Arenal Volcano View
Arenal Volcano National Park is located in Northwestern Costa Rica, just northwest of San José. The park has two volcanoes, Arenal Volcano and Cerro Chato Volcano. The Arenal Volcano is the largest and most famous of the two.
The park also offers visitors hiking trails, camping sites, natural pools, restaurants, hotels, and other facilities. In addition, the park provides opportunities for ecotourism activities such as birdwatching, horseback riding, rafting, zip lining, and snorkeling. There’s no shortage of history or things to do in Arenal National Park!
History of Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal) was established in 1991 and is one of Costa Rica’s pride and joys. The park covers an area of 12,200 hectares and is home to plenty of wildlife such as howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, capuchin monkeys, sloths, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, butterflies, and even some plants.
Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park is home to one of the world’s largest volcanic systems and has erupted many times over the course of history. Most recently, during the 1970s and 80s, there was a period of heightened volcanic activity. During this time, hotels in the surrounding area began promoting their volcano views of the lava fields and red hot boulders being ejected from the active volcano. Many visitors flocked to see the spectacle and stayed for weeks at a time.
The eruption stopped and the glow from the lava faded away. But now, nearly three decades later, the Arenal Volcano is showing signs of life once again. And while no one knows exactly what’s coming next, volcanologists are hopeful that it won’t be another long dormant period.
The Arenal Volcano National Park now has two sectors: the peninsula sector and the lava fields sector. The peninsula sector includes the volcano’s crater lake, while the lava fields sector features lava trails along the rim of the caldera. Some of the panoramic views of the Arenal Volcano are found in the area surrounding Lake Arenal in the peninsula sector. The well-maintained trails throughout the peninsula sector don’t go through lava flows or rocks and are better for those who can’t walk for long periods on uneven surfaces. There are also some nice walking trails around the Arenal Observatory Lodge, which is right outside of the park. It’s no wonder why the Arenal National Park has become an adventure capital in Costa Rica!
Things To Do In Arenal Volcano National Park
If you are looking for things to do in Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal, this park has a popular activity to offer for people of all ages. There are several options available to you such as hiking trails, horseback riding, zip lining, rafting, fishing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, swimming, bird watching, camping, and much more. Here are some of our highlights of things to do when visiting the Arenal Volcano National Park!
Explore The Arenal Volcano National Park
Arenal Volcano View
The Arenal Volcano is located near Lake Arenal. The volcano consists of three craters that are connected by a long fissure called the Crater Chain. The largest crater is named El Castillo (the castle). This is where the majority of the activity takes place.
There are several ways to explore the park. You can either hike along the trails, rent bicycles or even go horseback riding. There are short trails through the lava fields and to the secondary forest with gorgeous views where you can see the surrounding landmarks. The secondary rainforest is high above the floor and includes walking across hanging bridges. Another way to experience the Arenal Volcano is to do a boat tour.
There are multiple companies offering tours including Arenal Nature Tours. If you have no knowledge of this area then it is recommended to find a Costa Rica guide company that will lead the way, as the ranger station in the park doesn’t offer any Costa Rican guides. It is recommended to choose a local Costa Rican to show you around this park, as there is much to see and much to do. You do also have to pay an entrance fee for the park entrance. The entrance ticket starts from $35 and increases with the number of activities you plan to tackle during your visit.
Visit Lake Arenal
Lake Arenal View
Arenal lake is a Costa Rican best-kept secret. Lying within the national park, It is surrounded by lush rainforests, mountains, and volcanoes. Its crystal clear waters make it perfect for swimming, fishing, and water sports. There are many places where visitors can go boating and swim in the lake. In addition to being beautiful, there are plenty of things to do here. You can take a hike along the shores of the lake, rent a boat, or simply relax while enjoying the scenery. Also, beware as there is a mountain range across the way of Lake Arenal that produces strong winds in the area.
Visit the Arenal Volcano Hot Springs
Costa Rica boasts some of the world’s best natural hot springs and some of them are located near the Arenal Volcano National Park. The hot springs are formed when water is heated underground, bubbles up to the surface, and cools down naturally. This process creates a soothing thermal pool perfect for soaking tired muscles. Arenal is home to many hot springs that you can come across during your trip. The mineral-rich water is considered one of the best places to relax and unwind. Several hotels offer spa treatments and exposure to the hot springs right within the hotel.
Visit the Rainforest by Tram or Zipline
Rainforest Canopy View from Arenal Volcano National Park
For those looking for something a little different, there are many ways to experience the natural beauty of the area without having to go too far. One such way is taking an aerial tram up to the highest observation point where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. Another option is to take an exhilarating zip around the cloud forest canopy via a zipline.
Hike To the La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna Waterfall View
La Fortuna is located just minutes outside of the park. This tiny farming village is nestled up against the Volcan Arenal. In fact, the name “La Fortuna” literally translates to “The Lucky One,” and it’s easy to see why. During a volcanic eruption in the late 60s, La Fortuna was barely missed by a major eruption and survived without a scratch. As one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Central America, the beautiful waterfall is stunningly beautiful. However, you don’t have to go far to reach it. You can either take a short hike down a trail or ride a horse to the falls. Either way, it’ll be worth it!
Best Time To Visit
The Arenal National park is beautiful at any time of year, regardless of the weather. The rainy season and green seasons bring out the beauty of the jungle and its surroundings. However, it’ll be a bit difficult to walk through the trails when they’re wet due to the mud during rainy season.
If you want to visit this popular destination, you should probably plan for the dry season, when the weather is at its most temperate. During this time, the weather is warm enough for you to enjoy either an outdoor swimming experience or a hot spring experience, whichever suits your preferences best. To learn more about the weather in Costa Rica and the best times to visit Costa Rica, click here.
