On a recent trip to my former home of Costa Rica to visit long time friends and business associates, I was fortunate enough to spend a day floating around the beautiful Lake Arenal on a large pontoon boat. As often as I visited Volcán Arenal in the years I lived there, I had never been out on the lake. My friend Sonia had reserved a boat for her and her family for an all day Sunday outing on the lake. We left Curridabat, a San José suburb and home of the Russian Embassy on Saturday, picked up some family and bypassed the turn off through Naranjo and Zarcero and opted for the winding, scenic drive from San Ramon through pineapple fields and waterfalls. Arriving in La Fortuna, I was a bit shocked and the number of hotels and how much this area had grown over the years, but I must say it is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful regions of the country.
With the world economy challenged, tourism is down a bit and there are 
specials to be found. Through one of the local on-line discount sites (www.estacion506cr.com or www.yuplon.com) we booked our stay at Volcano Lodge. No complaints here. For $50 night we had clean rooms, hot water, a great location, great service and a delicious all you can eat breakfast with a clear view of the volcano through lush gardens.
After our breakfast Sunday morning we took a drive past the volcano over the bridge and around to the other side of Lago Arenal, where we met up with boat captains Laura and Herrold and their two children. Herrold and Laura own and operate a pontoon boat service providing tours on the lake. A day on the lake with up to 50 people runs $600 + food if you want them to cook. Our group had opted for the food, which was all organically grown and raised by Herrold’s family and local farmers.
(And I must say, Herrold and family are great chefs). We spent the day on the lake, anchoring at an island to set up the grill, eat, and go for a swim while watching the
cloud cover roll in and out atop the volcano. For more information or to book a day on the lake, you can contact Herrold directly at: gerencia@ecotermalesfortuna.cr or (506) 8867-5635 or (506) 2479-8787 ext 115.
An interesting story presumably little known to most tourists of the area, I was told the history of Lake Arenal. Once the location of a town named Arenal seated down in the valley, the government relocated the town in the 80’s with the agreement of the people (hence “New Arenal”). Eight rivers were then re-routed to create and feed what is now the 80 to 90 metersdeep Lake Arenal, for the purpose of providing power. Additionally, a new river was created out of the lake to provide water as needed to a Guanacaste town which previously had no water source part of the year.
After stopping for some Agua de Pipa (coconut water direct from the source, ¢150 -about 30 cents) we rounded out the day and enjoyed the evening relaxing in the hot springs at Ecotermales.
Ecotermales continues to grow, with pools and waterfalls fed by the volcanic hot springs in a lush setting with a full bar – yet only ¢8,000 (approx $16) – a fraction of the cost and fraction of the crowd found at some of the others springs. Coming from the lake, Ecotermales is located on the main road back to La Fortuna just past and across from the grand Baldi Resort and Spa, on the left.
No matter how many times I visit the Arenal region of Costa Rica, it remains one my favorite areas and I discover something new everytime I return. After a boom in real estate and development, some prices have come down and there are a number of homes as well as little hotels for sale. If by chance you are looking for real estate in Costa Rica, Sonia is a lifetime, full time real estate professional with over 30 years experience, with many longstanding foreign corporations and expat clients, and one of the most honest individuals you will ever meet. All very important qualities, especially when buying in a foreign land with different intricacies than you are accustomed to. Sonia can be reached by e-mail or telephone: sazsonia@gmail.com (506) 2272-0156 or (506) 8383-6158.