We are going to CR this winter and need to shorten our list of things to see. We are big volcano fans and are considering seeing the Arenal Volcano. However, we've seen several volcanoes in the past and are worried that we might be a little jaded. How impressive is this volcano compared to Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii? How about Mt St Helens? Are there impressive hikes other than the hanging bridges? Can you get close to lava? Thanks!

I can't compare as Arenal is the only volcano I've seen. There is no real lava to see....this was explained to me on a tour but sadly I've forgotten most. It is Strombolian (sp?) and therefore most of what you see (and what I saw) was grey plumes, grey rocks tumbling down etc, unless it were to be a huge (and dangerous) eruption. I believe the closest you can get is on the Arenal tour, which takes you to one of the old lava flow areas. To me it was incredible, listening to it rumble & burp all day & night (some so loud I thought it was "the big one" but that's just it's normal activity). If I'd had more time, I've heard there is a fantastic hike to it's nearby neighbor Cerro Chato with it's collapsed crater & lake.

On clear nights you can see red, glowing lava flowing down the side of the volcano. The wee hours are the best time to catch it. Haven't seen the others you mentioned, but Arenal is the most impressive volcano in CR.

Sandy

you seen one volcano u seen em all eh

well here it is:

http://costa-rica.typepad.com/photos...taricajpg.html

i think that's impressive.
its an active volcano and toursits have been killed by rocks & lava. so, u can only go so far up!
plenty to do in la fortuna apart from the volcano.
hot springs,waterfall,cano negra reserve

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/la_for...ome/index.html

We didn't see any lava flow at Arenal during our stay there this past August -- we did hear it rumble quite a bit, though -- so I can't compare. We have, however, been to VNP and have done the night hike there, which was truly awesome, as you well know. Although I didn't take the volcano hike in Arenal, I doubt you would get as close to active lava flow there as you do in Hawaii. I remember seeing lava on the ground literally inches away from me at VNP (looked like a bright orange blob with a gray "hairnet&quot, standing on old lava mounds ABOVE a stop sign where a town used to be, watching "lava falls" into the ocean. So yes, you may be a bit jaded, but I still wouldn't miss the Arenal area and all its other offerings besides the volcano. Have a great time.

All,

Thanks very much for your help. Looks like this volcano is special in its own unique way!