The Arenal lake is a 26 square mile, man made reservoir, that begins at the foot of the volcano. Twenty four miles long, it was especially created to provide hydroelectric energy and not only are the glassy waters spectacular, but so are the surrounding. The land around the lake boasts numerous trails for both hiking and mountain biking. Trekkers will enjoy the infinite bird watching opportunities. Travelers interested in these sports can contact any of the different tour operators that works in the region.
Arenal Lake Costa Rica
The lake is great for fishing and boating, not to mention windsurfing. Winds have measured at up to 40 miles per hour, and this helps rank Arenal as the third best place in the world to practice this sport. The first two spots are in Hawaii. The Arenal area is great for bird watching. Be alert and you will see kingfishers, hawks, and swallow tailed kites, as well as smaller residents like tanagers and hummingbirds.
It's preferable to navigate along the lake in the early morning, since throughout the year this is the best time of day to move along a glassy water surface and get a full view of the volcano. The lake also serves as a shortcut to get to Monteverde, where more hanging bridges and a different type of canopy tour await. Not to mention a marvelous natural environment (check out the Tropical Paradise section, starting on page 109).
Another possibility are the Cuevas de Venado (Deer Caves). Moving North from the lake, they are an underground world that provide the perfect setting for the adventurous types. The formations in these caves are over six million years old. Inside, you'll encounter stalactites, stalagmites, coral, and chimneys. Visitors must climb, wade and crawl through the different parts of the 1.5 mile system of caves, so the tour is recommended only for those with good fitness levels.
The popular Tabacon river hot springs, on both sides of the main road right before the park, offer visitors a chance to relax in many naturally heated mineral pools. They're surrounded by lush tropical gardens and provide the perfect atmosphere to wind down and forget any trouble. The Arenal Forest Reserve and All About Butterflies are great ways to take advantage of every minute of your stay in the Northern Plains. The reserve is a tropical rainforest with suspension bridges, natural history walks and birth watching. It's also expected to include a canopy tour and aerial tram.
After any of the possible day trips, it's well worth it to explore the town of La Fortuna. Here, residents are friendly and hospitable. The small, picturesque town of Tilaran lies on the Southwestern tip of the Arenal lake. Anyone moving from Guanacaste to the Northern Plains will pass through here and encounter a variety of hotel and restaurant options. There are plenty of things to do, like taking mountain bike trips up and down the surrounding hills.
Transportation to the Tilaran area is offered by several tour operators. However, many travelers prefer embarking on their own journey. With a map at hand, a camera and good binoculars, as not to miss anything, the trip can truly be fascinating. The roads are in generally good condition and will take you through amazing landscapes.
Geographical Division 
