Lake Arenal | Established Campground

January 29th, 2024 by giganticpavement03

Very meh. 5000 to camp for the night. The give you a wristband. No level land unless you sleep by the guard post. But if you want a hell of a view, it’s fine. It’s just a boat loading area so kinda messy. I would try another spot if you could. but could work in a pinch. Do not try if heavy winds. They are viscous off the lake. I had to bail. Conditions too rough in high wind.

July 4th, 2023 by tomengbers94

This place has been turned into a campsite. 5000 p.p.p.n to stay here. we moved a bit further to the viewpoint which was still free.

July 31st, 2022 by pascal.la.croix

Je suis venu un dimanche et il faisait payer l entree 10000 au debut negocie a 5000 mais aucun interet le terrain n est pas droit et aucun service. Pour ce prix il vaut mieux aller a essence arenal a 3 kms plus haut qui accepte parfois un van C est tres joli avec une vue magnifique

April 18th, 2022 by Struuners

Amazing view of volcano and lake. Locals were all very nice to us, and told us you can camp here but shouldn't tell anyone if they ask 😉. We stayed one night and no one bothered us or asked us to leave.

March 11th, 2022 by Auguste

We stayed there for two nights. An incredible view of the volcano and the next day when we woke up we saw macaws. It is noted forbidden at the campsite but the locals told us that there was no problem. It is possible that the next day a person with a yellow t-shirt and a scooter will come to see you to tell you that it is forbidden, but if you are polite and leave no waste on site, no problem.

February 20th, 2020 by desiree_van_der_sluis

We stayed here on the lakeside at the boatlaunch spot. The views over the lake is very nice and with good weather you can see the volcano and the mountains. Check the weather beforehand because the night we stayed it was raining with strong winds. No shelter against the weather.

January 24th, 2020 by Zazoo

Pros: gorgeous view of the volcano, large area, fairly quiet at certain times...

Cons: Barely off the main road, lots of motorists passing by until early morning. Not a whole lot of privacy as other campers and vehicles will be dropping to camp, canoe or picnic.

Deal-breaker: Tavern right across the street. Loud music and patrons until early morning.

January 5th, 2020 by hellosway.co

Nice lakeside spot with excellent views of the Volcano when it’s not too cloudy. We parked on the point to the right of the primary boat ramp and had a peaceful night, no hassle, few bugs and a beautiful sunrise. Nice location if you intend to get up early and back track to the free hot springs

January 3rd, 2020 by robertstad

Was not as remote as I expected. Quite large exposes area just of the main road. We arrived at 16.00 and there were still quite a lot of day tourists but these gradually left. Next to the wildlife sounds in the evening also some nice salsa beats from a joint across the road but that stopped around 20.30. We spend the night with 4 other rooftop tent cars and a few other small tents. A lot of nice fireflies in the evening that even came close to our tent attracted by our e-readers.

March 22nd, 2019 by alicia.fvr

This is a peaceful and calm place. Perfect to spend the night there with a beautiful view on the Arenal Volcano.
Do not camp to close to the lac because of the quicksand.

January 31st, 2019 by facebook.com/2MsOnTheRoad

Beautiful view, but quite busy, about 100m from a restaurant, no 4x4 needed for this spot. We continued along the lake, river was ok to cross.

November 21st, 2018 by nossakombieumaviagem

O lugar é bem tranquilo e bonito. Pena que só pegamos chuva, porque se o céu estivesse limpo a vista para o Vulcão é animal. Vale a pena passar por aqui, nós não dormimos, mas não vejo problema alguns em estar alguns dias e dormir por aqui.

August 14th, 2018 by jeroen_sonneveld

Nice and clean spot to have a good view over the lake and from the vulcanoe. park just a few meters from the lake (the best spot is more down as earlier suggested). You can enjoy the fireflies swirl around at night and watch the sunrise in the morning. We tried to go further around the lake going West but the first rivercrossing was impossible to cross due to the rainseason, even with a well equipped 4x4.

August 3rd, 2018 by stephan

great place to have a morning view of vulcano arenal. lots of place tot stay, very friendly environment. we stayed with a 4x4 rooftop tent. awesome place for wild camping!

April 4th, 2017 by hibz74

Nice place to camp. There is flat area to set up a tent. Right in front of the lake. Chef Benedicto from the soda up here is a great guy, let us use his toilet and could charge our phones too

April 23rd, 2016 by loxsmith

Beware of the large Bee Hive in one of the trees on the LHS of the access road heading to the Lake. Ask me how I know? I did a quick sprint to the Lake and jumped in fully clothed. The ground is not level for tents and some rubbish laying around.
Suggest going to the other free Lake Arenal camp near Neuvo Arenal, much much better. Also has a German Bakery nearby with Wifi

February 21st, 2016 by marksgone

Great, quiet camping spot right on the lake. Awsesome views of the volcano and heaps of birds. The cafe was going through renovation at the time so no facilities.

December 11th, 2015 by Desk to Dirtbag

Nice place right on the shores of the lake--very muddy when we were there. No amenities but we chatted with the gringo owner of the hostel in El Castillo and he told us we could use the bathroom at Cafe Lago (which he also owns). Really great with bathroom access, very friendly guy as well. Loved the "shortcut" to Monteverde from the lake as well. Incredible!

March 21st, 2015 by intrepidfor10minutes

Good safe overnight spot. They launch jet skies here also but plenty of room off track. Pizza was very good but expensive,,prices + tax+ tip cost over11000c for 1 pizza 1 small ice cream and 2 beers.

April 19th, 2014 by Neli's Big Adventure

Amazing view of Arenal Volcano, decent brick oven pizza just up the road, super quiet – FREE

April 28th, 2012 by Life Remotely

On the shores of Lake Arenal in the town of El Castillo, just off the main road through town before the pizza shop. No services, but it's free and offers an amazing view of the volcano.