var $canvas = $('').attr({width:$img.attr('width'), height:$img.attr('height')}), Arenal 1968 looks nice and challenging. The trails start off through patches of rainforest and comically tall grass (like, well over 3 meters (or 10 feet) tall!) As you make your way around this small lake, the trail will start to get a bit steeper again. Were Matt & Jenn, a couple who left Boston to pursue a dream of traveling, living, and starting a family in Costa Rica. You wish to increase your chances of spotting some wildlife. By car, it is about a 15 minute drive from La Fortuna downtown. Thank you for comparing the two trails as well, it sounds like the forest trail is the one for me! You keep following the lake for around 800m, never at the waters edge, but you can often see it glistening between the trees. This includes parking and access to toilets, restaurants, and the orchid garden. Arenal 1968 Volcano: Forest Trail. Or, youll can hire a taxi or a book tour from town. We have always gone with a guide to Arenal 1968 for a couple of reasons. By spending longer in the area, youll have a higher chance to see the volcanos top clear. Bird watching Hiking Wildflowers Wildlife No dogs Forest Views Kid friendly Moderately challenging Walking Show less Directions Park information Park hours Monday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Tuesday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Wednesday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Thursday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm This series of hiking trails brings you through forested areas and across some of the historic lava fields that buried much of the surrounding jungle during the dramatic eruptions of 1968. Even if you can only come during the rainy season, you can still have a dry morning. It feels particularly poor value when compared to Mirador El Silencio, which has an even better view, and was significantly cheaper at 5,000 colones (approx $9 USD). The cafe looked good and obviously has terrific views, but we sadly didnt have time to try it. beautiful photos! Make sure to take an official taxicab which should be red with a yellow triangle. Both trails have a bit of climbing to do, but never any very steep sections. I suggestpacking some snacks or a packed lunch. The trails here can get quite muddy (what with all of that rain associated with the rainforest and all) and have very stabby volcanic rock along the majority of the path. This lake is actually a reservoir that feeds one of the many hydroelectric plants in Costa Rica. Arenal Volcano National Park Information History Hours and Rates Services and Attractions Recommendations Water, volcanoes and life The grandeur of the volcano is undeniable and this is the first thing you think when visiting La Fortuna de San Carlos, where this natural wonder is located. The good news is that most people dont complete the full circuit and instead wander to the viewpoint and back, this makes the forest section wonderfully serene. Its 150km from San Jose. However, on the 29th of July, around 7:30 in the morning, Arenal Volcano erupted. Parking. There arent any buses or shuttles between La Fortuna and Arenal 1968 Park. In 1968, this volcano erupted without warning for three days straight, and dramatically changed the surrounding landscape. The lava fields from that eruption now sit within the Arenal 1968 ecological reserve. Pos Team. In doing so, it killed 87 people. See for yourself why more than 100,000 visitors flock to La Fortuna Waterfall each year with an admission ticket to one of Costa Rica's most prized natural attractions, located inside Arenal Volcano National Park. If youre in San Jose, we have a tour partner that visits Arenal 1968 as part of their Arenal Volcano one day tour from San Jose. .Read More, Copyright 2012-2023 Two Weeks in Costa Rica, Inc. In addition, the only other thing that could make this trail slightly more difficult is the heat and humidity. Arenal Volcano National Park is notoriously overcrowded, so come prepared to wait in ticket queues and dodge a bunch of other tourists along its trails. About 4.1 km (2.5 miles) in, the Lava and Forest trails will converge again and pass by a grassy clearing, where some cute cows (with some very scary looking horns) graze in the shadow of the volcano. La Fortuna and Arenal Tours Discount: Get 7% Off - MytanFeet There was a rope handrail in place at the steepest bit, which were definitely helpful - and it only lasts for 70m. Can you imagine this great spot for your wedding or special event? Whatever you bring with you, make sure you either take it home with you or dispose of it responsibly. We have a ton of information-packed content to help you plan your trip to this area, including: While this is commonly called the Arenal 1968 hike, Arenal 1968 is actually an ecological reserve with two trails in it: Beyond the trails, theres also a handful of viewpoints with breathtaking views of the volcano and Lake Arenal and a small cafeteria, where you can gaze upon the volcano while nomming down on some French fries or a smoothie. Alternatively, there are a few Uber drivers operating in La Fortuna, so you can check the app too. Arenal 1968 Park is open from 8 am to 6 pm daily. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something. Arenal Volcano National Park Travel Guide to Plan Your Trip - MytanFeet After a bit of research, we opted for the Arenal 1968 trail. Its right next to the national park, offering impressive views of Arenal Volcano and lava fields. The entry fee is USD $25. 1968, when three craters blew open, devastating nearby towns and changing the landscape dramatically. Use this guide to plan your visit to the Arenal 1968 park to hike Arenal Volcano. Get some of the best and closest views of active Arenal Volcano. In the process, two towns (Arenal and Tronadora) were relocated to higher ground. The car park is large and included in the entry fee. In case you would like to do this as a tour with transportation and guide, you can book and get our La Fortuna tours discount here! Soon the trail will turn into rocky lava fields, and youll be walking through some pretty huge boulders. The national park, though, offers more trails to choose from and has two separate areas- the main sector, with similar volcano views to Arenal 1968, and the peninsula sector, which is closer to Lake Arenal. Hours. In rainy season, there is a high possibility it will rain in the afternoon. $32.00. Your photos are STUNNING! The 1968 Trail is an amazing place to hike and learn more about the mighty Arenal Volcanos ferocious history. The Arenal 1968 entrance fee is $25 USD for adults, children under 12 are free.
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With the entrance pass, visitors have access to the hiking trails, museum, hanging bridge, waterfall, visitor center and observation tower. If you read TripAdvisor or AllTrail reviews for the various Arenal Volcano hikes, youll find one common theme amongst the negative reviews- people are extremely disappointed that the volcano is frequently obscured by clouds. The entrance fee to Arenal Volcano National Park is 15 USD for an adult per day, and the park is open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM. La Fortuna Waterfall Admission Ticket 2023 - Viator Another way to reach the viewpoint and lava fields is to take the Colada Trail. Raimund Hirschberg. There is also a cafe with a great view. The other wonders areMonteverde, Poas Volcano, Rio Celeste,Isla del Coco,TortugueroandCerro Chirripo. On this day in 1968, three craters burst open along the volcano's western flank. We definitely got lucky with the weather and seeing the entire volcano without clouds was just an amazing bonus. 1968 Arenal Volcano Eruption History - La Fortuna, Costa Rica - Anywhere To this day, remnants of those old roads and buildings are still at the bottom of the lake. Spot native Costa Rican wildlife and plant species. The road is paved the whole way. On the edge of the lava field are also a lot of different sized volcanic boulders scattered around. We hope you enjoy our blog posts and YouTube videos filled with stunning hiking trails and useful information for all levels of interest. This trail is 4.7 km (3 miles) long and is a moderate-to-difficult hike since the terrain has some steep portions as well as lots of roots and rocks. Information about the 1968 Arenal Volcano eruption. We also walked the circuit in the Arenal National Park, and this was USD $17. If you really love hiking, you can go on the Los Patos trail but the Lava Flow is enough to get a good sweat and to see the volcano. This is a slightly shorter trail at 4 km (2.4 miles) and is strenuous at times but not as difficult as the Bosque Trail. If youre wearing shorts and a t-shirt, then make sure towear sun-cream to protect your skin. In La Fortuna, Costa Rica, the Arenal Volcano is an unmissable site, quite literally, towering 1,600 meters (5,200 feet!) Learn more about our affiliate policyhere. The Arenal and La Fortuna area is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica for good reason. Just be prepared for some heavy downpours in the afternoon. Mirador El Silencio: 242 Reviews, Map - Alajuela, Costa Rica - AllTrails However, bear in mind that these seasons vary by region and area. As youd expect, the caf is expensive, but its definitely worth hanging around and enjoying the view of the volcano as long as youd like to. The combined hiking route was about 7 km (4.5 miles) long. For us it was semi shrouded in cloud, but it was lucky we arrived when we did, as less than 15 minutes later the volcano had disappeared entirely. This includes details on how to get to Arenal 1968 Park, entry fees, best times to visit as well as helping you decide which trail is more suitable for you to complete. Youll just have to follow this path until you get a glimpse of a small lake called Lago los Patos or Duck Lake. One place of particular interest is the Arenal 1968 Trail. ), thats how Im going to describe it, but be prepared for a switcheroo when you visit! Since we did it counterclockwise (and loved it! Combined, they are a distance of 7 kilometers. per adult. All are great trails so whichever one you choose, it will be a wonderful experience and the views are excellent! So bring along plenty of water and stay hydrated. Its at least 10 feet high! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 42 min to complete. What's with the name Arenal 1968? The best hike in Arenal for sure. However, it looks like, from maps of the trails Ive seen online, the park has asked that guests hike clockwise. 1968 Arenal Trails offer mountain biking (and also hiking) trails on private property, and the variety of terrain, beautiful scenery, and wildlife will keep you entertained for a few hours. However, based on our research both locals and tourists use the service regularly. The track is flat, or ever so gently uphill. If the lakes murky nature doesnt scare you off from jumping in, hopefully this will- theres caimans (i.e., a type of reptile very similar to an alligator) that live here! by Paty | Apr 25, 2019 | Costa Rica, Day Hikes | 0 comments. I love this part of the hike since its amazing how tall grass can grow. You can get there by taxi or drive if you rented a car.$img.css('display', 'none').after($canvas);
This will eventually lead you to the scenic caf. Note that the last entrance is at 4PM. Arenal Volcano National Park Clicking these links wont cost you anything, but it will help us to keep this site up and running! From the downtown, you take Route 142 west towards Lake Arenal and then a left onto the dirt road leading to Arenal Volcano National Parkand El Castillo. $('img[width][height]:not(.uk-overlay-panel)', $('#wk-gridcf0')).each(function() { Many people say that the best times to see the volcano are September and October. So which one should you pick? Highly recommended for a way to experience 2 highlights of the Arenal area. Thank you Karan, we were incredibly grateful to see the tip of the volcano. The best time to hike the Arenal Volcano 1968 trail is during the drier months between January and April. Visitors can explore and experience an active volcano, the rain forest, waterfalls and other natural attractions. Location : 80 miles northwest of San Jose. Arenal 1968 Volcano View & Trails 4.5 546 reviews #11 of 49 things to do in La Fortuna de San Carlos Hiking Trails Open now 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Email Write a review About Another great blog! It steepens just before you reach the cafe, 450m from the junction. Towards the end of the hike, youll start walking through extremely tall grass, making you feel like youre in Honey I Shrunk the Kids! This trail (the Forest Trail) sets out through some fields and into the thick forest before climbing up to the lava fields and viewpoint. Warren Report inappropriate content Check out our latest stories here and follow us on Instagram (@UprootedTraveler), YouTube, or on Facebook to see what were up to next! But right next to the park is a severely underrated ecological reserve, Arenal 1968, which offers just as spectacular views of the volcano- and even a chance to see some cute monkey friends! With two trails going through the rain forest and lava fields, visitors can see the leftover lava rocks and boulders and walk through the forest to get impressive views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal. Final league table. Required fields are marked *. Both trails form a loop, and are walked in a clockwise direction. 2023 Kitti Around the World Journey Theme by Restored 316. Unfortunately, it became clouded over right as we arrived but we were still able to see parts of it as we hiked. By Private Car:You canhire a carfor the duration of your stay in La Fortuna. In 2007, Arenal Volcano was voted as one of Costa Ricas Seven Natural Wonders by Costa Ricans. How to avoid the rental car scam in Costa Rica. Imagine what it was like that historic day back in 1968 when a mountain literally blew its top and released its fury on the nearby jungle and farms. Along the way, it passes Lago Los Patos or Duck Lake, which is about 22 meters (72 feet) deep and was formed when the eruptions took place. img = new Image, While most visitors come to enjoy the trails for their unencumbered vistas of the volcano and abundant wildlife, these hikes also serve as a somber reminder of the potential power and destruction bubbling beneath Arenal. I wore a simple pair of trainers, and they were pretty sufficient. Youll start by walking on a gravel path beside the forest and if Arenal is out from under the cloud, you will already have views. The Arenal Volcano 1968 trail is very easy to follow. I think youd enjoy the forest trail a lot! The entrance fee is 17 . Its from here that the track gets a bit rougher. Youll come to a junction after 500m, and this is where the Lava Trail and the Los Patos Trail diverge. competed in the Football League First Division.