Discover Arenal: Top 13 Fascinating Fun Facts About Costa Rica's Iconic Volcano

1. Comeback Kid on Fire

Arenal Volcano isn't just any mountain – it's the ultimate Comeback Kid on fire with a real flair for the dramatic: After being dormant for 450 years, it decided to burst back into the spotlight with a massive eruption in 1968, and while it's currently in a resting phase since 2010, it's still rocking and rolling with magma movement deep inside, making it the hot, explosive water cooler conversation every geologist dreams of.
Source => arenal.net

2. Eruption Party Guest

Much like an over-enthusiastic party guest, Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica took center stage in 1968, spewing forth molten hot-takes and turning the local environment into an impromptu game of "the floor is lava": Luckily for everyone involved, this fiery extravaganza mellowed out in 2010, after 42 years of near-daily eruptions, and this volcanic hotspot now entices visitors with breathtaking hikes, beautiful waterfalls, and relaxing hot springs in its national park.
Source => arenal.net

Did you know that most newly-formed volcanic islands vanish quickly, but a 2014 eruption created an island that still supports plant and animal life? Discover this rare phenomenon!

=> Fun Facts about Volcanoes

3. S-S-S-Steaming Hot Springs

Why did the tourist jump into Arenal Volcano's hot springs? To get to the other s-s-s-steam: Arenal Volcano boasts a collection of both luxury resort hot springs like Los Perdidos Springs and Las Lagunas, and family-owned gems such as Eco Termales, making it a steamy destination for all sorts of travelers.
Source => arenal.net

4. Hydro Spa Man Superpower

If Arenal Volcano were a superhero, its superpower would be Hydro Spa Man: effortlessly relaxing people's tensions with the power of hot springs. The real hero behind the scenes: a colossal volcanic aquifer stretching 800 meters wide and up to one kilometer deep, gushing out hot water like an overenthusiastic jacuzzi. While some may argue about its ranking in the world of thermal aquifers, there's no denying that it brings joy to oodles of tourists as they soak in its warm embrace.
Source => ticotimes.net

5. Napping Volcano with Open Eyes

Who says you can't have a nap while keeping your two eyeballs open? Arenal Volcano seems to have mastered this trick: While snoozing for centuries, it secretly maintained two craters with minor fumarole activity, before surprising everyone with a big eruption in 1968.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Multitasking Hot and Electric Volcano

Who said volcanoes can't multitask? Arenal Volcano, the overachieving powerhouse of Costa Rica, likes to keep things both steaming hot and electrically charged at its scenic base: Lake Arenal not only doubles as a postcard-perfect view but also contributes a shockingly impressive 12 percent of the nation's hydroelectric energy, making it a crucial player in the country's sustainability game.
Source => arenal.net

7. Surprise Volcanic Wake-Up Call

Talk about a volcanic wake-up call! For centuries, the residents near Arenal Volcano were happily snoozing away, blissfully unaware of the mountain's hidden fiery temper: Little did they know, the last major eruption had been in 1525, and the volcano was considered extinct until it roared back to life in 1968, to the surprise and dismay of its once-oblivious neighbors.
Source => muchbetteradventures.com

8. Retired Lava Route Waterfall

Hey, who turned off the lava? The real star of the show now is La Fortuna Waterfall, cascading down Chato Volcano's retired lava route: Cerro Chato, the dormant sibling of Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica, last erupted 3,500 years ago, and its crater now houses a stunning green lagoon, while its lava flow has turned into a popular waterfall attraction. But beware, adventurers - the trail to Cerro Chato has been shut down by the authorities due to eco-tourism gone awry!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Fertile B&B for Nature Guests

When the soil's fertile, everybody wants a piece: Arenal Volcano National Park, a fiery B&B for plant and animal guests, hosts over half of Costa Rica's observed species of mammals, reptiles, and birds along with 1,400 species of party-crashing orchids. The park is nature's ultimate mixer, where you could spot the white-nosed coati doing the cha-cha or New-Age Kermit the Frog showing off his transparent epidermis.
Source => c-ludik.fr

10. Hide-and-Seek Volcanic Bad Boy

A volcanic game of hide-and-seek gone wrong: Arenal Volcano startled everyone with a catastrophic eruption in 1968, killing 65 people and spewing out dangerous ash and lava flows, cementing its position as one of Costa Rica's most fearsome geological bad boys.
Source => volcano.si.edu

11. Reliable Lava Party Star

Arenal Volcano's lava is the life of the party, erupting frequently and never missing a beat: It's so reliable that scientists are able to study its behavior closely, leading to improved warning systems and evacuation plans for potential eruptions.
Source => worldnomads.com

12. Tale of Two Volcanoes

A tale of two volcanoes: it sounds like a giant's soup kitchen gone awry, but it's actually the geological dynamic duo of Arenal and Chato in Costa Rica! The serious reveal: Arenal Volcano, with its towering stature of 5,357 feet, shares the stage with its volcanic sibling, Chato, which stands at a mere 3,740 feet but steals the limelight with its collapsed cone and picturesque lagoon – both of which make Arenal Volcano National Park a sizzling hot-spot for adventure-seekers.
Source => national-parks.org

13. Knock, Knock Arenal Adventure

Knock, knock! Who's there? Arenal. Arenal who? Arenal you glad you can hike up a volcano, mingle with wildlife, and tickle your taste buds with some chocolate – all in one place? Well, pack your bags because the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica offers all that and more: Alongside its fiery summit, the region boasts hanging bridges, waterfalls, cocoa tours, and traditional cuisine, with expert guides ensuring a fun, safe, and culturally rich adventure into the heart of this magnificent natural spectacle.
Source => tripadvisor.com