Volcan Arenal

see all photos »

This was a perfect place for our first stop in Costa Rica.  The elevation and clouds made it very comfortable.  We arrived in 2.5 hours from San Jose after what we were told would be a 4 hour drive with terrible roads.  The roads were good and the drive was beautiful.

Our first experience with this hotel was the amazing view.  Looking to the west, the view is dominated by Volcan Arenal.  The rooms were also amazing.  we stayed in the superior, which is a standalone room with a double window enclosed porch.  There were two rocking chairs on the porch.  Of course, they all provided a direct view of the smoking volcano.

see all photos »

Walking the grounds, we first noticed th pool.  It has a swim up bar with an unobstructed view of the volcano.  Asie from the massage, this is where we spent the rest of the first day.  The margaritas were amazing!

We awoke early the second day for horseback riding to the volcano.  There were a total of seven in our group, all led by Rudy.  Again, I cannot say enough about how great the people at Arenal Paraiso were.  Rudy took time with each person, helping them along the way.  He always had a smile and a laugh.

see all photos »

The ride was beautiful, through Arenal national park and to a lake at the base of the cone.  On the way back, we stopped at a lake covered by lillies.  They were not flowering at the ime, but it was incredible to see an entire lake (and not a small one) covered with lillies.  Apparently, the other side of the lake was closed after some people died due to exposure to fumes from the volcano.  They still fish for tilapia in the lake.

I had another massage after the ride, my wife had a full massage/manicure/pedicure/facial.  Then, back to the pools and the thermal springs.  The sky cleared that last night.  While we did not see any lava, we could clearly see the glowing of the crater.  That, coupled with the various explosions made for a fantastic volano experience.