Arenal Volcano National Park (Parque nacional Volcán Arenal)
Arenal Volcano National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal) is a Costa Rican national park in the central part of the country, part of the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area. The park encompasses the Arenal Volcano, the most active in the country, which was believed to be dormant until a major eruption in 1968. It neighbors Lake Arenal, which is the site of the country's largest hydroelectricity project, the Lake Arenal Dam.
The park also contains a second volcano, Chato, whose crater contains a lagoon. It is also called Cerro Chato (literally Mount Chato) as it has been inactive for around 3500 years – coinciding with the creation and growth of Arenal itself. In and around the park are various lodges and hotels, some with their own hot springs, and others focused on the wildlife of the area. Within the national park are the Museum of Volcanicity and a ranger station.
The park lies within the Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area, protecting eight of Costa Rica's 12 life zones and 16 protected reserves in the region between the Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges, and including Lake Arenal. The park is most directly accessed from La Fortuna, but is also easily accessed via Tilarán and the north shore of Lake Arenal.
The Arenal Volcano National Park is popular with birders, as most of the 850 species identified in Costa Rica can be found within the park's borders. This includes one of the country's most elusive and beautiful birds, the endangered resplendent quetzal. Other animal species living within the park include white-faced capuchin monkeys, jaguar, deer, coati, and snakes like the fer-de-lance and parrot snake. The park also has a strong showing of plant life, including orchids, heliconias, ferns, laurel, cirri, guayabo de monte, palms, bromeliads, and strangler figs.
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Comments
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It is recommended to arrive at the place with a 4x4 vehicle. The reserve allows you to walk in several types of terrain, in the dense and moist forest, in the area of basalt stones with a view of the volcano, and in a neat path that leads to a view of Lake Arenal. Along the trails you will encounter a wide variety of birds, insects and reptiles and you will feel part of nature. It is recommended to take the long route.
a month ago -
Not like going to Yosemite or anything, so don’t expect refined services, lodging, shops, etc. The entry fee was approx USD 15 per adult and USD 5 per child. So my family was a little costly at $40 just for some simple hiking trails. We did the Heliconias trail, which continued as the Coladas trail to the base of the 1992 lava flow. We had good weather and nice views. It was an easy trail for kids, even young kids as young as 5. We didn’t see much wildlife beyond butterflies and lizards. Trail was decently maintained with mostly gravel track. Only a few places where it was muddy.
3 weeks ago -
Beautiful nature! We were there during the week and only a few hikers were there with us. Note: the 15 $ entrance fee will also allow you to visit the peninsula in the lake Arenal. The 400 years old tree which you will find after walking for approximately 3.5 km was especially impressive.
5 months ago -
A must see place whilst visiting Costa Rica just a 3-4 hour drove from Tamarindo and 3 1/2 hours from San José. The local food in La Fortuna us both delicious and fairly affordable. The souvenirs shops were a bit too over price but you can find local selling them on the side of the road and small markets for 4x cheaper the the shops. There’s loads of activities to do both recreational and interactive. Perfect for families, couples and friends looks for some adventure in the jungle or the volcano.
4 months ago -
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If you are lucky enough to see the peak it is majestic. Highly recommend making the hike
2 months ago -
Beautiful rainforest, clouds, lava flow and hiking. I just love the hot springs so beautiful. I would love to go back and see Mountain Arenal again. I just love visiting Costa Rica.
5 days ago -
A little pricey for foreigners and unlike in the past the price for foreigners wasn't posted. Very SUS.
a month ago