I am trying to sort out a few details for our short time in Arenal in March and have some questions.

We are going to be flying there and then renting a car. I was thinking about going to LaFortuna Falls right away before heading to AOL. But we will have all of our luggage with us, is that a location where it wouldn't be wise to leave our full car unattended? Are we better off going back after checking into the hotel?

Also, I know we want to visit one of the hot springs, most likely Eco Thermales. Am trying to decide if daytime would be better so we can see the beautiful grounds, but what are the daytime temperatures around there in March? I don't want to sit in hot water if it is hot outside! Keep in mind we will be coming from the Osa where it will be in the 90's.

Finally, am trying to decide if it is worth it to hire a private driver to go back to Alajuela versus Interbus. We wouldn't want to leave Arenal until around noon or later, since we will have such a short time there (48 hours). What types of stops or tourist places are on the way back? We've been to LaPaz. Would we have much time for anything?

Thanks for the help and Happy Birthday to Hip, Shillmac, and Vgirl!

Hi janenicole,

The end of the year is coming so quickly that your trip will be in sight before you know it!

I haven't been to the Falls in La Fortuna, so I have no idea if they have a guarded lot or not, but I think I'd be stressing out about the luggage the whole time if I risked leaving it in the car (but that's just me!). I know it would be a bit of a haul to drop it off at AOL and then head back to the Falls...

You could always aim for sunset-ish at Eco-Thermales to get the best of both worlds! ;-) There's another recent post where Pat Hewitt mentions he had reservations at ET from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. which would fit the bill for you.

The drive back to Alajuela from Arenal will take 3-ish hours. If you haven't been through Zarcero, Sarchi and Grecia before, that would be a nice scenic route to consider, with possible stops to see the well-known churches and maybe do a little shopping in Sarchi.

We drove part of that route last year. I have photos if you want to see some of the sights along the way:

http://cmerrell.smugmug.com/gallery/...37315617_RDd2c

Thanks for your thoughts! Your pictures are really helpful (I remember seeing those now in an earlier post)! Los Chorros falls looks very nice - is that fairly close to Alajuela? I'm not much into shopping when on vacation, but the little towns and churches look interesting. How far is Poas once you get into the park? I know in the afternoon we may not see the crater, but if it doesn't take long to get there, might be worth a try.

As usual, great advice from cam.

I agree with her all the way around. Not a good idea to leave your car at the falls. We've driven there, but you really can't leave your car with anything in it anywhere. I'm not even comfortable with paying someone to watch where that is an option (and I doubt it is at the falls). They are nice, but aren't the most exciting thing about the area, particularly if you've been to La Paz.

The weather is always pretty agreeable at Arenal, nice temps. I don't think I've ever been really hot there, but have only been there end of December and June or July.
The hot springs have always felt good.

To me, Poas isn't much with the crater view. I'd consider that a waste of time (I say this because we have been there twice with a great view and twice without any view).

The route that takes you back through Zarcero (my favorite), Sarchi, and Grecia is terrific--a wonderful road. That would be a fun way to spend a day for sure. In that case, I'd hire the driver and let him show you the sights. If it's just a quick transfer back you decide on, I'd go with Interbus. . .

Thanks janenicole for the good wishes!

Thanks for more good advice, shillmac! We will head directly to our hotel, then maybe take in the falls if we have extra time, or if we venture back into town.

I am going to check into drivers for our return to Alajuela.

Regarding Los Chorros, the falls are fairly close to Alajuela, but it is a bit of an adventure to get to them!

There's a turn off in the little town of Tacares, sort of halfway between Grecia and Alajuela (if I remember correctly). It seems like it was only about 15 or 20 minutes to get to Tacares from Orchideas which is on the outskirts of Alajuela. The turn off to the falls is marked with a small sign and then you drive and drive past cute little houses and sugar cane fields, eventually coming to another small sign that points up an unpaved track. We made a wrong turn off of that track and ended up in someone's coffee fields! We were able to get ourselves headed back in the right direction, down the curvy little road to the falls. I think it would take about 40 minutes to get there from Alajuela (if you don't get lost ;-) ).

It was a nice off-the-beaten-track experience ro be sure.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! I agree with everyone else, don't leave anything in your car. I wouldn't consider that to be safe anywhere these days unfortunately. I'd say do Eco Termales in the evening so you can enjoy their delicious meal; the chicken is great and served family style with salad, veggies, etc. We really enjoyed it. It's a nice setting too and the temps will be a little cooler in the evening. We loved Eco T; I don't think you need to go during the day to enjoy it; it's not as showy as Tabacon.

Thanks, cmerrel and vg. Gosh, if we clear customs quickly upon arrival at SJO (won't count on it), we could maybe take a trip to Los Chorros since we are staying at the Orquideas Inn. Feel like we have to utilize every bit of time we have in CR! Thanks for the directions.

Think we will do the evening Eco - we can quickly get a view of the grounds before it gets dark.

Hey lady, I remember the parking lot at La Fortuna being away from the main area. I don't think I would leave my luggage in it. Lots of people go past it and you'll be far away from it going down to the falls. Don't chance it.

It's a short ride from the hotel to the falls so you can do it at anytime during the day. Also, it's a much easier climb than the steps at the Pacific Trail.

Ha, mixter! We should be able to RUN up that trail after doing the Pacific Trail at Bosque!