The Arenal Volcano (Volcan Arenal) & Surrounding Areas

Volcano Arenal Mountain Facts | La Fortuna | La Fortuna Waterfall | Lake Arenal
Hot Springs | Adventures

Introduction to Arenal Volcano & Surrounding Areas:

Any good Costa Rica multi day tour should include an Arenal itinerary including canyoning, canopy tours and exploring the La Fortuna Waterfall. All these adventures take place in the beautiful tropical rainforest that sits beneath the spectacular Arenal Volcano near the town of La Fortuna and Lake Arenal.

Volcano Arenal Mountain Facts:

Volcan Arenal as its known in Costa Rica, is the most active volcano in the country and a popular spot for vacation packages, honey moons and adventure seekers. The andestic stratovolcano rises a majestic 1657 meters (5,436 feet) above sea level.

The Arenal Volcano was thought to be extinct (and was even named 'Cerro Arenal' which means 'Mount Arenal') until July 29, 1968 when the town of Arenal (now underneath Lake Arenal) was wiped out and 87 people killed. An earthquake at that same time was thought to have started the eruption and sub sequentially caused three new craters to form. The volcano had been dormant for nearly 400 years prior to the 1968 eruption.

One of the major draws to this area of Costa Rica are the spectacular sights of the volcano erupting at night, spitting out bright red and orange lava and glowing rocks against a dark backdrop. The eruptions from Volcan Arenal are known as strombolian in character. This means that they are frequent but moderate and can safely be viewed from a distance. Most of the time however, the top of the volcano is surrounded by clouds making an eruption sighting not as common as many would like.

La Fortuna:

The town of La Fortuna de San Carlos as its known in Costa Rica, was once a sleepy agricultural town prior to the 1968 eruption. Today the town still holds onto it true Costa Rican charm even though it is one of the main destinations of Costa Rican bound travelers and adventurers. As the gateway to the Arenal Volcano the town hosts many adventure based activities and operators.

La Fortuna Waterfall:

The spectacular La Catarata de La Fortuna is found about 3 ¼ miles (5.5 km) from the town of La Fortuna. The Catarata (Spanish for 'waterfall') pours down 70 meter (nearly 230 feet) and can be viewed from an observation stand that sits about level with the top of the waterfall. For the adventures, with good lung capacity, a descent (and then a literally breath taking ascent) of the step canyon via a long series of steps leads to a truly breathtaking view from the pool at the bottom of the waterfall.

Lake Arenal (Laguna de Arenal):

The beautiful Lake Arenal, sits below Volcano Arenal, and is a reservoir that is responsible for some of the best wind surfing in the world (in the top three) as well as for a producing the majority of Costa Rica's electricity.

The 88 square kilometer reservoir is the largest in Costa Rica and was created overtop of a small existing lake (by the same name) and the communities of Arenal and Tronadora, by the completion of a dam in 1979. Lake Arenal sits at a higher elevation then most of the surrounding countryside leading to more temperate weather and more consistent wind. Besides being such a major source of hydroelectric power the winds of the area also power a series of power producing windmills found along the western ridge of the mountains surrounding the lake. Although wind surfing and kite boarding are very popular here the lake is also known for premier fishing of the Machaca and Bass.

Hot Springs:

The area surrounding the Arenal Volcano is also dotted with natural hot springs due to the geothermal activity of the volcano. These are a real treat after any sort of hard trek (like the ascent from the La Fortuna Waterfall) or long car ride. The most famous of the area is known as Tabacon and is one of the original villages that was destroyed by the volcano's eruption in 1968. Tabacon River is naturally heated to a 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degree Celsius) and pleases visitors with multiple waterfalls and pools that not only provide relaxation of the sore muscles but also a great visual relief as well with all sorts of tropical plants claiming this as their home.

Adventures:

Besides the hike into the La Fortuna Waterfall there are a number of other adventures to be had in the rainforest near Arenal Volacano.

For the thrill seeker looking for an excuse to go hangout high up in the rainforest's giant trees the canopy tour is the easiest way to fill your adrenaline quota. Strapped into rock climbing harnesses you will make descent after descent attached to strong steel cables with a pulley and a thick leather glove to use as a break. Some of the descents between the platforms will speed you across at 40 miles an hour and put you well over 200 feet above the ground. Those a little more nervous can have a guide join them for an extra sense of comfort. If you keep your eyes open the views are amazing and hanging out on the platforms one can sometimes spot some exotic tropical birds or even a sloth or two.

Near Lake Arenal a series of cable suspension bridges has been built that allows hikers to cross small valleys and end up high enough off the ground to be level with the rainforest canopy. This allows a slower more controlled way to explore the ecosystem that exists high above the jungle floor the doing a canopy tour.

Due to the steep mountains and volcanoes in the area, there is no lack of waterfalls to go explore making canyoning a must do for anyone that doesn't mind hooking themselves into a rope and stepping over the edge of a massive waterfall.

Horseback Riding with some of Costa Rica's best horses can be found about an hour away from the town of La Fortuna. Galloping through the jungle and rainforest is a great way to see some of the isolated splendors that not many tourists will get the pleasure of enjoying.