nrwayne

We'd like to go to Nayara in January. It's a five and a half hour flight. Although there are connecting flights, there's either minimal time in-between or they leave before we arrive. So we seem to be faced with a three and a half hour drive, which is more than we'd like following the long flight. Are there worthwhile stops along the way so we can don't have to accept these long travel days or do we just have to bite the bullet. All suggestions greatly appreciated.

volcanogirl

Are you talking about Nayara in the Arenal area? If so, we always just go straight through, but we use a private driver which makes it a little easier. We just book drivers through our hotels when we reserve them.

nrwayne

Yes, Nayara Springs in the Arenal area. We've been offered a private driver by the hotel, but that's still three hours-plus on the road, which makes for a long, tiring day.

volcanogirl

You could always stay your first night in the San Jose area if you want to unwind a little bit before hitting the road. Grano de Oro is nice if you like a city hotel, and they have a great restaurant. Xandari is also really nice and has beautiful views.

volcanogirl

You could always stay your first night in the San Jose area if you want to unwind a little bit before hitting the road. Grano de Oro is nice if you like a city hotel, and they have a great restaurant. Xandari is also really nice and has beautiful views.

costaricaguide

Villa Blanca and Los Angeles Cloud Forest are about an hour from the SJO airport above San Ramon a few km up a side road on the Tigra route and would be an absolutely perfect compliment to Nayara

volcanogirl

We just did the drive and passed a place called Lands in Love on the way up; they looked like they had canopy tours there and a restaurant. Not sure if you're looking for a place to stay overnight or just somewhere to get out and break up the drive. You could also go to the Peace Lodge/La Paz Waterfall Gardens.

Maggie68

We've stayed a couple of times at the Marriott near the airport in San Jose. After a long flight, it's a nice welcome and an easy transition. There is a hotel van that picks you up. Dinner, a good night's sleep and we're ready to go. Transportation to Arenal is easy to arrange.

volcanogirl

Maggie, we've stayed there too, and I was surprised how much we liked it. It had kind of a colonial flavor, wild parrots in the trees, and a good restaurant.