell he truly loves what he does, and that energy carried through the entire day. This was also our first time traveling in such a small group (just the three of us plus Adrian) and honestly, I don’t think I could ever go back to a big tour bus again. The flexibility, attention, and intimate feel of the experience made it so much more enjoyable. It was a truly magical day from start to finish and an absolute must-do if you’re visiting Costa Rica. Highly, highly recommended!
I did the Premium Adventure from San Jose Arenal Volcano Waterfall and Thermal full day tour and it was absolutely worth it! The experience felt unique and local while still including beautiful must see spots. Adrian was an excellent guide and incredibly knowledgeable about Costa Rica. He was kind, easy to get along with, and very thoughtful about offering options throughout the day. One of the highlights was visiting the hot river in La Fortuna, which felt like such a special and authentic local experience and not something I would have found on my own. I also loved being able to personalize the schedule to what I wanted, try a wide variety of Costa Rican foods, and learn about the country’s history along the way. Everything was very well organized and communication was easy when arranging pickup. I would highly recommend this tour to solo travelers, couples, or groups! 10/10
This is a fabulous tour. We saw sloths butterflies birds in so many brightly colored flowers. We learned about the culture, the volcano and enjoyed local cuisine. We had fun at the Hot Springs and even though the weather didn’t always cooperate we didn’t let that damp in our spirit, the amount of information that you’ll learn about Costa Rica alone is worth taking this tour. The small group size the attention to detail and the insider knowledge make it 100% worth it.
An excellent, full day out. Our guide was brilliant, friendly, warm and knowlegable. The volcanoe, drive and hot river experience was unforgetable; highly recommend.
Out 5 tours this was hands down the best experience of my entire trip. Everything was perfectly organized, and the guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and truly passionate about what they do. I felt taken care of from start to finish, and every moment exceeded my expectations. It wasn’t just a tour, it was an unforgettable experience. I learned so much, enjoyed every second, and would absolutely do it again. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting. It’s 100% worth it!
Our guide, Adrian Gutierrez, was the best! He accommodated our schedule, gave us many options, and made sure we had a wonderful and eventful day. As for the tour itself, it’s an amazing experience and a fabulous way to experience the Arenal/La Fortuna area. We would highly recommend this excursion!
We had a memorable day. Adrian kept us entertained and informed. He is a wonderful tour guide... knowledgeable and friendly. The only thing we missed was a visit to Arenal National Park. He said it was unnecessary and did not include it in the itinerary. We did get to see the Arenal volcano though, from Los Lagos resort where we went for hot springs.
I spent three days traveling around Costa Rica with Adrián and it was an amazing experience! He showed me the country in a very authentic way — sharing history, culture, local fruits, food, and music. Traveling with someone local truly makes a difference. My whole experience in Costa Rica completely changed thanks to him — I got to discover places that I would have never found on my own and learned so much along the way. On top of that, Adrián is very patient, responsible, kind, and always willing to help. He takes care of everything so you can just enjoy. I totally recommend traveling with him if you want to experience the real Costa Rica. Pura vida! — Pasé tres días viajando por Costa Rica con Adrián y fue una experiencia increíble. Me mostró el país de una forma muy auténtica — compartiendo historia, cultura, frutas y comidas locales, y también música. Viajar con alguien local realmente marca la diferencia. Mi experiencia en Costa Rica cambió completamente gracias a él — descubrí lugares que jamás habría encontrado sola y aprendí muchísimo durante el camino. Adrián es muy paciente, responsable, amable y siempre está dispuesto a ayudar. Se encarga de todo para que tú solo disfrutes del viaje. Lo recomiendo totalmente si quieres vivir la Costa Rica real. ¡Pura vida! — Carolina 🇧🇷
Really great guide and tour!!! Adrian got us many local snacks and helped us take many photos ☺️ Very full day with waterfalls, birds, volcano view and hot springs!
Adrian provided an excellent experience and was a very good guide. We had a very good but long day. Thank-you for showing us a beautiful piece of your country.
Adrian was a great guide and very friendly and knowledgeable. He let us tailor the day to our schedule and showed us some great spots! I would definitely book with him again.
Adrian was super helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. The drive was beautiful and the stops along the way to see waterfalls and nature were great. Terrific food and nice views of the volcano from a distance.
Adrian was incredible, supportive and communicative through the whole process from booking to pick up. He asked what we were looking to do and about our activity level interest and other items. We had people from 6 YO through 66 years old. This was private tour with his private car which was immaculate and comfortable. He brought treats for my son and fresh fruits as well. He made clear that a one day trip to and from La Fortuna would be a lot of time in the car, however he made it a memorable trip. The three hour car ride on the way out seemed so short with him educating us about local regions, farming and stops at beautiful roadside waterfalls and Sodas. He was accommodating stopping when my 6 YO needed bathroom breaks and making sure we were safe the whole time. Definitely had insider knowledge of amazing stops and views and he made us really feel the Pura Vida that is Costa Rica. My only regret is not having more days with him.
It was a beautiful experience! We visit the mountain, volcanoes and hot springs. Adrian adapts to what you want and makes you have the best experience. In my case it even fulfilled my desire to see a sloth in its habitat. Super recommended!!
An off-the-beaten-path tour, where we visit places not usually listed in tourist guides. My favorite part was the visit to the Chollin River at night. Adrian sought the best way to make the most of my stay in Costa Rica, visiting places and having the facility to make stops to enjoy different places. It has certainly been one of the most disruptive trips and I was surprised by the beauty that Costa Rica offers.
I had the opportunity to do a private 3-day tour with Adrian around Costa Rica, visiting Arenal, Rio Celeste, hot springs and other amazing places, and it was a truly exceptional experience. From the beginning, Adrian was very professional, organized and attentive. But more than that, what made the difference was being able to get to know the country with someone local, who really understands the culture, history and essence of Costa Rica. During the trip, we not only visited beautiful places, but also learned a lot: about the history of the country, nature, food, local fruits and even music. Adrian always had the patience to answer all my questions and adapted the tour flexibly according to what I wanted to live in each moment. Also, everything was very comfortable and safe: transport in a spacious, clean, air-conditioned SUV, and a quiet drive. I felt very well accompanied throughout the trip. One thing I want to highlight is that you were absolutely right when you said it’s not just a tour, it’s an experience. My trip in Costa Rica was completely changed by doing it with him. I was able to know places that I would not have found alone and live the country in a much more authentic way. I totally recommend Adrian if you want to discover Costa Rica for real, with someone reliable, friendly and passionate about what he does. Pure life! 🌿 Carolina (Brazil)
An outstanding coach who listens to his customers. We had a great day.
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