The Arenal Circuit

Start at dawn — clear sky over the cone is most likely at first light and doesn't usually last past 9am. Walk as far along the lava trail as your nerve allows.

Twenty minutes from the observatory. The trail descends 500 steps into the gorge — it's a meaningful commitment both ways. The swimming pool beneath the falls is worth every step.

A 40-minute drive east toward Ciudad Quesada. The thermal pools come into their own after dark — the steam, the tree frogs, and the complete absence of infrastructure make it a surprisingly private ending to a long day.