sessa

cmerrell - Just the garlic bread alone would have been satisfying since it was so good. We each had the filet that was massive and came wrapped in bacon. The mushroom sauce on the side was the icing on the cake!! My mouth is watering now...

sessa

Here is my attempt at posting pictures. Hopefully the link works...enjoy!

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/re...8AasWbNm1Ztmcw

parrmt

Just did a quick scan, beautiful! Loved the report and the pictures. I loved seeing the Kinkajoo. I have not seen one yet in CR, maybe this time.

janenicole

Thanks for the picture link! Enjoyed seeing photos of different scenery and angles I haven't seen posted before.

Tasha440

Thanks for posting the link to your pics, especially helpful to see the jr suite. Now I understand what you mean by having the 'right' bed placement!

Did you use a GPS? Did you find it difficult to get to and around Arenal? We're still debating about renting from Tricolor or hiring a private driver...

shillmac

sessa,
So happy you had a great trip. Amazing, isn't it? I am disappointed that you had a less than pleasant experience with Tricolor. I have heard this complaint before, but it has been a LONG time since it has been mentioned (since before we rented the first time).

I have to say we have never had a negative experience with them, and they have helped us out in a big way a couple of times when we DID have problems (out of many rental times with them). I honestly do not think they intentionally try to claim more "dings" than were originally there and would consider it an honest mistake. All of the employees, except for a couple of newbies, are very familiar to us and they have always come across as reliable people.

The problem seems to me that you got a vehicle that was not up to snuff in the first place. I think it would beneficial to all of us to request in the initial contact with them, a STRONG preference for a newer, less "experienced" vehicle. Not sure it that would work, but it wouldn't hurt to request it. Only once did we get a vehicle that was older, but it worked out okay, fortunately.

I'm glad to hear the people at Poas Volcano Lodge are okay. That's great news!

sessa

Tasha - We liked the flexibility of having our own car, and it was super easy getting around La Fortuna and Arenal. It was a little tricky getting to Arenal from the airport, but just make sure you get good directions from the rental car place and ask for landmarks because the streets and "highways" are not labeled at all. We didn't get lost, but we did have several confusing moments until we saw another volcano sign and realized we were still on the right track.

Shillmac - We rented from Tricolor because it was so well-reviewed on this forum so I am sure we are one of the few people that has had trouble, and we know it can happen with any rental car company anywhere. The people were all very nice, and we have yet to see a charge on the credit card so we are hoping for the best.

I do think your advice is good, though, to ask for a newer car, and I would also recommend taking pictures of the vehicle at pick-up. We were too excited to hit the road, and I figured how much trouble can we have returning a car that is already in such poor condition - my mistake.

We are already thinking about a return trip to CR next year...possibly hitting the Osa Peninsula which I have read so much about on here.

colibri

Sessa,

Thanks for sharing your photos! We will be there in two weeks and hope we see as much wildlife as you did at Cano Negro and Hanging Bridges.

Sounds like you had a great trip and super deal on that airfare, too. Wishful thinking - we don't live anywhere near a hub.

tyrak33

Thanks Sessa! I love this forum! I don't leave until May and I feel like it is right around the corner with all the information and pictures thank you.

We will be staying at AOL and I am trying to decide between the smithsonian rooms and the junior suites. Did you happen to see any of the other rooms to compare? I am not sure whether to pay the extra money or not.

I have a question too about the Eco termales evening you had, did you drive back to the hotel in the dark? I am trying to figure out if that is what most people do if they go after 5-6. We plan to go there for dinner that evening after the Cano negro trip.
Thanks again!!!

tyrak33

Oops! Sorry I just realized that I had some responses to the driving after dark question in one of my earlier posts. Sorry! Thanks everyone

volcanogirl

tyrak, we went as part of a tour, so they dropped us off, but you can also take a taxi back.

sessa

tyrak - The only reason we booked a junior suite is because that was all they had available, and we booked way in advance. I had requested a Smithsonian room because I had heard they had great views also.

From the looks of it, I think the other rooms all looked really great. Of course, not all have a direct volcano view, but the lodge is very small so no matter where you are you can easily get to the great view of the volcano whether it's outside your front door or on the observatory deck.

We did drive back to the hotel in the dark after Eco Termales (we left around 8 or 8:30 to head back), and it was no trouble at all. The driving in Arenal was very easy - you just have to go very slowly on the road to AOL. While at Eco Termales, we heard that 2 beers in your system while behind the wheel can land you in jail for 3 years so just be careful about that of course!

shillmac

sessa, beautiful photos. You have some really nice ones of the volcano and I also liked the kingfisher photo! Thanks for the fix. . .

Andrea_loves_travel

Thank you so much for the reviews. We are only in Arenal for a short time (2 days) so it helps me decide what to do. The rest of our trip we are going to Manual Antonio, Monteverde and a couple days to relax near Mal Pais (on the Nicoya Peninsula). We are going in 11 days WOOOOOO!!!