Arenal Volcano Roadside Lookout
Viewpoint · Monteverde · hidden gem
A pull-off north of Santa Elena where Arenal Volcano rises over the cloud-forest ridges on clear mornings; one of the roadside stops with a view on the way to San Gerardo.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 15 min
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 7 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 1 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 0 / 10
- Location
- 10.33462, -84.80473 — Google Maps
Tip
Clouds often cover the volcano later in the day, so stop at sunrise or soon after.
Be careful
No barrier or sidewalk: pull fully off the narrow road and watch for passing traffic.
Places nearby
- Treetopia ParkTours & Adventure · from $49Cloud-forest adventure park (also known as Sky Adventures Monteverde) with a gondola tram, zipline, six hanging bridges and a tree-climbing course, on nearly 300 acres with only a small part developed.
- The Original Canopy Tour MonteverdeTours & Adventure · takes 2 h–2.5 h · from $80Monteverde's original zipline tour since 1994, run in small groups and including a climb inside a giant hollow fig tree.
- Selvatura ParkTours & Adventure · takes 1 h–2.5 h · from $13.50Large cloud forest adventure park near Santa Elena with ziplines, hanging bridges and wildlife exhibits.
- 100% Aventura CanopyTours & Adventure · from $45Family-owned Costa Rican canopy park with a long superman zipline (site says 1,590 m), a Mega Tarzan swing and a guided hanging-bridge walk.
- Finca Lantana Night and Bird ToursParks & WildlifePrivate biological corridor in the middle of Monteverde with small guided night, bird and natural-history walks.
- San Lucas Treetop Dining ExperienceFood & Coffee · from $172Special-occasion tasting-menu dinner served in glass pods high in the cloud-forest canopy, built around Costa Rican ingredients and the sunset.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/9438529071 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/9438529071 · http://montetours.com/blog/free-activities/