Hi again all.
and thanx for your help so far.
We just booked 3 days at the arenal Obervatory lodge. very excited. it looks great.
only concern is that i have read about the lava flow changing direction.
this may be a silly question, but does it change so drasticaly that we may not be able to view it from the lodge in January.
not much we can do about this, but just wondering.
thanx

this might help,
http://www.arenal.net/arenal-costa-rica-map.htm

Thank you mathiew,
i have seen that map.
I'm just not sure how much it moves around. If there was a predictable course it followed, or if it was eratic.

It's all up to mother nature so I would put it more under the erratic description. The lava flow may change tomorrow.....or in 3 months....or in 3 years.

We were just in Arenal last week and local guides pointed out that all of the current lodges were built when the lava flow was on the opposite side of where it's flowing now. The map at the link provided by MatthewG clearly shows this. Perhaps this also shows that Nature has an ironic sense of humor.

Not only can the lava flow change, but it's often enshrouded in misty fog and not visible. Some people go their entire trip without even seeing the volcano itself. We were lucky enough to see it every night we were there, but we felt lucky.

wow...so this is a leap of faith...kind of cool

I hope you get to see it! The mist can come and go; some hotels will even call you in the middle of the night if Arenal is doing her thing. It's pretty amazing when you get to see it.

i hope so to v.g. lets hope the volcano gods show favor

Hi calger,

I'm one of the people that the volcano gods did <i>not</i> smile on!

We spent 3 nights there in 2006, at the Arenal Lodge (which theoretically had a lava view at the time). The volcano was entirely enshrouded in mist and clouds each night we were there. We did luck out and get a terrific view of the cone in daylight one afternoon (very impressive sight!), but you usually only see the red lava at night...

I was definitely a bit disappointed because I really wanted to see the volcano in action!

Mother nature is completely unpredictable, but you know what? I LOVED the Arenal area despite the volcano's lack of cooperation. It's a terrific destination; tons to see and do. Well worth a visit, IMO. I do plan to get back sometime to take another shot at the lava flow...

Keep in mind too, that even if the lava does change direction right before you arrive, you can always take a drive around to the side where the flow is; providing it's visible. A little less convenient than watching it as you lie in bed perhaps, but worth the effort nonetheless.