Sarchí, Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs—Excursion from San José

Sarchí, Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs

In a single day, travel from the artisan traditions of the Central Valley to the landscapes of northern Costa Rica and end the day enjoying the hot springs of La Fortuna.

This full-day tour from San José begins with a trip to Sarchí, a town closely associated with Costa Rican artisan traditions and especially known for its colorful, hand-painted oxcarts.

During the visit, you can discover a cultural expression that is part of the country’s identity, see locally made handicrafts, and admire the iconic oversized oxcart that has become one of Sarchí’s symbols.

The journey continues toward the northern plains, passing through rural communities and agricultural landscapes before arriving in the region of La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano.

As the landscape changes, Arenal’s distinctive silhouette comes into view, weather permitting. During this part of the experience, there is a break to enjoy lunch and take in the surroundings of one of Costa Rica’s best-known volcanic regions.

In the afternoon, it is time to swap sightseeing for relaxation.

The experience continues at Baldi Hot Springs, where you can enjoy the thermal pools and areas surrounded by tropical vegetation. After several hours exploring the country, it is time to slow down and enjoy the facilities.

The day ends with dinner before setting off on the return trip to San José.

More than just a visit to La Fortuna, this tour lets you see how Costa Rica changes along the way: artisan traditions in Sarchí, rural landscapes along the route, the presence of Arenal Volcano, and finally an afternoon of relaxation at Baldi Hot Springs.

 

Policies and restrictions

Booking: Booking in advance is recommended. The excursion is subject to availability.

Departure point: The service operates from selected hotels and pickup points in San José. The exact pickup location and time will be indicated in the confirmation.

Punctuality: Participants must be ready at the indicated time, as the route picks up passengers at different locations.

Duration: This is a full-day excursion lasting approximately 13 hours. It includes several hours of travel by road between San José and the Arenal region.

Children: Children must remain under adult supervision throughout the experience.

Mobility: Some stops and facilities may have limited accessibility for people with reduced mobility. We recommend checking in advance based on the traveler’s specific needs.

Arenal Volcano: Volcano visibility depends entirely on weather conditions and cannot be guaranteed.

Baldi Hot Springs: Visitors must comply with the hours, safety rules, and regulations established by Baldi Hot Springs.

Health conditions: People with certain cardiovascular conditions, blood pressure disorders, those who are pregnant, or anyone with other medical conditions that may be affected by prolonged exposure to hot water should consult their doctor before using thermal pools.

Additional treatments: Massages, spa treatments, and other additional services at Baldi Hot Springs are not included unless expressly stated in the booking.

Meals: Dietary requirements or restrictions must be communicated in advance and will be subject to the capabilities of the establishments included in the itinerary.

Cancellations

Cancellation, modification, and no-show conditions are subject to the policies stated in the booking confirmation and the supplier’s terms.

 

Specifications

Departure: San José, Costa Rica.

Main destinations: Sarchí, the Arenal Volcano region, La Fortuna, and Baldi Hot Springs.

Tour type: Full-day excursion.

Approximate duration: 13 hours.

Activity level: Low to moderate. This experience mainly involves transportation, sightseeing, and short walks at the different stops along the route.

Experience itinerary

Sarchí – Costa Rican artisan tradition
The first stop offers the chance to discover one of Costa Rica's most iconic towns for traditional crafts, especially known for its decorated oxcarts and woodworking.

Route to Arenal
The journey continues toward the northern region of the country, passing through rural landscapes, agricultural areas, and Costa Rican communities.

Arenal Volcano region
Upon arriving in the La Fortuna area, the silhouette of Arenal Volcano becomes part of the scenery when weather conditions allow.

Lunch
A stop is made to enjoy lunch before continuing with the experience.

Baldi Hot Springs
The afternoon is spent enjoying the facilities and thermal pools at Baldi Hot Springs.

Dinner
The experience includes dinner before beginning the return trip to San José.

Return to San José
After a full day, the journey back to the Central Valley begins.

The tour includes

• Round-trip transportation from selected locations in San José.
• Guide during the excursion.
• Visit to Sarchí.
• Scenic drive through the Arenal region.
• Lunch.
• Admission to Baldi Hot Springs.
• Time to enjoy the thermal pools.
• Dinner.

Important

This experience is a full-day scenic and cultural excursion. It should not be confused with hiking tours that follow trails and old lava flows around Arenal Volcano.

Views of Arenal Volcano depend on cloud cover and the weather conditions at the time and cannot be guaranteed.

 

What you need to bring

Since this is an approximately 13-hour excursion that combines driving, sightseeing, and hot springs, we recommend bringing:

For the tour

• Comfortable, lightweight clothing.
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• A lightweight jacket or raincoat.
• Sunscreen.
• A hat or cap.
• Sunglasses.
• Insect repellent.
• A camera or phone.

For Baldi Hot Springs

• Swimsuit.
• Sandals or water shoes.
• Dry clothes to change into.
• A bag for storing wet clothes.
• Any personal items you may need after using the pools.

We recommend bringing a small backpack so you can keep items used during the tour separate from those intended for the hot springs.

 

Amenities

Transportation from San José
The tour lets you take a full-day excursion to the Arenal region without having to arrange separate transportation.

Guide
Guidance throughout the tour and information about the destinations visited.

Sarchí
A cultural stop showcasing Costa Rican artisan traditions before continuing to the northern region.

Rural landscapes
The journey offers views of the changing landscape between the Central Valley and the northern plains of Costa Rica.

Arenal Volcano
An opportunity to take in one of the country’s most iconic landscapes when weather conditions permit.

Baldi Hot Springs
Time to enjoy the thermal pools and relax in the afternoon.

Lunch and dinner
Two meals included during the full-day excursion.

 

Schedule

Approximate duration: 13 hours.

Estimated departure from San José: between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., depending on the hotel location and pickup route.

The exact schedule will be provided in the booking confirmation.

Due to the duration of the excursion, the return to San José takes place at night. The schedule may vary depending on traffic conditions, operational factors, and hotel location.