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 close to the eastern extreme of Lake Arenal (northwestern Costa Rica), Arenal Volcano was considered by locals as a perfect conical shaped peak or mountain prior to its violent awakening, but at present 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.

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 detailed reports 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 characterized Arenal throughout the years. Learn more with the most recent report of volcanic activity of Arenal Volcano; 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 natural treasure from the pristine rain forest water to the human skin and body, it enables to get all the relaxation needed at any of the hot springs facilities available (either hydro-massage hot tubs, hot springs pools, or a spa).

Costa Rica Weather: ☀ | ☀⛅ | ✧☽ ☁
Partly cloudy to Cloudy | Possible Isolated Rain Temperatures for 12/08/2024 (Max/Min ºC): San José 25/18 | Alajuela 28/20 | Cartago 23/14 | Heredia 27.0/17.0 | Puntarenas 33.1/21.1 | Liberia 33.0/21.0 | Nicoya 33.5/22.0 | Bagaces 32.0/22.0 | Quepos 32.0/23.0 | Parrita 31.0/22.0 | Golfito 33.1/22.2 | Isla del Coco 32.0/23.0 | San Isidro de El General 28.0/19.0 | Guápiles 28.0/21.0 | Tortuguero 32.0/23.0 | Limón 30.1/22.0 | Sixaola 31.0/23.0 | Ciudad Quesada 26.0/17.0 | Upala 31.0/22.0 | Sarapiquí 31.0/20.0 | Outlook for 12/08/2024: This Sunday in Costa Rica, windy conditions will continue due to an increase in atmospheric pressure over the Caribbean Sea basin, as a consequence of the transit of Cold Push No. 4 over the central-northern Caribbean Sea. There will be maximum gusts between 50-75 km/h for the Central Valley and lowlands of Guanacaste, as well as between 80-100 km/h for the north of Guanacaste and the mountains of the rest of the national territory. The dragging effect of the trade wind will be generating an increase in cloud cover and scattered showers in the Caribbean and Northern Zone in the early morning and early afternoon. Some of this cloudiness may reach the east of the Central Valley and cause drizzle. In the rest of the country there will be little to partial cloudiness without significant rainfall throughout the day.

See more details and the conditions with forecast for each climatic region based on data from the Instituto Meteorológico Nacional, IMN (National Meteorological Institute). Consult the weather weekly forecast and see by yourself the current conditions (where is sunny, or where is cloudy) with the near real-time satellite image. If available, there is also information about possible influences from oceanic disturbs on Costa Rica and its respective forecasts from NHC, USA.

The Tropical Rainforest is the most diverse biome in the world, and Costa Rica is a very representative example; featuring an incommesurably rich flora & fauna treasury. These includes a full range of singularly colored and shaped 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.

There are so many amazing birds to see and hear, ... the colorful toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, 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.

From the Rainbow-Billed Toucans in the Rain Forest, passing on the Tropical Cloud Forest inhabited by the Resplendent Quetzal, to the White-throated Magpie-Jay and the Turquoise-browed Motmot at the Tropical Dry Forest; this variety of Costa Rican forests provides a plenty of Bird Watching delights, as your eyes and ears can be pleased with such huge exotic bird diversity this country has to offer.