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Arenal Volcano National Park
Area
12124 hectars
Dry season February - April
Rainy season May - January
Temperature
21º C to 27.5º C. (68.9 – 81.5 F)
Precipitation
Between 3,500 and 5,000mm
Location
46 km (28 miles) west of Naranjo exit on Inter American Highway
Date of Creation
November 6th, 1991
This Volcano is part of the Area de Conservación Arenal – Tilaran (ACA-T), an area that protects an hydrological system that represents the biggest source of energy production for the entire country, the Arenal hydroelectric project. Before 1968 this Volcano was considered inactive and by some it was not even consider a volcano at all.
It was infact in 1968 that Arenal became active and 3 craters burst open on its western slopes. On the 29th of July 1968 one of these craters located at some 1000 metrs of altitude (3280 feet) provoked a series of explosions and destroyed the villages of Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacon causing the death of some 87 people.
During the month of September the same crater erupted several more times until 1973 when the activity shifted to another crater located at some 1450 meters (4757 feet)above sea level.
This crater is at present very active, lava pours continuously with constant explosions and gas emissions.The park presents a great variety of flora and fauna living in an habitat that includes for climatic zones: wet tropical forest (transition), tropical mountain rain forest, tropical lower mountain rain forest (transition) and pre-montane wet tropical forest.
One can admire the beauty of the Volcanoes perfect shaped cone on some clear days from the town of Fortuna or from the road on the dam at the northern tip of the lake where the volcano willl always offer some spectacular lava eruptions.
Most hotel and lodges in the area have a view on the volcano. One can enjoy its eruption from his/her hotel room at night when eruptions are more spectacular or hike to the various lookout points located at its foot hills.
A visit to Cerro Chato lagoon or a hike to one of the 4 marked trails is a must. Tabacon Hot Springs is a very popular and distinctive tourist facility spot where thermo-mineral rivers, running at a soothing temperature range from 27 º C to 42º C, flowing through exotic tropical gardens, forming natural waterfalls and river pools. On premise at Tabacon Hot Springs a restaurant, swim up bar at their pool and locker facilities are all available. An entry fee is charged.
A Must-See!
An important note: plese follow all the parks do's and don'ts, respect all signs; there are dangerous sectors of the volcano where you should not set foot. Do not wear earphones while hiking, it is important that you listen out for any noise or warning signal.
Enjoy the show!
For more information:
Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal
Area de Conservacion Arenal (ACA)
Ministerio del ambiente y Energia (MINAE)
Tel: 695-5908 - 695-5180 Fax: 695-5982 |
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