Arenal - M.A.
 

Which is the best, quickest, most interesting route?

thanks...

We drove from MA to Arenal. We followed the coast from MA to Barranca (very scenic)and then went inland to San Ramon. That stretch of road was very scenic and curvy. At San Ramon we followed signs to Arenal. That stretch of road was probably the most beautiful and scenic of our entire trip!! Very lush, green, mountainous and serpentine roads. For awhile we were on the top of the mountain with gorgeous views on both sides. We also passed by green, lush farms with cattle and sheep. I don't know if this is the quickest route, though. We left Quepos at 9;30am and arrived in La Fortuna at 5:00pm; however, we took our time & made 3 stops along the way (including lunch).

A very beautiful drive through the mountains (unbelievable vistas!) is to go from Manuel Antonio to Orotina, to Atenas, then across the highway to San Ramon and up to La Fortuna.

On our honeymoon we will be renting a car & driving from Quepos to the Arenal lodge. Would one of these routes be recommended for that?

Sorry, johng, I reversed your itinerary! But I think it's pretty much the same in reverse. If interested in the Orotina route, check with the hotel at Arenal for best way to cross the highway. You may have to jog back east a couple of km (on the Interamerican) to take the road down to Atenas. We've done all these roads, but never in one trip.

airwayvz--should be the same.

Whoever is in the know about routes...do you know anything about windsurfing there as well? Tilawa seems to have a monopoly on windsurfing gear and lessons. Any alternatives elsewhere on the lake?

Instead of taking a whole day to drive, my boyfriend and I have decided to do the $21-25/pp taxi-boat-taxi transfer from Monteverde to Arenal. Here are some links for more into. Good luck!

http://www.monteverdetours.com/trans...ex.htm#mv%20ft
http://www.transportationmonteverde...._boat_taxi.htm
http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/costa-...sportation.htm

M.