Arenal
Arenal is Costa Rica’s best-known volcano. It’s a stratovolcano – a large, symmetrical volcano that’s built upon layers of ash, rock and lava – and at 5,437 feet (1,657 meters), it stands high above the rest of the countryside.
Until 2010, it was Costa Rica’s most active volcano. Much to the enjoyment of its visitors, Arenal spewed enormous amounts of lava, gas and ash on a regular basis. That eruptive cycle – which began with the infamous eruption of 1968 – ended recently. In October 2010, Arenal entered into an indeterminate resting phase. For the time being, visitors will be unable to watch the much-loved explosions, although that could change within a matter of months or years. Travelers to Arenal will still enjoy its bountiful sights, sounds and activities — there are hot springs, mountains to be hiked, lakes to be fished and rivers to be floated. As one of the country’s most scenic and accessible areas, it is a requisite stop on any tour of Costa Rica.
Things to Do
Arenal is a place that begs to be explored; rivers wind through bountiful rainforests, waterfalls crash amidst inspiring canyons, and hot springs gurgle up beneath the base of an impressive volcano. The Arenal tours are varied and will help you to connect with this region of Costa Rica in any way you please.
Plan Your Trip
Getting to and around Arenal, Costa Rica is relatively easy. Fly into either Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose or Liberia International Airport (LIR), and take a domestic flight, shuttle, or drive to La Fortuna, the town nearest Arenal. Alternatively, if coming from Monteverde, take a taxi-boat-taxi combination, which includes a scenic boat ride across Lake Arenal.
Support the sustainable travel movement, without sacrificing your comfort. Arenal, Costa Rica hotels are privileged to be some of Costa Rica’s best hotels and resorts. Whether you prefer pedestrian friendly accommodations in the heart of town, or are in need of a getaway so remote that your closest neighbors are birds and sloths, you’re sure to find the accommodations you need from our selection of Arenal hotels.