Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano is the youngest and most active volcano in Costa Rica, and currently one of the most active volcanoes in the world as well. Is an stratovolcano that has been producing lava and pyroclastic flows in a continuous way since July 29, 1968; despite this activity was a danger to people living at its NW flanks in that date, today is a great attraction for thousands of tourists over the years: with good weather it delivers spectacular lava eruption nocturnal views. Even at day, thanks to its daily continuous volcanic activity, there are some remarkable eruptions that make it a great experience to witness.

Located at the eastern extreme of Lake Arenal (northwestern Costa Rica), Arenal Volcano was considered as a peak or mountain prior to its violent awakening, but by now it is known that its volcanic activity has been occurred (with dormancy periods) for the last 7,000 years. Arenal Volcano geothermal energy makes possible to enjoy relaxing hot springs and is the base for ecotourism at Arenal area.
Learn about Arenal Volcano facts and its latest volcanic eruptions news as well.

New Arenal Volcano Pictures: gallery with the most recent and updated photographs of Arenal Volcano,* with information in each photo; sorted chronologically, so it can be appreciated in detail the behaviour, majestic and power of this active volcano.
(*Last picture taken at 06/24/2010 05:02:07 pm)

Most recent Arenal Volcano activity! At 24 May 2010, from 10:00 am, there is a new significant volcanic activity (picture at left), with about 10 pyroclastic flows observed in a period of two hours (11:00 am - 1:00 pm), and there was also ash fall on the W and N surroundings. Learn more with the most recent report about this volcanic activity in 24 May 2010; spectacular pictures as well as up to date information from Arenal Volcano National Park, OVSICORI and RSN.

As you can see depicted at left (picture taken by OVSICORI at February 24, 2010), a lava flow is running throughout the S flank. This is a natural manifestation of a volcanic activity that has remaining along this year. Learn more with the most recent report of volcanic activity in March 2010; up to date information and pictures from official sources.

Enjoy all the geothermal power of Arenal Volcano in the Natural Hot Springs waters, fully loaded with warm healthy energy and minerals. As a nature treasure from the pristine rain forest water to the human skin and body, it enables to get all the relaxation needed either at one of the hydro-massage hot tubs or the hot springs pools or in a wet bar or a spa.

The Tropical Rainforest is the most diverse biome in the world, and in Costa Rica is a very representative example of that; featuring an incommesurably rich flora & fauna treasury. These includes a full range of creatures like the blue morpho butterfly, the Hercules beetle, the poison dart frog, the green basilisk, the slow sloth, the colorful rainbow-billed toucan, the howler monkey and the funny coati; which are the most typical and symbolic rainforest animals inhabiting this kind of environment. Even more impressive is the quantity of plants covering the very fertile soil of Costa Rica. Moss, ferns, palms Into the rain forest, almost every tree seems different, and even high up on each one there is a huge variety of vines and epiphytes. Even more, there are vines interwoven with vines, and ferns growing up at the moss covered intersections!
It is estimated that there are more than a half million of species (which is about the 4% of the world), and most of them are living in the rain forest. Atmosphere purification, water reservoir, natural scenery beauty and scientific research (including discoveries of medical importance), are all goods provided by the tropical rain forest for the human benefit. the colorful toucan, parrot, hummingbird, tanagers, honeycreepers, robins, etc; and you can see some of them at the rain forest, with the canopy tour and with the nature tour options of Costa Rica tour operator services, specially the bird watching tour. You can see exotic and colorful rainforest frogs as well as massive and powerful reptiles as the crocodile. The Costa Rican diversity of colorful butterflies, features the Blue Morpho butterfly among others.

The variety of Costa Rican forests provides a plenty of Bird Watching delights, as your eyes and ears can be pleased in this country with a huge bird diversity like the Arenal Volcano surrounding lush tropical rainforest, evident at most areas near La Fortuna de San Carlos. Birding or bird watching is easy from the comfort at the rain forest facilities, to all the gardens and natural areas nooks, there is plenty bird presence: tanager, honeycreeper, oriole, among others. But for a more deep meeting you have the bird watching tour possibility.