Visit Arenal & the Central Highlands

The mountainous Central Highlands lie to the north of San Jose and are the centre of geothermal activity in Costa Rica. The Arenal Volcano National Park has one of the most volatile reputations in the highlands and the booming eruptions and brilliant night-time lava displays of the Arenal volcano are legendary.

Large areas of the highlands spend the majority of their lives cloaked in thick cloud cover; these montain forests are the ideal habitat for many different bird species, ranging in size from the minute hummingbird to the three-wattled bellbird. The cloud forest reserves at Montverde and Santa Elena are home to animals found nowhere else in the world and are one of the highlights of any stay in Costa Rica.

Top itineraries in Arenal & Central Highlands

Costa Rica Classic

13-day tailor-made journey from £2,910 pp incl. flights

Costa Rica is a land of spectacular volcanoes, wildlife-filled cloud forests, fast-flowing jungle rivers and tropical jungles. Explore its natural-world highlights in Arenal and Monteverde before kicking back on the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park or Guanacaste.

Costa Rica: Sarapiqui and the Osa Peninsula

11-day tailor-made journey from £3,535 pp incl. flights

Let expert guides introduce you to two Costa Rican gems – the rainforest of Sarapiqui and towering Arenal Volcano. You'll then enjoy a full-board stay at the Lapa Rios Ecolodge, hidden among the wildlife-filled rainforests of the Osa Peninsula.

Costa Rica Self-Drive

14-day tailor-made self-drive from £2,810 pp incl. flights

Travel passed farmlands, forests, lakes and volcanoes to Arenal, the cloud forests of Monteverde and the wildlife of the Palo Verde and Rincón de la Vieja National Parks. Top it all off with a relaxing stay on the palm-fringed bays of Guanacaste on Costa Rica's North Pacific Coast.

Wildlife of Costa Rica & Caribbean Coast

14-day tailor-made tour from £3,685 pp incl. flights

This tailor-made tour wonderfully showcases the spectacular variety of wildlife and landscapes of Costa Rica. You'll explore the fauna that lies among remote peninsulas, white-sand beaches and subtropical rainforest, alongside stays in luxury eco-lodges.

See all itinerary ideas

Top places to stay in Arenal & Central Highlands

Nayara Resort, Spa and Gardens

Contemporary resort

This luxury resort at the foot of the imposing Arenal volcano combines outdoor living with luxurious design and exquisite dining.

Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa

Contemporary resort

A tranquil resort at the foothills of the Arenal Volcano, this hotel offers spectacular views and activities round the national park, with a hot tub in each room as well as hot spring pools and a wonderful spa.

Hotel Belmar, Monteverde Cloud Forest

Contemporary hotel

In a coveted location high in the famous Monteverde cloud forest, this resort has a wonderful chateau feel and is perfectly situated to explore the vast array of wildlife on its doorstep.

See all places

Where to go in Arenal & Central Highlands

Monteverde

The Montverde cloud forest is one of the most eerie and moving habitats on earth. We recommend you visit early, when the clouds still cling to the forest canopy to get a real sense of the beauty of this changeable environment.

Palo Verde

The habitat of Palo Verde National Park changes with the seasons, spending half the year as a wetland haven and the other half as one of the best examples of tropical dry forest in Costa Rica. The dual nature of this forest is due to the annual flooding of the Tempisque Lake and river system. …

Arenal

The Arenal volcano has a long-established history as the most active volcano in Costa Rica and from the 1960s began admitting a near constant stream of lava into the night sky. This spectacular night-time display ceased as recently as 2010 though when the volcano entered a dormant, resting cycle. …

See all places

When to go to Arenal & Central Highlands

Monteverde

Average temperature (℃)

Average rainfall (mm)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Max temp Min temp Rainfall

See regional weather

Arenal & Central Highlands articles

Just back from: Costa Rica

Wexas Latin-America specialist Alison Nicolle reports back from one of 2018's hottest destinations – Costa Rica. Expect everything from volcano rainforests to sloth beaches.

Meet our Arenal & Central Highlands experts

Speak to a tailor-made specialist on 0207 590 0697

Meet the team