Arenal Volcano, standing at 1,670 meters (5,479 feet), is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic natural landmarks, located in the lush region of Alajuela Province. Once one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Arenal erupted regularly from 1968 until 2010, creating a dramatic landscape of hardened lava fields and fertile soil that supports an incredible array of biodiversity. The volcano is surrounded by dense rainforests teeming with wildlife, including howler monkeys, toucans, and vibrant tropical frogs. Although it’s now considered dormant, Arenal remains a striking presence, with its symmetrical cone often shrouded in mist.
In the summer of 2022, we visited the town of La Fortuna, nestled beneath the imposing Arenal Volcano. Naturally, we were inspired to climb to its summit. On a fair day, we embarked on a short day trip to fulfill this aspiration. Below is our trip report, along with some pictures from this unforgettable hiking adventure.
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Disclaimer: We later discovered that climbing Arenal Volcano is, for some reason, illegal. Our ascent wasn’t a premeditated misdemeanor but rather an inadvertent violation due to lack of information. Typically, we don’t conduct any research before embarking on a leisurely day hike. In this instance, we simply saw a peak above us and decided to climb it just because it was there, blinking to us so to say. I apologize for this mistake and for any offense it may have caused. That said, I frankly believe our primary transgression was against our own safety, for which we are old enough to take responsibility. I furthermore clarify that this post is intended solely as a trip report and not as a guide for others to replicate this experience. I do not endorse or encourage anyone to undertake a similar excursion.
Shortly after the sun rose into a relatively clear sky for the rainy season, we grabbed our daypacks and left our lodge in downtown La Fortuna.
By the way, the Nice Place Hostel truly lives up to its name. If you’re seeking affordable accommodation in the area, it’s an excellent choice. It offers both dorm beds and private rooms, along with a cozy lounge, a well-equipped kitchen, and a neat garden.
From the town center, we headed west along the main road, walking straight toward the base of the volcano. After a 4 km walk, we reached the trailhead leading to the summit of Arenal. The route begins at Arenal Ecoglide Park, located along the main road, directly across from Hotel Relax Termalitas – Thermal Water. This seemed like an excellent option for lodging right below the volcano if you have a higher budget.
Although the Ecoglide Park appeared to be operating normally based on its online presence, it was completely desolate when we passed by. Perhaps it was a Sunday or a holiday of some kind. It’s possible that the staff, when present, are responsible for preventing hikers from accessing the trail. However, since no one was around on this occasion, we walked through without realizing we might be committing an infraction.
The first part of the route followed a cement track used by cars to access a zipline platform further upslope. From there, we transitioned onto a steep trail that ascended the mountain through dense vegetation. The trail was fairly well-maintained—odd in hindsight, considering it’s supposed to be abandoned. It seems that hikers have been using it regularly enough despite the prohibition. Incidentally, we did encounter a small group of local hikers making their way down from the summit.
As we approached the crater, the vegetation thinned, revealing glimpses of the surrounding plains through the first clearings. Roughly two hours and 1,300 meters of elevation gain after leaving the main road, we found ourselves standing at the edge of the sulfur-reeking, steaming crater. A brief walk along the rim brought us to the summit of Arenal Volcano.
The view was exceptionally clear for this time of year. We took it all in while enjoying our packed lunch, then headed back down the same way.
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Photos
View (and if you want use) all my photographs from Arenal Volcano in higher resolution.
