Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

9 hours

Mobile ticket

Popularly referred to as the Hule Lagoon, this beautiful lagoon with 55 hectares (136 acres) of diameter is located at the base of the Cerro Congo Volcano, 11 km (6.83 miles) from the famous Poas Volcano. This area is renowned for its excellent trekking trails due to the variety of scenery and terrain, from clay, to dirt, volcanic rock, and grasslands in a rainforest at 800 m above sea level.

You will ride over the border of the volcanic caldera, and then hike down to the Hule Lagoon and another small lagoon called "Congo," then go up to another trail bordering the volcanic caldera of the Hule Lagoon.

Before returning to La Fortuna you will enjoy a delicious traditional lunch in a local Costa Rican family's home.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Specialized infant seats are available

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Not recommended for child aged 7 and under

May be operated by a multi-lingual guide

Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking

Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Professional guide

Walking Sticks

Lunch

Transport by air-conditioned minivan with Wi-Fi

Local taxes

Bottled mineral water

Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Energizing Snacks

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Options

Hiking to Hule Volcanic Lagoon

Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

7 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A hiker’s dream
Stephanie M,
Jul 27, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
This tour has been my favorite so far while in Costa Rica! I don’t particularly love highly traveled tourist spots, but they’re inevitable if you want to see a new country. However, this was not that at all! We started out at a local families home that led along a stunning path into the volcano, and provided breathtaking views of the Costa Rican country landscape. The path was so peaceful and private as we never encountered a single person along the way! However, it is to be noted that this trek is NOT for the inexperienced hiker- it was VERY uneven, with lots of very steep inclines and declines. And the path has lots of lava rocks and tripping hazards along the way. But if you do love to hike/trek, and want to get away from the main tourist attractions and see some stunning landscape, then this tour is a MUST! Pictures do not do it justice. It’s beautiful. I absolutely loved it!
Off the beaten path
CanND-Reviewer,
Jan 25, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Daniela was terrific while leading us on a moderately strenuous hike to the Hule Lagoons. She was friendly and knowledgeable. Driver was Jonathan and he did a good job negotiating the challenging roads to the trailhead. Hike was tougher than I anticipated due to the slippery and sometimes very steep trail. However, with some care, it is quite safe since there are cables to hang on to on all the hardest sections. The end of the hike is on a rough road where we encountered some obnoxious ATVs, but the rest of the hike is in the forest and very quiet. Highlight for us was the terrific meal served at the farmhouse. It was great to enjoy a meal overlooking a beautiful view. Overall it was a great day and we'd recommend this excursion to either experienced hikers or very fit and adventurous novices.
Fantastic trekking
Roam261986,
Feb 17, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I recommend this tour because they are really good, on time and offer you a lot. Trekking is hard and not for everyone, you have to be trained but see the Hule lagoon is priceless. The delicious lunch prepared by a very kind local family.... I recommend it, really GOOD....
Great unexpected day
MKPFR,
Apr 20, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had booked through a tour company and told them our priorities for the week which involved activity, volcanoes, hiking and animals. We were staying in Arenal and this was on our itinerary and we really didn’t know what to expect. We got picked up at 7:15 in the morning and were told we had about an hour and a half drive to where we were going. What an unexpected surprise. We did a 6 mile hike starting from a family’s property. The first 2 to 3K were up and down doing a very rugged hike through their unbelievable property. We made our way around to the three craters and back up the other side. We were able to see howler monkeys, birds, beautiful butterflies and a snake. The views were magnificent. Our guide was amazing. Before we were driven back to Arenal, we were brought back to where we started and fed an unbelievable lunch from the family who owns the property where the hike starts. This is definitely a tour for active people, but definitely off the beaten path, and highly recommended for people that want something a little different.
Excellent!
Tfor2and2forT,
Jan 2, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our 4 young (20s) adult children did this hike and loved it! Not too strenuous or long, hearty lunch, informative guide, magnificent views!
Not for the faint of heart!
Kelly W,
Jun 20, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This hike is intense. Our tour guide was Andy and he was fantastic! It took us about 3.5 hours to complete but it was well worth it. The views are stunning and we even got to swim in the lagoon. After the hike, we went to a local house and had lunch with a Costa Rican family. It was unreal. This was such an amazing experience and if you are up for it, I would highly recommend.
Intense hike into volcanic craters
theodores762,
Apr 20, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was stunning nearly 7 mile hike up to rim of volcanic crater to view 3 lagoons in the middle. Then an arduous hike down through rainforest into the crater to view lagoons up close. Then up out of crater to a scrumptious lunch prepared at the house of a local family. We are senior citizens but in pretty good shape. It took us 4.5 hours but we made it! Views are stunning and our guide and driver, Mainor and Jonathan, were Amazing! This is a rigorous hike but worth it! Long pants and sturdy hiking shoes are a must!