Arenal Travel Guide

I had the opportunity to visit Costa Rica in 2001 after I won an all-expenses paid Extreme Vacation trip from a local radio station. If you ever have the opportunity to visit this country, you have to make sure to plan a to stay a couple of days in the Arenal region.

The Arenal region is an awesome place to visit. I stayed at the Arenal Lodge, and my room's balcony faced a courtyard full of lovely flowers and provided an idyllic view of the most active volcano in Costa Rica - Volcan Arenal. The view in the early morning and late evening hours is fabulous because you can actually see the volcano erupt and watch the lava flow down the side of the mountain. In addition to watch the volcano, you have to venture down toward the hot springs that are heated by the volcano itself. Just sitting under a small waterfall with the water rushing over your shoulders will ease away all of the tension from your neck.

Other things that you should check out while there is to take a canopy tour through the trees in the surrounding area. The guides are helpful, friendly, and experts at making sure that you are properly secured before you take off from one tree to the other. If you do the canopy tour, make sure to bring plenty of mosquito spray because you will be in the midst of the jungle.

Another activity you should plan is to book a whitewater rafting tour on the Toro River, a Class IV river, offered by a company in La Fortuna. The tour can be arranged prior to arriving at the hotel, and you can arrange for transportation to and from the hotel to get you where you need to meet with the rest of the people on the tour. After a day of whitewater rafting, you are treated to an authentic Costa Rican meal at a local restaurant and then it is back to your hotel.

There are plenty of things to do and see in the Arenal region of Costa Rica. Try to spend at least 2 or 3 days there to take advantage of some of the local activities and have a good time!

arenal étais magnifique !!!! Surtout si on prend des tours guider ... les guides sont excellents et sympatiques, on en apprend plein sur la nature et ses animaux .. SUrtout à ne pas manquer; à Arenal c la traversé de arenal a monteverdé par voie maritime .... c la seul fois et une des rares (deux trois par année... max....) qu'on a pu voir le volcan a découvert ... c sur le lac dans le bateau  que l'éclaircissement de nuage s.est fait voir.... les courants  chauds et froids en provenance du pacifique créé un contraste tel que des nuages se créés par l'humidité et cache le top du mont arenal... Alors quand vous voyez des photos du mont non couvert profiter en car en réalité il y vraiment très peu de chance que vous les voyier à votre visite !!! et si vous en voyer une en activité dite vous qu'il est impossible de voir la larve du volcan le jour et surtout sans nuage... tuyau en provenance de notre guide loooll!!!

bon voyage!!!

On the backside of the Volcano outside of the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos there is a small resort in the jungle that has these awesome little cabanas that are very affordable.  A short walk up the road, through the jungle there is a 300 ft water fall that is a must see.  It takes 30 min. to hike down to, but you have to swim in the river!

At night, go around to the front of the Volcano.  It's a 20 minute drive from the town of La Fortuna de San Carlos to a resort called Tabacón. You can sit in these hot springs and watch the LAVA FLOW down the side!  IT IS AWESOME!