This morning we visit the still active Arenal Volcano, set in an area of national park covering some 9,884 acres.
The volcano has been fairly constantly active
since the late 1960s and that and the impressive manmade Lake Arenal, the largest in Cost Rica, has helped the area to regenerate through tourism. After our visit we
continue to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the last remaining places in Central America where the famous, but now very rare, Resplendent Quetzal is fairly commonly seen.

Breakfast at the beautiful Lomas del Volcan Hotel

A walk up the side Arenal Volcano with plenty of warning signs

Raining but very warm

Everything was fine until we heard a rumbling and a loud explosion.  The lava steamed as it rolled down the volcano sides!

Ernie

Ernie & Marek

Stu and Ganes

Hilary having a'volcano hair day'

Toucan!

Orchid

Excellent lunch stop with fabulous 'world-famous' chocolate brownies...yum!

"no photos"

Carlos the driver

howler monkeys

Cloud Forrest Lodge Hotel - Monteverde

cocktails!

our room

Laurie zaps the wildlife in our room