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ARENAL LAKE originated as a small depression in the Arenal Valley over 2 million years ago caused by earth movements and this became filled by water. However the major event came in 1979 when a very ambitious project by ICE (Costa Rican Institute of Electricity) to create a much bigger lake and build a dam to generate a major amount of electricity was undertaken. This required flooding the town of Arenal which gave way to the creation of Nuevo Arenal (New Arenal) town. This massive hydro-electric project currently provides close to 20% of the country ´ s energy needs, it provided 70% back when it was first completed. A few years ago a significant amount of Eolic energy has been generated by the giant wind turbines. Roughly 85 square kilometers, and is 30 to 60+ meters deep, depending on the season and the yearly rainfall. It is the biggest lake in Costa Rica providing essential hydroelectric power generation for the country. There are two fish species that live in the lake, the machaca and the famous rainbow bass, making it a popular fishing destination. Over 100 other mammals thrive in the vicinity due to the lake ’ s abundant fresh water supply. Hike around the lake and...

LA FORTUNA CENTRAL PARK

ENJOYING THE HOT SPRINGS AT TABACÓN

COSTA RICA ´ S BEST GUIDE MAGAZINE

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