Exploring Arenal Volcano: Costa Rica’s sleeping giant

Some images immediately come to mind when we think of Costa Rica: volcanoes, rainforests, brightly colored birds, and mischievous monkeys. They’re among the many diverse and remarkable wonders that make Costa Rica a thrilling natural paradise. When you join a trip to Costa Rica, there’s no better place to view all of these things—often in the same hour—than in the imposing shadow of Arenal Volcano.

The striking natural wonder is the epitome of a picture-perfect volcano, sprouting from the rainforest canopy in a towering cone of rock and hardened lava. It’s one of our favorite places in the country to soak up Costa Rica’s rich, natural beauty and ecological diversity. When you join us on one of our Costa Rica tours, you can see it for yourself—along with all of the vibrant life that thrives around it.

Where is Arenal Volcano?

Arenal Volcano is in northwestern Costa Rica’s Alajuela Province. It’s surrounded by lush rainforests and lies between the charming town of La Fortuna, Costa Rica, and Lake Arenal, the country’s largest lake. When you visit the area on one of our trips to Costa Rica, you’ll notice that Arenal Volcano is a dominating presence—creating a dramatic backdrop to the region’s idyllic natural beauty. “The Arenal area was by far my favorite, which is saying a lot since I love, love, love the beach!” said traveler Stacy after visiting on our A Week in Costa Rica: San José, Arenal & Guanacaste tour. “It is just breathtakingly beautiful!”

What is Arenal Volcano known for?

Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most well-known and picturesque landmarks. It’s renowned for its near-perfect, symmetrical cone shape, an ever-present feature of the local landscape. For decades, it was one of the most active volcanoes in the world, following a sudden eruption in 1968. In the decades that followed, Arenal was extremely active until it last erupted in 2010. Although it is still considered active, the volcano is currently in an indefinite resting phase. Due to the volcano’s active status, all of the region’s hiking trails and hotels are kept at a safe distance at the base of the volcano. When you visit Arenal on one of our Costa Rica tours, you may still see steam billowing from the top of the crater.

Interesting facts about Arenal Volcano

The incredible views you’ll get on a trip to Costa Rica will make you fall in love with Arenal Volcano, but there are so many other reasons why we find this fiery giant so intriguing.

• Arenal Volcano was once considered extinct. Prior to the eruption of 1968 and dating back as early as the 1500s, Arenal lay silent and was thought to be extinct. Many locals even referred to it as Arenal Mountain rather than Arenal Volcano.
• It’s just over a mile high. Arenal Volcano measures 5,437 feet high, which is just over a mile. It’s also one of the most perfectly symmetrical cone-shaped volcanoes in the world. Arenal is a stratovolcano characterized by its conical shape and many layers of basalt, pumice, ash, and other volcanic materials that have accumulated due to its many eruptions.
• It’s young—for a volcano. Arenal is only around 7,500 years old, which is relatively young in volcano years. (For example, Italy’s Mount Etna is thought to be around 300,000 years old, while Antarctica’s Mount Erebus is estimated to be around 1.3 million years old.)

What to know before you go

Arenal Volcano is one of our favorite destinations to visit on a trip to Costa Rica, but there are a few things you should know before you go. For more info about what to pack, when to visit, and things to do in Costa Rica, check out our Costa Rica Travel Guide.

• You should wear comfortable shoes with good support. Arenal Volcano is surrounded by several miles of hardened lava and rugged terrain. You’ll want sturdy, reliable shoes to ensure safety and comfort when you join us on a guided hike through Arenal Volcano National Park on a tour of Costa Rica.
• Visit between December and April for the best views of the volcano. The Arenal region is beautiful year-round. However, if you visit Costa Rica between May and November, which coincides with the country’s rainy season, you may find that the peak of Arenal Volcano is obscured by clouds and mist. We’re always finding new reasons to appreciate off-season travel!
• Respect nature and the local environment. Costa Rica is a leader in environmental stewardship and number one on our list of the best sustainable tourism destinations. More than 30% of Costa Rica’s land is protected, and the vast majority of its energy comes from renewable sources. Whenever we travel, we strive to uphold our commitment to responsible travel, and Costa Rica makes it easy to uphold the local standards. When you join us on a tour of Costa Rica, remember to respect the local wildlife, environment, and culture—you’ll even have opportunities to give back by participating in initiatives like reforestation projects.
• Be ready to embrace pura vida. Costa Rica’s unofficial motto, pura vida, means “pure life” and embodies the balanced, laid-back optimism of the local culture. Costa Ricans take care of the environment, each other, and themselves, and one of the best things to do on a trip to the Arenal region is to adopt the local lifestyle. “Be in the moment—leave work or worries at home,” said traveler Lori after joining our Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife tour. “And have a glorious time meeting and visiting with the beautiful people of Costa Rica. Pura vida.”

The best things to do near Arenal Volcano

“The Arenal region of Costa Rica is lush with vegetation, animals, and a volcano,” said traveler Jacqueline after visiting the area on our A Week in Costa Rica: San José, Arenal & Guanacaste tour. “We had an opportunity to hike a path [around] the volcano, visit an eco-farm for farm-to-table cuisine, and enjoy the hot springs.” Our favorite things to do in Arenal, Costa Rica, cover a variety of activities for all interests, and the best part is that no matter what you choose, your experience will most likely be accompanied by spectacular views of the volcano.

• Kayak around Arenal Lake. Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest lake, unfurls beneath the base of the volcano. Check one of this year’s travel resolutions off your bucket list and join us on the Kayaking in Arenal Volcano National Park excursion offered on some of our Costa Rica tours. You’ll spend an afternoon paddling along the shoreline and exploring hidden coves and lagoons with a naturalist guide.
• Visit La Fortuna. La Fortuna, Costa Rica, is a charming town that’s considered the gateway to Arenal Volcano, but it’s so much more than just a waypoint. The welcoming town is full of artisan shops and authentic sodas—cafes serving traditional Costa Rican cuisine. When you visit La Fortuna on one of our Costa Rica tours, you’ll also have the opportunity to visit an eco-friendly ranch and sit down to a farm-to-table meal with your local travelers. We listed the visit among our favorite activities for solo travelers in our Solo Travel Guide to Costa Rica, though it’s an enjoyable experience regardless of how many travel companions you have.
• Soak in the hot springs. One of our favorite things to do after hiking through Arenal Volcano National Park is to relax in the volcano’s mineral-rich hot springs. Join the Arenal Hot Springs & Dinner excursion offered on our trips to Costa Rica to unwind in pools of water kept warm by the volcano’s geothermal activity.
• Take a salsa lesson. Although you’ll spend plenty of time exploring the untamed wild in Arenal Volcano National Park, you’ll also have many opportunities to experience Costa Rican culture. Join us on our Costa Rica: Rainforests, Volcanoes & Wildlife tour to traverse hardened lava fields and fragrant pineapple farms by day and spin and sway to the rhythm of traditional music at a salsa lesson by night. “The sheer range of activities, from thermal spas in Arenal to experiencing jungle river cruises and seeing live turtles laying their eggs on a beach in Tortuguero, was incredible,” said traveler Noreen after joining the tour. “We also appreciated the opportunities to see an off-the-beaten-path Costa Rica by visiting a working pineapple plantation, coffee and cocoa farms, as well as salsa lessons in Arenal.”
• Explore the treetops. If you’ve had your fill of exploring the Arenal region from the ground and via the water, take to the treetops on the Arenal Rainforest Skywalk excursion offered on our A Week in Costa Rica: San José, Arenal & Guanacaste tour. You’ll journey through the forest canopy along walking trails and across suspension bridges while accompanied by a naturalist guide.
• Keep an eye out for wildlife. Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. “I don’t think people realize how diverse the wildlife is before they go to Costa Rica,” said staffer Haley when discussing the best places to see in Costa Rica. “It’s a relatively small country with different microclimates, so on the same day, you can go from seeing howler monkeys and sloths in the jungle to sea turtles in the ocean.” The Arenal region, with its dense rainforests and rich volcanic landscapes, is one of our favorite places to spot a diverse array of native species.

Tours that will take you to Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica is first on our list of off-the-beaten-path travel destinations for its biodiversity, pura vida way of life, and dramatic landscapes—none quite so dramatic as the fiery giant, Arenal Volcano. These tours will take you to Arenal while immersing you in the natural beauty and welcoming culture that make Costa Rica shine.