About Arenal Volcano
Located in northern Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most popular places to visit in Costa Rica due to its picture-perfect volcano, as well as several other attractions nearby, including hot springs, waterfalls, and cloud forest trails. The small town of La Fortuna, which serves as a base for visiting the attractions in Arenal, has excellent facilities and a beautiful backdrop of the iconic volcano shape.
There are many things to do in Arenal, Costa Rica. Apart from visiting Arenal volcano, the main attractions in the area are the Arenal hot springs, heated by the volcanic activity. There are several springs in the area, of which the most extensive are the Tabacon Hot Springs. These very beautiful springs consist of many large and small pools of mineral waters set in tropical gardens. Hot water rivers, between 27ºC and 42ºC, run throughout the grounds, forming natural waterfalls and pools, some secluded, where you can bathe. The restaurant also has views towards the volcano.
Another popular attraction in Arenal is the Hanging Bridges, consisting of a network of suspension bridges positioned at different heights, providing a glimpse of the forest and its wildlife from different levels. Your naturalist guide is on hand to explain the various forest ecosystems.
You can also hike for two kilometres from the Tenorio Volcano National Park to the Rio Celeste waterfall, a beautiful waterfall cascading down into a turquoise river. The prominent explanation for the stunning waters of the Rio Celeste waterfall is the volcanic-mineral coated rocks at the bottom of the river, which interact with the sunlight to give the impression of such vibrantly coloured water. This section of the park is home to lush vegetation, including endemic flora like bromeliads and orchids, and a wide range of birds and monkeys.
The area around Arenal is very beautiful, with great views from the pretty Lake Arenal, formed in 1973 through the construction of a dam. There are also several activities in the nearby cloud forest, including an aerial tram and zip lining. You can also visit the town of La Fortuna, centred around a colourful park with a pretty church in the centre, and a backdrop of Arenal Volcano.