The Northern Mountains region is the area north of the central valley and extends to the Nicaragua Border. This region is made up of the Guanacaste and the Tilaran mountain ranges and offers beautiful mountain views and cooler weather. The attraction of the Northern Mountains is the Arenal Volcano. In Fortuna (the town outside of the Arenal Volcano) you can enjoy hikes to the Volcano, fishing and windsurfing in Arenal Lake, hiking to the Fortuna Waterfall, mountain biking, wildlife tours through the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge, and a number of hot-springs, and Venado Caves.
The Northern Mountains enjoy moderate temperatures year-round (25-30 Celsius). You can expect heavy rain in the late rainy season, August – November. Many people travel to Arenal to see the Volcano activity and the lava, natural fireworks, however beware that Costa Rican weather is typically clear in the morning and cloudy by mid afternoon.
A striking characteristic of this area is the dramatic contrast in topography. The Cordilleras, or ranges, of Tilarán and Guanacaste set off the beauty of the Guatuso, San Carlos and Tortuguero Plains. Several small and medium-sized rivers that range throughout the plains make the region very fertile. Fruit trees, rice paddies and cattle ranching are practiced by the residents. Yet there are many expanses of protected areas dotting the region. This area is perfect for birds lover because of the 850 bird species identified in Costa Rica, 600 are permanent residents in this region.
But the Arenal area is internationally known by its Hot Springs; many tourists come to Arenal every year to take a bath and relax in the natural hot waters and receive natural spa treatments. This is something you can not miss!!! Just imagine yourself watching the natural fireworks of the Arenal Volcano while your body revives.
Arenal Volcano
 This majestic volcano is the main attraction of Arenal National Park. It rises 1,633 meters above sea level and casts an almost flawless silhouette on the land below it. Arenal's last explosion was in 1969 but this volcano is far from dormant. Its constant rumblings are Arenal's most popular characteristics. Often spewing ash and smoke, the volcano provides a striking backdrop for photographs and video. After nightfall the spectacle of Arenal's bright red lava coursing its way down from the cone is an awesome sight indeed. Many visitors to the area enjoy the show from the luxurious surroundings.
But the volcano is not the only attraction in this park. As is characteristic in Costa Rica the flora and fauna is present everywhere you go. The main species of Flora are: guayabo del monte, laurel, cocobolo, níspero, balsa, guarumo, pilón and different species of palms, orchids, ferns and bromeliads, including common species such as: Pitcaimia Funkiae. Among the principal fauna species are: pacas, deers, tapir, coatis, sloths, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, snakes and birds including the quetzal, bellbird, and hummingbird.
Lake Arenal
The majestic Lake Arenal near the famous Arenal Volcano is the largest in Costa Rica. The lake offers many activities year round on and around it: windsurfing, fishing, boat tours, a boating shortcut to the Monteverde Cloud Forest, kayaking, horseback riding and mountain biking along the shore.
Lake Arenal was enlarged to 3 times its original size to form a basin for the hydroelectric project that now produces 70% of Costa Rica's electricity with an area of 85.5km (33 sq. miles). The lake is surrounded by rolling hills that are partly pastured and partly forested and dominated on the east side by the imposing perfect cone of the Arenal Volcano.
La Fortuna
This is a quaint picturesque town and is an ideal place to stop when driving to Arenal Volcano. After taking your day trip, take some time to explore La Fortuna. The residents are friendly and hospitable. The town is an ideal place to sit and appreciate the beautiful landscapes or enjoy a typical food or an international dish in the multiple options in La Fortuna. La Fortuna offers all the tourist services you need including: restaurants, bars, lodging from the first class to simple B&B, gas stations, tourist information centers, rent a cars, and souvenirs shops.
Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
Caño Negro is the perfect place to enjoy natural sightseeing. Since the refuge is found in the low-lying northern plains, water is the key word. During the area's dry season, the refuge can be accessed by a road, but during the wet season - boats are the answer. Guides will be quick to point out a snake that is making its way through high grasses as well as a crocodile as it retreats from the bank into the depths of the river.
Caño Negro Lake does a disappearing act during the dry season but is quick to come back once the rains start. The area is the habitat of a great variety of flora and fauna (307 species of birds, 78 species of mammals, and 96 species of amphibians and reptiles, complemented by over 300 species of plants and trees), which makes this site of international importance, because while being so close to the Nicaraguan Lake, it becomes one of most important areas of wetlands in Mesoamerica.
The wetland refuge was created to protect the diverse aquatic birds that live and breed there including the White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Northern Shoveler, Snail Kite, Green Backed Heron, Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Blue-winged Teal, Black-necked Stilt, the country’s largest colony of neo-tropical cormorants and the Nicaraguan grackle, whose only Costa Rican habitat is Caño Negro. |
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