kbeths

We are trying to limit our driving time while in Costa Rica and so rather than going from Arenal to MA, I thought we would go from Arenal to the Peace Lodge and be an hour from the airport for our flight home. A driver who I found through this board (Thanks!) with whom I've been emailing told me that due to the earthquake, it is now a 5-6 hour drive from Arenal to the Peace Lodge. Has anyone traveled that route of late and is that how long it took? Are the roads being worked on such that they might be in good shape by the time we travel to CR in April?? Thanks for any input!

shillmac

Wow, I would have thought the worst of the roads would not be between those locations. I was all set to tell you a couple of hours. Hmmm. It isn't all that common a route, but perhaps someone else can chime in. On the other hand, your driver should know. My guess would be more than 2, but not 5-6, maybe 4!

hipvirgochick

We took that route (same hotels) a couple years ago and at most it was 2 1/2 hours. What route is your driver taking? Sounds like they're coming all the way back to arenal and then on to peace lodge.

kbeths

Apparently, it used to be a 2.5 hour trip but the hurricane destroyed the roads leading to the Peace Lodge and so you have to basically go back to the airport and then onto Arenal. I am thinking that maybe we will go to the Peace Lodge first and then onto Arenal so we are only backtracking an hour to the aiport.

shillmac

I think the OP is trying to get from Arenal to Peace Lodge. If the driver thinks the best route is from Arenal back to Alajuela (airport area), then up to Peace Lodge, that could certainly take 5 hours given a stop for lunch, traffic issues, whatever.

hipvirgochick

kbeths - Sounds like a good plan, although I think it there is still road damage from SJO to Peace Lodge as well hopefully it won't be such a long road trip. BTW, it was an earthquake that did the damage, not a hurricane. Happy planning!

hipvirgochick

shillmac -- Doh! That's what I meant to say..."coming all the way back to SJO" (not Arenal). Sorry for the confusion kbeths.

Shooie

The road from Peace Lodge to the Alajuela airport area is fine. But it will be a long haul from Arenal to Peace Lodge. With the new highway to the coast being partially completed, you might try to go down to the coast in the Jaco area. Villa Caletas is nice, and it's about 1 1/2 hours now to the airport. There are other resorts and villas outside of Jaco if that's out of your price range.

shillmac

I knew what you meant, hip. And I think kbeths was thinking the poster was going from Peace Lodge to Arenal instead of the other way around. I smiled at the hurricane comment (no offense, kbeths). That's one thing I'm thankful for--no hurricanes down there! But the danged quakes. . . . . .

Hoyas

We drove from SJO to Arenal last week through San Ramon and it took about 4 hours. The roads are good but it is a decent distance. We wanted to go from Poas to Arenal originally over the "northern route" but was told that the road is out, so we went to Arenal directly. If you are coming from Poas to Arenal I suppose you have to consider 5 hours.

kbeths

OOPS. I meant earthquake but glad i made you smile shillmac. Ok, so I booked the first two nights at the peace lodge directly from the aiport and then onto to Arenal. Booked Wilson for all 3 legs (to peace lodge, to arenal, back to airport). I finally feel confident in my choices thanks to everyone here. As it gets closer, I'm sure i will be checking in for day trip and restaurant advice. Thanks all!

Deb15July

kbeths,
I'm just now trying to set up drivers and I've asked for price quotes from several listed on this board. I did email Wilson, but he needed more details regarding my itinerary and I haven't heard back from him yet...just sent that email last night.

What is he charging you from Arenal back to SJO area? I really wanted to stop at Poas during the trip but one of the drivers told me it is considerably out of the way to do that.