Arenal Observatory Lodge La Fortuna, Costa Rica   Set on a ridge 1.7 miles from Arenal Volcano. Arenal Observatory Lodge offers the adventurous traveler front row-seating for one of the worlds most thrilling fireworks displays - a volcanic eruption. .... more »   Tilajari Resort Arenal, Costa Rica   Tilajari is located in the lush San Carlos Valley in the north central region characterized by mountains plains rivers lakes rainforest and some outstanding natural wonders as the Arenal Volcano Tabacón hot Springs Fortuna Waterfall Venado Caves and Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Set among more »   Eco Lodge Arenal, Costa Rica   ECO LODGE RESORT is a rain forest ecotourism resort a leader among this tropical countrys Hotels and Resorts with an extra touch in style comfort and service. This top family vacation spot lies along Costa Ricas beautiful Northern Pacific mountains an exclusive location with breathtak.... more »

This mountain was the home of the farmers and ranchers who cultivated the fertile lands along the base of the volcano and some of it's accessible slopes.

On July 29, 1968, around 7:30am, Arenal woke up the near by settlers, producing huge ashes, noisy explosions and glowing red orange lava. An immense hole was suddenly blown out of its side causeing 3 small surrounding villages to be buried. The eruption continued for a week or so and covered about 13 square miles of land with rocks, lava and ashes.

The intensity of this eruption was very spectacular as the Volcano, at the top of his height, threw out a gigantic amount of lava and ashes and tossed giant several ton stone blocks at about 2 miles per second, landign at a distance of more than a mile away. The explosions formed 3 new active craters.

The last major eruption was on September 2003 where an explosion opened a slope of the volcano with a few avalanches of rocks. The incandescent mixture of hot ashes, rocks & lava traveled at a speed about 125 miles per hour on about half a mile.

Since then, the volcano has been moderately active, producing tumbling hot rocks, smoke, ash & lava almost every day without causing any damage to the local towns.
The Hotels that surround the volcano are at a safe distance from the volcano located several kilometers away. It is very safe to visit the area from the various observatories organized for visitors.

The Arenal Volcano is one of the most visited natural attractions of Costa Rica, making tourism the main source of income for the region with agriculture still being very important.