写真

Arenal is based on two main local features, a volcano that is still quite active and a large lake formed (at least in part) by a dam. A large tourist economy has grown around these features.

The area is stunningly pretty, verdant and filled with wildlife.

One can visit the Volcan Arenal national park, sited at the western base of the mountain and hike up to the lava flow from the 1992 eruption.

Arenal, situated just east of the continental divide and large enough to create its own weather, is often shrouded in clouds, as it partially was this morning.

When we visited the park, at intervals we heard rumbling like thunder, followed by visible puffs of dust mapping out a fine trace on the mountain痴 flank.

The vegetation that we hiked through was varied, including some fantastic 20 foot-high grasses where the lava flowed most recently and more mature rain forest where the lava had not recently passed. In the afternoon, the clouds mostly lifted and we got clearer views of the volcano as shown in this photo.