The Arenal National park should be first on your to-do list in this region! I was unsure about going as I had not read much on the park, but was so glad we did.

We arrived at about 2 in the afternoon, and the park shuts at 4.00 to general tourists (after this time you have to be on a guided tour). We had just enough time to do both walks in the 2 hours.

Our taxi dropped us at the observation point, and from here we walked back down the road and took the 6k trek to the old lava trail from 1993. This trek involves a little scrambling over rocks towards the end. When you do come to the end and get the view of all the old hardened lava in front of you and Arenal Lake behind you it is magnificent!

While you are walking you can hear the volcano rumbling away, which is slightly unnerving! We were keeping our eyes on the birds as apparently animals know to get out the area before humans know!

After making our way back we also did the 2k trek which takes you back down to the main car park and entrance, and saw lots of birds and leaf cutter ants on the way.

Definately to be visited!

We LOVED our visit to the Parque Nacional Volcan Arenal! My husband and I drove to the park entrance from our hotel, the Arenal Observatory Lodge, and after paying the entrance fee of I think $6 per person (best $6 spent on the entire trip in my opinion) first went to the lookout point. By this time the previously foggy skies were getting clearer and clearer, so we could see the volcano in almost all its glory – only the crater was still obscured by clouds. Then we hiked a trail that takes you to the start of the Old Lava Flow 1992 trail – I forget the name of the 1st trail, but its about a mile and starts at the 2nd parking lot of the park. And on that mile you see the vegetation change 3 or 4 different times, its so very interesting. Right before you begin the Old Lava Flow trail you find yourself in a dense forest, and we could see this Coati (a raccoon-like animal) just digging away, minding his business, and he wasn’t even scared of us! So cute!

We began hiking up the Old Lava Flow – oh my word, this is a workout to a novice hiker like myself, but what a treat! You get a gorgeous view of the Arenal volcano and Cerro Chato, a smaller, dormant volcano right next to it. Beautiful!

I would recommend bringing binoculars and maybe a bottle of water for this excursion, and of course wear sturdy footwear. And have fun!

Honestly, if you're in Arenal, you'll see the volcano. It's impossible to miss. Seeing the lava is another story... From some of the hotels you may automatically see it at night but, as the lava recently changed course, this will not be an option for many travelers.

I did the Volcano Hike through Sunset Tours and I would recommend the organized hike. Since the lava changes directions, it's helpful to have a guide from the area take you out to the area it is known to flow to help you see it, which thankfully we did. The guide will also inform you about other fun volcano facts, as well as take you on an easy hike in the adjoining rainforest. All in all it is a very enjoyable experience.

I developed a severe itchy armpit area fungus that I attribute from the hotsprings and naturally dried towels, it was a nasty uncontrollable itch that I didin't understand, until my doctor told me there was a fungus growing on my skin, probably from the unchlorinated 'natural' pools at Baldy hot springs or the air dried towels. Anyhow, it has plagued me for almost 6 months - don't use the pools or the towels....I have been informed!