Lake Arenal
Lake Arenal
4.5
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24 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,919 reviews
Excellent
1,100
Very good
596
Average
182
Poor
33
Terrible
8
Flyinggal
191 contributions
Sep 2022
We paid $33 to take a very rough road to a single viewpoint where you could view a sliver of Lake Arenal. Totally not worth the fee unless you are a hiker. Other than a handful of signs and a small pavilion there is nothing to see but jungle.
Written September 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice H
2 contributions
Feb 2020
We toured the park and the hot springs with Santiago. He was a fantastic guide who was very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw lots of animals and learned a lot about the rainforest and Costa Rica in general. It howled rain for about 2 hours of our hike but as Santiago said “ it is a rain forest” and we all kept trudging alon in high spirits. We saw a beautiful waterfall and several in the group swam in it. We saw some of Arenal volcano but it was mostly covered in clouds.
The day ended with a swim in the hot springs with cocktails included. So much fun!!!
The day ended with a swim in the hot springs with cocktails included. So much fun!!!
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanna M
Kedzierzyn Kozle, Poland23 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
I needed to get to la Fortuna from Santa Elena. The most convient and fastes way is taking a boat trip. The weather wasn't nice- cloudy and dark sky but the crew of the Boat made it a pleasant experience. The guy with a good sense of humor told us a lot about the Arenal Volcano eruptions in 1968.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane K
Venice, FL4,582 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is a pretty man made lake which was created to provide power to Costa Rica. Many families were relocated when the valley was flooded. We drove nearly around the whole lake on winding roads.
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curtis S
Calgary, Canada127 contributions
Jan 2020
Lake Arenal area is beautiful. Lots of wild life in the park and good trails. the lake area itself is also scenic. Be prepared however that this area often has very high winds and quite a bit of rain. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather off the volano.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D L G
Phoenix, AZ31 contributions
Feb 2020
Arenal is probably the best known volcano in Costa Rica and was our primary motivation for visiting the La Fortuna area. Unfortunately, we only saw the bottoms of the heavy cloud banks completely shrouding the volcano during our three days there.
One of our trips was to Arenal National Park, which took quite an effort to locate. Many of the Park entrances are commercial operations, and finding the National Park entrance was a real challenge because of the poor quality maps and road signs.
Once there, we paid a hefty entrance fee. The only facilities were a set of dilapidated restrooms and a couple of picnic pavilions. The roads were in poor repair, so the going was slow to the trailheads. The trails were dirt, winding under the jungle canopy with no views, but not a difficult hike. At the end of the trail, we found ourselves in a small clearing full of boulders. Were it not for the clouds, we should have had a nice view of the volcano. The highlight of the park visit was seeing a coati mundi and a small pit viper.
Check the weather forecasts carefully before making the journey to La Fortuna. Even if the weather permits, you cannot get close to the volcano, because of its safety perimeter zone. We suspect that the best trails to Arenal are the commercial ones closer to town and easier to access.
One of our trips was to Arenal National Park, which took quite an effort to locate. Many of the Park entrances are commercial operations, and finding the National Park entrance was a real challenge because of the poor quality maps and road signs.
Once there, we paid a hefty entrance fee. The only facilities were a set of dilapidated restrooms and a couple of picnic pavilions. The roads were in poor repair, so the going was slow to the trailheads. The trails were dirt, winding under the jungle canopy with no views, but not a difficult hike. At the end of the trail, we found ourselves in a small clearing full of boulders. Were it not for the clouds, we should have had a nice view of the volcano. The highlight of the park visit was seeing a coati mundi and a small pit viper.
Check the weather forecasts carefully before making the journey to La Fortuna. Even if the weather permits, you cannot get close to the volcano, because of its safety perimeter zone. We suspect that the best trails to Arenal are the commercial ones closer to town and easier to access.
Written April 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
manonspot
Larkhall, UK1,261 contributions
Jan 2020
We went a trail walk here as part of our package tour and it was really well set out and the history of place very interesting.Our guide told us about the eruptions and the damage that was caused around the surrounding area.Learned that there were 2 kinds of lava and the last eruption was as close as 2010,the scenery was magnificent and the new flora coming through will be magnificent in 10 years time.The trail is a nice easy walk with good photo stops where you can also see the lake on the other side.
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KnitsbyConnie
MA500 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
On our Caravan Costa Rica 8 day tour we drove around this lake on our way to Guanacaste Province.
The lake is man-made for hydro power purposes. It took 1 year to fill the lake.
The lake is man-made for hydro power purposes. It took 1 year to fill the lake.
Written December 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrés Blanco
Carteret, NJ737 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
I first saw the lake from high altitude while I was zip-lining through the forest at the park. I then wanted to have a closer look so I did an excursion around the lake. There are many activities to choose from around the lake. From horse riding to kayaking it all depends on the kind of experience you want to have. In any case, it's a nice way to spot wildlife and enjoy nature.
Written February 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel D
Quebec City, Canada71 contributions
Jan 2020
We took a morning tour and loved it. We came across many species of birds, owls and a rare grey hawk that was amazing. The views were beautiful. Bring water and layered clothing in case it rains or gets too muggy, and bug repellent. If you are not physically fit there is much walking.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do you arrange private transport to the Lake Arenal area from San Jose?
Written December 18, 2022
best lunch spot? when travel around the lake from La Fortuna to Monteverde?
Written March 24, 2019
Can one swim in Lake Arenal throughout the entire year, or only during certain months?
Written March 6, 2019
I do believe you can there are a few swimming areas around the lake. at the far end of lake by the end of dam is a water sports boating company that has guided tours, kayaks and stand up paddle boards.
Written April 12, 2019
Sorry can’t help you. It wasn’t breezy when we visited, but in reality that single observation doesn’t mean much.
Written December 30, 2018
There is a spot to enter for swimming where there is a hit with blue kayaks on a slope, may be in the east side, not fair from the main road
Written September 18, 2018
Yes. I just fish from the shore of Lake Arenal on the south end by the dam. Catch and release. I hit it up early morning and late afternoon and tend to stay pretty busy letting fish go. There are also guys like Captain Ron (look him up) that will take you out on a boat and put you on fish.
Written July 30, 2018
I need to get the taxi / boat / taxi from La Fortuna to Monteverde. BUT i will have a large suitcase - are you allowed a big case on the boat?!
Written April 10, 2018
i have no idea
i suppose they do since may travelers have big bags :)
Written April 19, 2018
Are there places to simply rent paddle boards. I don't really need a lesson and was wondering if I could just drive there and rent one.
Written August 7, 2017
I'm pretty sure that there are paddleboard rentals on either end of the highway that goes across the top of the dam on the way into La Fortuna.
Written August 8, 2017
I'm not sure as where we entered the Lake was the boat pickup and drop off. If you contact My Costa Rica they could answer your question. Enjoy your journey.
Written July 28, 2017
mattison71atgmail
San Jose, Costa Rica
If you visit in December-January it will be dry.
Written May 9, 2017
Rule of thumb with the weather there is: Jan-April - dry. May - July - could rain every day for short period of time. We did some trekking around volcano therefore it could be hot and humid in the summer. Then Aug - Dec - it could be pouring rain. We've met a couple who visited CR last Dec for 2 weeks - it was a constant rain. So, depending what you like, I recommend Jan-June time frame.
Written May 10, 2017
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