Since
bursting into the sky in 1968, the Arenal Volcano of Costa
Rica has been constantly active, glowing in the night
and sending lava flowing down towards the north. The area
around is filled with prime opportunities for tourists,
like the Tabacon Hot springs, whose geothermal pool are
warmed by hot streams which flow from the base of the
volcano. Lake Arenal is a great drive as well. A road
runs from the town of La Fortuna past a lookout point
facing the northern side of El Arenal and continues around
the lake and down to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. You
could spend days exploring this part of northwestern Costa
Rica.
Nowadays, places like Tabacon Hot Springs, the Arenal
Lodge, and other tourist's haven have sprung up around
the volcano. There is something thrilling about seeing
the fiery red glow from the summit in the blue skies of
the tropical dusk. And even though this country is filled
with volcanoes, the Arenal Costa Rica is without doubt
the most picturesque of them all. Daily there are at least
five small explosions, and some can even be heard, the
lava flows easily visible. 10 hours before its 1968 explosion,
there was 10 hours of earthquakes in the area, so the
residents here remember this and don't panic when there
is a small eruption.
There have been major events in El Arenal, some as recent
as 2000. Areas around the volcano are evacuated and extreme
precautions are taken. This area is carefully monitored
to avoid the catastrophe that occurred in 1968. Arenal
Costa Rica is s highlight of any visit to country, and
for visitors who have never experienced an active volcano,
it is an experience that will rock you to your very core.
