The way of life in the lush Central American country of Costa Rica is best exemplified by the popular phrase 'Pura Vida!' It is easy to see why, as there is an abundance of natural wonders such as rainforests, beaches, volcanoes, rivers, and wildlife. On top of that, the wonderful people of Costa Rica go out of their way to share with you the best of what their country has to offer. This laid back country is a gem not to be missed.
The beautiful Arenal Volcano National Park is located in the northeast region of Costa Rica. From San Jose, you need to drive about 3.5 hours to reach the town of La Fortuna and from there it's only about 45 minutes to get to the National Park. I love hiking, so I joined a group that was going on an excursion through the park. We walked about 4 miles to get to the scenic overlook and then another mile or so to reach the lava fields. It was a lovely walk and we passed by the Arenal lagoon, the largest in Costa Rica, and saw all kinds of birds and small mammals. I'd also like to mention that there are plenty of public restrooms in the park and the rangers couldn't have been friendlier.
This is an active volcano in the Arenal Volcano National Park. It's amazing to see how the lava goes down the slope, especially at night when you can see it better. The noise emanating from the volcano is also incredible. Instead of hiring the tour they offered at the hotel, we hired a taxi driver who picked us up at the hotel and spent the whole day with him and his 6 year old son. It was a great day because he knew the entire park by heart and took us to the best places to hear the roaring of the volcano.
