Lake Arenal

Low winds and a generally placid surface make Lake Arenal ideal for water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, while sport fishing enthusiasts flock to its shores for rainbow bass and machaca fish. If you prefer not to get wet, join a boat tour that crosses the lake on a small ferry, or admire its expanse from land on a biking, hiking, or horseback riding tour through the rain forests and slopes of nearby Arenal Volcano National Park.

• Score a bird’s-eye view of the lake from the SkyTram gondola or the decks at the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa.

• Pack sunscreen, insect repellent, water shoes, and a change of clothes if you plan to swim or kayak.

• Amenities around the lake are limited, so bring all the food and water you need unless your tour includes a lunch stop.

• Costa Rican roads are often unpaved and confusing for visiting drivers, but most tours include transport from La Fortuna hotels.

• Transfer tours can get you from Monteverde to La Fortuna with a scenic pontoon boat ride across the lake.

Lake Arenal is located to the west of Arenal Volcano National Park, about 10 miles (17 kilometers) from La Fortuna and 55 miles (90 kilometers) northwest of San José. A vehicle is needed to reach the lake, ideally one with 4WD. The shoreline is long, and many sections don't have pullouts, so a guided tour with transport is the best way to head straight for the views and boat launches without spending hours in the car.

The lake is beautiful any time of year, but be prepared for afternoon showers and occasional clouds blocking the view in the rainy season (May through November). If you visit in the dry season (December through April) when the lake levels are particularly low, you may catch sight of rooftops from a former town peeking above the surface of the human-made reservoir.

Pair a visit to the lake with outdoor activities in one of Costa Rica's most popular natural playgrounds, located nearby. Swing by Arenal Volcano National Park to take part in adventures ranging from low-impact hiking trails and hanging bridges that crisscross the rain forest to volcano summit treks and adrenaline-pumping zipline courses.

No, you don’t need to go on a tour to visit Lake Arenal and the surrounding national park, the Arenal Volcano National Park. It’s possible to visit independently, and many people do. Guided tours are best for wildlife spotting or visiting places where it would be easy to get lost independently, such as hiking in the national park.

Some private boat transfers make crossing Lake Arenal possible rather than going around by road. Taking a combination of shuttle buses and ferries is a popular way of traveling between La Fortuna, on the northern side of the lake, and Monteverde, on the southern side, as it cuts about two hours of road travel off the journey.

No, swimming in Lake Arenal is not advisable. While the water is clear and calm and watersports like kayaking and windsurfing are popular, there are crocodiles in the lake. While crocodiles aren’t known to have attacked anyone in Lake Arenal, humans have been attacked and even killed elsewhere in Costa Rica, so it’s wise to be cautious.

Yes, Lake Arenal is definitely worth visiting. Costa Rica’s largest lake is surrounded by beautiful forests and mountains. The Arenal Volcano National Park lies to its east, and most tourists to the area focus on activities within the park, but Lake Arenal provides excellent views of its namesake mountain.

The ideal amount of time to spend in the Arenal area is three days. Visitors usually spend time in the Arenal Volcano National Park near Lake Arenal, west of the park. In three days, you can hike on the volcano, visit hot springs and waterfalls, kayak on Lake Arenal, and admire the volcano views from the lake.

Yes, there are crocodiles in Lake Arenal, as there are in many places throughout Costa Rica. Lake Arenal was created in the 1970s as a source of hydroelectricity for Costa Rica, so the crocodiles may have either been accidentally (or even deliberately) released here or arrived through irrigation canals.