Arenal without a car?

I'm traveling with a friend for 2.5 weeks in CR and we are planning to go to the Caribbean coast and the Arenal area. I've read that you need a car to get around to things in the Arenal area but I was wondering if theres a way to travel around in La Fortuna, Arenal, Rio Celeste, and hot springs without a car? Also, if you have any info about good, free hot springs that would be wonderful. We'd really like to just take a public bus to the Arenal area, but if we really can't get around to things in that area without a car then we would rent a car. I've heard that the roads are not so good in CR and its really hard to find things so I'd love to hear your thoughts about cars as well. Finally, is there is a place in the mountains that also has good hiking, forests, etc. where you really don't need a car? Thanks:)

Not really. You can rent mountain bikes for the Arenal area, or just book excursions from your hostel and they will pick you up and drop you off. I don't know if there are any more "free" Hot Springs, maybe ask your lodging or locals...

As for Tenerio/Celeste, that is about 1.5 hours from La Fortuna on the back way, again, you can book this as a day trip to hike the park and waterfalls.

If going to the caribe side, you should first head from SJ to Arenal area, then you can shuttle Transfer to La Pavona for boats to Tortuguero, then boat from there to Moin and bus/taxi hire to Cahuita, and bus to Pt Viejo.

if not going to Tortuguero, have the shuttle drop you off in Guapiles, and get the next bus to Limon, Pt Viejo, Hone Creek or Sixoala, and get off in Cahuita.

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