Costa Rica Waterfalls: Arenal Volcano

The hills and rain forests around Arenal Volcano - which erupts more than 20 times a day most of the year - are home to some of Costa Rica's most stunning waterfalls.

Waterfalls such as this one are located near the volcano. A truly stupendous waterfall is closer to the town of La Fortuna. This one is seen in the photo labeled "Fortuna Falls
This cascade, located south of town, provides an opportunity to get wet beneath the falls, as if you were in a movie. If you prefer not to get into the water, it also makes a spectacular setting - complete with sound effects - for an afternoon picnic lunch, as the subject of a painting or photographs, or just a pleasant place to spend the day.

Appropriate safety precautions should not be thrown to the wind, however, particularly during the so-called "green season" when most of the country get soaked almost daily and the rivers that feed cataracts such as this are subject to sudden and unpredictable flash floods.

It's like swimming in the ocean: don't go into the water alone. Keep an ear open for any unexpected increase in the amount of water rushing down from the river overhead, and be prepared to exit the water in a hurry.