Arenal Volcano National Park – Costa Rica

Discovering Arenal Volcano National Park (days 6 and 7 of our 15-day self-guided trip to Costa Rica).Arenal Volcano National Park.

La Fortuna is a lively rural town in the foothills of Arenal Volcano surrounded by farming land and ranches. Arenal volcano was very active from 1995 right up till 2008.

The locals like to describe how the volcano spat out ‘fireworks’, and it glowed red at night until fairly recently. Even though the giant is sleeping, the awesome Arenal is quite impressive and dominates the landscape.

La Fortuna park with Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica. — La Fortuna town park with Arenal Volcano in the background.

La Fortuna is renowned for its natural hot water springs – there are several, such as the luxurious Tabacón Thermal Spa where tourists can indulge in a therapeutic massage and dine after a spa session.

La Termalitas hot water springs, La fortuna, Costa Rica. — La Termalitas hot water springs, La Fortuna.

We decided to go to Termalitas del Arenal, a popular place with local families it is inexpensive. There are several hot pools, of differing temperatures and sizes, romantically lighted and hidden behind the foliage – there are benches and tables where no doubt families picnic at weekends, but we had the place almost to ourselves the two evenings we were there…for me, that is pure luxury!

The crater lake, Laguna Cerro Chato. *Photo via Wikimedia*

Skipping the adventure activities and guided tours, next day we caught the early morning bus from La Fortuna to the Arenal Volcano National Park. Then a strenuous walk up through the rain forest to Cerro Chato Volcano -the sun smiled at us and kept the clouds at bay rewarding us with stunning views to Arenal Volcano itself, and over to the grassy plains below.

The steep, fern lined path winds up through the trees to an amazing turquoise lake, Cerro Chato Lagoon, which occupies the crater of this dormant volcano.

La Fortuna waterfall surrounded by jungle in Arenal Volcano National Park. — La Fortuna waterfall – *Photo courtesy of Inma Gregorio*

Instead of retracing our steps, we followed the trail down the eastern slope to the Arenal River waterfall and enjoyed a swim in the clear, freshwater pool. We walked the three miles back to La Fortuna town, and then headed for a relaxing session in the hot springs before a well-earned dinner!

La Fortuna, Costa Rica. — La Fortuna church.

There are loads of organized activities from Arenal too, such as canopy or hanging bridge adventures, and also tours of coffee or chocolate plantations!

Lake Arenal with the volcano in the background.

There’s a wide range of accommodation in La Fortuna, from basic backpacker hostels, small central hotels, outlying rustic lodges, luxurious spa resorts, and the Arenal Observatory Lodge which is located within the actual volcano reserve! Our favourite is Cabinas la Catarata, a small complex of wooden cabins in spectacular surroundings, up a track towards the waterfalls.

We love trekking anywhere in the world, whether this is at home walking in the Costa Blanca mountains of Spain or the foothills of the Nepalese Himalayas, and wherever our travels take us. Hiking around Arenal National Park is a unique feeling, you can perceive raw nature beneath your feet.

Costa Rica lies on the Central American Arc, a chain of volcanoes which runs for 1,500 kilometres from Panama right up to Guatemala, and exciting country the where Volcan Acatenango hike is another bucket list adventure.