flycatcher06

After research it looks like the Monteverde Lodge is the best place to stay - does anyone have an opinion?

Also has anyone done the jeep -boat transfer from Arenal and if you did - did you have someone drive your rental car for you?

Also is there a casino in the Monteverde area?

Thank you!

Windy04

I stayed at Monteverde Lodge recently, which we liked. The other property that seems highly recommended is Fonda Vela -- but it was booked when I was making my reservations. Fonda Vela is close to the Reserve, but farther away from Santa Elena and other restaurants.

acctg

I do not think there is a casino in Monteverde (Thank Goodness!)

seawitch1

flycatcher06

We stayed at Monteverde Lodge at the end of May. I really liked the grounds and the hotel itself...the rooms I thought were so-so compared to Lost Iguana and Costa Verde II. We had a triple. I don't know how they are compared to other hotels in Monteverde. We did run into a couple with two boys who were staying at Los Pinos (reservation for five days). They checked out after two nights because according to them it was just awful. Fonda Vela has gotten good reviews but I've not personally spoken to someone who stayed there.

Additionally, we took the taxi/boat/taxi across the lake, which I highly recommend. We did not rent a car, but while I was looking at the possibility of a car, there were some places that would drive your car around the lake for you...I think for something like $35 or so. I seem to recall monteverdeinfo.com offering this service. There may be others.

sandyc

I highly recommend a jr. suite at Fonda Vela. You can walk to the reserve, the cheese factory, Stella's (but not at night -- no lights), but you can take a cab to St. Elena.

Sandy

Pat_Hewitt

Actually, this property is low on my list. It is not conveniently located, as it is on the road that bypasses Santa Elena. So you always have to drive or walk to do anything.

I have also found that the restaurant is a little expensive. The grounds are very pretty, but the rooms are average for the price.

Are you a couple, or a family? Fonda Vela has some good rooms for families.

If you are a couple, my choices would be El Sapo Dorado or Trapp Family. The first is close to Santa Elena and the latter is only about a ½ mile walk to the reserve.

I am not aware of anyone that will drive your rental car for you if you opt for the boat/jeep transfer. But why bother? It is only a 20 minute boat ride. It is fun, but not that big of a deal.

The whole point of doing this transfer is to save an hour of transportation. I figure that you would easily use this hour arranging the pick up and drop off of the car. Also, you are responsible if the hired driver has an accident.

My recommendation is to forego the boat/jeep, and drive to Monteverde. This way, you get to stop at the German bakery in Nuevo Arenal, and have a really tasty lunch. I highly recommend the authentic German Strudel!

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can offer more advice.

Warm Regards,

Pat Hewitt
Costa Rica Travel Exchange
Costa Rica Concierge

kaudrey

I agree with Pat - if you have a rental car, just drive around the lake.

flycatcher06

Hi there, I did not realize it only saves 1 hour. Last year we drove from Arenal to Tamarindo and almost got divorced along the way! I must say everyone was very helpful though - We are a family of 4. I guess i was leaning towards Monteverde Lodge because my husband cannot walk that well and everything else looked hilly. We do not mind driving in the evening so the location does not bother me. I am just looking for the nicest hotel with the most birds and animals and ambiance. We do not plan on eating in the hotel. We definitely want to see the Quetzal!!! Thanks for all your opinions they are as usual invaluable

gailching

I had to laugh when reading your last post flycatcher!!

If you and your husband almost got divorced doing the drive, then I guess my husband and I are doomed when we do the drive. I will set up the divorce lawyer before we leave on our trip

I'm also having the same dilemma, wondering if I should ditch the car in arenal and pick it back up again in monteverde so I can take the boat across the lake.

That German bakery sounds good though...hmmm...tell us how to find it Pat!!

sandyc

If you are really set on seeing the Quetzal, you might want to consider going to San Gerardo de Dota area instead -- easier to see them there.

There's a recent post about this -- titled something along the lines of "Has anyone been to both Monteverde and Los Angeles Cloud Forest."

Also the road isn't as bad, so you might not have to worry about that divorce! It gets a little hairy at the end . . .

Sandy

Pat_Hewitt

As much as I love Monteverde, I have to agree about San Gerardo de Dota. But if the husband can't walk up hills well, the Dota may not be a good idea.

For the best birds, animals, etc. I still disagree about the Monteverde Lodge. It is not near the nature. I would say Trapp Family might be best. It is on a hill. But once you are inside, you should be fine. You can request a room on the main floor if stairs are an issue.

The German bakery is a no brainer to find. It is located on the road that you turn on to get into Nuevo Arenal. They have signs along the road, and you have to drive past it to get to Monteverde. Fun folks, and good food.

Hope this helps!

Pat Hewitt
Costa Rica Travel Exchange
Costa Rica Concierge

flycatcher06

hi there, yes on last years trip from Arenal to Tamarindo - we had to stop 3 times to see if we were going in the right direction and 2x people in houses held up signs to say we were going in the right direction. The map we had from the car ageny is what got us into the argument that almost made me get out of the car and leave my family with my wheelie bag and wander through the mountains forever - ther are definitely worse places to be lost!

As far as nature at the hotel just because i like to get up early and wander around birdwatching - we will have a car so being right in town is not a priority. We did drive short distances last year in the dark.

I know there are easier places to see the Quetzal but we definitely want to experience Monteverde this time.

Love all your help!

nealzibub

Hi there. We stayed at La Colina Lodge and were very pleased. Rooms are nothing mind-blowing, but the location is nice, and the food is delicious. [breakfast is included, dinners are around $15]Monteverde Lodge looked nice, a bit more "touristy", but they do operate a zip-line tour on the property, which I reccomend whether you stay there or not. The drive around Lake Arenal takes around 90 minutes, but is badly pot-holed in places. This was 2 years ago, so maybe they've repaired it a bit. but in anycase there are some beautiful vistas that you would miss by taking the boat. We saw numerous rivers, waterfalls, and a group of coatis on our way to Arenal.
And i don't know about letting someone else drive my car; regardless of anything they sign, you are still 100% responsable for your car...I don't think there are any casinos anywhere in Costa Rica?