Rincon de la Vieja (National Park) → La Fortuna (Arenal)

La Fortuna is the small town at the foot of Arenal Volcano, the near-perfect cone that anchors Costa Rica's most popular inland destination. Hot springs, hanging bridges, waterfall hikes, white-water rafting and wildlife night walks are all within 20 minutes of the town centre.

It pairs naturally with a Guanacaste beach week: the volcano first for adventure and rain-forest green, then the coast for sun. The road between the two follows the north shore of Lake Arenal, one of the most scenic drives in the country.

From Liberia Airport the drive takes about 3 to 3.5 hours via Cañas, Tilarán and the lake road; from the Flamingo and Tamarindo coast add an hour. From San José it is roughly 3 hours through San Ramón. The last stretch winds around Lake Arenal with volcano views ahead. Your driver drops you at your hotel door, whether it is in town or at one of the lodges on the road to the national park.

• The volcano is clearest early in the morning; clouds usually build by 11 am.
• Book hot springs for the evening of your arrival day, a good way to shake off the drive.
• Rain gear is useful year-round; La Fortuna sits on the wet Caribbean side of the divide.
• Most tours include hotel pickup, so a car is not needed once you are there.