Positioned within Costa Rica’s fertile northern lowlands, the Arenal Volcano is majestic. The volcano’s perfectly symmetrical shape is tall and imposing, and until 2010, it was Costa Rica’s most active volcano. That eruptive cycle – which began with the infamous eruption of 1968 – ended in October 2010, and now Arenal is in an indeterminate resting phase.
While in this area, we explored volcanic terrain and tropical gardens, as well as culture and history. We saw anhingas and caimans on a riverboat nature safari, and learned about pineapples and local farming from local experts. School children performed traditional dances, proudly showed us their school and shared their dreams.
A short video below shows moving trails of cut foliage which are actually leaf-cutter ants. It was fascinating to watch foraging columns composed of hundreds of ants carrying small pieces of leaves.
We explored the tropical rainforest at Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges through a network of trails, hanging bridges and standing bridges, and learned about walking palm trees (that actually move) and towering strangler fig trees. We enjoyed watching monkeys swing in the distant treetops, saw many colorful birds, bats roosting on a tree, and two poisonous eyelash pit vipers.
For best viewing, click on an image (some have captions) and then right arrow through the slide show.
Next stop Monteverde.