PARQUE NACIONAL VOLCÁN ARENAL

The park offers 2 discovery sectors. The first one, the Volcano sector, has 3 trails from 600 m to 3 km. The rangers will explain how far you can go and provide you with maps. Among your three options: Coladas (2 km), Heliconias (600 m) and El Ceibo, a 3 km trail where you can admire the 400 year old tree that gave the trail its name. However, do not expect to see the volcano. On the Peninsula side, there are 2 trails: Los Miradores (1.2 km) and El Tororoi (600 m). In 1h30, you can easily discover this sector which offers a sublime view of the Arenal volcano from the observation tower. Depending on the weather, the atmosphere is majestic or mystical when the volcano is covered by low clouds. But in the end, you can't see much on the paths and, since the ascent of the volcano is impossible for security reasons, it is finally from La Fortuna that you can see it the best! Provided that the weather is good, of course... The most interesting way to see the lava flow of 1992 is the Coladas trail (2 km, about 1 hour round trip). From the mirador, you have a good view of the volcano and the lake. A guide is not necessary because the trails are well marked. 2016 saw the realization of new projects: the development of infrastructure on the side of the peninsula (where you can see the lake best), with 3 km of additional trails, a platform with a viewpoint, a cafeteria and a souvenir store.