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.
Towns and communities
Walking through a town costs nothing and tells you a lot about the area. Around the lake there are communities with their own stories: Nuevo Arenal was built for the families displaced by the reservoir, and El Castillo is a rural hamlet on the southern shore.
People live here: respect property, keep noise down and be considerate of local life.
Places in this category
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.
San Rafael de Guatuso
Guatuso · 46.5 km · 38 min
Guatuso's main town, on the banks of the Frío River, with its central park and parish church. It is the base for trips to Caño Negro, Maleku territory or Río Celeste.
Ciudad Quesada Municipal Market
Ciudad Quesada and around · 46.6 km · 45 min
The downtown municipal market, which the ICT recommends for trying the area's traditional food. Walking around is free; eating is paid.
Ciudad Quesada Central Park
Ciudad Quesada and around · 46.7 km · 45 min
The main square of San Carlos' head town, with a 1953 bandstand, play areas and, from time to time, fairs and free shows. The cathedral stands opposite.
Ciudad Quesada Cathedral
Ciudad Quesada and around · 47 km · 45 min
A modern concrete-and-steel cathedral opposite the central park. Inside stands a Christ the Redeemer about 7 metres tall by sculptor Édgar Zúñiga.
San Vicente above Ciudad Quesada and its volcano views
Ciudad Quesada and around · 55.7 km · 62 min
A mountain village 12 km from Ciudad Quesada. On clear days, its streets look out over the Arenal, Rincón de la Vieja, Miravalles and Tenorio volcanoes.
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.
Zarcero Park and its cypress topiaries
Zarcero · 74 km · 79 min
Hand-clipped cypress arches and figures in front of the church of Zarcero, a mountain town on Route 141. A good stop if you travel between La Fortuna and San José.
Tilarán central park and cathedral
Tilarán · 74.5 km · 94 min
Tilarán's central park, built from 1966, opposite the cathedral of San Antonio de Padua. It is the starting point for the walk up to the Parque del Viento lookout.
Caño Negro village and its sunsets
Caño Negro · 90.7 km · 98 min
The village next to the Caño Negro refuge, near the Nicaraguan border. Walking around and watching the sunset are free; the refuge and boats are not.