Nov
10
2011
Apr
10
2012
Heat it up at Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica
Not yet published by Tara Anderson, Writer
Country: Costa Rica 
The Experience
Nestled in the north western region of Costa Rica is one of the world’s top ten active volcanoes, Volcan Arenal. Situated east of the town of La Fortuna and surrounded by lush jungle foliage and rolling hills, this smokey lava hot spot appears to be a relic of a bygone era. The rugged beauty of Arenal Volcano lures countless visitors each year, in hopes that they may catch a glimpse of the lava flow.
We decided to rent a vehicle to drive from the northern coast to La Fortuna. This is highly recommended by other travellers and most guide books. For the weary international driver, have no worries! Compared to other Latin American countries, driving in Costa Rica is fairly easy, and the convenience of having your own car to explore the region of Arenal and Monteverde is a far more enjoyable experience then sitting on a crammed bus.
As we headed east towards La Fortuna with two free tourist maps from Alamo and a dependence on the road side volcano signs , we soon came across the town of Canas. Our trusty volcano signs disappeared and several forks in the road left us very lost. Luckily we were not the first confused visitors to travel the path. Within minutes we were approached by a man selling hand drawn maps for a steep 5 dollars. Needless to say, we then continued on our way.
In 1964, Arenal erupted, causing the death of hundreds of cattle, eight people, and destroying the nearby town. Since then lava has been spewing and erupting. The volcano may be a new comer however people have been there for thousands of years. Carbon dated artefacts bring light to the first inhabitants of the region; the oldest, a clovis style point made from local quartz dates back to circa 10,000 B.C.
As we followed the winding road, the cone shaped bump in the vista began to grow larger and larger. Smoke bellowed from the top, melting into the clouds, and dense forests began to replace the farm lands. I could not help but imagine bands of hunter gatherers, traversing the landscape as they did thousands of years ago.
We waited for night to come, in order to catch a glimpse of the flowing lava. From La Fortuna ten of us, all travellers from the back packer’s hostel, piled into a caravan of cars and drove into the darkness. The best viewing spot is from the Arenal Observatory, about 10 km out of town. It is also the most popular.
We waited for two hours, alongside other lava seeking enthusiast but there was nothing but heavy dark clouds. The 3000 m volcano was coated in darkness. Then just as we were about to head back to the jeep, a loud roaring boom erupted from the volcano. “What was that?”, my friend asked looking at me puzzled. We immediately ran back to the view point like excited children, just in time to see the volcano exposed against the night sky. Molten red lava spewed from the top , it rumbled then tumbled down the side. Brilliant red rocks and color continued to escape like Hades fury.
We decided to rent a vehicle to drive from the northern coast to La Fortuna. This is highly recommended by other travellers and most guide books. For the weary international driver, have no worries! Compared to other Latin American countries, driving in Costa Rica is fairly easy, and the convenience of having your own car to explore the region of Arenal and Monteverde is a far more enjoyable experience then sitting on a crammed bus.
As we headed east towards La Fortuna with two free tourist maps from Alamo and a dependence on the road side volcano signs , we soon came across the town of Canas. Our trusty volcano signs disappeared and several forks in the road left us very lost. Luckily we were not the first confused visitors to travel the path. Within minutes we were approached by a man selling hand drawn maps for a steep 5 dollars. Needless to say, we then continued on our way.
In 1964, Arenal erupted, causing the death of hundreds of cattle, eight people, and destroying the nearby town. Since then lava has been spewing and erupting. The volcano may be a new comer however people have been there for thousands of years. Carbon dated artefacts bring light to the first inhabitants of the region; the oldest, a clovis style point made from local quartz dates back to circa 10,000 B.C.
As we followed the winding road, the cone shaped bump in the vista began to grow larger and larger. Smoke bellowed from the top, melting into the clouds, and dense forests began to replace the farm lands. I could not help but imagine bands of hunter gatherers, traversing the landscape as they did thousands of years ago.
We waited for night to come, in order to catch a glimpse of the flowing lava. From La Fortuna ten of us, all travellers from the back packer’s hostel, piled into a caravan of cars and drove into the darkness. The best viewing spot is from the Arenal Observatory, about 10 km out of town. It is also the most popular.
We waited for two hours, alongside other lava seeking enthusiast but there was nothing but heavy dark clouds. The 3000 m volcano was coated in darkness. Then just as we were about to head back to the jeep, a loud roaring boom erupted from the volcano. “What was that?”, my friend asked looking at me puzzled. We immediately ran back to the view point like excited children, just in time to see the volcano exposed against the night sky. Molten red lava spewed from the top , it rumbled then tumbled down the side. Brilliant red rocks and color continued to escape like Hades fury.
When to Go to Arenal Volcano
The best time of year to travel to Costa Rica varies. The rainy season begins in June and lasts until mid November. The dry season is from late December to May.
The best spot to view the Arenal Volcano is located within the Arenal Observatory. There is no cost if you have your own vehicle, alternatively local tour groups or a taxi can take you there for about 10 dollars.
Any apprehension about driving in the dark, will be quickly absolved by the number of locals, and tourists that head out on a nightly basis to view the lava.
Once at the Arenal Observatory , go through the entrance (there is no charge at night) and continue driving until you reach a bridge. Park your car on the side of the road, and get cozy. Cloud cover can sometimes block any chance you may have at viewing the lava so plan to spend a few hours waiting for it to clear.
The best spot to view the Arenal Volcano is located within the Arenal Observatory. There is no cost if you have your own vehicle, alternatively local tour groups or a taxi can take you there for about 10 dollars.
Any apprehension about driving in the dark, will be quickly absolved by the number of locals, and tourists that head out on a nightly basis to view the lava.
Once at the Arenal Observatory , go through the entrance (there is no charge at night) and continue driving until you reach a bridge. Park your car on the side of the road, and get cozy. Cloud cover can sometimes block any chance you may have at viewing the lava so plan to spend a few hours waiting for it to clear.
Odds n' Ends
Buy a detailed map or rent a GPS, this will help you on your way to La Fortuna.
Advice from the owner at Java Lava, “careful everything here can kill you.” If travelling into the jungle do not touch the trees, the bugs, the leaves. There are several poisonous creatures lurking everywhere.
Wear closed toe shoes.
Advice from the owner at Java Lava, “careful everything here can kill you.” If travelling into the jungle do not touch the trees, the bugs, the leaves. There are several poisonous creatures lurking everywhere.
Wear closed toe shoes.
Want a Guide?
- Costa Rica Quest - GAP Adventures
- An action-packed tour of some of Costa Rica's must-see highlights, with amazing wildlife, intense volcanic landscapes and superb Pacific beaches. If you are a traveller with limited time and a desire to explore Costa Rica's lush interior, this is the tour for you.
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
We are located in the center of La Fortuna, in the nicest tranquil area of this beautiful charming town, just 15 minutes from the majestic ... 2 miles away
$26135 CRC+
Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort is a five-star deluxe resort located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. The deluxe ... 2 miles away
$104842 CRC+
+ 23 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- Ride the Cables Zip Lining in Costa Rica
- As I stood on a tiny wooden platform, staring down into the impossible depths of the lush Costa Rican Rainforest, I began to reconsider my decision to try zip lining for the first time. After the first leap into the forest-abyss, overwhelmed and exhilarated from my jungle flight, I was hooked on Costa Rica zip lining. The small town of Montezuma, located on the southern tip of Costa Rica’s beautiful Nicoya Peninsula, is famous for it scenic waterfalls and coastline. A canopy tour in Montezuma is an unrivaled means of exploration, simply put, it is Costa Rica zip lining at ...61 miles away.
- Sandboard down an Active Volcano in Nicaragua
- A trip to Nicaragua would not be complete without trying out volcano boarding: sandboarding down an active volcano—an extreme sport that could have only been created in a place known as the “Land of Lakes and Volcanoes”. Cerro Negro, an imposing dark mass of rock and volcanic ash true to its name (“Black Hill”), is the place to test your fear. Formed in 1850, it is the youngest volcano in Central America, and has erupted more than twenty times. Best of all: it’s still active today. Although the Cerro Negro volcano is relatively small at only 400 meters high, its ...196 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
Start the day at Buena Vista Rainforest, taking advantage of the volcanic activity. Here, you can enjoy either a sulfur bath with hot spring water ...44.38 miles away via Guanacaste.
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The city of Granada was founded in 1524 by the Spaniard Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba. Despite being besieged by pirates several times, destroyed during the ...44.38 miles away via Guanacaste.
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Carpe Diem! Book to do this experience now!
On your way to Arenal Volcano, you will travel through the picturesque town of La Fortuna. Costa Rica's most active volcano periodically erupts, rumbling ...
Starting from $114.99 per person.
Starting from $114.99 per person.
Books and DVDs
- Costa Rica Travel Guide - Lonely Planet
- Beyond the deserted beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula and the visceral heights of the Monteverde cloud forests lies the real Costa Rica; a land of delicate pathos, forthright purity and hard-won pacifism. Tromp through virgin rain forest - sighting poison-dart frogs and howler monkeys along the way - or simply explore the local lore and laid-back beach scene with this comprehensive guide.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Arenal Volcano - New 7 Wonders
- Arenal Volcano is an active andesitic (meaning that the rock has been crystallized from silicate minerals) stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica, where Arenal is the youngest and most active of all the mountains.
- Arenal Volcano National Park - Costa Rica Guide.com
- Arenal volcano is the most spectacularly active in Costa Rica. Hotels in the region tout their views of the lava flows and red hot boulders ejected from the volcano glowing in the darkness.
- Arenal Volcano - Wikipedia.org
- The Arenal Volcano, in Spanish Volcán Arenal, is an active andesitic stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica (10.5N, 84.7W), around 90 km north-west of San José, in the province of Alajuela, canton of San Carlos, and district of La Fortuna.
- Travel Report Costa Rica - Voyages.gc.ca
- WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Media References
- Costa Rica - National Geographic.com (magazine)
- Located in Central America, Costa Rica has coastlines on the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. The tropical coastal plains rise to mountains, active volcanoes, and a temperate central plateau where most people live (San José, the capital, is here).
- Tours of Every Stripe (newspaper)
- COSTA RICA'S reputation as a stable democracy -- with low crime, friendly people, a quarter of its acreage in nature preserves and no standing army -- has for decades been luring American surfers, ecologists and jungle trekkers and, in recent years, tourists and families, seeking natural beauty and diversity.
- The Best Natural Attractions - NY Times.com (newspaper)
- Arenal Volcano/Tabacón Hot Springs (near La Fortuna, northwest of San José): When the skies are clear and the lava is flowing, Arenal Volcano provides a thrilling light show accompanied by an earthshaking rumble that defies description.
- 50 Top Wellness Destinations: South and Central America - National Geographic.com (magazine)
- Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort (Costa Rica) The Spa: Hot springs, lagoons, and lush rain forest surround this thermal resort at the foot of Arenal Volcano.
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Spanish 
is one of the languages spoken in Costa Rica. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
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