Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano National Park

Places To See - Parks, Reserves and Protected Areas

Location: 17 kilometers west of La Fortuna, between the Tilarán, San Carlos and San Ramón Cantons. 130 km (80 mi.) northwest of San José

See Northern Tourism Region

Size: 7,212 acres (2,920 Ha)

Date of Creation: September 1994

Part of: Arenal Tilarán Conservation Area

About:

Created in 1994, the park is named after Arenal Volcano, one of the world's ten most active volcanoes. The park encompasses nearby Chato Volcano, located three kilometers southeast of Arenal. The region has several unique microclimates including pre-montane forest and low montane rainforest which are rich in biodiversity.

The park is also an important watershed for the Arenal Lake Reservoir, supplying over 70% of its water which is used for hydroelectric power, irrigation and fish farming throughout the country.

Since 1968, Arenal Volcano has been consistently active with small, daily eruptions known as strombolian activity. Explosions produce impressive ash columns and send boulders the size of houses down the slopes. On clear nights, visitors can enjoy fiery displays of lava and glowing boulders from the safety of several nearby hotels and hot springs.

Weather:

Temperature: Ranges from 75 to 90 F
Annual Rainfall: Up to 5,000 mm (195 inches)

Weather can be unpredictable with clouds rolling in at a moment's notice, obscuring Arenal's near-perfect cone. This is most frequent during the wet season, May through November, although clear nights are still possible.

Activities:

The park protects a major portion of the Tilarán mountain range and is rich in a variety of flora and fauna. Bird and wildlife watching is a popular activity on hikes throughout the park.

Hiking is only permitted on marked trails. Due to safety concerns, visitors are not allowed to hike near the volcano's crater. In 2000, a tourist and their unlicensed guide were killed by toxic volcanic gasses while hiking close to Arenal's crater.

Camping is not allowed in Arenal Volcano National Park. The Arenal Observatory Lodge is located in the national park and is the only place visitors can legally sleep within the park's boundaries. The lodge offers 6 kilometers of hiking trails, horseback trips, an international restaurant and rooms with excellent volcano views. Non-hotel guests can access the lodge's trails for a $7 fee.

Facilities:

A ranger station and restrooms are located at the entrance to the park. Trail maps are available at the ranger station.

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Trails:

The park has three trails that span 3.4 kilometers. Park Rangers are available to advise visitors on current safety concerns or trail closings due to volcanic activity.

Main Lookout: Located at the base of the volcano, visitors can see the 1968 and 1992 lava flows as well as the Chato Volcano and Arenal Basin.

Heliconias Trail: This is a 1 kilometer loop trail. Hikers can access the 1.5 kilometer path to the main lookout from this trail.

Las Coladas Trail: Mostly flat, 2 kilometer trail that winds around the base of the volcano with views of the 1992 lava flows.

Los Tucanes Trail: Continues from the Las Coladas Trail another 3 kilometers through dense rainforest.

Flora & Fauna:

Flora: ferns, heliconia, mountain guayabo, freijo, rosewood, chicle tree and balsa trees.

Fauna: howler and spider monkeys, white-nosed coati, sloth, deer, fer-de-lance, boa constrictors, parrots, parakeets, black vultures, resplendent quetzals, trogon, hummingbirds, and motmots.

Fees and Schedule:

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Entrance Fee: $6 at the gate

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Getting There:

From La Fortuna drive west toward Tabacón Resort and continue 2 km (1.2 mi.) past Tabacón. Turn left on a hard-packed dirt road, following signs to Arenal National Park. A taxi costs $25 (round trip) from La Fortuna to the western part of the volcano.

Recommendations:

Light rain gear is advisable. While visitors can hike park trails on their own, several tour operators in La Fortuna offer guided hikes through the park, which often affords better wildlife viewing.

A 4WD vehicle is recommended to access the Arenal Observatory Lodge in the rainy season (May through November).