RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION

Research

Arenal Volcano Ecological Park is a private park that borders the Arenal Conservation Area. Its forest, lava flows and volcanic lagoon are also a place to study: the park takes part in the national reptile and amphibian count, coordinates with SINAC and MINAE, and hosts students who do research on the property.

Aerial view of Arenal Volcano above dense forest at sunset, with a small lagoon and green pasture below

RESEARCH LINES

Four questions about a volcanic landscape.

01

Nocturnal forest amphibians · Sloths and canopy connectivity

Species and their relations

How do the species of the forest and the lagoon relate to each other?

02

Carbon capture

Forest and carbon

How much carbon dioxide does the park’s forest hold?

03

Neotropical otter monitoring

Lagoon and water

What lives in the lagoon and its streams, from otters to fish?

04

National count

Reptiles and amphibians

What species are recorded in the park? It takes part in the national count.

PROJECTS

Three projects, in detail.

01

Neotropical otter monitoring

Monitoring of the neotropical otter in the park’s lagoon and streams. Focus: otter · lagoon and streams.

02

Species interrelations

How the park’s species relate to each other. Focus: species relations · forest and lagoon.

03

Carbon capture

How much carbon dioxide the park’s forest holds. Focus: forest · carbon stored.

WILDLIFE OF THE PARK

Species photographed in the park.

Park images. Wildlife is free: no visit guarantees a sighting.

Anteater with a tan and black coat walking along a moss-covered branch
Otter in the water with its paws raised to its mouth, branches around it
Neotropical otter
Toucan with a yellow face and a large green, orange and red bill perched on a branch, seen from below
Toucan
Sloth with a baby clinging to it, seen from below among green leaves and branches

COLLABORATE WITH US

Doing research in Arenal?

01

Write to us

Tell us your question, your institution and the dates you need.

02

Review

The park team reviews the proposal and any permits that apply. The park also hosts school interns, from two-week placements to 320 hours.

03

On the trail

The park and the researcher agree on access, schedules and how results are shared.

Arenal Volcano in warm light, framed by trees and reflected in a still green lake

Your next step

Walk the landscape under study.

Wildlife, weather, views and availability are never guaranteed.