lynnalan

After researching I am leaning toward spending the first 2-3 nights of our trip at either El Silencio Lodge or the Peace Lodge (Nayara in Arenal was first choice for that time but it is booked and I like the proximity of these hotels to San Juan airport). Both seem to have great reviews. I am leaning toward El Silencio because I think the food and eco nature are up my alley, though I know it is rather remote. We will want to do at least one adventure (raft, zip line, volcano hike) while we are there ..... either at Poz Azul, Poas or drive to Arenal. Can anyone who has stayed at both compare the experience and offer suggestion(s) for activities? We plan to drive from there to Manuel Antonio. thanks!

qwovadis

www.elsilenciolodge.com/suites.htm

my fav of your 2

www.waterfalgardens.com quite a bit more touristic

in a plastic disneyesque kind of way with caged animals

everything feels kind of staged... felt the food to be

marginal actually xandari.com my fav in that area.

Might also consider tabacon.com great best hot springs

free if u stay nice lava views or lostiguanaresort.com

both excellent night lava views of arenal.net

desafiocostarica.com or riostropicales.com for rafting

Have fun!

volcanogirl

Is it possible for you to stay in Arenal? That's a great area and would be my choice. We like the Lost Iguana. It has that remote feel that you like. The Peace Lodge is a great place to spend a night or two, but it's not the most authentic seeming place. It's very over the top indulgent and comfy though if that's what you're looking for, and it has beautiful waterfalls on the property. Arenal has the volcano, rafting, ziplining, and all the other stuff you're looking for, along with great natural hot springs.

lynnalan

Thanks for the feedback .... I looked at Lost Iguana but will look again. How is the food there?

volcanogirl

When we first started going, it wasn't that good. They tried to do too many fancy things. The last few times we've gone, we've liked it. It seems like the simpler things are quite good. We loved their homemade guac and chips, they had good casados, good burgers, etc. For the most part, hotel food doesn't tend to be great in CR. Our driver told us they had a new chef.