Lake Arenal  

History of Lake Arenal

Lake Arenal: This natural depression caused by local geological faults formerly contained a small lake that emptied into the Arenal River which flowed into the Caribbean via the San Carlos and San Juan Rivers. However, in the 1970's, the Costa Rican Electric Company (I.C.E.) began construction of what is currently the country's largest hydroelectric generating project.

An earthen dam was built only seven kilometres (4.3 miles) to the west of Arenal Volcano--that had erupted violently just a few years earlier. As the waters filled up behind the dam a thirty-kilometre long lake was formed. Water from the lake is tunnelled to the Pacific side of the country, passing through three turbine-driven generating stations, before being channelled into a system of irrigation canals that have substantially increased the agricultural productivity of the lower Tempisque basin in Guanacaste.

Weather

Lake Arenal is one of the best retirement locations in all of Costa Rica due the beautiful tropical weather (never too hot), air quality, and friendly people.

This beautiful weather is due to the fact that Lake Arenal is surrounded by mountains, pastures and has plenty of rain to keep the fields green the whole year. The wind is steady most of the year, except for the windy season (Dec-Mar) when the wind can get up to 25 miles per hour. The wind blows from the east bringing the Atlantic Ocean air and weather to the eastern edge of Lake Arenal where it meets the hot dry Pacific Ocean air coming in from Guanacaste to the west.

Some numbers about Lake Arenal: 10° N 84º W, 1,525 feet above see level, 48 square miles of surface area, 24 miles long, Air Temp: 65° to 90°, water temp 73° +.

Information on Cities and Districts of Tilaran

Tilaran City Information:

Population: 8291 habitants.

Area: 68563 km2.

Services: Banks: Nacional, Costa Rica, Popular. Ministry of Health, Municipality, Office of Costa Electricity Institute (I.C.E), Supermarkets, Schools, High School, Church, Hospitals, Clinics, Pharmacies, Dental Clinics, Offices of: architects, engineers, lawyers, specialists doctors. Restaurants & Bars, Bookstores, Firefighter Station, Red Cross, Bakeries, Post Office, Bus Station, Internet Cafe Stations, Police, hotels, cabins & hostels.

Places of interest: Eco-Tourism, Waterfalls, Bird watching, Canopy Tour, horse back riding, forest walking trails, windsurf, mountain biking (on dirt farm roads and one-track trails), kite boarding.

Tronadora - San Luis General Information:

Population: 1812 habitants.

Area: 142402 km2.

Services: Mini markets, bus stop, church, cabins, hotels, hostels, Restaurant & Bars, Country Club. Places of interest: Rivers, Forest Walking Trails, Waterfalls, Access to Arenal Lake, Fishing, Bird watching, kayaking Swimming, sailing.

Activities at Lake Arenal

In addition to its importance for energy and agriculture, Lake Arenal provides excellent recreational opportunities, especially for windsurfing and freshwater fishing. The north-western end of the lake is buffeted by strong winds, particularly from December through March, that make for ideal windsurfing conditions.

Fishing for guapote (Cichlasoma dovii), often referred to as "rainbow bass" even though it is not related to bass, is another popular sport on the lake. The season is open year-round (on this lake only) and there is a limit of 10 fish per day. There are also other activities like canopy exploring, horse back ridding, waterfalls, and bird watching.

Arenal Volcano

Arenal is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, rising up 1,633 meters (5,366 ft.). Due to the high level of activity, Arenal grows on average six meters (20 ft.) each year. In the day it looks like a perfect cone sitting on the base of Lake Arenal, but at night you can see the glowing peak spewing forth lava making it one of the most spectacular displays of geothermal power on Earth. At times the earth in the surrounding area shakes and creaks with Arenal’s awesome power.

The volcano is the centerpiece of this region, but there are many other attractions, too. A variety of vegetation, forests, and wildlife abounds. Visitors can bathe in the free thermal rivers that cross the area or enjoy the springs at the ultra-luxurious Tabacon Resort. Scenic overlooks and numerous mountain hikes offer breathtaking views of the volcano, but please be careful not to venture too close to Arenal, as there are frequent eruptions.

You can also hike to Catarata La Fortuna – a 230-ft. waterfall tumbling into a pristine, frigid emerald pool. The Venado cave system offers kilometers of underground exploration. Lake Arenal offers good fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, and the best windsurfing in the world. Nearby, the Arenal Botanical Garden displays the area’s flora. You can also learn the process of harvesting the macadamia nut at a nearby farm. Arenal area has a tourist information center, restrooms, and a wide array of restaurants and lodgings catering to each budget

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