We will be in Arenal (3 nights) & MA (4 nights) - we want to white water raft (level 3) and zip line. Suggestions on where; location and tours. Thanks.

I have not done rafting in CR yet, but I have done the Sky Trek ziplines in Arenal. They are a lot of fun; several big, long lines with sweeping views of the volcano and Lake Arenal. You ride a tram up to the first platform and zip down from there. If you do a little searching here, you'll see lots of recommendations for Sky Trek.

Thanks. Searching I find many websites. All ascend with the Sky Tram and descend with the ziplines. Is there an actual company called Sky Trek?

Here's a website for them. They have operations in Monteverde as well:

http://www.skytrek.com/index/index.html

Looks like you can book just the ziplines or tram, or do a combo of both which is what we did. We were able to book the excursion through our hotel in Arenal. Most hotels offer a tour desk where you can get advice and book local tours. I would also recommend a visit to one of the hot springs in the area, and possibly the Cano Negro Wildlife Reserve as well, if you'd like to see wildlife and a mangrove ecosystem (we did this with Sunset Tours and had a great time). You'll also have lots of wildlife viewing opportunities in MA...

I'd go with Sky Trek in Arenal as well. Check out www.riostropicales.com for rafting. I know you can go out of Arenal.

Hi, volcanogirl gives a great place by Arenal. There is also good rafting and canopy tours in Sarapiqui. You don't use a sky tram to go up, it's all ziplines.

Also, Manuel Antonio has a good canopy, and it's relatively close to Pacuare river which is great rafting.

Hope this helps,
Marina K. Villatoro
http://travelexperta.com

Titi Canopy tour was a great time in Manuel Antonio.

Thanks for the great information. Has anyone done a whitewater rafting tour with Quepoa Expeditions out of MA? Also any reviews on Eco Termales and Baldi hot springs? I thnik both are in Arenal area and the price is the same. Thanks again. Barb

Eco Termales is the favorite hot springs on this forum. It's beautiful, peaceful, very relaxing, limited to 100 people per session, so never overcrowded. You can choose to have dinner here also - chicken dinner is better than the beef!

You may want to reserve this in advance (not sure when you are going) since it is limited admittance. Many hotels can do this for you or I think arenal.net may have the option also.

I haven't been to Baldi, but it does not generate the great reviews that Eco T. does.

Enjoy!

Definitely go to Eco Termales. We went there on our last trip and loved it. The dinner was great, drinks were affordable and done on the honor system. We met people who couldn't get in to Eco Termales and had to go to Baldi, and they didn't like it at all. They paid $10 per drink there. Ours were $3! Tabacon is also popular, but Eco T is our favorite.

Eco thermales are the most eco, rustic baths. They are great, because they do only permit a certain amount of people at a time. I've been to both Eco and Baldi. I loved Baldi, it's totally different because it's much more upscale. So it really depends on what you're looking for.

Have fun!
Marina K. Villatoro
http://travelexperta.com

Anyone have any information about Arenal Springs Resort? I think it is a newer hot springs. We keep hearing conflicting reports about Tabacon. Mainly overpriced and crowded. Thanks.

Arenal Springs is the new resort opened by the owner's of the Peace Lodge. It gets good reviews and looks very posh. It's very new so there won't be a lot of information out about it yet. We went to the hot springs at Tabacon, and it was pretty, but it was loud and overcrowded. Lots of tourists gets bussed to Tabacon to use their springs. We loved Eco Termales - it's locally owned and has a great chicken dinner and good drink prices. I like that they limit entry to 100 people. It's very popular on the board.