First settlements around Lake Arenal were established by South American influenced Indians as long as 2,000 years BC. Today there are hardly any tracks that could lead back into their history, and instead new modern settlers from all over the world have made this fresh and windy setting their new home.
Arenal Region Map
Facing one of the most active volcanoes of Costa Rica - and even within the Western hemisphere - lies Reservoir Arenal, a natural lake artificially enlarged in 1970 by the National Electricity Company. Originally, the lake was the source for rivers whose waters flowed east to the Atlantic. Today, the dams built help divert waters to irrigate dry lands of the Pacific coast, and provide electricity to a country strongly relying on hydro power.
The Reservoir sits at the west end of the Forest Reserve Arenal Volcano, which is part of the Arenal Conservation Unit. This reserve was established in 1977, with a land extension of 18,325 hectares. The area is rich in water sources, as well as associated wildlife.
Encouraged by the volcano's frequent eruptions that shoot bright- orange rocks and thick clouds of ashes into the air, as well as spectacular lava flows -more visible at night time-, tourists are now haunting the lake, thus bringing new development to the surrounding communities such as Tilarᮬ La Fortuna and Nuevo Arenal. World ecotourists and adventure seekers are sure to stay over hoping to have a glance at the perfectly shaped volcano and its natural fireworks.
Lovely views of the volcano are at hand, specially from the Northeastern side of the lake. Hiking and horseback riding will allow you to grasp most landscapes and local life happenings. As you walk along the road that encircles the lake, you will find all sorts of interesting cozy places to eat and spend the night: adventurous enterprising people from as far as Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Holland, Belgium, and Canada, among others, have established their rural and well equipped restaurants and hotels in this area, and even right on the banks of the lake, providing beautiful views of the reservoir and the volcano.
Most tours possible are self-guided, and will lead you to botanical gardens, local handicraft shops, private greenhouses, forested and rainforest nature trails, rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and nonactive craters. Birdwatching is quite popular, and there are about 225 species to be spotted, specially near the Forest Reserve. It is also possible to hire a guide from the tourist information office in La Fortuna to take you on a day - trip to the Arenal Volcano, and enjoy a dip in the thermal waters.
Geographical Division 
