Arenal Volcano National Park: Costa Rica’s most famous Volcano
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Arenal Volcano is one of the most famous volcanoes in Costa Rica, located in La Fortuna de San Carlos, Alajuela. Before the 1968 eruption, it was disputed whether the mountain was a volcano or not and was called “Cerro Arenal”. However, a volcanic eruption in July 1968 changed everything. This caused several earthquakes, the increase of the temperature in the Tabacón River, destroyed two villages, and killed many people. The Arenal volcano was active from 1968 to 2010, giving off incandescent material. Although it is currently in a period of calm, visitors can still explore its impressive landscape by visiting the National Park.
Getting to Arenal Volcano National Park
By car
Volcano Sector
The Volcano Sector of the Arenal Volcano National Park is located 16 km from La Fortuna downtown. The road is paved, well maintained, and the journey takes about 25 minutes. There are three large free parking areas in the park, one of which has a view of the volcano.
Peninsula Sector
18 km away from La Fortuna downtown is where you will find the Peninsula Sector. There are two routes leading to it: one that is 2km away from the main entrance of Volcan sector and another on Route 142 where Lake Arenal begins. Both routes are unpaved so it’s best if you have a 4×4 vehicle especially during rainy season. Parking spaces in this sector is limited, so if the lot is full, you will need to park along the road.
By Public Transportation
Getting to Arenal Volcano National Park via public transport can be quite tricky. Unfortunately, there are no bus routes that stop directly at the park itself; the closest you can get by bus is by taking a route that travels along National Highway 142 (La Fortuna – Tilaran is one of them). Once there you must walk for about half an hour to the Volcano sector or one hour (not recommended due to poor road conditions) to the Peninsula sector.
Another option would be a taxi or Uber; prices start from $10 per ride for the volcano sector while for the Peninsula Sector, it’s best just to talk with drivers as the road is not in good condition and they can refuse the ride.
Entrance Fee & Opening Times
Arenal Volcano National Park opens its doors to visitors every day from 8am to 4pm. Both the Volcan Sector and the Peninsula Sector operate under these hours, giving you plenty of time to check out what there is to see in this beautiful park.
For adults, admission costs $16.95 while children can enter for just $5.65 each. This ticket grants access to both areas within the park but is only valid for the same day, so hold onto it if you intend on visiting both sectors during your stay.


Hiking Trails
Visitors can explore six different trails in Arenal Volcano National Park. The Volcan Sector has four of these trails while the Peninsula Sector contains two. The difficulty and length of each trail varies, making it suitable for all types of hikers.
Volcano Sector
Las Heliconias Trail: This trail is 600 meters long and begins just outside of the restroom area at the entrance parking lot. It is a flat, easy walk surrounded by foliage that ends a few meters past the second parking lot in front of Las Coladas Trail.
Las Coladas Trail: The most popular trail in this park stretches for 1.8 kilometers and has two observation platforms with excellent views of both the volcano and lagoon. This particular trail is interesting because it runs over lava flows from the 1992 eruption. While largely flat, there are some steps to climb at the end to reach each platform.
El Ceibo Trail: Connecting with Las Coladas Trail, it goes on for three kilometers all flat making it accessible to many hikers. Named after a towering ceibo tree which stands forty meters tall and has an estimated age of four hundred years old; this ancient tree is one highlight among others along its path.
Volcanic Cone Viewpoint: This path follows the main ballast road and leads to the primary viewpoint of Arenal Volcano. You can reach this viewpoint on foot or by car. The area also has parking and a ranch with several benches, offering nice views of both the volcano and the lake.

Peninsula Sector
Los Miradores Trail: The longest trail in the Peninsula Sector boasts several vantage points and a 12-meter tall observation tower. It is flat and easy to walk. Though currently some lookouts and the observatory are closed for maintenance, it still opens up beautiful views of the volcano and lake.
El Tororoi Trail: This 600 meter long path is named after an area bird species. The route isn’t completely even; there are steps and a bridge along the way. The trail provides a nice opportunity to see local wildlife and enjoy the surroundings.
Wildlife Sightings and Fauna
A wide variety of flora and fauna can be found in Arenal Volcano National Park.
The park’s unique geological conditions create dense forests in some areas, while others are recovering from past volcanic activity and are full of reeds, shrubs and ferns.
In terms of wildlife, visitors can expect to see a wide variety of animals. Monkeys, coatis, sloths, squirrels, insects, amphibians and reptiles can be seen. However, birds make up the largest percentage of species in the park, making it an ideal place for birdwatchers.
In my recent visits, I have observed that the Volcano sector is ideal for bird, squirrel, and insect watching. In contrast, the Peninsula Sector offers more varied animal sightings, including the possibility of seeing snakes.


Best Time to Go to Arenal Volcano National Park
The best time to visit Arenal Volcano National Park is during the dry season, especially from mid-December to mid-March. Its dry season does not promise completely dry weather or good visibility of the volcano but days that are warmer and less humid with less rainfall can be expected. This period also has a higher chance of clear skies than any other time of the year.
You should consider visiting during July or November if you want a rainy season experience since these months are usually drier and less humid compared to other months within the same season. Regardless of your choice, always pack for unpredictable weather changes to fully appreciate its beauty under various climatic conditions.

Tips for Visiting Arenal Volcano National Park
- Shoes: Wear comfortable, closed shoes. Trails can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain. Also, be aware that there are snakes in the park, so proper footwear is important.
- Gear: Carry a small bag with essentials such as water, snacks, sunblock and mosquito repellent in it.
- Clothing: Always carry a raincoat, even during the dry season, as there’s always a chance of rain.
- Entrance Ticket: Keep your park entrance ticket, as it is needed to visit both sectors on the same day.
- Payments: Don’t forget your credit card since only plastic payments are accepted by this establishment while cash will be rejected without exception!
- Volcano Viewing: Arenal Volcano tends to remain shrouded in clouds most of the time, but early morning visits offer better chances of visibility than any other time of day.
