Hello I have a few questions and would appreciate some suggestions. First we are flying into San Jose but do not want to stay there if we can help it. We were thinking about heading to Arenal as our first destination for canyoning, visit the Tobacon hot springs, and take a bike ride down the volcano. Is there anywhere in between that would be interesting to stay for the first night? Then we were thinking about going to Monteverde to see wild life and do a canopy tour. Then we plans to proceed Manual Antonio National Park to relax at the beach. Can anyone reccomend an all inclusive resort to stay at for a couple of days? Also anywhere else we should definately try to see while here? Thank you for your help.
1
ticotim
Do you have a guidebook? LP or MOON is fine for all your inquiries.
Canyoning? No canyons here, its rolling foothills and a huge lake?
What time do you arrive at SJO airport? It gets dark at 5pm, and it take 4 hours to get to la Fortuna.
Whats your budget? You want you drive a rental? You want a van service? You want public busses?
You can not ride a bike, around and down the volcano on trials, there are hiking trails all over.
Arenal Observatory Lodge is a secluded and optimal view with closest access to area around top.
The road between Tobocan Hot Springs and La Fortuna, has about 40 places to, all lodges and inns, ranging fro $20 to $200 night.
Montano Del Fuego is $80 night, all rooms with a nice view, and it has a Spa and cafe too.
You can Jeep/Boat/Jeep to Monteverde. Otherwise, its a 4 hour drive between La Fortuna, and Monteverde, no mater which way you go around the lake. Its another 5 hours from Monteverde to Manual Antonio.
Manual Antonio has many choices, from basic to rustic lodges, to 5 star hotels, but all inclusive is not the way to go here, there is a vibrant nightlife and sunset bar scene, not to mention, many options to enjoy various cuisine.
2
costaricablog
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>and take a bike ride down the volcano.<hr></blockquote>
hahahaha................a bike ride down the volcano, thats one of the best i've heard!!
Ticotim, Lonely Planet should give you a prize for answering that question!!|
get a guide book 'stupidgringo' and then you wont ask questions that make you look like an idiot!!
3
jogi
You would indeed be a 'crazygringo' if you tried to bike DOWN the volcano... :-) That said, there's FANTASTIC mountain biking opportunities in the area... Check out www.bikearenal.com for some choices. You'll see others once you are in town.
4
ruthandboaz
Not to split hairs, but it gets dark at 5:30 and the trip from the airport in Alejuela to La Fortuna is about 2.5 hours. I drive it about every two weeks as I live in La Fortuna.
6
imatraveljunkie
Desafio and Pure Trek both offer canyoning in Arenal. Bikearenal.com offers bicycle tours around Arenal. Bicycles aren't allowed inside the Arenal Park. Actual sunset time is 5:50 PM, and getting later until he summer solstice. Arenal Observatoy has a great view of the volcano and lava at the moment, bu it will only be a matter of time before Tabcon sends someone up there with some dynamite to shift it back their way, haha.
7
jogi
traveljunkie, hmmm, perhaps there's an opportunity here for the OP involving Tabacon, dynamite and a bike ride down the volcano... :-) You haven't done squat on a bike until you've outrun a pyroclastic flow (and lived to talk about it)...
8
cresti
if you don't want to stay in San Jose', you can stay in Alajuela, just 5 minutes from the airport.
I stayed at Hotel Vida Tropical and I loved it. Check it out: www.vidatropical.com
Pro tip
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