hipvirgochick

Planning my 6th trip to Costa Rica and considering heading back to Arenal and staying at AOL. It's a tough decision based on how many great areas there are to visit. Can you please remind me of the highlights during your stay at AOL? I would be going to enjoy the on site trails and hanging bridges, primarly, since I've done quite a bit on 2 prior visits staying at other hotels. Will be solo and without car.

Thanks!

RAC

Highlights:

1) Stunning of the volcano from the room, from the restaurant, from the deck, from the parking lot, from the drive in, from the infinity pool, from the jacuzzi, etc. No matter where you are, you have an incredibly view of the volcano. So, whenever the clouds do lift, you'll be able to look up and appreciate it. Also, even when there's cloud cover, you'll get a better view of the volcano (more of the slope is exposed on the AOL side and at a lower elevation than what faces La Fortuna).

2) Animals and irds, birds, birds at the feeders near the restaurant Guaranteed coati sightings, likely kinkajou, plus we saw a jaguarundi there looking from the main lodge building (literally 50 feet away from where our room was).

Not to mention a dozen or so Montezuma's oropendolas at any given time, plus woodpeckers and a half-dozen species of tanagers, including emerald tanager, crimson-collared, passerini's (scarlet rumped), summer tanager, hepatic tanager, scrub euphonias, green and red-legged honeycreepers, black guan.

All of the birds and animals listed above, btw, were within 50 feet of the main lodge building. Venture out and you see toucans, trogons, parrots, monkeys, etc.

3. Free hiking on really beautiful grounds, including (I believe) 2 suspension bridges, a waterfall, etc.

4. Quick ride from the national park, so you could easily hire a guide (we used Christian--don't know if he's still there) to take us around.

There's a tour desk with plenty of other onsite tours. For instance, the hike to Cerro Chato originates at the AOL.

volcanogirl

Hey, hip - it's good to see you back on the CR boards! We're thinking of AOL for a future trip too, so I'm throwing a bookmark on here. Happy planning!

RAC

Forgot to add--the view of Lake Arenal is also spectacular. You can pretty much see the entire lake.

volcanogirl

Speaking of La Fortuna, did you guys see this story about the owner of the Mountain Paradise Hotel?

http://amcostaricaarchives.com/2013/...-be-a-message/

Really sad. Hoping it's just an isolated incident.

hipvirgochick

Thanks RAC! That's pretty close to what I remember you saying. It's still up in the air as to if I'll make it there this year, but it's near the top of my list. Just a lot of deciding factors as I know you're aware from your past planning!

Hi volcanogirl good to see youtoo! I did not hear about the incident you posted. Horrifying.

volcanogirl

Yes, very scary and at least for me unexpected in that area.

mlgb

They also have horses at AOL. I didn't take a ride, but saw them when we were on the free morning trek and they looked much healthier than some of the others I've seen (such as the ones from Don Lulo).

Don't forget the morning tour is free at AOL.

If you have a car you can request Trogon or Toucan at White Hawk Villa. The view from bed is amazing (assuming the clouds aren't there). I was very lucky in November green season to get some clear views.

https://picasaweb.google.com/kiwifan...71690487636402