Lake Arenal, Costa Rica

Lake facts

Lake Arenal sits at the base of the Arenal Volcano in the northern highlands of Costa Rica. It's the country's largest landlocked body of water, with a surface that covers nearly 33 square miles (85 sq km) and a depth that reaches some 200 feet (60 m).

The dam

In 1979, Lake Arenal was enlarged to three times its original size with the construction of a hydroelectric dam (the Sangregado Dam), administered by the I.C.E. (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad). The towns of Arenal and Tilarán, originally sited where the lake now rests, were relocated to its northeastern side. The dam now produces nearly 12% of Costa Rica's electricity. Learn more about Costa Rica's commitment to sustainability.

Water activities

Lake Arenal offers year-round windsurfing, fishing, boat tours and kayaking. It has a world-class reputation among windsurfers and sailboarders thanks to a steady supply of strong, dependable wind. Fishing here is popular too, especially for rainbow bass, known locally as "guapote," members of the cichlid family prized for their fight and their sharp teeth. The best time to troll for them is around sunrise or sunset; organized fishing trips typically start with a hotel pickup at 5:30 AM or 2:00 PM.

Paddle the lake yourself on our kayaking tour, or combine it with cycling on the kayaking & biking combo. The area around the lake can also be explored by horseback or mountain bike, and taxi boats cross it as a scenic shortcut to Monteverde.

Get to and from Lake Arenal and your other Arenal tours with convenient transportation options.