Arenal Dam (Sangregado Dam)
Dam and eastern lakeshore · 17.3 km · 21 min
The road to Nuevo Arenal and Tilarán runs over the dam that created today's Lake Arenal. From there you can see the reservoir and, on a clear day, the volcano behind it.
Lake Arenal
Today's Lake Arenal was formed by the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) dam, inaugurated in 1979, and covers 87 km². The Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) mini-guide lists visiting the lake among the area's free activities; boat rides, kayaking or fishing, on the other hand, are usually paid services.
Places in this category
El Castillo
El Castillo · 23 km · 34 min
A small village on the lake's southern shore, on the far side of the volcano. Climbing its sloping streets rewards you with views of the lake and, on clear days, of Arenal.
Nuevo Arenal
Nuevo Arenal · 45.6 km · 58 min
The town built for the families of old Arenal when the reservoir covered their original village. It sits on the lake's northern shore, roughly an hour's drive from La Fortuna.
The road to Tierras Morenas and the painted rocks of Río Piedras
Tilarán · 57.4 km · 72 min
A drive with views of Lake Arenal and the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes, past wind farms, to Río Piedras, where residents painted murals on the roadside rocks.
5 Esquinas lookout (Route 142)
Tilarán · 69.5 km · 87 min
A roadside lookout 5 km from Tilarán, with a view over part of Lake Arenal and, on clear days, the volcano. There is room to park.
Under review in this category
Lake access at the boat area (past the dam)
Dam and eastern lakeshore ·
A lakeshore spot about 3 km past the dam, where boat tours leave from. Under review until we know who manages it.
Why it's under review: Only one tour operator (2023 page) says it is a public access with parking and toilets. We do not know whether the land is public, ICE property or private, or whether parking is charged.
La Península, Tronadora
Tronadora and Viejo Arenal ·
A peninsula on the lake's western shore, near Tilarán, that the municipality recommends for family outings. Under review until we know which entrance is free.
Why it's under review: The Tilarán Municipality says it has free entry, but also that there is another entrance where a small fee is charged. We do not know which entrance is free or where each one is, and that is exactly what you need to know before going.
Viejo Arenal
Tronadora and Viejo Arenal ·
The site of the old village of Arenal, most of which ended up under the lake. The municipality recommends it as an outing with views of the lake and the volcano.
Why it's under review: The Tilarán Municipality recommends it for an outing, but we do not know the state of the road or whether the shore is public or private. It is also far away, about 80 minutes by car from La Fortuna according to the OpenStreetMap router.