From Arenal to Guanacaste Beaches

Guanacaste Beaches

If you’re coming to Arenal from San José, the Arenal Observatory Leodg is the perfect midpoint, where you can easily spend several exciting days before heading on to the beaches of Guanacaste for sun and sand. Once you get to Liberia, Guanacaste’s provincial capital, the nearest beach is only a hop, skip and a jump away. Only 3 1/2 hours from the Arenal Observatory Lodge are some of Costa Rica’s most popular beaches: Hermosa, Ocotal, Flamingo, Conchal and more…

From Arenal to Monteverde

Monteverde Cloud Forest

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a unique ecosystem, rich in flora and fauna, and home to the Resplendent Quetzal. Like Arenal Volcano, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and its surroundings provide eco- and adventure tourists with a wide range of activities and opportunities. The distance from Arenal to Monteverde is relatively close as the crow flies (you can hear Arenal erupt from Monteverde), but it takes about 4 1/2 hours by car from the Arenal Observatory Lodge, or about 4 hours by horseback.

The drive to Monteverde is quite scenic, taking you around Lake Arenal and through the towns of Nuevo Arenal and Tilaran. A four-wheel drive vehicle is highly recommended. Or, if you prefer, once you reach the town of Tilaran on the Inter-American highway you can catch a bus to Monteverde.

On horseback to Monteverde, the route is considerably more rugged, heading over the mountains through rain and cloud forests to the town of San Gerardo.