Lake Arenal is situated in the northern highlands of Costa Rica, in the provinces of Guanacaste and Alajuela. It is located in the Arenal Tilaran Conservation Area, and is close to the Arenal Volcano and Monteverde cloud forest.

It is the country’s largest landlocked body of water, with a surface that covers nearly 33 square miles (85 square km). It is a man- made lake that was formed when the waters of Rio Arenal were diverted to fill and create this mass of water. Water depth near the dam runs up to 190 feet; the water depth in the channels will run up to 120 feet. Water temperature varies less than 4 degrees Fahrenheit year round.

In 1979, Lake Arenal was enlarged to three times its original size with the construction of a hydroelectric dam. The towns of Arenal and Tondadora, which were originally sited on the spot where the lake now rests, were relocated to the northeastern side of the lake. Nowadays, Lake Arenal’s dam is hugely important to the country, as it produces nearly 12% of Costa Rica’s electric energy.

For visitors, the lake offers many year-round activities. These include windsurfing, fishing, boat tours, and kayaking. Lake Arenal enjoys a world-class reputation among windsurfers and sailboarders, as it receives a steady supply of strong and dependable wind. Many people, in fact, consider it to be one of the world’s foremost windsurfing destinations.

Fishing is equally popular within the lake’s waters, the best of which is done for rainbow bass. These large, fighting fish – known locally as “guapote” – are members of the cichlid family. Their meat is white and tasty, and their sharp teeth and feisty nature make catching them a real challenge. The Machaca can also be found in the lake. . The Machaca are flashy acrobatic fish which can reach 9 lbs. within the lake,

The area surrounding the lake is as inspiring as the water itself – hills of pastured and forested land roll into the distance, while the summit of the Arenal Volcano dominates the eastern horizon. The land can be toured by horseback or mountain bike, and has trails that can be hiked along.

Notable birds found in the area include the hummingbird, woodpecker, kingfisher, and toucan, whose populations make the lake a popular destination for bird watchers. The rainforest ecosystem that encompasses Lake Arenal is hugely biodiverse, composed of over 2000 species of plants, 120 mammals, and 300 birds, and includes the jaguar, tapir.

The city of Tilarán is only 5 km from Arenal Lake. It is found right where the highways meet that go to The Daniel Oduber Airport in Libera, Monteverde and Arenal Volcano. Since it is so close to the lake, it is able to hold many international sporting events. It is also known for its festivities involving bulls and horses. Here they breed many horses that are exported to various countries. The name Tilarán means “Place of wind and rain.” It is much cooler than the rest of the providence of Guanacaste.

Nuevo Arenal is located 30 minutes from Tilarán and is on the north-west shore of Lake Arenal. The town was built on the former village which was inundated in 1973 with the formation of the artificial Lake Arenal. The tiny town of Nuevo Arenal is a must visit when exploring this region. A picturesque and quaint town with close proximity to the beautiful Lake Arenal, this town is known for its breathtaking vistas and superb mountain and volcano views.

Found in town of Nuevo Arenal are a number of banking services, a health clinic, grocery stores, mini-markets, a gas station, restaurants, hotels, resorts, bars and plenty of souvenir shops. The nightlife in Nuevo Arenal is quite active as well. When in town, do remember to stop at the German bakery for some delicious local delicacies and snacks.

On the way out of town, do visit the lovely butterfly farm and Arenal Botanical Gardens, some 4 km east of the Nuevo Arenal. Home to a wide variety of butterflies and birds, this botanical garden has over 1200 species of tropical and rare Costa Rican plants on display including some beautiful ferns, roses and orchids.

The Caves of Venado are another nearby attraction. Dating back over 7 million years, the Venado Caves are the direct result of water currents penetrating and passing through the surrounding limestone rocks. Over time, the continual flow of water opened crevasses and forced sediments to flow throughout the caves, leaving in it's wake an endless network of deep tunnels. About an hour drive from La Fortuna, these caves are a must for anyone visiting the area.