Arenal Observatory Lodge Lava
May 12th, 2004, 09:10 AM
#1
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Arenal Observatory Lodge Lava
Hello -
I am leaning towards making a reservation for 2 nts at the Observatory Lodge on 30JUN for 2 nts. I have read the 2 negatives about the lava not being seen from here & that it is further away - down the 6 mile dirt road. Their website says that there has been recent activity that has been viewed from their hotel; do you think this is accurate/up to date? Also - how difficult is it really to get to Fortuna Falls or Tabacon - or even just into town for meals? We will have a 4WD, but not sure we will want to drive at night. Does anyone recall the cost of a taxi from here since I understand they charge more b/c they are further away? Looking forward to your thoughts....
I am leaning towards making a reservation for 2 nts at the Observatory Lodge on 30JUN for 2 nts. I have read the 2 negatives about the lava not being seen from here & that it is further away - down the 6 mile dirt road. Their website says that there has been recent activity that has been viewed from their hotel; do you think this is accurate/up to date? Also - how difficult is it really to get to Fortuna Falls or Tabacon - or even just into town for meals? We will have a 4WD, but not sure we will want to drive at night. Does anyone recall the cost of a taxi from here since I understand they charge more b/c they are further away? Looking forward to your thoughts....
May 13th, 2004, 05:34 PM
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We stayed in Arenal Observatory Lodge in April and we enjoyed it. You are a little isolated from town but if you have a 4x4 its no problem driving into town even at night. Very easy to follow road. If you decide to take a cab its 20 bucks each way.
We were lucky enough to see the lava flow from our room #30 one night at about midnight but the best lava views are on the other side. However, I imagine in late June it may be difficult to see due to weather.
We were lucky enough to see the lava flow from our room #30 one night at about midnight but the best lava views are on the other side. However, I imagine in late June it may be difficult to see due to weather.
May 14th, 2004, 12:22 PM
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We were there last thursday-saturday
(5/6-5/8). The Hotel is very nice
and the restaurant is excellect. It
rained for the entire time we were there and
we never saw the top of the Valcano.
I think it was visable the day before
we arrived. It's pretty much a crap
shoot this time of year. There was
so much rain that we have to ford two
bridges where rivers had overflowed
to get out. The road to the lodge is
not for the faint of heart (but then
none of the roads in CR are).
(5/6-5/8). The Hotel is very nice
and the restaurant is excellect. It
rained for the entire time we were there and
we never saw the top of the Valcano.
I think it was visable the day before
we arrived. It's pretty much a crap
shoot this time of year. There was
so much rain that we have to ford two
bridges where rivers had overflowed
to get out. The road to the lodge is
not for the faint of heart (but then
none of the roads in CR are).
May 15th, 2004, 07:26 AM
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I went to Costa Rica about 3 years ago and I looked into the Arenal Observatory Lodge. I chose to stay at Tabacon Resort instead. I LOVED IT!! I had a room facing the volcano and at night I would wake up and see lava and volcanic rock streaming down the side. Tabacon also has really beautiful and relaxing natural hot springs which really shouldn't be missed. It's a little drive to the central town of Fortuna, but if you ask me, you're not missing much by not staying in town. I would definitely stay at Tabacon. Costa Rica Connections can arrange for an inexpensive private van service to take you to Tabacon so you don't have to worry about directions or the roads. In addition, they can hook you up with a tour of Arenal which is a great way to see some of the surrounding wildlife and get up close to the Volcano...Go with Tabacon!
May 18th, 2004, 06:10 PM
#7
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We were there for 2 nights in March of this year. The rooms and the grounds are very nice. You have a nice close view of the volcano but even if clear the flow was to the other side. The road in was pretty bad and made us think twice about popping into town. I would stay on the other side if I ever went back and go out to the Observatory for a hike or lunch.
