The northern lowlands of Costa Rica are dominated by its most famous landmark: the Arenal Volcano. Set between the border with Nicaragua, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, it offers a variety of ecosystems and, as such, a multitude of diverse plants and wildlife. Given the region’s diversity, there is no one distinct weather pattern. Rather, each micro-climate has its best time to visit.

In 1968, Arenal unexpectedly erupted after being dormant for hundreds of years. This massive eruption caused significant damage, leaving five square miles covered in lava, rocks, and ash. After this eruption, the volcano stayed mildly active until July 2010, and visitors to the area could witness small eruptions and lava flow, which were especially spectacular at night.