Arenal Volcano would definitely be one of the top ten recommended places to visit while in Costa Rica. Now, why it is part of the top ten places when you visit Costa Rica? Well, just because Arenal Volcano located in the quaint La Fortuna de Arenal, San Carlos town is like nothing you have ever seen before. Arenal Volcano belongs to the central mountain range of Costa Rica, has an almost perfect conical shape, and has been in almost continuing activity since its awakening in 1968. The greatness and almost overpowering presence of Arenal Volcano can especially be breathtaking during the night, when it offers you such a spectacle that it just makes you feel blessed of having the opportunity of being there. Of course, do not expect Arenal Volcano to be like a Vegas show where the same result is always achieved every night. Nevertheless, if you stay more than one day you should be able to have a clear night without clouds and see the cone and the gushing lava coming down the sides of the perfectly round crater.

Arenal Volcano is certainly the center of attraction for La Fortuna de Arenal town, but on cloudy nights and sometimes during the day time, the magnificent and colossal Arenal Volcano hides between thick layers of dark clouds. Don´t feel disappointed by this as there are equally thrilling tour options that are absolutely in no shorthand in the Fortuna area. There is of course a wide range of lodges to choose from in the Arenal Volcano area; and like in almost all the natural destinations in Costa Rica, the best option that best fits your vacation budget can always be found. At Arenal Volcano there are many activities worth doing and your main concern will only be to do as many tours as possible. Arenal Costa Rica has at your disposal fun tours such as horseback riding in between lush mountains, hiking through a waterfall, canopy tours, visiting the Venado Caves or the amazing Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, and of course relaxing in the therapeutic hot springs of Tabacon Resort lodge.

In concordance with the surroundings Arenal lodges are more into the rustic design; and usually most of them have been designed to make the best of the view they can get of the Arenal Volcano. The recommended lodges surrounding Arenal Volcano are Jungla y Senderos Los Lagos, Volcano Lodge, Hotel Arenal Paraiso, Montaña de Fuego Inn, Arenal Observatory Lodge, and of course if your budget allows, the most recommended is Tabacon Resort Hotel. Tabacon Resort Hotel is very well known lodge and is usually booked all year round. If you are adamant about staying at the worldwide known Tabacon Resort Hotel you should have to plan well in advance your visit to Arenal Volcano and book your room with a lot of anticipation. If you want to make the best out of your visit to the mystical Arenal volcano, and you were not able to book Tabacon Resort lodge you have to at least visit the hot spring facilities that this lodge offers.

The area of Arenal Volcano has no shortage of good restaurants either. There are a number of rustic looking Italian restaurants, restaurants that sell local food, while others that specialize on international cuisine. At a short distance from Fortuna del Arenal town you will find the Laguna del Arenal town. A recommended activity in this area will be windsurfing over the artificially created Arenal Lake, which was built as a dam in 1974. The Arenal Lake is the largest lake in Costa Rica and it supplies water and hydroelectric power for the Guanacaste region. For those who know and love windsurfing, Arenal Lake is a must do.

The area to which Arenal Volcano belongs to, is called the Area of Conservation of Arenal. This conservation area also includes Tenorio and Miravalles Volcanos, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and other in between areas that help protect the biodiversity of all these natural spots. All these areas together protect most of the Mountain Range of Tilaran. The biodiversity found inside this whole area is said to hold more than half of the land-dwelling species of vertebrates in Costa Rica. As with any other eye catching force of nature, it is wise to admire the impressive Arenal Volcano from the distance that the same park boundaries instructs. If you want to go hiking as close as possible to this extraordinary Costa Rica volcano make sure to follow the safety guidelines or to go in company of a certified guide.