Safe Place to Leave Car in LaFortuna

desafiocostarica.com will have your options

Personally prefer to drive around the lake the last

15 K or so potholed still not bad unless rainy.

Save money less theft risk...

monteverdeinfo.com

Is the road around the lake really windy? Worried about passengers getting sick if we drive around. It sounds like the drive around and the jeep-boat-jeep trip are about the same time, just letting someone else do the driving on the J-B-J. Thanks

We like the Jeep Boat Jeep too. Are you staying at a hotel that has security? If so, you might check with them and see what they think. The place where we stay is kind of isolated and has a bar that comes down at the end of the property and has a security guard there so I'd feel comfortable leaving a car there. You can't really drive onto the property unless you're a guest or work at the hotel. Or could you turn your car in and then rent another one on your return?

Just a heads up on the roads - I got really car sick on our first trip to Arenal, and I never get car sick. Now I take Dramamine before we get in the car for that trip. The roads are windy and hilly. One of my friends just got back from CR, and she said, "I got sooo car sick!" I guess people don't expect it.

The road around the lake is VERY winding, twisty, and curving plus rolls over little hills and rises too.

The road from Fortuna to where you meet the boat is not too bad but has a few turns and hills too.

Volcanogirl's suggestion is a great one. Alamo has offices at Fortuna and both airports and is one of the better companies for rental. If you turn the car in before heading to Monteverde then when you leave Monteverde you don't have to backtrack to Arenal. Use the money you save on not renting a car to sit in storage to get a private transfer to your next destination and if need be pick up another car there...

Vgirl and CRGuide beat me to it. Lots of companies will pick up the car in Arenal. You can then take a private transfer to the next destination.

My real concern is your worries about the windy roads. This is common all over the country. The road around the lake is a pretty easy drive. You are going to encounter more difficult roads as you move about the country.

An example of this is the old road between San Jose and Arenal. I have always felt that this the most scenic ride in Costa Rica. This is the route that includes Grecia, Sarchi, Naranjo, and Zarcero. It is extremely windy. But that is part of the charm. The original road was designed for ox carts, and it connected all of these little mountain towns. If you are going to drive from San Jose to Arenal, this is the nicest way to go.

The poor condition of the road up and down from Monteverde is kinda famous. It is very steep and bumpy (my wife always advises the gals to wear their sports bras). It is a very windy road, and there aren't many guard rails.

My point is that if a few curves on a good road is a concern for you, are you sure you want to ride up this particular road? Just a thought.

Hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer any more advice.

Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
Travel Professional

Thank for all the info. Didn't mean to sound like such a weeny! I know the roads are not good....but was more worried about passengers as the driver usually has it good (me!). I will check into turning in the rental car. That is a great idea if we could make that happen. You think the road around the lake is really not that bad? It would be nice to see the scenery and timewise, it seems about the same. Thanks again!