Arenal Volcano, located in the north of Costa Rica, is one of the country’s most popular destinations. Loads of tours are available in the area, and it’s no wonder why. The area offers access to the rainforest, a real volcano, waterfalls and the largest lake in the country. There’s also a fantastic range of hotels for tourists to enjoy!
Visit Arenal Volcano National Park
Costa Rica has a few volcanoes, but Arenal is by far the most popular and most famous. It is a symmetrical cone-shaped volcano that completely dominates the surrounding landscape. Believe it or not, it is also the most active volcano in Costa Rica with over 40 eruptions a day. That being said, the volcano is currently in a resting phase. Sadly, you can’t actually hike up the volcano, but you can hike around the national park. There are a number of bilingual guides available to enhance your visit and they can help you find old lava flow and wildlife. There are a load of unique micro-climates in the area that make it home to a number of exciting exotic species.
Take a dip in Arenal Volcano all-natural hot springs
After a hard day’s hiking around the national park, it’s time to soak those tired muscles in the area’s fantastic thermal pools. The national park is home to several hot springs that have been formed when water heated underground by the volcano bubbles to the surface. The pools have been used as thermal baths for over 200 years to treat a variety of ailments. You’ll love them, too. There are few things better than a warm, relaxing bath after a long day’s sightseeing and hiking.
Hike to La Fortuna waterfall
If you get bored of hiking in the national park, the nearby farming town of La Fortuna makes for an excellent destination. It is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country, La Fortuna. It can only be arrived at on foot via a 15-minute hike or on horseback. The fall plummets 200 feet to the pool below, which makes for a delightful swimming spot.
Head to Lake Arenal
Arenal Volcano National Park is also home to the country’s largest lake, Lake Arenal. With the volcano has its backdrop, the lake sits in one of the most stunning surroundings in the world. There are tons of activities to do in the lake including fishing, kayaking, and stand up paddle boarding. If you visit as a couple, you can book a romantic sunset dinner cruise for an experience that you’ll never forget. Even if you can’t get to the lake, you can still enjoy views of it from the trails and zip lines that dot the national park.
Explore the Venado caves
If you loved the national park above the ground, wait until you see what’s below it. The Venado Caves is a network of limestone channels that date back over 20 million years. Book a tour and you’ll travel 8,500 feet into the earth where you can see fossils and subterranean animals. You’ll wade through an underground river, see stalactites and stalagmites and visit a waterfall.
Visit Canal Negro National Wildlife Rescue
The Cano Negro National Wildlife Rescue makes for an excellent day tour from the area. You can explore the rivers and marshes that dot the habitat and see a range of wild birds. In the green season, you’ll be able to spot even more animals bathing in the rivers.
Need to know before you go
If you want to go in the dry season, travel between December and April. For the green season, you’ll want to aim between May and November. Temperatures range between 60 and 90 degrees depending on your elevation and evenings will be cool. Don’t worry about getting around, taxis are common and your hotel can help in booking one.
