Arenal Volcano National Park, also known as Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal, sits near La Fortuna in the San Carlos area of Alajuela Province, Costa Rica. It is built around the Arenal Volcano, whose cone-shaped profile is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the country.
What to expect
The park is a place for walking and looking. Its hiking trails lead through lava rock formations and rainforest, so the landscape changes as you move from the open, rocky ground near the volcano into the greener cover of the forest. Those who come for the views will find the volcano itself is the centrepiece, and the surrounding terrain gives a sense of how the mountain has shaped the land.
The volcano was active until 2010, and the scars of its past activity are part of what you see on the trails. Visitors interested in the natural history of the area will find the rock formations a useful way to understand it.
Around the park
La Fortuna is the closest town and a practical base for a visit. Because the park lies within the San Carlos region, you can plan a trip that combines time on the trails with other activities the area offers, while keeping the volcano as the main focus of the day.
- Location: La Fortuna, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
- Also known as: Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal
- Contact: +506 2461-8499
Arenal suits travellers who enjoy hiking, volcanic landscapes and rainforest walks. Check directly with the park before you go for current conditions and visiting arrangements.