Arenal - Leaves and Lizards

We just did a trip with Rios Tropicales on the Sarapiqui and really loved it. Our guides were really fun but also very safety conscious. Halfway through the trip, we pulled over on a sand bar, and they set up this great little display of tropical fruit for us to enjoy. They had a guy taking pictures the entire trip and offered the cd for sale at the end. Also all had a nice lunch together. They have showers and changing rooms at the lunch spot, so it's a good idea to bring a towel and dry change of clothes. We got flipped out of the boat a couple of times, but the guide has us back in in seconds. I would definitely do it again. The best part was doing the "washing machine" - each side of the raft paddles a different direction, and you spin as you go down the river. I think you'd enjoy it.

A $25 cab ride is really going to start to add up. Have you thought about Silencio del Campo? I have heard good things about Leaves and Lizards but have never stayed there.

Arenal/La Fortuna is a great area. You'll have fun.

www.riostropicales.com

Haven't stayed at Leaves and Lizards, but indeed that taxi fare will add up...Silencio del Campo is a wonderful choice with on-site hot springs. The individual cabinas there are great and it's owned by a local family. In addition to the rafting volcanogirl mentioned there's a class 3-4 trip on the Pacuare that's wonderful and you can actually incorporate that into a rafting/x-fer between San Jose and Arenal.

That's a good idea too, hip - can you remind me which company does the transfer?

vgirl -- Exploradores Outdoors...although I think Rios Tropicales is adding that option as well.

Muchas gracias, amiga. The Pacuare is still on our must do list.