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Living in Nuevo Arenal
Lake life in the hills
Nuevo Arenal sits above the north shore of Lake Arenal, and its layout is part of the draw. The original town was moved uphill in 1973 when the Arenal dam raised the lake, and the new one was laid out on a grid, so shops and services are an easy walk from most of town. Out on the water, steady winds bring windsurfers and kitesurfers, the fishing is good, and the hills around town stay cooler and greener than the coast.
- Walkable town center on a planned grid
- Windsurfing, kitesurfing and sport fishing on Lake Arenal
- Cooler, greener climate than the coast
- Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna about an hour away
Getting around
Distances from Nuevo Arenal
Nuevo Arenal is inland, so the coast is a longer drive than from the beach towns. Tilarán, 30–40 minutes away, is the nearest bigger town for banks and shopping.
Times are by car from central Nuevo Arenal and vary with season and road conditions.
Nuevo Arenal real estate
Most of the inventory in Nuevo Arenal is single-family homes, from entry-level to luxury, along with a few commercial properties and lots for buyers who want to build. There are currently 21 properties on the market.
Some listings sit outside town, toward Tilarán and elsewhere around the lake. They’re included because buyers looking here usually consider the whole lake area.
Titled (fee simple) property in Costa Rica can be owned by foreign buyers on the same terms as Costa Ricans. Our agents will confirm the ownership status of any listing.
Nearby
Explore nearby communities
Marenal is right here in Nuevo Arenal, and Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo and Playas del Coco are the beach towns most buyers compare it with.
Nuevo Arenal — Buyer FAQ
Where is Nuevo Arenal?
On the north shore of Lake Arenal in eastern Guanacaste. It’s a small town that was moved to higher ground in 1973, so the center sits on a walkable planned grid.
How far is Nuevo Arenal from Liberia airport?
About 90–120 minutes by car from Liberia International Airport (LIR). Liberia town is a little closer, at 75–110 minutes.
How far is Nuevo Arenal from the beach?
The beaches around Playa Flamingo are 2.5–3.5 hours away, and Tamarindo is 3.5–4.5 hours.
What kind of property is for sale in Nuevo Arenal?
Mostly single-family homes, from entry-level to luxury, plus some commercial property, lots and small farms around town. The grid also includes listings toward Tilarán and around the lake.
What is daily life like in Nuevo Arenal?
The town covers groceries and everyday errands, with Tilarán 30–40 minutes away for banks and bigger shopping. The climate is cooler and greener than the coast, and the lake is known for windsurfing, kitesurfing and sport fishing.
