Lake Arenal, Costa Rica

The northern highlands of Costa Rica are home to Lake Arenal, which is the largest lake in the nation and one of the best in all of Central America. Although Lake Arenal was created artificially for the purpose of producing hydroelectric power, it is a popular destination for recreation that draws both visitors and residents.

This lake is located at the base of the Arenal Volcano, which is still active. If you stay until dusk, you might even be treated to a lava show mirrored in the lake. The scenery around Lake Arenal is absolutely breathtaking, and the best views may be had when hiking, scaling the volcano, riding horses, or ziplining. Keep a watch-out for a variety of colorful bird species, tapirs, and even Jaguars if you choose to trek around the lake (though these are rarely spotted).

You can spend the day in Lake Arenal swimming, windsurfing, wakeboarding, kayaking, or paddleboarding if you like to stay near the water. There are only two species of fish that inhabit this lake, but machaca and the renowned rainbow bass are both worth casting out for. Sportfishing is another popular activity here.

Location: Alajuela and Guanacaste Provinces, Costa Rica