Arenal Volcano National Park

Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal presents nice views of the volcano and its current erruption activity. The Park is located on Arenal's west side, and Arenal's lava is now errupting toward the West and Southwest. The erruption path changed to its current position after falling to the North face for a period of more than 9 years. Please note that the direction of erruptions can change at anytime. See our Arenal Map for accurate lava updates and to view the relative location of Arenal Volcano National Park.

Within the Park, short trails (3.4 km & 2 km) pass through young secondary forest and old lava fields from previous large eruptions. Park Rangers keep a sharp eye on volcanic activity. They will inform you which trails are open, and they will not hesitate to evacuate the Park if they feel it's unsafe (Ranger station phone: 2-461-8499).

The National Park is part of the Arenal Conservation Area, which stretches 200,000 hectares along Costa Rica's northern spine. The conservation area is crucial to the Costa Rican economy, and it is managed by the Ministerio del Ambiente y Energía. The area contains a great wealth of geologic and biological complexity.

See our latest eruption photos, frequently updated.

Arenal Volcano Tour Times and Booking

Tour combinations below include the volcano hike, your choice of hot springs, and dinner:

Arenal Volcano Hike and Tabacon Hot Springs plus lunch or dinner Times and Booking

Arenal Volcano Hike and Baldi Hot Springs plus lunch or dinner Times and Booking

Arenal Volcano Hike and Eco Thermales Hot Springs plus lunch or dinner Times and Booking

Arenal Volcano Hike and Titoku Hot Springs Times and Booking

Arenal Volcano Hike and Perdidos Springs plus dinner Times and Booking

ARENAL VOLCANO HISTORY
Arenal's current eruptive period began on July 29, 1968, when three craters burst open on the volcano's wester flank. Crater A measured 1000 metros across, and it set off a pyroclastic flow of toxic gas and hot rocks that reached 12 km and devastated the towns of Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacon. It brought about the death of approximately 87 people. In September of the same year, Crater A began to emit lava, and the volcano's primary activity remained at the crater until 1973. Then, eruption activity migrated to Crater C, at a height of 1450 meters. Crater C has remained active to the present day. It is characterized by lava of andesite basaltic composition, explosions of pyroclastic materials, and gas emissions.

ABOUT THE ARENAL AREA
Arenal, plays a central role in Costa Rica's power production. Next to the Arenal Volcano, the human-enlarged Lake Arenal supplies up to 40 percent of the country's hydroelectric supply. On the opposite side of the lake, large wind farms catch a strong wind as it whips across the Tilarán mountains. The region's volcanic activity is also tapped for electrical power by the Miravalles Volcano Geothermic Plant.
In agriculture, the region is a major supplier of beef and dairy products for domestic and export. South of the volcano, the high mountainous areas of Monteverde Cloud Forest make some of the best coffee found in Central America.

Regional Climate: The area's climate is quite variable with influences from both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Annual temperature oscillates between 21 and 27.5 degrees C. The rainy period is from May to January and the dry season runs from February to April. Annual percipitation averages between 3,500 mm to 5,000 mm.

Flora: Guayabo de Monte, Bait, Ceiba, Cirri, Laurel, Higuerones, Fungi, Guarumo, and different species of palms, heliconias, orchids, ferns, and bromelias (including the endemic species: Pitcaimia Funkiae)

Fauna: tepezcuinte, tapir, deer, Sahin, pizote, Howler Monkeys, Red-face Monkeys, White-face Monkeys, snakes, and birds such as parrots, sergeants, orioles, brown magpies, pericos, hummingbirds, Bell Birds, and Quetzals.

Source: Guia Costa Rica.

Village of La Fortuna Map    Driving to Arenal Map  

How does Arenal work? | Arenal Map | Photo Gallery | Arenal Volcano National Park | Hotels | Tours | Transportation | Read or sign our Arenal Volcano visitors comment book | Lake Arenal | Monteverde | Liberia Costa Rica | 1968 - the volcano wakes up after 400 years | Real time Costa Rica satellite photo with location of the Volcano | Site Map | Costa Rica Hotels | San Jose Costa Rica airport hotels: Hampton Inn Costa Rica