Arenal Volcano National Park

Water, volcanoes and life

The grandeur of the volcano is undeniable and this is the first thing you think when visiting La Fortuna de San Carlos, where this natural wonder is located.

 

Juan Diego Vargas, Park tourism operator believes that whoever visit the area should not miss to visit, in addition to the lava flows that fell in 1992, the impressive ceiba tree over 400 years old and trails along extensive and authentic rainforest, where you can appreciate the wildlife and the protected resources of this park.


 

"Besides, each visit contributes directly to the conservation of natural resources, since 100% of the entrances income goes to the National Park Fund, which is used jointly to finance all protected areas of the country," said Vargas.​​​​​​​​​​​​

Arenal Volcano National Park (PNVA) was established on September 30, 1991 by Executive Decree No. 20791-MIRENEM. Subsequently, its surface was extended by Executive Decree No. 21197-MIRENEM (April 23, 1992) and No. 23774-MIRENEM (22 November 1994).
Hours: 
Daily from 8am to 4pm

Rates: 
National Adult, resident: ¢ 1,000. 
National Child and resident: ¢ 500. 
Adult non-resident: US$ 15. 
Nonresident child US$ 5.
 
 
Services: 
  • Drinking water
  • Parking
  • Sightseeing place
  • Area for lunch
  • Sanitation
 
Main Atracttions

 
Heliconia Trail: Overgrown, it is 610 meters, is flat and narrow, and from there you can see the crater.
 
Sendero Heliconias: Cubierto de ve- getación, mide 610 metros, es plano y angosto, y desde allí se puede apreciar el cráter.
Coladas Trail: It is a flat route of 1.7 km from where you can observe the volcanic cone, Lake Arenal and Tilarán mountain range.
 
El Ceibo Trail: It is relatively flat and has 2.3 km long. Here you can see the great tree of Ceiba pentandra.
 
Mirador volcanic cone: It is 1.5 km from the entrance control booth and from there you can appreciate the Arenal volcano. 
 
Investment in the Peninsula Trail area: Currently, it is being designed and built a gift shop, a small café, a path for the disabled and a sightseeing type platform at the end of the Peninsula trail, from where you can enjoy the most beautiful sunsets on Arenal Lake. 
• It is absolutely forbidden to climb the volcanic cone and its immediate surroundings.
 

 

• Campfires are not permitted. Visitors can use portable gas stoves, only in areas designated for that purpose.

 

 
• The entry of pets is not allowed.
 
• The use of sound equipment such as radio-recorders, loudspeakers, televisions and any other musical instrument is not allowed. 
 
• It is not allowed to misuse, damage or make vandalism of park infrastructure.
 
• Smoking is not allowed within the limits of the Arenal Volcano National Park.
 
• Removal or mistreatment of plants or animals and their products is prohibited, as well as the removal of rocks and other geological material.
 
• It is prohibited within the park to carry firearms, crossbows, knives and / or any other cataloged as weapon by Law No. 7530 on Firearms and Explosives.
 
• Post signs, advertisements or make any kind of events in the park boundaries, without authorization from the Arenal Volcano National Park administration is prohibited.
 
• Waste (garbage) produced by visitors must be put into the respective collectors for that purpose they are installed in places of public use or shall be removed from the area by visitors, if they are not available garbage collectors in some sites, for reasons of handling.
 
• It is prohibited drinking alcoholic drinks and consume any other drug in the park.