Arenal Volcano National Park

Post by GuillermoG

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Arenal Volcano National Park was created by executive order on September 30th of 1991 and it is located in the northern region of the country, in an area within the volcanic mountain range of Guanacaste which belongs to the municipal cantons of: Tilaran, San Carlos and San Ramon.

The Arenal conservation area is super important to the country because it protects a variety of hydrographic basins. Here in this area is where the River Chiquito, River Frio and Peñas Blancas (which also borders Nicaragua) among others, begin.

Its length is a bit more than 2.9 hectares (7 acres approximately) and the climate is a varied one, with meteorological influences coming as much from the Pacific side, as the Atlantic. The yearly temperature on average varies between 14 and 29 degrees Celsius (57 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit) and with its high areas reaching up to 2000 meters (6561 feet approximately) above sea level (at the top of the volcano). The surface area of its lands, is irregular. From the deep valleys with steep slopes, to flat planes and hilly ones.

Due to all the electric energy produced in this zone, it’s one of the most important areas in Costa Rica, which is why maintaining it’s conservation is so important.

Throughout the length of the park there are many areas harboring protected species that are characteristic of humid and tropical forests as well as cloudy and dry ones. This gives the park a great touristic and scientific value. Previously conducted studies show that there are over 100 species of mammals such as: the “tepezcuintle” or Paca, the “tapa” or Tapir, sloths, jaguars and deer amongst many others. Birds are also quite abundant, with the likes of parrots, clay colored thrush (the national bird of Costa Rica), “cristofue” or Kiskadee, and the marvelous quetzal (which migrates from the high lands of central America to Costa Rica during the months of March and August), all nesting and flying about.

Careful, though! The park is also a zone inhabiting snakes and serpents like the rattlesnake and the boa.

Among the most common flower, plant and tree species, are: the Cedar, the Rain tree, various kind of cypress, palms, lichen, ferns and mushrooms; just to name a few within the great variety that exists.

It’s important to point out that the volcano is among the most active in the country, presenting, even in recent days; intense activity, with frequent eruptions and launching of incandescent material and rock slides. Because of this, access to the immediate surrounding areas, is completely restricted due to the high risk that it represents for any tourists caught unaware.

Being that it’s one of the most visited tourist areas in the country, the zone is highly accessible to any number of hotels with all the possible ratings; from luxury spa complexes where you can relax and enjoy thermal waters and gorgeous views, to vast areas ideal for taking hikes or walks, rafting, trekking, canopy gliding and quad riding.

If you were thinking to visit Costa Rica, don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the Arenal Volcano National Park and wonder over the imposing force of nature which experiments here in its dominion. You won’t ever forget it.

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