Volcano tourists take note: The Turrialba, Poas and Rincon de la Vieja (Old Lady’s Corner) volcanoes of Costa Rica are currently very active and not safe to visit. As recently reported by The Costa Rica Star, the Turrialba volcano came alive a few days ago with a spectacular midnight eruption that sent thick clouds of ash as far as the capital city of San Jose. Nearby communities have been evacuated, scenic flights are restricted, and tourism is off-limits until further notice.

 

The above warnings are no reason to despair. The iconic and magnificent Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica’s most celebrated tourism spots. The Arenal is also active, but geologists have not issued any warnings here. This is where the sci-fi blockbuster After Earth, starring Will and Jayden Smith, was filmed, and it is one of the most photogenic regions of our country. In this video travelogue by Elizabeth Donatelli, we learn what makes La Fortuna and the Arenal so special.

 

Elizabeth has been writing, presenting, and producing video for more than a decade. She is an eight-time Emmy nominee for her stories. She has spent her professional career as a broadcast journalist working in Charlottesville, VA, Louisville, KY, and Las Vegas, NV. She has driven across the United States five times, backpack around Europe, and spent several weeks in Central America.

 

Throughout her career Elizabeth has had stories featured on national news including MSNBC, CNN HLN, and the Weather Channel. She has had travel pieces published online with Travel Squire and For Rent Costa Rica. See more of her videos in our Media & Entertainment section.