Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano - Feb 2008
regina

The van picked me up early to drive 5 hours to Arenal Volcano in the north of Costa Rica. The landscape changed from scrub land and beach to lush green highlands as we climbed higher. We stopped along the way to see some pizotes on the side of the highway. They are related to the raccoon and seem accustomed to humans but they do have teeth.

Finally Lake Arenal, largest freshwater lake in Costa Rica, came into view. As we drove around the lake we finally saw the volcano. Its cone is at 1733 meters or 5600 feet above sea level. Volcan Arenal is active and we could see steam and boulders flying out of the cone. The last major eruption was in 2000 when the nearby towns were evacuated and 2 people who were hiking at the time were killed.

I got dropped off at Arenal Observatory Lodge because the van did not go to my destination on his route. I spent more than 2 hours on the deck of the Lodge with the volcano “in your face.” The observatory is used by vulcanologists from National Geographic and the lodge is for tourists.

A taxi finally came to take me to Hotel Linda Vista del Norte which was nearby. I also have a great vista of the volcano. After cocktail hour and dinner in the dining room I went to bed. The security guard promised to wake us in the night when the volcano was “limpiando.” It was surely purging itself when I got up at 3 AM to check. About 4:00 the guard roused me again and the lava show was amazing. On my third visit to the deck at sunrise the volcano poofed a big black cloud. Until I checked out at noon after breakfast and a swim, the show was priceless.

To read more about Regina’s travels click here