Number 23   

Arenal Volcano and Los Fortuna, Costa Rica

On our return trip from Las Chiles, we stopped at Arenal Volcano and the adjacent town La Fortuna. One of Costa Rica's most notable natural features is the Arenal Volcano. There are 9 volcanos in Costa Rica. This impressive volcano resides within the 29,960-acre Arenal Volcano National Park, and the Arenal volcano measures at least 5,358 feet tall.  Although the volcano entered into a resting phase in 2010 – meaning that its eruptions have paused – it is still a stunning sight, and sometimes gives off smoke to remind you that it is still active, but just sleeping.

I caught the volcano letting off some smoke.

Lake Arenal

Rising above the rainforest that surrounds its base, Arenal frames the skyline with near perfect symmetry.  We loved the sight of this magnificent volcano.  Arenal is considered a young volcano and the age is estimated to be less than 7,500 years.  It was Costa Rica's most active volcano until 2010, and one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. It has been studied by seismologists for many years including a team from the Smithsonian Institute. 

On Monday, July 29, 1968 at 7:30 AM, the Arenal Volcano suddenly and violently erupted. The eruptions continued unabated for several days, burying over 15 square kilometers with rocks, lava and ash. When it was finally over, the eruptions had killed 87 people and buried 3 small villages and affected more than 232 square kilometers of land. Crops were spoiled, property was ruined, and large amounts of livestock were killed.

At the height of its ferocious activity, the volcano flung giant rocks – some weighing several tons – more than a kilometer away at a rate of 600 meters per second. These explosions would go on to form three new active craters.

As the three towns were destroyed on the western side of the volcano, a town by the name of El Borio on the east side was untouched and unharmed. After the volcano ceased to erupt, El Borio (was founded in the mid 1930s) and was renamed La Fortuna, which means "the fortunate", referring to its luckiness that the volcano erupted to the west and not the east.

The town is quaint but also very much a tourist magnet.  It has lots of souvenir stores and tour groups.  Since we enjoy more of the natural environment, we didn’t spend much time in the town.  It is worth a visit since the people are very helpful.

We did spend a day at Baldi Hot Springs Resort & Spa.  Baldi  has 25 thermo mineral hot water pools flowing naturally from the base of the volcano.  The hottest pools start at the top and temperatures cool off as you descend ranging in temperatures from 152 116, 113, 110, 109, 104, 102, 100, 93 º F.  The top pools were way too hot for us, but I think everyone could find a temperature that is right for them.  It is quite impressive as you walk around the property.  They have built bars that extend into the pools.

The top and hottest pool

 

To spend any time at Baldi you have to pay!  It costs us $92 for us to use the pools and have a buffet dinner.  Please, please skip the buffet, unless it is quantity not quality you are looking for.  The food was bad in our opinion.  Also I feel like I should say something about the pools.  They bring in bus-loads of people who have also paid the entrance fee.  Some of the buses are only children.  They are allowed to run free and I do mean run.  

Next time we are there, we would much prefer to check out the natural springs and avoid the crowds at Baldi.

We stayed at the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa (AOL for short).  La Fortuna has its abundance of large resorts.  We decided on AOL because it is just over 1.7 miles south of the Arenal volcano and less crowded than the large resorts, with a spectacular view of the volcano as well as an impressive view of nearby Arenal Lake and surrounded by 870 acres of incredible rain forest offers the area's most stunning views of the volcano and Arenal Lake.  We elected the smaller AOL because we wanted to hike and bird watch and just watch the volcano.  We stayed in the Smithsonian rooms at AOL.  These rooms feature a huge picture windows giving you a majestic view of the volcano from the comfort of your bed.

Porch that overlooks the volcano

View from our Porch

Also AOL has its own waterfall right on the property.  We hiked to the waterfall in the rain.  It was great.  It was our own private waterfall for the day.  

And for those of you who know me I am totally afraid of heights, but I managed to walk across the hanging bridge.  My motivation was the swimming pool and hot tub on the other side.

Our private hot tub

If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, we recommend a side trip to La Fortuna and a stay at the Arenal Observatory Lodge.  While you are there take a moment to stop and see nature at its finest.

Leaf cutters busy at work