We will fly into Arenal. Our hope is that we need not rent a car. Without a car, however, our choices may be limited. From what I've read, it sounds like there are some nice places to stay outside of town, and that the town is fine, but one doesn't need to stay there. Without a car, though, that may be the best bet. Anyone with thoughts or adive would be welcome!

You can take a taxi into town for really cheap and it's not too far (a few miles). Most of the sites are outside the downtown area; however as I recall most the restaurants were in town unless you eat at a hotel.

We spent two days in the Arenal area without a car and had no problems. Taxis and tour guides will pick you up at your hotel. If we had stayed 4 or 5 days, then a rented car would have been the way to go.

Thanks for the adice. So, it sounds like staying outside of La Fortuna is fine. I will check Iguana Lodge for availability. Someone suggested Villa Dlcary to us, but it is in Tilarin, along the Lake Arenal shore. My guess is that this requires a car. Am I wrong?

As everyone stated you really don't need a car. Taxies are very cheap and the tour groups pick you up at your hotel/resort. If nither of the two hotels you mentioned are available you should try Palo Verde Resort not only is it a nice place to stay, but is located only 4 km away from La Fortuna which is closer then the other two.

A good suggestion. Thanks. It looks like we will be staying there. My repeated concerns over transport spring only from a previous situation where we were so isolated. Thanks again!

This is just my opinion, but we didn't go to Arenal for the town. We spent almost no time in town...we ate wherever was convenient to our activities. The big draw for Arenal is the volcano, the beautiful nature areas, the activities like the zip-lines, and those aren't in town. We loved the Lost Iguana but we did have a car. From the Lost Iguana, without a car, you will need to get taxis everywhere except you can walk to the Hanging bridges, though it's an uphill walk (we drove, 5 minute drive!)

Hope this helps.