Arenal Volcano
Today’s Volcanic Activity & Safe Visitation Guidelines

The Arenal Volcano has been one of the main attractions in Costa Rica for years. The lava flows, smoking craters and dramatic explosions made this one of the “must see” locations in Costa Rica. Then, in October of 2010, the Arenal Volcano went quiet.

To keep up accurate information on the situation with Arenal, we spoke to volcanologists that we rely on for this kind of information. This is the most recent information that comes from a trip we took to Arenal. Below is how we were advised:

• The Arenal volcano has not had any major episodes recently, but the volcano continues to be active. Pyroclastic flows have now stopped entirely, and the crater has closed in on itself.
• Below the collapsed crater however, fumarolic activity does still continue.
• Not having any flows means that we can access areas on the volcano’s flanks and in the park that were until now dangerous. We are thrilled to have this opportunity. However there is still a danger of what is called a phreatic explosion, at the crater; where gas pressure builds up to the point of causing an explosion. This can be deadly for anyone who is too close to the crater at the time of the explosion.
• Because of this, do not listen to anyone who says you can go right up to the crater! We have heard that people are hiking to the top, and this is very dangerous. You may remember a video of a phreatic explosion in Japan in September 2014 - that was a crater assumed safe and frequently hiked to, and reports say up to 30 hikers died.

We are now offering hikes along trails that offer views of the volcano and natural history opportunities in the National Park. These are trails we have not offered in years. There are also new activity options that offer a geologic history tour of the region, where you can learn about Arenal’s explosive past. However, we are strongly discouraging anyone from hiking too high up the mountain side, and definitely from trying to go for the top. If anyone offers you this activity they will tell you it is safe, but because of the danger for a phreatic explosion, this remains untrue.

Important Note: Costa Rica Expeditions guides and drivers will NOT visit high-risk areas and are instructed to keep guests away from them. If a guest insists, he or she is free to arrange transportation on his/her own.
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