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Historical Background
Before 1968, this volcano was considered to be just a mountain It was known
as Arenal Mountain.
It started its active period on July 2 9, 1.968 opening three craters on the
west side. Crater A, at 1.000 meters provoked a pyroclastic explosion (burning
cloud) , which destroyed the villages of Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacón, devastated
12 square kilometres, and killed approximately 87 persons.
In September 1.968 it began to expel lave through the Crater A which was active
till 1.973. Crater C (at 1450 m) started right there and it still active, expelling
lava permanently, with a balsatic-andesita composition explosions of pyroclastic
material and the constant emission of gas.
Location
The Volcán Arenal National Park is on the north western region of Costa
Rica, between the Tilarán Mountain Range and the San Carlos Planes.
It is part of the Arenal Conservation Area (ACA) called “the
Energetic Heart of Costa Rica”. ACA is one of the eleven
conservation areas of the National System of Conservation
Areas (SINAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Energy
(MINAE).
Creation
The Volcán Arenal National Park was created through the Executive Decree
23774 (MIRENM) on September 26, 1.994, issued in the official newspaper “La
Gaceta” on November 22, 1.994.
It has an extension of 12.010,6 hectares.
Flora and Fauna
The Volcán Arenal National Park is a living laboratory because of its geologic
and geomorphologic richness and as complex biological processes development, that
forms from folk vegetation to a primary forest.
It holds a variety of flora and fauna in its four life zones:
Very 1-fumid Tropical Forest (transition)
Mountain Rainy Forest
Low Mountain Rainy Forest (transition)
Pre-Mountain Very Humid Forest (transition)
Main Flora :
The most conspicuous species are: Guayabo de Monte, Cebo, Ceiba, Cirri, Laurel,
Higuerones, Pilón, Guarumo, Balsa, different species of palms, heliconias,
orchids, ferms arid bromelias including the endemic species: Pitcaimia Funkiae.
Main fauna:
paca, danta or tapir, deer, jaguar, peccary, coatimundi, monkeys (howler, spider
and white-faced), variety of snakes.
Birds like:
parrots, sargentos, oropéndulas, urraca parda, himming birds, bell bird
and quetzal.
You can observe different evolution stages of soil, and the vegetation in the
Volcán Arenal National Park; here are conquer plants like orchids Epidendrum.
Main Attractions
• Observatory at the volcano slope
• Arenal impounding
• Chato Mountain
• Natural Trails
• Visitors Center
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