hazelnut

We are leaving soon for our first trip to CR. You have all been so helpful in our planning I am hoping you can take a few more questions! Where can we get good directions from SJO to Peace Lodge. I'd like to stop en route for lunch if you have recommendations.

We will also need directions from Peace Lodge to Lost Iguana Lodge and then back to SJO.

Next we fly to Puerto Jimenez to spend 4 nights at Bosque del Cabo. We read lots of suggestions that it's a good idea to pick up supplies in town before heading out. How can you keep anything in your room if there are bug issues? Should we bring a couple of bottles of wine? I'd love to have coctails looking out at the view from our cabina (Tucan). Can we get a bottle there?

Any recommendations on small flashlights?

shillmac

You might take your wine, but I wouldn't bother with food. Not a good idea in the cabinas, as you already know!

I am going to give you what I think are the easiest directions to Peace Lodge, through Alajuela. When we go the other way, through Heredia, we eventually find our way, but always get confused as to where to turn to get out of Heredia.

Are you picking up a vehicle? Where? If it is near the airport, then you will have to pass the Hampton/Denny's/Fiesta Casino area to the rental places. Keep your eyes open during the transfer to the rental agency.

Once you have your vehicle, return toward the airport. This is a little longer (15 min), but the alternative is to continue onward toward Heredia, and that, to us, is more confusing.

As you near the Hampton Inn, the road will curve toward your right and into a stop sign located in front of the hotel. The Interamerican Highway will be on your left, parallel to you. Continue on straight, past Denny's, the Fiesta Casino, etc. This road takes you into Alajuela (2-3 min). You'll pass a large Mas X Menos on your left--good place to stock up on whatever.

You'll come to a stoplight that has a McDonald's on the left. Turn right. Continue 2 blocks or so; although the road continues, most of the traffic will turn left onto Alajuela's main road through town. This should be noticeable to you.

You will continue through town, a good distance (passing a large church on your right) until the road turns to the left. Just a few blocks down (maybe 3-4), the large official-looking Tribunal buiding will be on the corner on your right. This is where you turn to take you out of town and on the road toward Poas Volcano (and La Paz Waterfall Gardens). I believe there are "volcano" signs approaching that right turn at the Tribunal de Justicia building.

After 20-25 min. or so, you will see the turnoff to La Paz (at that point, the road continues on toward Poas, which is closeby). Continue on that road, through the little town of Vara Blanca. Peace Lodge will be on your left--5-10 minutes, probably.

Good luck--hope this helps! If someone remembers it differently, please speak up!

You'll also pass the Doka Coffee Estate (offers tours) on the way. It's good to know where that is should you decide you'd like to go there. Beautiful place.

Once it is time to leave Peace Lodge, I'd ask for guidance from the front desk. Also, get yourself a good map. I recommend the Berndston & Berndston from Barnes & Noble.

You just need directions to La Fortuna (this you can follow on the map). From there, you'll see the volcano. Go toward it and beyond it to get to Lost Iguana. Hopefully there will be signs for the hotel. You'll also pas Tabacon Hot Springs.

hazelnut

Thanks Shillmac,
We are renting an suv from tricolor. They said they would be at the airport. Any idea if that means we look for their booth or they will find us?
Also, what time would you leave La Fortuna to return the car and make 1:10 flight to BDC?

shillmac

They'll be out front with your name on a sign and will transport you to their office, up the road about 5 min. That's the road that goes toward Heredia. When they turn off the Interamerican (at the beginning of the transfer--they will get on the IA, then immediately turn left off of it at the stop light); then they will make a right at the Hampton Inn.

Right there, when they turn right, in front of the Hampton Inn, the road also turns left up to Alajuela. . .I think when you see it, it will be clear. So watch carefully and you can see how to get yourself back from the Tricolor office and on the way to Alajuela for your drive to Peace Lodge. . .

What airline to Puerto Jimenez? Makes a difference. . .

You'll need to arrive 45 min. before your flight. Count on 3 hours back from Arenal--if you'd like a cushion, count on 3.5. And hope no accidents block the road!Remember, rental car check in can take a few minutes, depending on how busy they are. . .

If you are flying Sansa, Tricolor can drop you off--only about a 5 minute drive from their office. If you are flying NatureAir, that's 25 min. or so away, and you'll need a take a taxi. . .

Hopefully those times will help you!

3.5 hours (or so) from Arenal

45 min (or so) to check in car and have them take you to Sansa, next to SJO terminal

45 min ahead of time at domestic airline

Allow 30 extra min. if getting to NatureAir in Pavas. . .

I guess you'd need to leave Arenal about 7:00. . .I'd probably be nervous and leave earlier.

hazelnut

We think alike! I've been thinking we should leave at 6! We are flying Sansa. Should I let Tricolor know ahead of time that I'll need a ride to the terminal or is that something standard they do.
Thanks again for all the help. I can't wait to get going!

hipvirgochick

Have a great trip hazelnut. I know you will!

flapenny

Hazelnut, just a FYI when you head to Lost Iguana. You will drive on the main road through the town of La Fortuna toward the dam. As you pass over the dam, look to your right and you will see a road at the end of the dam that literally turns sharply back and down in the direction from which you are coming - this is the road that takes you up (at an alarming angle) to Lost Iguana Lodge.

CBA422

Hazelnut,

We are leaving Tues and I think we have the exact itinerary. Arriving SJO, picking up a SUV at Tricolor, driving to Peace Lodge for 2 nights. Then driving to Lost Iguana for 3 nights. Driving back to pick up a 1:10 Sansa flight to Bdc, staying in La Palma. Our last night is at Xandari. What a coincidence. Your request for driving directions helped me out too! Thanks. I bought a National Geographic map but it doesn't look to helpful, I may be off to B&N.

Flapenny, thanks for info on finding the hotel extrance.

A question for the experts... We were told we can leave extra bags at Xandari before we fly to BdC. Are we giving ourselves more grief by leaving Lost Iguana, finding Xandari and getting on a 1PM flight?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

volcanogirl

hazelnut, you are staying at all of my favorite spots; we even had the Tucan cabin at BdC! They had cocktails readily available at the bar there, so I think you could most likely buy a bottle of wine there. I was bad and had a bag of trail mix in the cabin; I kept it wrapped with a rubberband and then sealed tightly inside TWO Ziplock baggies. I didn't get any critters, but I think maybe I just got lucky! When people say it's good to pick up supplies, I think it's mostly people who are staying in the Casas that cook their own meals and are not on the meal plan. Have a wonderful time!

tully

vg I had some lifesavers myself, bagged up so many times, then double zipped in my duffle it would take forever to get them out! And hazelnut Tucan is great! I dunno if it changes thru the year but when we were there in May it was coati central, they were everywhere at the cabina! There is a nice place to stop (I think it's on the road you'll be on) to Poas called Freddie Fresa's, good typical CR food and a lot of it!

shillmac

hazelnut, there's no need to inform Tricolor ahead of time. They will take you to the airport; in fact they will expect it. It's standard.

CBA422, I'm not sure just where Xandari is, but am sure we've passed by the entrance more than once. It may well be on that road out of Alajuela up toward Poas. Or outside Heredia . .others will know. It shouldn't be too much trouble or take too much time, particularly if you can spot it on your way up!

Another thing both of you might consider on your return to the airport is coming BACK through Heredia. You just make a left there at Vara Blanca. It's a nice drive and will give you a slightly different view of the countryside. Once in Heredia, you'll probably find yourself confused, but a stop or two at a station with mention of "aeropuerto" should glean you some helpful advice! The problem is, you probably won't know when you have officially arrived in Heredia, but it is a pretty good sized town. Not too far in, you have to turn right to continue out of town in the direction of the airport. When you pass the big Hipermas (like Wal-mart) on your left, you'll know you're on the way.

If you get out of La Fortuna by 6:00, this is quite do-able without costing you time concerns.

Either of you speak a little Spanish?

shillmac

CBA422--I googled Xandari, and it is indeed just outside of Alajuela as you head north toward Poas/La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Look for it--should be on your right. It would be an easy stop for you on the way back to the airport.

CBA422

Shillmac,
Thanks sooooo much for the advice, it makes so much sense to look for Xandari when we have more time.

My 15 year old daughter has had Spanish in school for several years now and is dying to use it. Both my husband and I had Spanish in HS and do remember a lot.
We'll try going back thru Heredia.

I tried to reconfirm my res with Tricolor and haven't heard back from them. Was that necessary or am I giving myself something to worry about?

Thanks again for all your advice! I can't wait to leave!

volcanogirl

tully, I think you're the one that gave me the idea of how to reinforce my snacks! I think I remember something about your bringing Skittles along! We didn't see a single coati when we stayed in Tucan in July; I always wonder how the wildlife changes so much from month to month and week to week. But we did see 3 big troops of monkeys swing by one afternoon - one of the most amazing things I've ever seen - howlers, spiders, and capuchins. Tucan has that fruit tree next to it that they seem to love.

cmerrell

Hi hazelnut,

When we stayed at Peace Lodge 2 years ago, they had little pre-printed cards detailing the driving directions from PL to the Tabacon resort in Arenal. Lost Iguana is further along on that same road that winds around the volcano; just past the dam as flapenny mentions.

We also had the Berndtson and Berndtson map (that shillmac always recommends) and between map and card, we managed to find our way successfully to Arenal.

Regarding stopping enroute from SJO to PL for lunch:

1. Be very cautious about leaving your belongings unattended in the car while you eat. The last thing you want is for your luggage to be MIA when you finish your meal!

2. It's only about an hour drive from SJO to the Peace Lodge, so you could always just head straight to the hotel and either eat there, or dump off your stuff before seeking lunch offsite (although there's not a lot of choices close to PL... Colberts in Vara Blanca, perhaps?).

For flashlight recs, I have a small maglite that I take along on trips. It works nicely and has an adjustable beam. My brother took a wind-up flashlight to CR and it was fine too, although it had to be wound every few minutes.

CBA,

We stayed in La Palma at BdC last year. We loved it! My only small complaint was that the king sized bed on the main level was <i>very</i> firm; a bit too much for my personal liking... But the cabina itself (and it's views of the gulf) are really wonderful! Have fun!!