Crowds at Arenal?
 

Hi folks. We are going to Costa Rica for the first time in early March (9 nights). The plan is to stay at the Peace Lodge the first two nights and Bosque del Cabo the last four nights. We were going to spend the three nights in between at the Corcovado Lodge (tent camps) to mix things up and experience the national park. We are avid hikers and are happy to spend all day on an isolated, rigorous hike. However, postings from this board indicate that hiking in the park is no different and in many cases inferior to hiking on the BdC property. So, we're considering staying at Arenal for three days to experience a different part of the country. We don't like crowds. Will we enjoy ourselves in Arenal or would we be better off spending the time on the Osa? We would like to mix things up, but it seems like it's a given that we will love the Osa. Thanks!

The hiking at BdC is amazing. Even sitting on the front porch of your cabin at BdC is amazing. One day I was relaxing on the porch looking out at the ocean, and an entire troop of howlers went right by our cabin, then a troop of capuchins, and then a troop of spider monkeys. To top it off, scarlet macaws flew by. I asked one of the guides at BdC about going to Corcovado, and he said that we wouldn't really see anything there that we couldn't see right there at BdC, so we gave it a pass. Personally, I would skip Corcovado, and go to Arenal instead just to see more of the country. We loved Arenal, but to be fair we didn't go to Corcovado. Seeing the volcano is really cool. We've hiked in Hawaii, but have never seen a huge conical volcano rising up like that, and to see the lava flow was a big wow moment for us.

Regarding crowds at Arenal, the only spot we went to that was crowded was Tabacon hot springs. We hiked at the Hanging Bridges for hours without seeing anyone and the same thing on our Cano Negro boat ride. Really we even liked just enjoying the volcano view from our balcony. I didn't feel that it was excessively crowded like Manuel Antonio was.

For a very different [and uncrowded] section of Costa Rica consider somewhere like Savegre Lodge [elevation 7200 feet]at San Gerardo de Dota, south of San Jose. Good hiking, great scenery including splendid Oak -Bamboo Cloud Forest and a chance for a day trip up to the Paramo zone above 10,500 feet.

Lots of wonderful birds, including Quetzals and a pleasant Tico owned lodge.

Jerry

Volcanogirl, you made my day. I'm so happy to hear that you can see the Hanging Bridges, etc. in relative peace.

Gannetmusic, we'll also be sure to research Savegre Lodge. Thanks for the tip!

I'm glad, OV - you are going on my dream vacation and hitting all my favorite spots. Lucky you!

I agree with volcanogirl. I also haven't been to Corcovado, but have been to BDC, Peace Lodge and Arenal. I would second everything she said. We saw no one else on the Hanging Bridges, except our guide. There were others at the entrance, but once we started walking we were alone. On the Cano Negro tour, it was also just us and our guide. I think we saw one or maybe two other boats on the river, with families in them. However, it may have something to do with the time of the year! We went the first week in May. However, remember La Fortuna is a town and there will be people around. It has a somewhat touristy atmosphere, but we really liked the feel of it. When we were there, many nights there were only two or three other groups in restaurants. Even at Tabacon Hot Springs, when we went - usually in the evenings, it was not crowded at all. Not that it was empty, but we didn't feel crowded there.

I wouldn't miss Arenal at all, the volcano is magical if you can see it!

Shell, you reminded me of something. OV, I think I would recommend getting a guide at the Hanging Bridges if you want it to be something other than just a nice hike. We didn't see any wildlife there at all, but people who have gone with guides have had better luck seeing howlers, snakes, etc. I would have loved to have seen a snake, as long as a guide pointed to it from AFAR!

Good spots to eat are El Novillo for steaks and La Choza de Laurel for casados and rotisserie chicken. Just so you know, I'm jealous!

I'm glad we got the guide at Hanging Bridges - it was only around $8 more I think and the guide was great! It was our first hike and we learned so much about the rainforest and the area in general. We also did see quite a bit of wildlife that I know we would have blown right past. Not only the monkey's but just our first exposure to the leaf cutter ants, and he pointed out a poison dart frog that there is no way we would have seen, and way down below one of the bridges was a pit viper! Plus just talking to someone who is so passionate about the area and the nature there is fascinating! It made the hike a great way to spend a few hours.