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My Favorite National Park in Costa Rica: Arenal Volcano National Park

Ann — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:03:25 +0000

Papayas in Arenal Region

Mighty Arenal with slight cloud cover

“My Best Acquaintances are Those With with Whom I Speak No Words”

I never tire of visiting The Arenal Volcano National park in Costa Rica. This is truly a place to reach out and touch nature, peaceful and quiet with only the sounds of the mighty Arenal huffing and puffing it’s hot lava from it’s giant mouth. Each time I visit I learn something new and different and extremely interesting about the park and the ecosystem surrounding it. A big question is : why is there a cloud cover over the summit of the volcano–most of the time? First, there is a lot of rain-all year round- in the San Carlos Valley where the volcano is located. And also scientist say that the volcano creates it’s own ecosystem. Constantly puffing not steam and hot lava rocks into the atmosphere.

So it is a lucky visitor who gets to see the entire volcano without the cloud cover. The best time to see it is to get up at sunrise to see it when the cloud cover has not yet moved over it’s summit. up until around 10 a.m. you may have a good chance of seeing it. Also the north face of the volcano (from Lake Arenal) is a better chance of a better view.

People ask me, what month should I visit to be able to see Arenal Volcano. March is a drier month, with less rainfall. Although there is no dry or rainy season around the volcano. The lush rain forests give testimony to the abundant rainfall…all year round.

This rainfall brings the beautiful tropical flowers and abundant crops this region is so famous for. There are papayas, pineapple, coconuts, bananas, and platanos. Plants grow so fast here that farms have been established to grow and export ornamental plants, many of them to the United States and Europe.

And there is the hot mineral springs that flow from deep inside the base of Arenal. Such soothing waters! A sure cure for the aching muscles after a long hike.

One of my favorite activities is to get up a 5:30 am as the sun is rising and go birdwatching. Early in the morning the birds are singing and flying through the trees. I saw tow different species of Toucans. I was hoping for a scarlet macaw but was informed that the scarlets are not normally found in this region.

And my other favorite activity is to take my digital camera and capture the Volcano, which is not an easy task. My best photograph is from a boat on the Arenal Lake taken about 8:30 am. Lots of dark brown marine birds flew over and the volcano was in the back drop..with no clouds covering! I got lucky.

When I visit Arenal Volcano National park, I like to stay a least four nights or longer. I always find interesting things to see and do. From taking a hike inside the National park to a horseback ride on a farm near by.

Traveling to Costa Rica? I highly recommend the area of La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano National Park, a unique place to visit!

Costa Rica Unique Ecotourism Destinations for the Nature Lover

Ann — Mon, 25 May 2009 02:31:00 +0000

Arenal Volcano: Tortuguero Canals

Rancho Margot

While working many years as a travel agent specializing in Costa Rica, I have had the opportunity to explore most of this small unique country , now on the forefront of “World Ecotourism”

I have my special places which I feel are the most Unique ecotourism destinations for the nature lover traveling to Costa Rica , and I highly recommend them to every ecotourist.

Nature Lover’s Paradise: Unique ecotourism Destinations

1. Tortuguero national park on the Caribbean (Atlanta) side of Costa Rica. Please read my extensive article ( with photos) on Mawamba Lodge and the Tortuguero Canals. Go to page one of www.costaricalearn.com go to the search box and type in tortuguero canals.

Or find them on the web www.grupomawamba.com

2. Poas Volcano National Park, approximately 15 miles north of Alajuela in the “central valley” Poas is inactive at the moment. It is a very large geyser. You can look down into the geyser which is spectacular. It is a large blue-green gurgling pool of hot steam. Please read my extensive article with photos about Poas Volcano. Go the page 1 of costaricalearn to the search box, upper right hand side, Type in Poas Volcano. OR on the web www.costa-rica-guide.com/parks/poas.htm

3. Doka Plantation Four Generations Coffee Tour, Costa Rica , on the road to Poas Volcano, five miles outside of Alajuela. A must do tour. Learn all about coffee, how it is hand picked, processed, and packaged up according to its quality. Taste several varieties and make your own decision and take some home with you. Check them out on the web www.dokaestate.com

4. Arenal Volcano National Park and Arenal Lake, Costa Rica. Most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica. Read all about it by going to page 1 and in the search box at top of page on right- type Arenal Volcano National Park or find them on the

web www.costa-rica-guide.com/Natural/Arenal.html

5. Rincon de la Vieja National Park, in north central Costa Rica A very unique destination! Please go to page 1 of costaricalearn. Go to the search box at the top of the page and type in rincon de la vieja. There you will see my extensive article on this volcano along with photos.

OR find it on the web www.costarica-nationalparks.com/rincondelaviejanationalpark.html

6. Corcovado National Park and Cano Island south western Pacific. One of the most remote national park in Costa Rica. Filled with wildlife and birds. Here you will experience a primary rain forest with unusual trees, some with buttress of 4 meters in diameter. It is recommended to explore this park with a guide. Do not go in alone. It is dense and unforgiving. Cano Island can be reached by boat thru a tour company-located out of the jungle lodges around Corcovado. Uninhabited , Cano Island is a reminder of Robinson Crusoe. With beautiful long stretches of unspoiled beaches to stroll upon. It is a day trip from the mainland. One cannot sleep on the island. Read more about Corcovado on the web www.costarica-nationalparks.com/corcovadonationalpark.html

Special Interest tours- can be done in 1/2 day or 1 day

1. Rancho Margot- Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal This is a self sustaining ranch (learning center) where all the food is grown organically, electricity is by water powered generator, setting is a unique rain forest with views to Lake Arenal and a mighty river runs through the middle of the property. This is a nature lovers paradise. Take a guided tour of the ranch or horseback ride to the summit with magnificent views of Lake Arenal. The ranch has several very nice bungalows to house their guest and an excellent restaurant. It also has a yoga center situated on the banks of the river. You can learn all about this unique place on the web www.ranchomargot.org please read my in depth article (with photos) Go to page one of costaricalearn , top right is the search box. Type in Rancho Margot

2. Sloth refuge, Aviarios del Caribe located approx. 19 miles south of Limon on the Caribbean coast. Here injured sloths are nursed back to health and released into their natural habitat in the Costa Rica jungle. Judy and her husband Larry, creators of this refuge, offer a tour for around $14 per person. You see the baby sloths and learn first hand about the strange creature’s life style. Buttercup, a mature sloth rescued from the middle of the highway when she was only a few months old, is the star of the refuge. This is indeed a unique place. Please read my more detailed article (with photos) on Aviarios del Caribe. Go to the first page of costaricalearn , the search box at top of page type in Aviarios del Caribe sloth refuge costa rica.

Or find them on the web www.slothrescue.org

Costa Rica Vacation Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, La Fortuna

Ann — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:10:00 +0000

This is the first in a series of articles about Costa Rica’s TEN BEST VACATION SPOTS. I have personally visited each of these more than once- so I can speak from personal experience. Today I write about the Arenal Volcano National Park, Lake Arenal, the little town of La Fortuna. These are a “must” for every nature lover and outdoor adventurer. So lets begin: Prior to 1968, the area around the base of the volcano was a small sleepy rural agricultural community. Then in the early morning of July 29, 1968 Arenal erupted violently (after 400 years of dormancy) and buried the small village of Pueblo Nuevo-located at the base of Arenal’s northern face. (By the way-La Fortuna is located farther away from the actual volcano-approx 6 km and toward the volcano’s southern face, so you are safer there-so they say?) Anyway- with Arenal’s almost continuous small eruptions spewing fire and smoke, and large boulders- adventure loving tourist from around the world flock here to see these spectacular fireworks, and experience the great outdoors in an ecosystem which is unique in its flora and fauna.

WHERE IS THE ARENAL VOLCANO LOCATED? It is well located with easy access on good roads: The San Carlos valley, home to La Fortuna and the mightly Arenal, is located in the northern central part of Costa Rica, an easy 3 1/2 hours drive – good roads-from San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica , and Alajuela- home to the main international airport. (Juan Santa Maria). Also its an easy 2 hour drive from the other international airport in Liberia located in the northwest section of Costa Rica. And the beautiful and popular north-western Pacific beaches are only 2 hours drive- good roads.

WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE at Arenal Volcano? Its wonderful and magical… raining a lot-all year round-creating a tropical garden, cascading waterfalls, and luxurious hot springs…all lush and green with flowers of all descriptions and colorful birds and fields of papayas, pineappples, coconuts, and bananas. But then comes the days with sunny mornings and mild warm afternoon showers. And some days (a few-mostly March to mid April) no rain at all. Just remember-there is no pure rainy or pure dry season- as you find in other areas of Costa Rica, such as the central valley in and around San Jose, the capital. The temperatures around the volcano tends to be on the warm side and the air is very humid, but luckily, the rainfall helps to cool things down. Most important-all the hotels in the area have the much needed air conditioning. So remember-dress cool and take along that umbrella and rain jacket.

WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR SHOULD I VISIT : I would simplify this answer by saying : Any month of the year except, if I had a choice, I would not come in September and October, which tend to be the most rainy. Remember, there is no defined rainy season nor dry season here. Now: when is it most crowed? Mid-December thru mid April. Then again July to mid August.

TELL ME ABOUT LA FORTUNA, INTERSTING PLACES TO SEE, RESTUARANTS, ETC. La Fortuna is located 6 km from the base of Arenal Volcano and one the main road that leads out of town-going north-passing by many small hotels-and leading you to the entrance of Arenal Volcano National Park, and if you keep going, you come upon the beautiful Arenal Lake. Yes, La Fortuna is small-very small. A couple of streets in and a couple streets out, so of course you can never get lost. No museums, no public library, just a tree lined small central park always bustling with tourist talking to the locals. The quaint picturesque catholic church dominates the north face of the park. And there seems to be a local “Tico” restaurant on every corner -filled with enthusiastic tourists. Then there’s the busy bus stop- which feeds routes all over Costa Rica ( and does quite a good job) and Banco de Costa Rica where you can change money or use the ATM machine. Lets not forget the health clinic, the post office and last but not least-the very laid back police station. And I do mean laid back-there’s not much mischief going on here. Souvenir shops, small hotels, and tour operators make up the rest of the place. My favorite tour operator is Sunset tours, conveniently located right in front of the park, with friendly English speaking tour guides happy to go into great detail about each and every tour they offer. And do they offer a lot of tours! I will talk about these tours in my next blog posting.

How long would I spend in La Fortuna? Maybe an hour walking around the park, talking with the locals, quick stop at the local grocery store, buy a T-shirt, book a tour, eat some typical Costa Rican food- gallo pinto (rice and beans) with a papaya milkshake…Yuk-can’t I do better than that! And ……then head north to the Mighty Arenal!

HOW LONG SHOULD I SAY IN THE AREAL AREA? I always stay at least 2 nights but I prefer to stay 3 nights. I have stayed as long as 7 nights. I love the laid back-relaxing feeling you get here…what more could one ask for: warm rains, luxurious hot springs, good Costa Rican food, gorgeous flowers everywhere, birds of many songs and colors, and of course the mighty Arenal with its nightly performances of firey eruptions. You can just kick up your feet and relax or you can choose daily activities offered by the tour companies -horseback riding, bird watching, nature walks, Zip line thru the jungle (Tarzan and Jane). Then there is monkey watching- where you watch them and they watch you. In my next blog posting I will go into more detail on what is offered in each of these tours, along with the cost.

HOW MUCH SHOULD I EXPECT TO SPEND? Of course that depends on the category of hotel , how many tours you want to take and what price range restaurant you want to eat in. And believe me they are many hotels to choose from as well as restaurant. So its not hard to make your budget and hopefully stick with it. In my next blog posting I will give examples of different categories of hotel and tours and some idea of these at todays prices.

Always remember: In high season everything cost more: In Green season everything costs less: In general- green Season is May, June, mid September to end of September, October, to mid November- everything else is high season. However, check your hotel’s web site where they post their rates for each season, because I find they they can change these dates at their whim.

My next blog posting will include descriptions of the tours and activities around the Volcano and Lake Arenal. Also hotel and restaurant options…. Until then “Pura Vida”