Arenal National Park, San Carlos in Costa Rica
The Arenal National Park is located in the northern region of the country, in the Cordillera de Guanacaste, north of the Sierra de Tilarán and part of the plains of San Carlos in the so-called “Heart Energy of Costa Rica.” It belongs to the cantons of Tilarán, San Carlos and San Ramon.
Before 1968, this was considered extinct volcano and even felt that it was not a volcano. It was known as the Cerro Arenal. On July 29, 1968 beginning its active period, opening three craters into the western flank. In the crater, at 1000 meters, causing the explosion, emanating a fiery cloud, which devastated 12 km, disappearing village of Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacon and killing about 87 people. In September of that year began ejecting lava from the crater A, which remained active until 1973, when the activity migrates toward the crater C at an altitude of 1450 meters. This crater is still active to this day, is characterized by lava flows on a permanent basis.
The ground surface is uneven, from deep valleys of large earrings, cut by rivers flowing to flat and undulating shapes. The climate of the region is diverse and presents influences from both the Pacific and the Atlantic. The annual temperature varies between 21 and 27.5 ° C. The average annual precipitation is 3,500 mm to 5,000 mm with altitudes ranging from 40 meters to 2000 meters above sea level. The rainy period is from May to January and dry February to April.
Arenal Volcano and Lake in San Carlos, Costa Rica
It is considered an area of water recharge, whose waters drain to the Arenal reservoir for use in the production of hydropower and agricultural projects in the Irrigation District of Moravia. The Chiquito, Penas Blancas and the Rio Frio rivers are born here, among others. It protects important species of flora and fauna of the rain forest and premontane cloud forest of great scientific and touristic value. Among its main attractions there are: the Mirador at the foot of the Arenal volcano, the Arenal Dam, Cerro Chato, the Aature trails of Heliconias, Las Coladas, El Pilón, Los Tucanes, The Peninsula and theVisitors Center.
The park is a living laboratory, given its rich geological and geomorphological and the complexity in the development of biological processes, from pioneer vegetation to a dense forest. It presents a very diverse flora and fauna, including in their four areas of life: Very HumidTropical Forest (transition), Montano Rainforest, Low Montano Rain Forest (transition) and Very Humid Premontane Forest (transition). Among the most conspicuous species, we find: Guayabo, Cebo , Ceiba, Cirri, Laurel, Higueron, Pilon, Guarumo, Balsa, different species of palms, heliconias, orchids, ferns and bromeliads including a endemic species: Pitcaimia Funkiae. In the park there are different evolutionary stages of soil and vegetation, so as you can see plants colonizing, as the genre’s orchid Epidendrum. The main species of fauna are: tepezcuinte, tapir, deer, jaguars, peccarie, pizote, congo, red and white face monkeys, avariety of snakes, birds such as parrots, sergeants, orioles, brown magpie, little parrots, hummingbirds, bird bell and quetzales.
