A mere 90 kilometres northwest of Costa Rica’s capital San Jose, the spectacular Arenal Volcano lies in the northern highlands.
With easy access to the Monteverde cloud forest and Lake Arenal, the volcanic region is well-connected to the rest of the country. Holidays to Arenal usually begin in La Fortuna, the area around the volcano which affords not only picturesque views but also a number of nature walks along stunning trails. Tours of the volcano on Arenal holidays offer the opportunity to learn about the region’s diverse flora and fauna, spending time in the rainforest and taking part in adventurous activities.
The volcano is currently active and has been since July 1968, when lava began to flow following an eruption. The volcano’s behaviour could be described as a little tempestuous, and activity varies week on week. Observe the volcano at night and you can usually spot lava and hot rocks atop the cone, depending on the cloud cover. Nearby you can swim in thermal waters at Tabacon, thought to provide healing properties in its mineral pools.
Nicola
Travel Specialist
Where to go in Costa-rica
Costa Rica travel information
- Time zone: -6 GMT
- Flight time: 13-16 hours
- Recommended airlines: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United
- Currency: Costa Rican Colon, US Dollar
- Tipping guideline: 10% of total bill
- Health considerations: There is a risk of altitude illness when travelling to destinations of 2,500m or higher. There is a risk of dengue. There is a risk of Zika virus. There is a low risk of malaria in Limon Province (but not in the city of Limon). There is a very low risk of malaria in the rest of the country, including the city of Limon. There is no risk of yellow fever in Costa Rica, however, yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.
- Capital: San Jose
- Population: 5,246,714
- National languages: Spanish
- Electricity and plugs: Type A and Type B, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Mobile phone coverage: Good
- UK passport visa requirements: You don't need a visa for Costa Rica if you have a British passport - for a maximum of 180 days
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For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware
