The Tenorio Volcano is located in the province of Guanacaste at the extreme east of the Guanacaste Mountain range, 1.916 meters above sea level, divided by a colorful and very fertile valley, known as Bijagua.
It consists of four volcanic peaks and two twin craters (one sometimes called volcano of Montezuma). The base of the Volcano is covered by savannas, in the middle the rain forest reigns and the tops have the cloud forests. On the west side the Tenorio river flows and from the south the Tenorito and the Martirio. From its top it is possible to observe the plains of Guatuso and San Carlos, the Lake of Nicaragua, the Reserve of Caño Negro and the Lake Arenal. A legend exists of an eruption in 1816, but the volcano was observed with dense forest in 1864 and it is not considered that it has had an eruption in historical time. Since 1989 it has been a feasibility study to determine its geothermal potential. In 1998, the proximities of the volcano suffered a tremor of regular intensity.
Since 1995 the volcano is part of the National Park Tenorio. It is known by its thermal waters (with temperatures of up to 94 C) and bubbling pools. There are big macadamia plantations at the base of the Volcano.
Location
The Tenorio is located in the Guanacaste Mountain range between Guatuso, Cañas, Bagaces y Tilarán, divided by a colorful and very fertile valley, known like Bijagua.
Foundation
This park was founded in april 27th of 1995, by the Executive decree no.242901-MIRENEM
Extension
This park has 12.871 hectares and it is 6286 feet height above sea level.
Climate
This park receives the influence of the Caribbean and Pacific coast, which is reflected in 8 different climate zones. The temperature fluctuates between 15 and 24 centigrade and the rain average is 4.000 mm.
Flora and Fauna
Because of the diversity in the ecosystems, distributed in eight different zones, that goes from pre mountain humid forest in transition to the dwarf cloud forest, there is a great variety of flora and fauna. Among the flora, the most outstanding are a high diversity of palms, heliconias, ferns, bromeliads and orquids. Among the trees we can mention aguacatillos (little avocado); zapotes, (sapotes fruti tree), robles (oak trees), pilones (custard apple or anona tree), jácaro (bignoniaceae or the gourd tree family), danto (Proteaceae and Parmentiera valerii), endemic specie of the Guanacaste Mountain Range whose characteristic is to give flowers and fruits on the tree trunk and represents the main diet of tapirs. Among the fauna, we can find: tapirs, pumas, wild pigs, wild goats, agoutis, squirrels, howler monkeys, white faced monkeys, margay, and birds as the bell bird, wild turkeys, umbrella bird, trogons and others.
The Tenorio Volcano National Park Tour can be booked directly at your hotel.
The Tenorio Volcano is located in the province of Guanacaste at the extreme east of the Guanacaste Mountain range, 1.916 meters above sea level, divided by a colorful and very fertile valley, known as Bijagua.
