Arenal Volcano, 1,633 meters above sea level, is a perfect cone and the most active volcano in Costa Rica, as well as one of the most active in the world. It is a mandatory destination for every visitor. Arenal was sacred to pre-Columbian Indians. It was dormant until 1968 when it exploded one July night after announcing itself with a series of earthquakes. Poisonous gases and lava flows destroyed and buried Pueblo Nuevo killing 78 people. After that, new craters formed and scientists believe that another big eruption could happen again any time. In any case, life continues around the volcano.

Its lava flows and eruptions have been constant and you can see its incredible and unique spectacle at night, when red-hot rock, ash and steam burst from the peak illuminating the sky. Nearby is a private observatory lodge featuring the best views over Arenal Lake and the volcano. The lodge was built in 1987 by the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Costa Rica.

The evergreen Lake Arenal appeared about two or three million years ago, when tectonic movements created a depression that filled water. In 1973 the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity enlarged the lake to the eastern end of the valley, raising the lagoon level and creating this 32-kilometer-long reservoir for a hydroelectric project. It is said that there are great archaeological sites at the bottom of the lake. These days the lake is used for windsurfing, sailing, fishing and boating.

The closest small town is Nuevo Arenal. It was created in 1973 when the construction of the lake flooded the original settlement. From here fishing tours are directed. Five kilometers northwest is Lake Coter, a small lagoon special for water sports. There is also a butterfly farm. Four kilometers east of Nuevo Arenal is the Arenal Botanical Garden, featuring a wide variety of rare tropical species, Costa Rican rare plants and splendid collections of bromeliads, ferns, roses, orchids and heliconias.

In the Wild
Heading to Tenorio Volcano National Park, about 19 kilometers southwest of Guatuso, there is a private wildlife and forest reserve called the Magil Reserve. This property protects more than 280 hectares of virgin cloud forest on the slopes of Volcán Tenorio, near Rio Celeste de Guatuso.

The reserve was recently incorporated into Tenorio National Park. Poison-arrow frogs, monkeys, oropendolas, toucans and at least 250 other bird species inhabit Magil, as well as the very rare and endangered white eagle. If you stay a little longer in the lodging facilities and explore the deepest forest with caution, you can possibly spot a black leopard, a jaguar or a tapir.

To take a trip to the Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, near the Nicaraguan border, you have to take a one and a half-hour boat ride up Rio Frío. You will find the river and marsh habitat excellent for spotting several animal species. In the height of the rainy season the marsh actually becomes a 2,000-acre lake, and is a great spot to watch the migration of waterfowl.

Some say this region is a paradise for birdwatchers. An incredible variety of birds nest along the rivers and in the forest. Crow-sized Montezuma oropendolas with bright yellow tails, six different species of toucans, great tinamous, Rufous motmots, forest falcons, cattle egrets, wood storks and anhingas are some of the species often seen in Caño Negro.

Caño Negro is also a perfect habitat for sloths, monkeys, anteaters and other creatures, including caimans and a prehistoric fish that must come to the surface to breath, as well as other animal and plant species that aren't found anywhere else in the country.

When nature calls you to tranquillity, to relax by steamy pools with healing waters and peaceful landscapes, or to observe the spectacle of the volcano's spirit setting the night on fire in a display of power, the Northern Plains will give you the opportunity to do all that and remember it forever.