Arenal Volcano is one of the world's wonders. Arenal explodes regularly and is visited and studied by many. Covered under cloud for most of my visit, I only got glimpses of Arenal's peak. And, unlike others that I spoke to, it did not put on a display for me. For this reason, I might have to visit Arenal again. My photo collection has a poor quality image of this world wonder.

From AD 1500, Arenal Volcano was dormant but on July 29, 1968, a huge explosion triggered lava flows that destroyed three villages. Eighty people died and 45,000 cattle perished. The Arenal area was closed down until the laval flows had slowed down.  Arenal Volcano explodes nearly daily since 1968.

Arenal volcano retains its conical shape and produces red-hot flowing lava regularly. Arenal's explosions are spectacular and visitors arrive in droves to catch the awe-inspiring show produced by the volcano.

There are great night-time views of Arenal from the northern side and many travelers spend a night at the Arenal Observatory Lodge or in El Castillo to watch the show. Clouds cover Arenal Volcano frequently and there can be a lot of rain. Conditions, as a result, can be cold, so come prepared.

Arenal Observatory Lodge

Built in 1987, the Arenal observatory belongs to the University of Costa Rica and offers scientists the chance to study Arenal from a relatively safe location on a ridge. Volcanologists from all over the world have come to study this volcano. In addition to scientists, many travelers visit Arenal.

The lodge is the only place inside Arenal Volcano National Park where visitors can get a bed. The lodge offers accommodation, food, a small museum, guided tours, spa treatments on this 347-hectare (850-acre) site.

Because the Arenal Observatory Lodge is positioned to the west, the views of the eruptions are excellent. Be aware that there may be constant rumbling at night.

Wildlife viewing in Arenal Volcano National Park

In 1995, Arenal became a national park and is protected by the Area de Conservacion. The Arenal area is rugged and varied. It offers a considerable biodiversity of animals, birds and plant life. The wildlife list includes:

• trogons
• lancebills
• rufous motmots
• fruitcrows
• howler monkeys
• spider monkeys (capuchin)
• coatis

Hiking in Arenal and area

From the Arenal ranger station, travelers can choose several routes:

• Sendero Los Heliconias is 1.5-km (1 mi) long and leads to a lookout with a view.
• Sendero Las Coladas branches from the above and warps around Arenal Volcano for 2-km (1 mi) when it connects with Sendero Los Tucanes. The latter extends another 3-km (2 mi) through tropical rain forest at the base of the volcano.
• Sendero Los Miradores, a 1.2-km (0.75 mi) trail, starts at the park headquarters and leads visitors to the shores of a lake.

Very near Arenal Volcano, this tiny mountain village — El Castillo — is a wonderful alternative for travelers to use as a base. It offers an alternative to La Fortuna. Offering some terrific accommodations, this town also has had some serious ecotourism accomplishments.

Sights in El Castillo

• Arenal Rainforest Reserve is a new ecocenter featuring an aerial tram and a dead-on view of Arenal Volcano. It also has a canopy tour, hanging bridges and hiking trails.
• El Castillo-Arenal Butterfly Conservatory is a conservation project run by an American ex-pat who has built an magnificent conservatory. There are seven different gardens pertaining to each habitat and a ranarium, an insect museum and a medicinal herb garden.
• Jardin Zoologico de Serpientes de Arenal is next door to the butterfly conservatory and has 35 species of snakes, four species of turtles, six species of frogs and lizards and iguanas

A relaxing town with a number of interesting natural wonders including Volcano Arenal, this is a great sleepy agricultural town to base oneself and explore.

Although an influx of travelers is changing this town, it still has a Tico flavor and a distinct charm. Some of the local Arenal sights include:

Sights in and near Arenal

• Tabacon Hot Springs is 13-km (8 mi) west of La Fortuna with a lovely orchid and incredibly warm waterfall, this spring is located on a spot where the volcanic eruption passed through in 1975.
• Las Fuentes Termales is a hot bath without the glamour of the above-mentioned springs.
• Baldi Thermae Hot Springs is 5-km (3 mi) west of La Fortuna and has 10 thermal pools admission fees are high.
• Eco-Termales is by-appointment-only hot spring where minimalism is the theme. Only 100 visitors per four-hour slot are admitted (10am, 1pm and 5pm). Call for reservations.
• Masajes Serenity day spa specializes in treating weary muscles with a variety of massages and offers facials and other spa treatments. It's located about 50m (165 ft) from the Parque Central.
• Herrera Day Spa offers European atmosphere and homemade products.
• Waterfalls at La Catarata de la Fortuna has a sparkling 70m (230 ft) fall but is dangerous for diving. There is an entry fee. It's possible to hike to these falls via San Ramon and it's about 7-km (4.5 mi) through pastureland and papaya trees.
• Catarata de la Fortuna waterfalls are also the trailhead for a five-hour climb to Cerro Chato, which is a strenuous trek to a lake-filled volcanic crater.
• Ecocentro Denaus is a well-developed trail system good for birding and sighting sloths, coatis and howler monkeys. The price of admission includes a visit to a butterfly garden and ranarium featuring poison-dart frogs.
• Valle Cocodrilo is a conservation program and tourist attraction where visitors can peer at crocodiles through fences.
• Arenal Rainforest Reserve offers zip lines, aerial trams, hanging bridges and fabulous views of the volcano.

Activities in and near Arenal Volcano

• Fourtrax Adventures offer atving and is located on the edge of town.
• Canoa Adventura offers canoe trips to Arenal and is mostly geared toward wildlife watching, especially birds. This tour comes highly recommended.
• PureTrek Canyoning takes visitors on guided rappels of four nearby waterfalls; one is 50m in height
• Desafio Adventure Company leads visitors on horseback rides. Located behind the church can take visitors to La Fortuna waterfall or on multi-day trips.
• Laguna de Arenal offers kitesurfing and windsurfing. It's Costa Rica's capital for these sports.
• White-water rafting and kayaking in class I through IV rapids is offered by Desafio Adventure Company.
• Learning Spanish at the Adventure Education Center is combined with courses on wilderness training, such as learning to be a hiking guide.

Festivals & events near Arenal Volcano

• Fiestas de la Fortuna is a big annual party held in mid-February and features two weeks of bullfights, colorful carnival rides , craft stands and gambling.

Lake Arenal | Laguna de Arenal

The primary reason to travel to this area of Costa Rica is because of Arenal Volcano, but Arenal's nearby lake is beautiful and the area is charming.

Laguna de Arenal is located 18-km (11 mi) west of La Fortunal. This lake supplies water and hydroelectricity for the Arenal region. There are a number of steel windmills which capitalize on the high winds.

This is one of the premier road trips in Costa Rica. However, you'll need your own car or bike to get it done. The road leading to Arenal is lined with odd and elegant businesses and many are foreign owned. There are scenic views of Lake Arenal and volcano which make the road romantic and charming.

Sights & activities around Lake Arenal

• Dam to Nuevo Arenal is a beautiful stretch of road lined by cloud forest and offers some great accommodation options.
• Hotel Los Heroes is an alpine chalet 14-km (9 mi) west of the dam and has charming accommodation but also a miniature train that brings visitors up a hill to an underground station beneath a restaurant. There's also a hiking trail leading to the restaurant.
• Nuevo Arenal is located 29-km (46.5 mi) west of the dam and is the only good-sized town between La Fortuna and Tilaran.
• Tilaran is located at the southwestern end of Laguna de Arenal and is the regional ranching center. A pit-stop, one can look at the windmills or relax at the local cafe.
• Fishing for guapote (also known as rainbow bass) and machaca in 6m (20 ft) aluminum bass boats on Arenal Lake is an outstanding way to spend the day.