www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hello Gentlemen,

I'm heading back to SJO in July and have been speaking to a favorite of mine lately. I would like to get out of the gulch for a bit and get her and myself to Arenal Volcano. This is my first time taking a girl out for the scene for a lil' getaway and, truth be told, I'm looking quite forward to it - it will be a two or three day break from the constant party that usually ensues in SL.

Any recommendations for accommodation and transport to/from Arenal? Not sure what to expect insofar as price, would like something reasonable ... while still being a nice place.

And, out of curiosity, what sort of time is necessary to get from SJO to Arenal?

Thanks in advance, brothers.

Arenal is about a 4 hour ride using Interbus. The volcano is no longer "active" so you won't see any lava. The hot springs are nice but I don't know if you want to spend 3 days there. Tabacon is nice hotel but a bit pricey. It is around $200 a night but it does include a great breakfast and free admission to the hot springs. I don't think there is much to do at night in the area.

I know it is rainy season but have you considered a trip to the beach?

I always stayed at Hotel Villas Vilma when staying overnight in La Fortuna. (It is ranked mid-way in the 64 hotels listed in TA.) Also, if you don't mind driving, I would rent a car... it will give you more flexibility to explore around Arenal and La Fortuna.

The Springs at Arenal is the newest and nicest, both in terms of facilities and service, in Arenal if not the entire country.

Best restaurant by miles and miles and mile in the entire country is Gingerbread. The chef is an asshole German named Randy... but I really don't care as I will go out of my way for a great dinner in his restaurant. I make it there about 4 times a year, usually some type of company event with my top sales people. They also have rooms available on site but I personally have never stayed there.

I stayed at the Royal Corin a couple of times. It is very nice, but I think this is the high season, so it gets a bit pricey.

I would also rent a car if you are staying here a couple of days. Taxis are not as plentiful as they are in SJ and they a very expensive. Most of the hotels are a couple of miles outside of the town.

For lodging accommodations I recommend looking on this listing of hotels nearby:
http://www.costaricatravelandvacations. ... at-hotels/

And if you are looking for transportation, like rent a car, you can get it on the same website here:
http://www.costaricatravelandvacations. ... ent-a-car/

For air transportation I recommend you asking to Sansa Costa Rica.


Hope Helps!

try Puravida transport...Steve is the best wheel man in san jose and he is a CRT member also. He has a nice unmarked SUV that he uses. check out his website.

http://www.puravidatransport.com/

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as my father says "better to be lucky than good"

We stayed in one of these cottages.

http://www.arenalgreen.com/

The food was good and it was a very nice different experience from the normal hotel. It was easy to catch a cab and the owner gave us directions to a nearby swimming hole the locals use.

Here's where I stayed:

http://www.lostiguanaresort.com/navegad ... g/home.php

Not cheap but beautiful and if you're taking "company" great romantic spot.

I have stayed at Los Lagos before and would stay there again. I believe I paid around $100/ night for a very spacious double queen room. The grounds are very nice and very clean. The onsite restaurant was very good. I rented a car, and the drive was not difficult at all. Somewhere in the 2 to 2.5 hour range? GPS took me right there.

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In honor of Jimmy V week, "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"

Hotel choices in La Fortuna are numerous with something for every budget. My personal favorites that I can personally recommend are:

1) High End - The Springs is hands down the nicest hotel in the Arenal area with on-site hot springs, zoo, river and some great restaurants and bars. However, it is very expensive. http://www.thespringscostarica.com/
2) Mid level - Arenal Lodge has GREAT views of the volcano, nice pool and hot tubs, good restaurant, excellent staff and is reasonably priced for what you get. My choice when I make a personal trip to Arenal. http://www.arenallodge.com/navegadores/home.html (On a side note, CR hater Spanky found this one)
3) Low End - Hotel Vista Arenal has decent rooms, great view of the volcano, good location on the main road around Arenal, pool, A/C, cable TV and a great staff for a pretty inexpensive price. This is where I always stay when I am working and have other clients staying overnight in Arenal. No web site and only thing I could find was in Spanish. http://alajuela.evisos.co.cr/hotel-vist ... l-id-12280

The drive from downtown San Jose to Arenal is at least three hours but traffic and weather conditions can make it longer...

A really good website for most things to see/do/stay around Arenal is http://www.arenal.net

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...