Description:

Arenal National Park is located at the Costa Rica’s north region, north of the Tilaran’s mountainrange. Belongs to the cantons of:Tilarán, San Carlos and San Ramón. Protects important species of flora and fauna characteristics of this type of forest, which has a big scientific and tourism value.

For over 400 years, the volcano known as Cerro Arenal lay dormant until the morning of july 29 1968, when it awoke suddenly and dramatically front its slumber.

The force or the eruption blew a huge hole out the side of the mountain with rocks, lava and ash scorching the countryside for miles around. 87 people lost their lives and three villages experienced damage. Since that day, inhabitants of the surrounding area have witnessed volcanic activity almost daily.
Although on a mucho less terrifying scale than the eruption as part of Costa Rica’s most active volcano has become one of country’s top tourist destinations.It is a majestic presence that dominates the surrounding landscape. It overlooks Lake Arenal which was artificially enlarged to three times its original size soon after the eruption as part of Costa Rica’s largest hydroelectric project. The town of Tabacon was flooded in the process.

It is said to be good luck to see the volcano in clear conditions. After dark is the best time to sit and volcano watch. On the nights the summit is shouded, the clouds rumble and glow an eerie orange-red. On clear nights observers can experience firs-hand the natural world’s most awesome pyrotechnic displays.

Set within Arenal Volcano National Park the area is one of extraordinary natural beauty. The volcano heats several springs in the area, which are mus-experience for any first-time visitors. These hot springs are said to have properties beneficialto the health. These claims are not hard to believe when you look around ar the expressions of relaxed tranquility on the faces of those who lounge in steaming rook pools surrounded by a exquisite living canopy of plant and animal life.The springs are a great way of unwinding and relaxing after a day spent white water rafting, canopy touring, horse riding, windsurfing, or hiking through cloud forest.

There is a wealth of things to do in the area and visitors will find plenty of activities and sights to keep them occupied during their time in the region.

The springs are a great way of unwinding and relaxing after a day spent white water rafting, canopy touring, horse riding, windsurfing, or hiking through cloud forest.

There is a wealth of things to do in the area and visitors will find plenty of activities and sights to keep them occupied during their timein the region.The town of La Fortuna located to the east of the volcano is considered the downtown of the area and a center for accommodation, food, entertainment and other services. In the volcano’s surroundings there are more secluded hotels and resorts from where visitors can stay and view the volcanic activity. Enquire with local tourist with local tourist information to find out about the direction of lava flow and the best places to stay and view the volcanic activity.

The Arenal Volcano National Park belongs to the Arenal Conservation Area that consists of three life zones: premontane humid forest, premontane rainforest and lower montane rain forest.

Flora and fauna

The four most important types of vegetation in the park are the perennial wet and very wet forests that cover about 47% of the area. There's also cloud forest and riverine woodlands, where several endemic species can be found, like the brunelia costaricensis and the epiphytic pineapple.

Thirty-five species of fish, 135 species of reptiles that include tortoises, snakes and lizards, and 131 known species of mammals can be found here. An amazing 53% of the species that make up the national bird population are also found here making this park and the surrounding area a birdwatcher’s paradise.

There are also different species of snakes, as well poisonous, like the Fer-de-lance, as non-poisonous, like the Boa constrictor.

The park is a place where it is still possible to see great curassows, great anteaters, jaguarondis, pacas, tapirs, coatis, sloth, jaguars and deer.

Large groups of howler monkeys, kinkajous, margays and pumas are also present. At least 20 species of birds can be found, such as crimson-fronted parakeet, the white-bellied mountain-gem and the black-faced solitaire.

Extension

Its extension is 2.920 hectares.

Volcano

The most characteristic feature of this national park is the impressive and majestic Arenal Volcano, active cone 1,633 meters high, whose regular eruptions offer one of the most extraordinary and awe inspiring natural sights in Costa Rica.

The Arenal Volcano is the only volcano in Costa Rica constantly active since it woke up after 400 years with the big 1968 eruption producing huge ash columns, explosions & glowing red lava almost every day. It is considered one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world.