CRdreaming

Hi,

I am struggling to decide where to stay in Tortuguero (Tortuga Lodge or Pachira Lodge?) and in Arenal (Hotel Los Lagos or Volcano Lodge?). If you've stayed at any of these places, could you please let me know what you thought?

I will be traveling with two other adults but am taking a side trip on my own (to Selva Bananito), which will require me to stay in San Jose by myself for a night. Has anyone stayed at Hotel Aranjuez or Cinco Hormigas Rojas, or any other special places to recommend? I don't want to spend too much, and I don't want a touristy or noisy place.

Thanks very much for your help,
Gaby

Molly2

Hi CRdreaming, I have stayed at Cinco Hormigas Rojas {Five Red Ants}. I can best describe it as "unique". I think that some people would love it, others not. My husband and I definitely enjoyed the place and its personable, welcoming owner. Mayra is a wonderful artist {lots of nudes}, and has created a sort of sanctuary in the midst of the city, with trees and flowers and bats flying around at night. Rooms are simple, but very clean and comfortable. Mayra was always there to greet us when we returned there after each leg of our journey, stored our luggage for us, and helped us whenever we needed advice or help. We felt that we had a friend in a strange city. Bathrooms are shared, but Mayra was in the process of building an efficiency with kitchen and private bath. For about $12, Mayra will arrange to have a safe, friendly driver waiting for you at the airport. Breakfast is included, but only fair.

Cafe Mundo is an excellent restaurant located right across the street from Rojas Hormigas Rojas.

shillmac

Thanks, Molly2! I was thinking this was the place you mentioned having stayed at when we met you at Savegre. I was hoping you'd confirm it!

And I am glad to know the location as well. We have eaten at Cafe Mundo, so we could at least find it! We might stay there sometime--IF we ever stay in the city again!

TripleSecDelay

CRdreaming : I found this for you using the SEARCH THIS FORUM feature.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34536450

Called "Best Hotel in Arenal".
Details on Los Lagos and Volcano Lodge.

dcmalia

We recently stayed at Volcano Lodge. It's clean and the grounds are beautifully landscaped, lots of orchids. There is a porch facing the volcano and we did see lava tumbling down the sides and spurting out of the top. That was at night. We couldn't see the volcano from our bed, however, so I had to stop watching it when I wanted to go to sleep. There was a TV in the room. The bathrooms were nothing special, cinder blocks, but it was OK for one night. There is a pool but we didn't use it. The restaurant was fine, breakfast was free, so that was cool. It was basically a good place for the price. I do think that if I went back, I'd want to stay at Montana de Fuego though. We stopped there to pick up another couple for a tour and it looked very nice. Hope that helps. I have two pics of the place and can e-mail them to you if you'd like. Cheers.

Jessie_

We stayed at Tortuga lodge and really enjoyed it. They have very good guides there and the food was fine. When we wanted to return from a trip across the canal to Tortuguero we just stood on the opposite shore and waved our hands until someone saw us and then they sent a boat across for us.

I will be curious to read a trip report from you regarding Selva Bananito. When are you going? We will be there for a few days in Feb before we head down into Panama. We are anxious to see some of La Amistad and are looking forward to that side of it as well as the southern side in Panama.