I know they give these out at the Lodge, but my 6 year old loves going over trail maps (we hike a lot at home) and we thought he'd love to peruse the map before we go to Costa Rica. I can't seem to to find one online. Does anyone have a scan of it or something, or know where it may be posted online? Thanks!

John

Maybe you can email the lodge, and explain the situation.

Folks in the service industry tend to be very helpful. Perhaps they can scan a copy, and email it to you.

Hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer any more advice.

Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
Travel Professional

It is on the AOL website here. The map you get at check in is the same.

http://www.arenalobservatorylodge.co...operty-map.php

The one thing I'll say about AOL, is that customer service really isn't their strong point.

But I'd still recommend it as a place to stay, especially if you get view of the volcano from your room!

You might consider buying some of those laminated animal i.d. cards before your trip. Kids seem to get a kick out of those. Rainforest Publications sells them if you're interested.

mlgb: Wow, how did I miss that? Thank you!

Pat: Thanks for the advice!

volcanogirl: I already have them, both the animals and birds only. They have been checking them out and love them, thanks for the suggestion.

Oh, good, hope you have a great time!

Thanks! And thanks for all your helpful posts on this board, I've read so many!
Even noticed you're quoted in the Fodor's guide

Ah, true, and a lot of us have photos in there which is pretty cool. Did you see the one of hip's daughter with the monkey?! You guys will have a lot of fun. I think it's great that your son is so interested.

I disagree with mlgb (as usual) about customer service at AOL. Every stay I have had there has been really good and with attentive and smiling customer service.

Suggest you check the TripAdvisor reviews. I am not alone. But I would still stay there again, the property is worth the rudeness and indifference at the front desk.

Someone posted this video of getting to the main road from AOL on their hotel review on Tripadvisor. (The reviewer loved AOL, btw.) I watched it with my kids and thought I would pass it along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuDbo5IlWhI

Funny, we watched it with the kids the other day! The road doesn't look THAT bad.

I thought the same thing - the whole thing looked paved to me!

Thank you for that video. We never thought that road was bad at all. It's too bad so many bad posts scare people away from it.

Really, on the scale of Costa Rican roads, it isn't that bad, just partly gravel and rutted, but no large missing sections or car-swallowing holes. Just dusty and bone-rattling in sections, especially if you have a crappy SUV like a Jimny.