Northern Tourism Region (Arenal Volcano Area)

Climate: Warm and humid in the lowlands and cool in the mountains. See Northern Zone Weather Region

Average Temperature: Mid-80’s with 75% to 85% humidity (depending on season)

Major Cities and Attractions: Arenal and La Fortuna, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, and Arenal Volcano

This is the northern-most tourism region in Costa Rica. It encompasses almost the entire border with Nicaragua and includes the northern parts of the Heredia and Alajuela Provinces. The Northern Tourism Region is located on the Caribbean side of the Tilaran mountain range and includes Arenal Volcano and its cloud forests along with the wetlands of Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge and the Sarapiqui area.

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui is a small riverside community located in the northeastern corner of Costa Rica, less than 20 miles south of the Nicaraguan border. The town lies at the base of the Cordillera Central Mountain Range and is quickly becoming a popular eco-tourism destination for both wildlife enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. Situated at the junction of the Sarapiqui and Puerto Viejo rivers, the village of Puerto Viejo (not to be confused with the southern Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca) offers sensational Class III-IV whitewater rafting as well as tranquil safari floats that allow passengers glimpses of caiman, crocodiles, monkeys and sloths along the river banks.

The budding town is surrounded by virgin rainforests, banana and pineapple plantations and several key biological reserves including La Selva Biological Station and La Tirimbina Rainforest Center where visitors can explore pristine forests and observe a huge variety of wildlife. Sarapiqui is a wonderful place to enjoy Costa Rica’s natural beauty, whether by horseback on backcountry roads or on hikes through tropical rainforest.

Several other river basins in the area such as Penas Blancas, San Carlos and Toro contribute to the richness of this tourism region. Safari boat rides and rafting trips wind through these diverse river basin ecosystems, offering plentiful wildlife viewing and adventure opportunities.

Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica's most active volcano (also one of the ten most active in the world) and puts on quite a show most nights. Lava flows change direction every six to eight months but typically favor the southwest and/or northwest flanks of the cone. The volcano is 11 miles west of La Fortuna, which is an excellent base for exploring the Arenal region.

Activities include bird and wildlife watching, canyoning, volcano hikes, horseback riding, canopy tours (zip lines and hanging bridges), whitewater rafting, tranquil river floats and fishing on nearby Arenal Lake. The area is renowned for several thermal resorts featuring volcano-heated hot springs. Arenal Lake is also the best windsurfing spot in the country, with winds up to 50 mph.

Wildlife is abundant in this region with more than 600 of the 850 bird species found in Costa Rica along with many mammal, butterfly, reptile and plant species. From rafting the Sarapiqui River, to exploring the rich wetland ecosystems of the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, the Northern Tourism Region has a thrilling variety of sights and activities.

The Northern Tourism Region is Best Known For:

- Lava-viewing and hiking around Arenal Volcano

-Soaking in volcano-heated hot springs

- One of the country's highest zip line canopy tours

- Whitewater rafting and safari floats on the Sarapiqui River

- Fishing on Lake Arenal

- Touring Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

Places to See:

Arenal Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfalls, Tirimbina Rainforest Center, Hacienda Pozo Azul

Parks and Reserves: Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, Arenal Volcano National Park, Tenorio National Park.

Volcanoes:Arenal, Chato

Waterfalls: La Fortuna Waterfall

Things to Do:

Air Activities:Canopy tours, suspension bridges, aerial trams and bungee jumping.

Land Activities: Hiking, horseback riding, canyoning (waterfall rappelling), chocolate tours, mountain biking, bird & wildlife watching, caving, ATV tours and visiting indigenous culture museums and butterfly gardens

Water Activities: Hot springs,whitewater rafting, windsurfing and fishing on Arenal Lake, safari floats, kayaking and canoeing

Read our Northern Region Travel Blogs:

Arenal Volcano / La Fortuna

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui