Lake Arenal is Costa Rica's largest lake and sits just past the volcano, with green hills on every side. A guided paddle is the calm counterpart to a rafting day: flat water, a slower pace, and the cone of the volcano behind you when the clouds lift.
You choose a kayak or a stand-up paddleboard. The trip runs about four hours with hotel pickup in La Fortuna, and it suits anyone eight and up who is comfortable in the water.
Not keen to paddle? Ask us about an evening boat cruise on the lake, from age six, which trades the paddling for the sunset.
What to bring. Swimsuit or quick-dry clothes, sun protection, a hat with a strap, water shoes or sandals, and a dry bag for your phone.
Before you book, one honest note. These prices are each operator's own published rates, which we last checked in October 2026, and they move with the season. We book this with a local operator we trust, and their confirmation is the final word on price, timing, pickup, and what you get. If a detail matters to your trip, whether that is a dietary need, a mobility question, a birthday, or a tight flight, ask us before you book and we will confirm it with them directly rather than guess.
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