karenlf

After reading the posts today I realize there are a lot of experts out there. What is the best route to take from Liberia to La Fortuna and then from La Fortuna to Nosara? What do you think is the driving time involved? Thanks so much.

dncee11

I think the best route is from Liberia to Nosara, then on to Fortuna. Liberia is just north of Nosara on the Nicoya peninsula. La Fortuna is east of Lake Arenal and north of the main hwy into San Jose. Take a look at a map of the country to get your bearings.

karenlf

We already have our hotel rooms. We are going to Arenal first and then Nosara and then back to Liberia for the flight. The hotel in Arenal says two and a half hours from Liberia but I have read somewhere it is four.I assume the best route is to Canas and then to Tilaran and then the road around the lake unless someone has another idea.To go from Arenal to Nosara I think Tilaran, Canas, Juntas and then over the water??We have never gone to Nosara except from San Jose. Any suggestions are appreciated.

AndrewW

The road around the lake from Tilaran to Arenal is in very bad shape - I was advised by a local who has a hotel in Arenal and another in Playa Hermosa so he travels that route every week - to go via Upala - it looks way longer on the map (check out www.maptak.com for a super map of CR) but the road is in much better shape and I did La Fortuna to Liberia in around 4 hours but comfortably. Take you that long over the lake but on very very bumpy roads.

You could use this route both ways, on the way back head south once you hit the Interamerica to go over the bridge to get to Nosara... Not sure on how long that will be - I know the roads in southern Nicoya aren't in the best of shape but haven't done that part of the country yet.

Cheers,
Andrew

shillmac

Interesting about the Upala route, Andrew. That lake road is always bad, but I guess with the tremendous amounts of rain it's even worse.

From La Fortuna, I'd head straight south down to San Ramon (about 2 hours or 2.5) then get on the InterAmerican toward the Friendship Bridge (it is on highway 18). From there on to Nicoya (the city), then to Nosara. This route should take you about 6-7 hours, depending on stops. At least you'd see a different part of the country like the Los Angeles Cloud Forest between La Fortuna and San Ramon.