Before 1.968, this volcano was considered to be just a mountain. It was known as Arenal Mountain.
It started its active period on July 29, 1.968 opening three craters on the west side. Crater A, at 1.000 meters provoked a pyroclastic explotion (burning cloud), which destroyed the villages of Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacón, devasted 12 square kilometers, and killed approximately 87 persons.
In September 1.968 it began to expell lava through Crater A wich was active till 1.973. Crater C (at 1.450 m) started right there, and it is still active, expelling lava permanently, with a balsatic-andesita composition, explotions of pyroclastic material and the constant emmission of gas.

Location

The Volcán Arenal National Park is on the northwestern region of Costa Rica, between the Tilaran Mountain Range and the San Carlos Planes.
It is part of the Arenal Conservation Area (ACA) called "the Energetic Heart of Costa Rica". ACA is one of the eleven conservation areas of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE).

Creation

The Volcán Arenal National Park was created through the Executive Decree 23774 (MIRENM) on September 26, 1.994, issued in the official newspaper "La Gaceta" on November 22, 1.994.
It has an extension of 12.010,6 hectares.

Flora and fauna

The Volcán Arenal National Park is a living laboratory because of its geologic and geomorphologic richness and its complex biological processes development, that forms from folk vegetation to a primary forest.
It holds a variety of flora and fauna in its four life zones:
Very Humid Tropical Foreset (transition)
Mountain Rainy Forest
Low Mountain Rainy Forest (transition)
Pre-mountain Very Humid Forest (transition)

Main Flora:
The most conspicuous species are: Guayabo de Monte, Cebo, Ceiba, Cirri, Laurel, Higuerones, Pilón, Guarumo, Balsa, different species of palms, heliconias, orquids, ferms and bromeliads including the endemic species: Pitcaimia Funkiae.

Main fauna: paca, danta or tapir, deer, jaguar, peccary, coatimundi, monkeys (howler, spider and white-faced), variety of snakes.

Birds like: parrots, sargentos, oropéndolas, urraca parda, humming birds, bell bird and quetzal

Conquer species

You can observe different evoluting stages of the soil and the vegetation in the Volcán Arenal National Park; here are conquer plants like the orquids Epidendrum.

Main attractions

• Observatory at the volcano slope
• Arenal impounding
• Chato Mountain
• Natural Trails: Heliconias, Las Coladas, El Pilón, Los Tucanes, La Península.
• Visitors Center: auditorium, souvenir store, display rooms, La Península observatory.

Interesting facts

Annual average temperature: between 21º C and 27.5º C.
Annual average rainfall: between 3.500 mm to 5.000 mm.
Rainy period: May to January
Dry period: February to April

General recommedations

• Keep your ticket.
• The areas surrounding the trails are on a recovery period, specially the lava trails. Please, stay on the trail and cooperate with the recuperation processes.
• Respect the prohibitions to get into the dangerous areas for your own safe.
• No pets allowed.
• No fires allowed for your own safe.
• No stereos, radios, etc. allowed for the constant emmissions and resonance of the volcano.
• In case of an emergency, consult the park rangers, they are willing to help you.

Enjoy your trip !!!