Tico Tales - Arenal (April 6-7)

Occasional Tales from our Life in Costa Rica

Over the long Easter holiday weekend we traveled to the northern zone of Costa Rica to see the famous Arenal Volcano and dip in the nearby hot springs.

Arenal is by far the most scary-looking volcano we have ever seen. It's nearly a perfect cone. Picture something out of "Land of the Lost" or "Jurassic Park". It is very active, rumbling and spitting out rocks. At night, lava can be seen flowing down the side of the volcano.


View of Arenal from the road to the Arenal National Park


And from our hotel


The Tabacón Spa and Resort is home to the some incredible hot springs


Amy and Sophie in one of the thermal pools. The hot springs, which are created when rainwater is heated by the volcano's magma, range in temp from cool to bath water to very hot.


Sophie enjoyed the kiddie thermal pools


Sophie staying hydrated in the hot springs with Dad


Arenal Volcano is surrounded by Lake Arenal as well as a rain forest with amazing plants and animals. It's a jungle out there...