Get Ready for some Family Time in Arenal!

 Ever been to Arenal? I`m referring to the area surrounding the famous Arenal volcano which is located approximately 2-3 hours north of San Jose by car. It lies within the lush Costa Rican rainforest and offers endless leisure opportunities for everyone. Among the main places to visit in the area are the town of la Fortuna, the hot springs as well asseveral national and private nature parks. Apart from that, many different activities such as tubing, zip-lining, horseback riding, four wheeling and kayaking are offered as well.

I need to mention that this blog focusses on things to do that are in line with the expectations and interests of all kinds of families that travel to the area.
I want to share my personal experience and give recommendations on particular attractions which are worth a visit.
The idea to write such a blog came to mind after a friend of mine asked me which places in Arenal would be the best to visit with his family when talking about my recent trip to the area.
He has two kids aged 5 and 8 so I took a minute to think about options that would be suitable. Arenal is known as one of the most popular places to visit in Costa Rica which is why there are many different companies offering various activities. I could understand that this makes it difficult for someone who goes there for the first time to pick one. 

Generally, I recommended him to consult and book the trip with a travel agency specialising in family holidays such as the local company Il Viaggio Travel that is known to be a family expert and is familiar with the most family-friendly hotels and activity providers.
Though in terms of particular activities I can recommend a few that will definitely contribute to making your family trip to Arenal a truly memorable experience.
In my opinion, the two things that everyone visiting Arenal needs to do are relaxing in the hot springs and going on a hike in the rainforest.
In terms of hiking there are various possibilities including the Arenal National Park and other nature parks.

My personal favourite remains the so-called Mistico Park which is around a 30-minute drive out of La Fortuna. It has well developed facilities and a paved path going all around the park which makes it rather a walk than a hike and means it is even accessible for wheelchair users. In this regard, it is worth to mention that several employees offering their assistance will be encountered throughout the park. 

It is pretty easy and save to do the walk and therefore a great fit for families who want to experience the rainforest in a rather relaxing way. The loop trail, which takes around 1-2 hours, includes 16 bridges and even a waterfall. Six of the bridges are in fact hanging bridges and have made the park unique and especially popular. These really turn the hike into an adventure for the little ones.I saw children and their families having the best time admiring the beautiful flora and fauna as well as the stunning views of the Arenal volcano from several locations.
Especially when walking with a guide there is a high chance to see many different animal species such as monkeys, sloths, birds and even snakes. As these can be a bit further away at times, I highly recommend taking some binoculars.
I can assure that this will be an unforgettable adventure for both adults and children.

As mentioned before, a holiday in Arenal is not complete without a visit to the hot springs. The water is all natural and heated up by the volcano itself. There are plenty of resorts that have their own hot springs and you can visit most of them for an entrance fee.
If you want to treat your little ones, take them to the Kalambu Hot Springs. Those even feature a water park with slides and make it the perfect place for children to let off steam and occupy themselves.

If you fancy a more quiet time, I can personally recommend the Paradise Hot Springs as these really give you a good value for money and are suitable for all ages. I went there during my last trip and had such a relaxing time. It provides its guests with three big pools and a number of smaller jacuzzies. These have different temperatures so you can choose between hot, medium and even cool fresh-water pools. One pool even has a bar with seats in the water where parents can enjoy some cold drinks while the kids play and hang out close by.
You will see for yourself that this is such a great way to end an exciting day in Arenal!