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Welcome to Arenal

Arenal / North Zone

​The Arenal Volcano National Park has an area of 33 square kilometers, and its landscape has two distinct areas: one side is of the volcano is covered with lush vegetation and a variety of wildlife where visitors can see a wide array of orchids, ferns and palms and the other, a rugged zone with lava tracts and sand.  The volcano offers daytime and nighttime viewing opportunities of its perfect conical shape, unliked any other volcano in Costa Rica. Those who visit this protected area should not miss, in addition, the lava flows that fell in 1992, the impressive ceiba tree with more than 400 years old and the trails along an extensive and authentic rain forest, where you can appreciate the wildlife and resources that the Park protects.
The summit of the Arenal Volcano, rising 1,633 meters above sea level, towers far above the Arenal Volcano National Park and northern plains overlooking a wind-swept lake and pristine cloud forests reserves.  An incredibly diverse population of wildlife and a myriad of adventure activities awaits you in this part of Costa Rica.  In addition, this area is known for its hot springs, which provide a unique relaxing environment surrounded by local nature.  Nature-loving visitors can enjoy the region’s many riches of protected areas, lakes, lagoons, volcanoes, rivers and waterfalls. Thanks to frequent rains, the Northern Zone features wet and evergreen forests as well as fertile plains—natural environments that serve as sanctuaries for water birds, reptiles, mammals, and important sites of interest for wildlife-lovers.  Adventure activities such as white-water rafting and nature-watching may be enjoyed on the region’s rivers—Peñas Blancas, San Carlos, Toro, Balsa and Sarapiquí—some of which are important navigational routes. The ideal way to visit this region is by ground transportation since the landscapes you’ll see as you drive along these twisting roads make for incredible photographs.  600 of the 850 bird species identified in Costa Rica are permanent residents of this region so don't forget the binoculars!!  Driving along winding roads from San Jose, you climb higher into the surrounding mountains, where temperatures drop to a refreshing 70-75 degrees F.  In the distance you’ll be able to observe the dark green and blue silhouettes of the Guanacaste and Tilaran mountain ranges. 

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Hotels in Arenal

Arenal Hotels

Tours in Arenal

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Travel Tips
​How to get there
  • From San Jose head west on the Interamerican Highway to San Ramon then north to La Fortuna.  
  • There’s also the option of passing through the colorful towns of Sarchi, Grecia, Naranjo and Zarcero.

Climate
Lake Arenal is located in a tropical zone on the Atlantic slope at 400 meters above sea level.  
The weather here tends to characterize itself with warm daytime temperatures (low to mid 80's) and relatively high humidity.  Rainy season occurs from mid April through December but wet weather can often occur during the dry months as well.
There are intermittent rain showers that usually pass quickly and from late February until early May, the rain lessens in frequency which allows for fantastic skyscapes during sunrise and sunset.

What to bring
As in other areas, rain gear, and comfortable hiking shoes. Binoculars are highly recommended since there is excellent birdwatching.


What to do
  • Jewels of the Rain Forest
A collection of over a million species of insects on display in the Municipal Museum in Grecia.
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  • World of Snakes
Open-air exhibition of snakes of the world, including a special section on snakes of Costa Rica.

  • Los Angeles Cloud Forest Reserve
A “Monteverde-like” private reserve containing roughly 2,000 acres with nature trails good for hiking and riding.

  • Juan Castro Blanco National Park
​12,458 hectares of which 60% is primary forest with beautiful waterfalls, and abundance of wildlife including the elusive Quetzal, however very little tourist infrastructure exists.

  • Celeste River & Tenorio Volcano Tour
Mysterious and imposing, in the very bowels of the Tenorio Volcano, manifestations of hidden power transform the union of the Buena Vista and Roble rivers into a sky blue stream.

  • Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
This is the perfect place to enjoy natural sightseeing. Since the refuge is found on the low-lying northern plains, water is the key word. During the area’s dry season, the refuge can be accessed by road, but during the rainy season – boats are the answer. In the area of the lowland keep on the look out for sloths and anteaters, while birders will find a cornucopia of subjects for their binoculars and cameras. White cranes and ducks abound in the shallow along the rivers.

  • La Selva Biological Reserve
1,500 hectare biological reserve adjacent to Braulio Carillo National Park, owned and managed by the Organization for Tropical Studies, a consortium of international universities dedicated to rain forest research. The U.S. Academy of Sciences has recognized La Selva as one of the four most ideal places in the world for this kind of research.

  • Rio Fortuna Waterfall
Hiking trails and a great swimming hole at the base.

  • Venado Caverns
Very primitive network of large caves, underground river, and stalactites and stalagmites.

  • Tabacon Resort and Spa
A world-class spa which offers a variety of services: five amazing natural hot mineral water pools in temperatures ranging from 80 to 102 degrees F., an indoor turbulent hot tub, natural hot springs and waterfalls, all surrounded by incredible ecological gardens.  In addition, there are massage and mud masks treatment available.  Exotic cocktails and tropical drinks are served in its’ three bars, and exquisite Italian and Costa Rican cuisine is featured in the restaurant overlooking the volcano.

  • Arenal Botanical Gardens
Collection of over 2,000 species of plants from all over the world.
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WhatsApp: (239) 747 4620
Costa Rica: (506) 4001 7885
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World Travel Tourism Council Member
Camara Nacional de Turismo
Oficial Costa Rica Travel Agency
  • Home
    • Costa Rica OverView
    • Costa Rica Webinars
    • About Us >
      • Blog >
        • Costa Rica Travel News
    • RFT Travel Agents Partner
    • Guest Testimonial
  • Packages
    • Adventure Challenge Package
    • Styled Adventures Package
    • Caribbean Rafting and Beach Package
    • Costa Rica Select Explorer Package
    • Costa Rica Wildlife Immersion
    • Cloud Forest Adventure Package
    • Pura Vida Adventure Package
    • Highlights of Costa Rica Deluxe
    • Rainforest Deluxe Adventure
    • Rain Forest Adventure Package
    • Select Nature Lover's Delight
    • Costa Rica Tropical Paradise Package
    • Costa Rica Rain Forest Adventure Package
    • Jewels of Costa Rica 8 days Package
    • VIP Special Itineraries
    • Thanksgiving Costa Rica All INCLUSIVE Packages
    • Costa Rica New Year 7 NIGHTS - All INCLUSIVE
    • Costa Rica New Year 5 NIGHTS - All INCLUSIVE
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  • Day Tours
    • Costa Rica Day Tours by Region
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    • eGift Cards
  • Regions
    • Costa Rica Hotels by Regions
    • National Parks, Reserves
    • Arenal / North Zone >
      • Tours and North Zone Tours Guide
      • Arenal Volcano Hotels Guide
    • Central Valley San Jose Guide >
      • San Jose and the Central Valley Hotels
    • Corcovado And Southern Zone >
      • Corcovado and Southern Zone Hotels Guide
    • Guanacaste >
      • Guanacaste Hotels And Resorts
    • Jaco and Central Pacific >
      • Jaco Beach Hotels Guide
    • Manuel Antonio & Quepos >
      • Manuel Antonio & Quepos Hotels Guide
    • Monteverde >
      • Monteverde Hotels
    • Talamanca, Chirripo National Park >
      • Hotels Talamanca
    • Tortuguero National Park >
      • Tortuguero Hotels
    • Caribbean and Limon,Costa Rica >
      • Hotels in Caribbean and Limon Guide
  • Contact