You folks have been so helpful so far. Thanks a million!
Can anyone recommend the best (best roads, fastest) route from Manual Antonio to Arenal? We'll leave MA in the morning and head to the Arenal Paraiso.
From the map, it looks like the best route would be to backtrack to Atenas, then head through San Ramon and La Trigra, Fortuna, Mata de Cana....
Is this the way to go? Any idea of how long it takes?
Thanks again!

Hi,
I can't remember the roads, but you do pass through San Ramon and after that it's basically 1 windy road to la Fortuna. We had a few maps with us and we did not get lost. Also, there are plenty of road signs with volcanoes on them. Follow those.

We made a stop at a bridge (can't remember the name, but others here know it) to look at the crocodiles and have lunch. With that stop (1.5 hours, long stop) it took us abut 7 hours from MA to Arenal. We hit a lot of traffic on the windy mountain roads and that slowed us down a bit, too.

It's not a bad drive, and it's very pretty!!

That sounds like the way we've driven from Arenal to MA. As for the travel time, I think it was around 6 hours or so, which included a lunch stop along the way and a gas/bathroom stop in San Ramon. I think once you get to San Ramon, you'll start to see signs w/volcano or Tabacon on them --- follow them. In fact, you may want to go on to the Tabacon website and check for their directions. Your hotel and the Tabacon Resort/Springs are on the same road; you'll get to Arenal Paraiso first. Guestimate that Tabacon is about 1 1/2 - 2 miles further from down road.

TARCOLES -- The bridge that the previous poster stopped at runs over the Tarcoles river and is well worth a look to see the crocodiles.

The route thru San Ramon is best. We tried recommended Interamericana to Canas, and then going east - the road was horrible. One note: after passing Atenas there is a fork somewhere, there was some kind of a brown sign, not much of a help. We took the wrong turn and then the fun began, so keep asking at every fork. After San Ramon it's a breeze, volcano signs and a very colorful road. Be careful: near San Ramon, in a middle of nowhere I was stopped for speeding. A rule of thumb: if not sure at an intersection, keep right - worked for me.

You folks are great. Thanks again for your help.

Another word of caution, if you stop at Tarcoles Bridge, make sure someone stays with the car to watch your belongings. Many people have had their things stolen around there. No armed robberies, just things stolen when your not looking.

You guys are the absolute best! My husband and I are taking our first trip to Costa Rica, flying into Liberia July 10, flying out July 24, and we are driving.( shudder, shudder) Does anyone know what are the best roads to get from Liberia to Arenal, Monteverde/Fortuna, to Manuel Antonio back up to Tamarindo? Thanks so much!