Arenal

Arenal is a hive of activity, particularly in Costa Rica Holiday peak season as tourists flock to the little town to enjoy the huge array of activities in the surrounding forests, rivers and national parks. Early in the morning twitchers penetrate the forrests in search of rare birds, during the day adrenaline junkies buzz through the jungle canopy on zip wires, and in the evenings  you can relax in the natural hot springs or enjoy one of the many local restaurants.
Arenal does tourism and exploration extremely and caters very well to different interests and fitness levels. The national parks, rivers, hot thernmal springs, volcanoes and lakes in close proximity, combined with a fantastic selection of hotels in the region, make it no surprise that Arenal is a popular spot.

 


Arenal - Things to do


The skyline to this biologically diverse area is dominated by a 5,437ft cone volcano. The steady discharge of lava attracted many to visit the area to see this spectacular phenomena. The volcano is now dormant and the last major eruption took place in 1968.
 
The surrounding area has a wealth of reserves and national parks that all have a very good infrastructure to cater for the interests of the international tourists.  By morning you could walk across a series of hanging bridges that look out over the canopy before zip wiring down the longest zip line in the World! Alternatively you may prefer to take a walk in one of the many national parks or head to the lake to do a little exploration by kayak- in Arenal the list of activities really is endless. Even if you are not an adrenaline junkie, take a soak in the natural hot springs of Arenal or simply enjoy the top class yoga, spa treatments and massages which Costa Rica has to offer.

For nature lovers there is an excellent day trip option to Cano Negro wildlife refuge where you travel north to the Nicaraguan border before exploring the river on a water safari before returning to Arenal in the evening.

Arenal - Where to stay


Being such a popular destination there are plenty of hotels to choose from. Most of them come with swimming pools and large unobtrusive rooms. For those looking for  asimpler option then Lomas del Volcan is a good economical choice where the rooms are private bungalows. The resturatn at the hotel is really good. A large, and multi award winning option that has a couple of resturants on site, a few pools and a wine bar if  Nayara. Away from the busy main town is Lost Iguana. A charming hotel about 20 minutes drive away from the town. For other options please do get in touch to speak to one of our friendly experts that know the options first hand.

Arenal - Our opinion


Arenal is a fantastic hub of activity and well worth a visit, however it is a busy place. It really is great for families, as there is something for everyone. For those looking for a more peaceful and intimate experience then it is crucial to select a hotel that is remotely located so that you can get a little rest bite from the crowds.


Arenal - Top tip 


We would reccommend visiting from December to April, and a stay of around 3 or 4 nights is an ideal stay for your Costa Rica Vacation.
 

AT A GLANCE

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Arenals best hotels





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