Country Article / Postcards

Fire on the Mountain

Date: 10/27/2003

October 28, 2003

Dear International Living Reader,

A flaming red cauldron burping fiery rocks the size of cars created quite a view from our bed at night. It was impossible to sleep, as one spectacular "fireworks" display after another rolled red-hot boulders down the mountainside.

Arenal volcano was about a mile from our room in the Arenal Observatory Lodge, but it appeared to be much closer. The first eruption occurred on July 29, 1968, and it's still blowing. While not as spectacular now as it has been in the past, it's still quite impressive.

The volcano is located in Parque Nacional Arenal in Costa Rica. During the most active years of the eruptions, the Smithsonian Institute conducted studies on the volcano. Four on-site cabins were built to house the observers and, due to the influx of curiosity seekers, this facility ultimately became the 30-room, three-star mountain lodge it is today. The dining room features excellent cuisine prepared by local chefs with an emphasis on fresh, local fruits and vegetables as well as locally raised beef and poultry, and fish from Lake Arenal. The wall of windows provides excellent views of the volcano and Arenal Lake while you dine.

The parque offers many activities, if you can draw yourself away from the volcano. The grounds are beautifully maintained and offer many varieties of birds, wildlife and flowers. Free tours include self-guided hikes to the beautiful waterfall and a guided hike to the lava flow. Don't miss the walk across the swaying suspension bridge to the volcano museum, which contains an active seismograph constantly monitoring the volcanic activity. Fishing and boat tours in Arenal Lake are also available.

For relaxation, enjoy the spring-fed swimming pool and Jacuzzi, or just sit on your patio and watch the volcano. If you're lucky, you might observe an eruption throwing lava rock and ash high into the air.

Janet Winter
For International Living