Unlimited public place by the lake in Nuevo Arenal | Informal Campsite

July 21st, 2023 by silvo0794

DON'T COME HERE ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, loud music, large gatherings of youths and motorcycle rev heads all night long make it impossible to sleep, did not stay

June 14th, 2023 by vivermontessori

Amazing place! Very quiet! Nice view, and not so hot when we are there. Have water, and we put light for the night.

Ótimo lugar! Bela vista, bem tranquilo. E quando estivemos lá estava bem fresco. Paramos perto do poste e deu pra improvisar uma tomada com os fios que já estavam lá.

March 25th, 2023 by abraceatrip

Free and nice place to spend the whole day! Felt safe! Great view from the lake! Toilets available during the day and also a tap of water.

March 20th, 2023 by gregorybrown95

As described. Free, camped here for 2 nights. Friendly people. Tap water by the building and power outlets outside the bathroom if you need (but don’t leave things unattended!)

February 26th, 2023 by hihosilver.van

Perfect spot to spend the night right on the shore of the lake. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and the park was busy with people having picnics, families enjoying time together, folks walking dogs, people trying out their 4WD trucks on the wet grass and trails. Once the sun set, it became very quiet and peaceful. The park is in the lee of the shore and is protected from the strongest winds which Lake Arenal is famous for. Toilets and showers were open (although the women’s side was locked), several water taps are available and it is still free! We saw several police patrols in the afternoon and evening. Plenty of space for everyone. We stayed on the bluff with several flat spots just down the hill from the toilets to the right. Recommend walking the road to where you plan to camp as some of the roads are muddy and rough, especially after a rain.

September 25th, 2022 by ottenweinerts.blog

nice place at the lake, clean, mostly grassy parking spots, shade. Toilets ok, didn’t use the shower. Lake clean to swim. Recycling bins everywhere! Had a quiet night (it was raining, so no party people), and a lovely morning with lots of birds.

September 21st, 2022 by proyectonomadacombi

Definitivamente es un buen camping para la vanlife y es GRATIS!!
Los baños están limpios, el parque está iluminado por la noche.
Para ser miércoles fue una tarde noche muy movida, pasaban autos hasta la madrugada, y motos tipo motocross haciendo bulla, y a las 4:30am vino un hombre a tocarnos la puerta que para que lo ayudemos con dinero, no le abrimos y tampoco le dimos nada, le dijimos que nos deje dormir, por suerte el hombre lo entendió y se fue.
Nos íbamos a quedar varias noches pero con lo que pasó y viendo que por la noche viene mucho auto, solo pasamos 1 noche.

March 7th, 2022 by Elsionworldtour

Overnight stay with every size of motorhome possible.
we where very unlucky from Sunday of Monday night. A lot of drunken locals until 11:00 p.m Than police for 15 minutes and at 00:30 a.m. a big serious brawl between 5 guy.
at least 03:30 three young locals making burnouts with there motorbikes two meters from our motorhome.

maybee only bad luck.
the lake is beautiful for swimming
toilets and showers available and medium clean.

January 29th, 2022 by thekombichronicles

Maybe we were just unlucky here. We parked on the concrete pad behind the building. Convenient for water and bins but so loud at night. It was a Friday, but we were kept up for most of the night by really loud cars and music arriving at all hours. Seems to be the local party spot. Moved round to the peninsula for the weekend.

December 10th, 2021 by asobolife.com

1.5 years since the last review. This is STILL the place to be! Great view of the lake, peaceful at night, and free. All previous reviews covered everything else. Our cat loved it here.

February 4th, 2020 by mariotrepanier.fzone

Très bien bcp de place ,de l’eau pour collecter un tuyau (directement a côté du grand bâtiment barré). Une toilette ouverte en permanence la porte est sur le côté(apporter du papier) les autres sont barrés

January 2nd, 2020 by alvarezjp

We had a great time, some visitors during the day for a few hours and a few locals at night but everybody was just minding their business, water and bathrooms available.

November 18th, 2019 by Ian

Bike tourer.I camped here under the roofed structure in front of the building.No problems.There were some local guys there drinking for a while,never bothered me.Bring all the food you need cos' there's a big hill to go back to stores.Water and toilets available. Lovely ride next day to La Fortuna.Don't forget stop for free hot water bath under the bridge at agua termales.Marked on ioverlander and Maps.me.

March 30th, 2019 by dgrolfe

This is the entrance to a large public park. It looks like a private fenced in location, but drive in anyway. Several flat spots near the main building, with baños to the left. More spots further in as well. Great spot, but not the best location as some seem to think...

February 25th, 2019 by Michael

Good place for an overnight stay. Toilets were open and even had paper. Quiet at night and if it is raining and you are only with a tent on tour you will find a dry place under the roof of the hall.

January 11th, 2019 by thebarnsleysbigadventure

Don't think about it... just come and camp here... brilliant! Bring firewood and watch the sunset. We camped 1 night in the little wooded bit and 1 night right at the end of the pinninsula.. both were super cool. Favourite wild camp spot for ages

December 3rd, 2018 by viajantes.de

Just Great.... Had a good time there. Ne careful if it is raining

December 3rd, 2018 by viajantes.de

This place is in wrong location - it is located at 10.53716, -84.89350

October 12th, 2018 by destinovagabun2

Awesome place by the lake. Grassy with amazing views and plenty of space to park. Very quiet and it’s located in a walking distance to the supermarket, bakery and WiFi. Bathrooms are open during the day. Don’t miss this place if your coming to the lake.

September 9th, 2018 by lamacmil

Absolutely beautiful wild camping!!! We have stayed here for 3 nights and slept with the doors open feeling completely safe. It’s very quiet on the week days and on the weekends locals enjoy the area in the day but it clears out again at night! Highly recommend staying here for a few days!

June 7th, 2018 by juliettegoodman

Amazing wild camping spot where you can stay for free. Walking distance to the town which has bakery, supermarket bars etc

Also a boat tour stops next to this spot which is cheap and offers a tour plus kayaking for around 5000 colones. Feels very safe and great views

May 27th, 2018 by offroad-travelers.com

Great quiet place to camp, we stayed here just one night because it was raining. Showers were open but we didn’t use, couldn’t find the toilet, maybe it was the two locked doors. It’s a huge recreation area (area de descargar) and you can find about for more listings about this place in iOverlander, that’s confusing! Entrance is at: 10.53823, -84.89365
We stayed on a Saturday night and it seems like people can rent the main building for events, we camped at the very end and didn’t hear their music at all.
Oh, and we saw the Otter in the morning :)

May 26th, 2018 by offroad-travelers.com

This is actually the same place like „Park at the lake Arenal“ from 2011 which is a huge recreation area!

April 28th, 2018 by creciendoenelcamino

Pasamos dos increíbles días descansando en este lugar. En el lugar se puede hacer asado. Muy muy tranquilo, fresco con sombra y pasto.

We spent two amazing days resting in this place. In the place it can be roasted. Very very quiet, cool with shade and grass.

April 16th, 2018 by natdion22

Superbe endroit calme et reposant en bordure du magnifique lac. Aucun service, aucun wifi mais 3G fonctionne très bien!

April 13th, 2018 by martinrocha

We stayed two. Best camping spot for free of the trip. Even on weekends is not crowded. Great for BBQ!
El mejor camping informal y gratuito de nuestro viajes. Acceso al lago. Lindas vistas. Ideal para hacer una parrillada. Disfruten

April 3rd, 2018 by adventurehaks.com

Hammock and Motorcycle friendly. We camped at the end of the Peninsula. It’s beautiful, quiet, and free. The sink is capped so we filled out water bottles in town when we got groceries and filtered water for cooking from the lake. We never had the bike out of our sight, due to the warnings, but we didn’t ever feel unsafe. We also recommend this spot.

March 15th, 2018 by bernbo

Endroit fantastique près du lac Arenal. camping gratuit. Toilettes barrées. De l'eau du robinet près du restaurant fermé avec des chaînes. Lever et coucher soleil sur le lac. Baignade possible.

March 15th, 2018 by rowefidibus.ch

We wanted to stay here overnight and had our Campervan parked next to the building. Then we walked to find a spot for setting up camp in this lovely place. After getting back to the Campervan someone had smashed our sidewindow and takeln a number of things. Therefore: Dont leave your car alone here!

December 29th, 2017 by aendorien

Beautiful. We spent a night here after some policemen at Nuevo Arenal town told us about the place. At night they send a patrol to watch over the people staying so it's pretty safe.
The bathrooms and shower were open all night. We saw a pair of otters and woke up next to the beautifully lake.
Simply stunning.

December 24th, 2017 by carole.vallon

On a concrete ground. Quiet and secure place. Near the lake. German bakery not far for good bread for breakfast. Water just near a little building. Free.

December 4th, 2017 by CocoFé

Such a lovely place, we spent 5 days there !

November 15th, 2017 by irene_noll

Really Nice place to park your van. The view at the lake is beautiful and you can just find a spot you like. No facilities but it’s free and the view is amazing. There were soms locals during the day in evening, but at night it gets really quiet. A small town with German bakery and grocery store in walking distance.

September 18th, 2017 by beoldlater.com

free. stayed here a night instead of pushing on in a thunderstorm. beautiful lake in the morning, really muddy during the rain, other travelers around (some in a drum circle). safe and quiet. bathrooms locked. ground keeper mowing the lawn when we woke up.

June 18th, 2017 by viva-panamericana

Nice spot for free overnight. There were some other locals with in the evening but really calm and nice. No facilities. Pay attention to get out there from the paved road. In rain season the track can be muddy.

May 1st, 2017 by pmcl77

Free camping, german bakery in town. There are toilets and even showers available, but they might be locked. The guy cleaning up opened them for me.

April 15th, 2017 by twohungrytourists.tumblr.com

Meant to stay a night or two, ended up camping out here for almost a week! It's an easy walk into town (for the supermarkets at the top of the hill and the German Bakery for wifi), and most days the end of the peninsula is virtually empty! (It can get a little noisy on weekends and holidays, but fortunately doesn't continue too late).

February 22nd, 2017 by 4runner4adventure.com

This is one of our favorite free camp spots. The view is unbeatable, the lake is clean and warm. It's a local spot but quiet at night. I'm sure the weekends might get a bit loud and I'm sure the spot might be muddy in the rainy season. Restrooms were not open but there is a faucet for water. A local let us use his kayak and we could see arenal volcano from the water.

February 15th, 2017 by SWELL

Could not be better for a free site! A little tricky to find a level spot, but you can set up anywhere you like. There's the main lawn/garden area by the even hall and boat dock, or with 4x4 you can go for a more secluded spot on the adjacent peninsula. As previously mentioned, water is available at an outdoor sink on the side of the event hall (according to locals its potable... is at your own risk). There are lots of people coming and going throughout the day and evening as it is a public park, but it is safe. The police patrol regularly as well as a groundskeeper.

December 1st, 2016 by olivier_lapointe18

nice

December 1st, 2016 by dave-and-chris-travel-notes.com

Since grassy areas extremely muddy and not wanting to get stuck (again) parked on pavement right in front of closed pavilion. Caretaker said fine and opened up a restroom as well.
Muddy because end of rainy season or leftover from Hurricane Otto that went through a week ago? Lake level low considering end of said rainy season.
Few motorcycles using trails but not intense noise.

November 30th, 2016 by olivier_lapointe18

très calme et belle vue sur le lac

September 16th, 2016 by Fabian Pickel

Huge hilly lawn area right by the lake, with quite a few level spots. Sun and shade, quiet, very scenic, great place to go for a swim (at boat ramp, elsewhere it's muddy). Water tap on the big building (closed event hall). Police drive around two or three times per day. Everybody is fine with campers here. Walk to town (about 20min) and you have a couple of expensive supermarkets, small ferreterias, restaurants, wifi. Daily downpours, aggressive ants.
The place is generally safe. However, one day around dawn I left the van door unlocked while taking a dip in the lake (max. 10min), and some kid entered and stole a lot of electronics stuff. Thanks to fortunate circumstances, police were able to get everything back within 24 hours. Lock your car and you're good.
Stayed for two months and loved it.

September 8th, 2016 by travelamateurs.com

Beautiful free spot on the lake. No facilities except for potable water (according to local) and wash sink at the building. We drove all the way to the end of the road and were surrounded by beautiful lake views.

August 8th, 2016 by AshLivin.com

Such a beautiful area to camp!! Super tranquilo. We went further down to the left and didn't see or hear anybody after 6pm. Felt really safe. FREE. Highly recommended!!

May 11th, 2016 by vremsbottom

Beautiful spot to freecamp!

April 15th, 2016 by irene

Really nice free place to camp. No facilities. But a water tap at one building.

April 14th, 2016 by lizbaum99

EASY directions...In Nuevo Arenal, pass the German bakery and go right at T junction then left at first road. Follow the short, pkt holed road and turn left, through the gate for the multi use area. Quiet night.

March 16th, 2016 by facebook.com/megamacaqueiros

Bealtiful, good, safe and quiet. There are a lot of trees. It's possible to swiming on lake. A wonderfull sunset.

March 3rd, 2016 by http://opp-joeck.de/

I want to correct the GPS data: +10.53823, -84.89365. This is the entrance to the area. The entrance to a place always is the most important information. Not a hidden space hundreds of meters or even more away. Therefore my request to all travellers: If possible give the GPS data of the entrance to a place.
Here in Nuevo Arenal for example it was impossible to find the place with the old GPS data. We had to ask at the German Bakery. And we know, many others also had to do that.

February 19th, 2016 by marksgone

Everything still as described, water available, free and relatively safe at night. Afew kids hanging around until 8pm. Nice view of the lake.

January 31st, 2016 by Both Roads

Downhill from the German bakery, turn right and take your first left. Quite a few people there on a Sunday afternoon but they left at dusk. Around 7:30pm some young guys came to ride their motorcycles for a bit but didn't stay long. After that it was a quiet night. Tap with water outside the rec building. The restroom had been broken into and was still open and being used. Great view.

December 16th, 2015 by peakecj

great spot. some flat ground in the trees to setup a tent. friendly locals

October 20th, 2015 by mit-eigenen-augen.blogspot.de

Nice and free! Nice view. No People. Just watch out of the ground is not too muddy/soft in the rainy season.

August 28th, 2015 by nachi.grafico

Amazing place on the lake. Beatiful, quite and free! Potable water tap available. Toilets open Only in festivities days. Police drive around day and night. A MUST in Nuevo Arenal /// Un lugar increíble sobre el lago. Hermoso, tranquilo y gratis! La policía patrulla día y noche. Hay una canilla de agua potable. Se pueden hacer fogatas. Los baños abren solo en días de fiestas. Una parada obligada si pasan por Nuevo Arenal.

August 25th, 2015 by trekgreatamerican

Great grassy area. Can safely camp here. Tap available but no bathrooms or electricity. Even small area with cover if you are camping with a motorcycle.

March 3rd, 2015 by thelongwayhome.us

Beautiful spot off road by the lake. No facilities but free! Also peaceful and quiet. Beautiful view! With german bakery in nuevo arenel on your left, go down the hill, at the t junction go right (left takes you to fortuna) take the next left ( about 100 meters) and look for a big gate on your left. ( Area de descartes) Proceed through gate and keep going on the path until you find a spot :) great place to swim in the lake. 15-20 minute walk into town. Free!

February 26th, 2015 by thisvagabondlife.net

Beautiful spot to swim and camp. Just a tip... A local guy we chatted to warned us that kids drive down the concrete ramp at night to smoke and chat so he said it would be better to camp away from the ramp up higher from the lakeshore. We duly moved and 10 min later, kids came up in motorbikes and rode up and down the ramp a few times loudly, an hour later others drove down the ramp and parked there for an hour or so. No one was at all aggressive, all friendly, just a tip if you want to get some sleep!

July 1st, 2012 by henryreisen.ch

Good overnight place. Faucet presence, or no infrastructure. You can swim in the lake. Free.

Go to Nuevo Arenal, 100 meters after the German Bakery turn right. Turn left after 200 meters.

January 1st, 2011 by abenteuertour.de

Public park on the shores of Laguna de Arenal. You stay where you like. Toilets were unfortunately locked. Water tap at the event building. Beautiful views of the reservoir. Great to have a campfire.