Destination Spotlight

Arenal Volcano National Park

Arenal Volcano National Park is located in the northern region of the country and is home to one of the world’s most active and impressive volcanoes. Besides the volcano, this national park has various hiking trails that wind through the tropical highland forest as well as the lowland wet forest. Also within the park is a magnificent man-made lake, Lake Arenal (the largest lake in Costa Rica), which provides over 40% of the country’s energy production.

• Students hike along the trails of Arenal Volcano National Park, and see the abundance of wildlife that this protected area has to offer including tortoises, lizards, monkeys, and a variety of birds. Students learn how plant and animal life adapt to changes in the earth’s environment after volcanic eruptions.
• Students hike along the cooling lava fields of this 4,000-year-old volcano at night and learn about the volcano’s history while enjoying the magnificent view of its activity. While most people never get to view an active volcano in their lives, students get to view constant activity and lava flows. They also learn about the different layers of the earth and why the blocks of lava on the surface glow red after sunset.

Did you know?

• An amazing 53% of the species that make up the national bird population are found in this park, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
• Costa is one of the most geologically-active places in the world with seven active and more than 60 dormant volcanoes.
• All of the volcanoes in Costa Rica are part of the famous “Ring of Fire”, an arc stretching from New Zealand, along the eastern edge of Asia, north across the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, and south along the coast of North and South America. This ring composes over 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes.