Arenal Volcano in North Central Costa Rica

THE HISTORY OF ARENAL VOLCANO IN NORTH CENTRAL COSTA RICA COSTA RICA

Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica for many reasons.
Tourist come here to experience Nature at its fullest. In a small area around this mighty volcano, one can do so many things related to the natural surroundings.  The volcano  seems to emit positive energy and one can rejuvenate in spirit and body.

All the outdoor nature activities would more than fill this page. So I am going to mention my favorite ones.  Natural hot springs- Tabacon Hot Springs, Eco Thermales Hot Springs, and Baldi Hot Springs,   Paradise Hot Springs--Relax and have a therapeutic massage!

Sky Trek Zip line is great! As well as Mundo Adventura zip line.  Sky Trek takes you to the top of the mountain in a glass gondola and Mundo Adventura rides you up in a trailor pulled by a tractor and then you have to walk up further to get to the first platform of zip line.

Desafio Tour company is located on the town square of La Fortuna and offers a wide range of out door activities.

Arenal Volcano was dormant  until 1968 when it suddenly and violently erupted towards it western face, throwing rock sup to one ton plus hot steam and lava.  The lasted for several days and destroyed crops, livestock, and three small villages- Tabacon,  Pueblo Neuvo  and San Luis.  Before it was all over eighty one people were killed.  The volcano continued to attract viewers and curious people and  became the largest tourist attraction in Costa Rica.

It had violent eruptions again in 1975, 1984, 1993,  and 1998.  Today in 2013 the volcano is dormant but one day surely it will erupt again.

If you are planning a vacation to Costa Rica you must include this area of the Arenal

[caption id="attachment_5201" align="aligncenter" width="251" caption="Arenal eruption 1968"][/caption]

Volcano in  you vacation plans and experience some of the most exciting outdoor activities in the country.  "The Costa Rica Learn Travel Company can help you plan your itinerary. Ann is an expert on "Arenal and all it has to offer"  Contact her at www.costaricalearn.com

Email  anncreed23@gmail.com

 

Costa Rica, A Country filled With Natural Phenomenons including Four Active Volcanoes!

Costa Rica is a very small country about the size of the state of West Virginia in the USA.  It has a mountain range that runs right now thru the middle of the country from the north to the southern tip.  Located within this range are four active volcanoes.  Starting from the north is the mighty Arenal Volcano which huffs and puffs all day long shooting fire and hot rocks from its summit.  It is a big draw for tourism to the area.

Near the central valley of Costa Rica is the Irazu Volcano . The capital city of San Jose sits in it's shadow.  It had a major eruption in 1963 when it covered the central valley, esp San Jose in a blanket of ash.  At this moment it is quiet.  It is also a big tourist attraction and an easy day trip  from San Jose .

East of San Jose is the Turrialba Volcano which lately has been spraying ash for miles around its base.  It is off the beaten path and not many tourist go there because it is not easy to get to.

The there is the Poas Volcano, the volcano which draws the most tourist as well as Costa Rica visitors.  It is only one hour from San Jose by car and the drive up to is is just gorgeous.  Coffee plantations dot the sides of the mountains and dairy cows are seen grazing the deep green grass in the higher altitudes.  Lately it has been quite active spraying hot water and gasses high into the sky, almost one kilometer.

Costa Rica is a country filled with natural phenomenons.  Volcano eruptions, earthquakes, floods, but luckily Costa Rica does not get hurricanes.  If you would like to see the big eruption of 1958 of the Poas Volcano on video you can do just that.  Go to the top of our home page and click on "buy our video"  Also you will see on the video the mighty Arenal Volcano is action, as well as the Poas Volcano.

[caption id="attachment_3791" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Ken and Ann at the Poas Volcano"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_3794" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Areanl Volcano in the late afternoon with it's perfect cone"][/caption]

SPOTLIGHT COSTA RICA- Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and La Fortuna, Costa Rica, Sky Tram & Sky Trek Tour

If you are planning to travel to Costa Rica on vacation and want to visit the most popular area for great outdoor adventure then Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal, and the area around La Fortuna is where you should go.

If you are flying into the central valley of Costa Rica to the Juan Santa Maria International Airport, than by car you are three and one half hours from the Arenal Volcano.  If you fly into the Liberia International Airport in the northern zone of Costa Rica,  by car you are three  to three and one half hours from the Arenal Volcano.

Let's say you have  two  full days to stay in this area and want to experience the activities that are the most fun.  First, I recommend the sky tram and canopy tour and do it first thing in the morning when the weather is usually best. This is offered by a company called Sky Trek and you can purchase it right at your hotel tour desk.   Or purchase it from  Sunset Tour Company in La Fortuna  located right on the town square.  Arrangements can be made for you to be picked up and delivered back  to  your hotel  by a shuttle service offered by Sky Trek tour company or by Sunset tours.

What exactly do I do on the Sky Tram & Sky Trek Tour?   You will be transported on a Sky Tram Gondola  on a smooth ride through the rain forest up to an observation deck high above the rain forest canopy. Along the way you have a gorgeous view of Lake Arenal.  Also you may see howler monkeys and a flock of colorful toucans.  At the top, from the observation deck,  the view to the south face of Arenal Volcano is magnificant!  It's almost like you can reach out and touch the volcano.  You can hear is roaring and see the  hot molten rocks and fiery boulders shooting from it's summit.

From the observation deck,  you can take a well marked path which leads you into the rain forest and hike for around 45 minutes.  The vegetation here is unique due to the high altitude.  One of the most interesting is the giant fern tree which grows to around eight fee tall.  Imagine a fern that size in your living room!

You can ride the Sky Tram gondola back down OR  you can take the more exciting route down, the zip line cables,  called the Sky Trek. It will definitely get your adrenalin going.  Once strapped into the safety gear,  you just zip from tree top platform to tree top platform.  It's up and over the top of the rain forest canopy.  A beautiful experience!  Just like Tarzan and Jane!

If you are hungry after this great adventure, there is a small cafe right there on the grounds.  Also you can spend an extra thirty minutes and walk through the butterfly garden,  where blue morpho butterflies fly freely surrounded by a very large net.  Very interesting for butterfly lovers.

This tour takes approximately one-half day, and I highly recommend it.

Children have to be at least eight years of age to take the Sky Trek Zip Line Portion of the Tour.

The costs when I took it in 2009 was $65 per person.  Plus $8 if I wanted to be transported by the shuttle to and from my hotel.

What should I wear? Comfortable walking shoes like tennis or light weight hiking boots.  Temperature is cool because you are at a high altitude.  You will need a light weight rain proof jacket because rains frequently.  Take your money etc. in a pouch because if you take the zip line, it's hard to handle a backpack.

costaricalearn.com   strives to help you make your vacation to Costa Rica more fun and more meaningful!   Ken and Ann Creed are the authors and videographer.  You can read more about Ken and Ann by clicking on "about us" at the top of page one.

Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna and Sunset Tours

The small town of La Fortuna, Costa Rica is the main gateway to the Arenal Volcano. Despite it's tourist boom, La Fortuna still serves as a regional agricultural center, with strong ties to the local beef cattle economy. Pineapple and papaya are the most popular crops, most of which are exported to US.

The town is bustling with tourists, here to see the mightly Arenal Volcano's eruptions and experience the many adventure outdoor activities.

Best place to catch one of these tours is Sunset Tours conveniently located on the town square.
You can pick from horseback riding, river rafting, hiking around the base of the volcano, rainforest expeditions, canopy tours, sky tram, visit a self sustaining organic farm, visit an indigenous indian village, bird watching, river floats to view allegators, monkeys, and water fowl. And much much more. Plus it is a photographers paradise.

How many days should a tourist stay in this area of La Fortuna? I recommend a minimum of 3 nights. I stayed seven nights and did not run out of things to see and do.

La Fortuna offers small hotels that are for the budget minded. And local restaurants offering typical Costa Rican dishes, lots of small shops to pick up local souvenirs and T shirts.

Costa Rica Spotlight: Tabacon Hot Springs and Spa Costa Rica's Best Hot Springs Experience

Travel Costa Rica to Tabacon Hot Springs and Spa, a tropical oasis embedded in a primary rain forest at the foot of the mighty Arenal Volcano, is without a doubt one of the top ten tours around Arenal Volcano. An unforgetable experience. Don't miss it! Cascading hot spring gurgling from the volcano's base, create 12 natural thermal pools and lagoons, waterfalls, and exotic gardens with songs of tropical birds. You can relax for several hours, taking in these tropical gardens with hundreds of flowering plants while you let the natural hot waters roll over your body. Watch from here as the Arenal constantly rumbles and spits burning rocks, creating a crimson hot lava flow in the distance. What an experience! Make a day of it and treat yourself to the Tabacon grand spa. I have been there many times and I can tell you the massages and other treatments are more than great- so pamper yourself ! To further compliment your day, dine right here at the hot springs. Lunch or dinner- just a few steps away. You can choose from a fresh selection of Costa Rican and international dishes. Yes! A perfect day in the Costa Rican Rain forest!

Then there is the beautiful Tabacon Lodge just walking distance from the hot thermal waters. Again nestled in a tropical garden with howler monkeys at you balcony's edge, you can hear the mighty Arenal Volcano roar like a lion while spitting fire from its summit. Grounds include a swimming pool fed by thermal hot springs, another 4 star restaurant, and a fabulous gift shop. Reservations for the hotel in advance- are a must in the high season which is Mid November thru Mid April and again for the month of July till mid August. However, the hot springs entrance does not require reservations, but reservations for the spa and ,massage treatments are a must. The Lodge offers hooneymoon packages. Also you can buy the hot springs, the lodging, and massage treatments all in one package- which makes it a better buy. You can find more in depth information thru google..just type in Tabacon Hot Springs and Spa. Or Tabacon Lodge Costa Rica. Have a great time! "Pura Vida"
Spa: different treatments offered. I took the deep muscle massage for 45 minutes for a cost of $75.00. Great massage and afterwards I got under the hot springs waterfall. Great!

Cost of Tabacon Lodge. Please look on web site for current prices. My husband and I paid including taxes, full buffet gourmet breakfast, and entrance to the Tabacon Hot springs for $250 for 1 night. This was a standard room but very comfortable , with a view of the Arenal Volcano.

Contact Ann "the Costa Rica Travel Expert"  to help you plan and  design your Costa Rica Vacation   You may email her at anncreed23@gmail.com