SassTraveler

Greetings all,

Planning our third trip to Costa Rica. We've been to Tamarindo a couple of years ago and stayed at Capitan Suizo. This time we're trying Cala Luna. Any comments? Any restaurant recommendations?

Also, making our first trip to Arenal. Looking at Iguana or Paraiso for hotel. Recommendations? Will we absolutely need a car or can we swing airport shuttle and taxis? How long will it really take to drive up there from San Jose? Again, restaurant recommendations? And for activities it looks like Cano Negro, Bridges and Zip-line are winners. Has anyone white-water rafted around the area? Is the night volcano tour a winner or loser?

Thanks!

Sass

SassTraveler

By the way, we are going Thanksgiving week.

Sass

Mixter603

DH and I stayed at the Lost Iguana Lodge in Arenal. LOVED IT! The location was stunning and you can walk to the hanging bridges. There are trails on the grounds that are marked for guests to take. The restaurant was not that great but that was in February. They may have a new cook by now. We drove from Liberia to Arenal and it only took about two hours. Never did the drive from San Jose. If you are going to be in Tamarindo again, I think it would make more sense to fly in and out of Liberia. Enjoy!

SassTraveler

Thanks Mixter!

Sass

dina4

Hi Sass,
Did you like the Capitan Suizo and the area?
Was looking at it for our trip.

thanks,
Dina

ewesthoff

Take Mixter's advice, fly in and out of Liberia, so much closer. 2 hours to Arenal and 1 -1.5 to Tamarindo. The drive from San Jose is about 3.5 hours, which isn't bad except that the roads are up and down the sides of mountains and hills and are winding. As for rental car, yes, you will definitely want one if you stay at Lost Iguana, which is at least a 20 min, if not more, ride into La Fortuna. Lost Iguana is far from almost everything. One of the best restaurants is El Novillo. Doesn't look like much, but incredible food. As for things to do, the Butterfly Observatory was the best. Herbert took us on a tour that I will never forget. Ask for him, he is incredible and you will learn so much. Butterflies, snakes, armadillos, sloths, Red Eye tree frogs, poison dart frogs and every butterfly imaginable. I hope you have a great time, but don't be disappointed if you don't see the volcano. we were there for three nights and never saw the top.

tully

I stayed at Arenal Paraiso in May & really enjoyed it. Even with the basic standard cabin I had a nice porch with picture perfect view of the volcano, large room with 2 beds & mini-fridge. I didn't have a car and was fine, the travel desk there booked everything for me, except for SkyTrek which isn't one of the offerings but he called them for me nonetheless and I booked it myself (I would definitely recommend SkyTrek, much fun). I got there & back to San Jose via Interbus, very cheap and easy to use.