Nuevo Arenal is a small, tidy town sitting on the northern shore of Lake Arenal, roughly halfway between La Fortuna and Tilarán. It was built in the late 1970s to rehouse the residents of the original Arenal town, which was submerged when the lake was created. The community has been growing slowly ever since, and today it has a relaxed, residential feel that appeals to expats and travellers looking for something quieter than the main tourist corridors.
The town has a good range of everyday amenities including supermarkets, pharmacies, a health clinic, and a handful of restaurants and cafes. Several are run by international residents, giving the local food scene a pleasingly eclectic character.
Nuevo Arenal makes a practical and affordable base for exploring the lake region. Fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching are all on the doorstep, and the drive along the lake road in either direction is genuinely scenic. Property buyers are drawn here by the cooler climate, the lake views, and the slower pace of life compared to busier Arenal-area towns.
