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Location: 200km (124 miles) NW of San Jose; 20km (12 miles) NW of Monteverde National Park; 70km (43 miles) SE of Liberia

Arenal Costa Rica Travel

Arenal - La Fortuna remains one of the least-developed tourism regions in Costa Rica but not for lack of resources or charms. It does, after all, have Lake Arenal, a man-made lake with an area of 86 sq. km (34 sq. miles), making it the largest lake in Costa Rica, surrounded by rolling hills that are partly pastured and partly forested.

The perfect cone of Arenal Volcano lies at the opposite (east) end of the lake from the small towns of Tilarán and Nuevo Arenal. The volcano's barren slopes are a stunning sight from here, especially when reflected in the waters of the lake. The northwest side of Lake Arenal is a dry region of rolling hills and pastures, distinctly different from the more lush landscape near La Fortuna.

People around these parts often curse the winds, which often come blasting across this end of the lake at 60 knots or greater. However, because the first sailboarders caught wind of Lake Arenal's combination of warm, fresh water, steady blows, and spectacular scenery, things have been changing quickly.

Although the towns of Tilaran and Nuevo Arenal are little more than quiet rural communities, hotels are proliferating all along the shores of the lake. Even if you aren't a fanatical sailboarder, you might enjoy hanging out by the lake, hiking in the nearby forests, and catching glimpses of Arenal Volcano.

The lake's other claim to fame is its rainbow-bass fishing. These fighting fish are known in Central America as guapote and are large members of the cichlid family. Their sharp teeth and fighting nature make them a real challenge.

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