mightygnu

First off, I just want to say hi as I am new to this forum.

My first question, what is the easiest way to get from Poas to Arenal? I am trying to avoid renting a car and I can't seem to find a way to get from one to the other...

To make it less confusing, those are the possible hotels and the possible activities.

Here is my Itinerary so far:

Day 1 07/04/10 : Go to Alajuela
Arrive 11:55 am, allow time for customs.
Hotel: Hotel Buena Vista - $75/night - How far to Poas?
Orquideas Inn - $70/night - Last Night?
Siempre Verde B and B - $75/night
Poas Lodge - $40-60/night
Pura Vida Resort and Spa - $95/night + pick up from airport included
Vina Romantica - $85/night + pick up from airport included

Day 2 07/05/10 : Poas to Arenal Fodors

Hotels in Arenal
- Lost Iguana - Specials: pay for 2 nights get 3rd FREE; $185 per night, nice rooms, pool, bar, restaraunt
- Arenal Observatory Lodge - $93 per night, closest to volcano, breakfast included, morning hike, pool, restaraunt, hikes nearby, in the park
- Montana De Fuego - $111 per night, pool, Cheap tours (horseback riding $50), breakfast included
- Hotel Chachagua- $72 inc. breakfast, Fodors says kinda far from sights; horseback riding?
- Arenal Paraiso - $89/night w/o tax
- Arenal Springs Resort - $107/night w/tax and breakfast buffet
- Arenal Lodge - $72/night w/o tax
- Arenal Vista Lodge - $70/night w/o tax

Activities
8 am - 11 am Poas Volcano - $7 - Opens @ 8:00am
- Must get there early before clouds; lake Botos, 30 mins
- http://www.paradisetours.com/p03_short_tours.htm
- Doka Estate Coffee Farm Tour

Check Out, Head to Arenal, Stay night in Arenal/La Fortuna

Day 3 07/06/10 : Arenal

Activities
- Hanging Bridges - $12 for Students need ID; Trails through the forest, shuttle $12, 7-4:30 pm
- Arenal Volcano Hot Springs - EcoThermales ($29-54)
- Rio Fortuna Waterfall - 20-50 mins hike to falls; $6 swimming; Hours = 8-4pm
- Pure Trek Canyoning*- No prices, other tours all over Costa Rica too; Canyoning (4 hrs) 3 waterfall rappels
- Desafio Tours
- Sunset Tours

Food
- Don Rufino- Pasta, seafood, tourists/ex pats; Nice dinner
- La Choza - Cheap $5-9, Costa Rican food mmmm
- Las Brasitas- Cheap, Costa Rican Food

Day 4 07/07/10 : Monteverde
Leave Arenal for Monteverde
8:30 am Desafio Tours Taxi-boat-taxi = 3 hours, $29

Hotel:
- Monteverde Lodge & Gardens - $100/night w/o tax
- Hotel Heliconia - $100/night w/ tax
- Hotel El Sapo Dorado - $107/night w/o tax
- Arco Iris Lodge - $64-80
- El Bosque Lodge - $55 +tax
- Monteverde Inn - Small, $24 each including breakfast
- Stay in Forest - 3 meals and entrance
Activities:
- Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Canopy Tours
- Selvatura Zip-line - $45 Zipline
- Sky Trek - Above canopy...

Day 5 07/08/10 :
Hotel:
Activities:
Food:

Day 6 07/09/10 :
Hotel:
Activities:
Food:

Day 7 07/10/10 :
Hotel:
Activities:
Food:

Day 8 07/11/10 :
Hotel:
Activities:
Food:

Day 9 07/12/10 :
Hotel:
Activities:
Food:

Day 10 07/13/10 :
Hotel:
Activities:
Food:

Day 11 07/14/10 :
Hotel:
Activities:
Food:

Day 12 07/15/10 : COME HOME!

RAC

We stayed at the Orquideas Inn and it took about an hour to get from there to Poas. We highly recommend the place--fantastic food, lovely grounds, a pool, and also close to the roads to Grecia and Sarchi.

We've also stayed twice at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, and if we go back to the area we'd stay at the AOL a third time. You can hear the volcano, watch rocks tumble down, and there is a TON of wildlife in the area--we saw a jaguarundi last time there.

mightygnu

Thanks a bunch. I am looking forward to staying at AOL.

hipvirgochick

I'm confused. Are you asking for suggestions to fill in the days above that are blank? I like Orquideas too for first and/or last night. Your hotel can set you up with transfer from Poas to Arenal but it won't be cheap. You could also see what the closest Interbus pick up and combine with taxi to get there but that might be spendy too.

mightygnu

No that is just my trip so far with possibly options. I will fill it in over the next couple days and further ask for opinions. I'll ask the hotel, thanks for the idea.

volcanogirl

We love the Lost Iguana, but sounds like you're already leaning toward AOL.

RAC

I would recommend renting a car, however. ESPECIALLY if you're going to be staying at the Arenal Observatory Lodge. Just get a GPS and you should be fine. The car will pay for itself just in saved taxi fares. Tricolor Car Rental is a great option--cheapest rates and they don't try to rip you off.