There is a watchtower at the foot of the volcano for the visitors; you get to it by natural trails. The volcano Chato (1100 meters of altitude) is also located in this protected area. Entry is 6 dollars.

• La Fortuna is a town known for the hospitality of their people. When visiting the National Park Volcán Arenal is a must stopover. It has hotels and restaurants with very attractive prices. It is also possible to contact specialized guides to take you to the forest and waterfalls. One option is to do the trails on horseback.
  
  
• Tilarán is the ideal place for observation of birds and to practice fishing (small boat rentals are available). It is located in the extreme southwest of the Arenal Lake.
  Because the roads that lead to Tilarán are in good condition, many travellers go there by themselves, provided with a map, a photo camera, a pair of binoculars and small change for minor expenses.
  The expedition to this area includes a bicycle ride to the mountains and surrounding areas.

National Park Volcan Tenorio: Its 12872 hectares are overflowing with life and greenness. Here, the beauty of the landscape - marked by the imposing figure of the Volcan Tenorio (1916 meters of altitude) - is increased by the variety of flora that fills every corner and the diversity of wild life that has its habitat in this extensive area; a natural wall that intercepts the humidity carried by the clouds originated over the Caribbean Sea. The Park gives shelter to an important number of plants and tree species, standing out are the oak, aguacatillo, medlar, palm trees, ferns, bromeliads, orchids and helicons.
Among the fauna of this area we have the tapirs, tolomuco or tayra, congo, white-faced and colorado monkeys or red howlers, also felines like pumas, caucel or little spotted cat and manigordo or ocelot. You can also find falcons, trogons and quetzals.
This park, created in 1976, is located between the regions of Guatusa and Upala, in Alajuela, and Cañas, Bagaces and Tilarán in Guanacaste.

Refuge for the Wild Life Caño Negro: This is an area of low lands with seasonal flows. Its lagoons and swamps are a natural refuge to many fauna species, especially migratory birds. The centre of the refuge is the Caño Negro Lagoon, which receives the waters of the Frío River. But, during the dry season (February through April) the lagoon is reduced considerably, ending in a group of small water mirrors.
In its 9969 hectares lives the country's largest colony of neo tropical cormorants. It is also the only region with a permanent population of clarinero nicaraguense or Nicaraguan grackle, an endemic bird of the basin of the Lake Nicaragua. You also have cattle egrets, jabirus, pink spoonbills, white ibises, needle ducks and muscovy ducks.
There are also other endangered species living in this area, like the jaguar and pumas, the white faced and red howler monkeys, two-toed sloth, otters, skunks and deer. You can also find earth turtles, alligators and about 30 different species of sweet water fish.
This refuge is very popular among travellers that are looking to get in touch with nature, especially in the rainy season, when the lagoon joins with the Frío River, generating a perfect habitat for the procreation of birds.
The Refuge for the Wild Life Caño Negro counts with a lodge, drinking water, rest rooms and marked trails. Entry is 4 dollars.
It is located near the camp of the Maleku, direct descendents of the old tribe of the Guatusos natives.