Lake Arenal is a large reservoir stretching west from the volcano, visible from the main road and offering a dramatic secondary landscape to the volcano itself. Windsurfing and kitesurfing are serious business here — the consistent winds that funnel through the gap between the mountains have made the lake one of the top windsurfing destinations in the Americas, particularly in the dry season from November to April. The town of Nuevo Arenal on the lake's north shore is the windsurfing hub.
Beyond the water sports, the lake is popular for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding with volcano views. Sport fishing for rainbow bass (guapote) is also possible. The road around the lake's northern edge runs through cloud forest and gives access to some of the quieter lodges and the small mountain town of Nuevo Arenal, which has a few good restaurants and is worth a half-day side trip from La Fortuna.