Arenal on Limited Time
 

Hi all - I'm looking for suggestions on how to best utilize the limited time I have at Arenal. Staying at Lost Iguana for two nights, but that only gives you one whole day. Stopping at Volcan Poas, La Paz and possibly Doka Plantation on the way up. Doing zip lines in Monteverde, so don't need to do it here. Really want to see the lava if possible...I guess that would be at night or early a.m. Will be horseback riding in MA so that would be out as well. Any suggestions would be appreciated as always.

Ahhh - Lost Iguana is SO awesome. We also spent two nights and felt it was enough. Driving ourselves we made good time from San Jose so the first evening had a good dinner - the food is awesome there, and were LUCKY to see the lava flow from our private patio that night!! In the morning, definitely go out to the National Park, just a few km back towards town, and hike to the lava fields if you can. That was really neat and takes a couple hours maximum. We found if we got out early enough we maximized our chances of not getting wet. While we were there the volcano was rumbling and spitting out rocks the whole time. It was quite amazing. We were out of there by 11 or so and went to Tabacon to check out the hotsprings. This was really pleasant at that time, and even though it was a little rainy we spent a few hours in the springs and at the swim up bar. However, it gets mega touristy by 4 when the tour buses arrive so you'll want to bust out of there by then. It's a bit Disneyesque when it's crowded. We also heard that the food wasn't good there so ended up eating back at Lost Iguana again. So that's basically what we did but felt fulfilled in the experience. We met other people who had ridden horses out to the big waterfall there which they enjoyed, although apparently it's a huge trek up and downhill to the actual falls on foot. I think you could get there without horses as well. The hotel has some packages you can do that take you on a hike and to the hotsprings but I liked doing it ourselves. They also have info on other activities so you can figure it out when you're there. Oh, by the way, the complimentary breakfast at LI is excellent! ENJOY!!!

Yes you can drive to the La Fortuna Waterfall - any way you get there you have to hike down and back. It is worth it - beautiful falls!

You hopefully will see the eruptions from your room.

Hiking, hotsprings and waterfall - would be my thoughts.

Thanks for your input. I like the idea of a hike in the lava fields, will do the La Fortuna Waterfall and keep our fingers crossed on a lava sighting.

We enjoyed an early afternoon visit to Tabacon, then returned after dinner to see what it was like at night. At least that gives you something to do after the sun goes down when there isn't much else going on.

There is also a Night Walk Tour at the Hanging Bridges, see http://www.arenal.net/tour/hanging-bridges/