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Arenal Volcano

Where is It?

90 km northwest of San Jose. Located inside the Arenal Volcano National Park, 17 kilometers from the town of La Fortuna

How Tall is It?

Summit Elevation: 1657 m (5,436 ft)

Volcano Type

Stratovolcano

Type of Activity

Strombolian, Explosive (with almost consistent strombolian activity)

How Old is It?

3,000 years old

The Last Big Eruption

August 24, 2000

Did You Know?

• This is one of the most popular attractions in Costa Rica. On a clear night you can enjoy a fireworks show and see lava flowing as you soak in a nearby natural hot spring heated by the volcano. Contact us for reservations

• It is the 3rd most perfect conical shaped volcano in the world

• It is one of the top ten most active volcanoes in the world

• There are 3 - 20 lava flowing explosions daily sending ash plumes one kilometer above the volcano and boulders the size of houses down its sides 

• Every six to eight months lava flows change direction favoring the southwest or northwest slopes.

• Vulcanologists have warned that a major eruption may come in the future.

A Bit of History

Arenal began erupting some 7000 years ago, back when the nearby Chato Volcano was also erupting. Chato's activity ended about 3500 years ago, but Arenal has continued its activity. Its recent span of activity began with a major explosion in 1968, and since that time continuous explosive activity accompanied by lava flow and occasional pyroclastic flows have occurred from the main crater and its western flank.

Tours

Contact Us to learn about all there is to do in the Arenal area.