Arenal Volcano / La Fortuna Costa Rica Suggestions?

[JustAnotherGen]

My husband and I got a great price on tickets yo San Jose, Costa Rica next month.

Anyone have ideas for La Fortuna/Arenal hotels?

Key Points -

1. We are renting a car. We both used to travel that way when we were single - a rental car/train pass - easy to carry luggage and go on the spirit's good humor!

2. White Water rafting and super active things are not for me. Have A.S. and back is naturally fused so could cause a hospital visit. Really for adventure I'm looking for a hiking type tour around the volcano. But - maybe my husband can go get crazy with himself and I can do a hot springs/spa treatment? Want to compare those to the ones his mom took me to Calabria Italy last summer.

3. Arriving from San Jose Airport around noon on April 18th and then taking off for other parts on April 20th.


I'm also digging online and seeing that La Fortuna seems to be a cool little town. I'm wondering - do I just want a breakfast deal so that we won't feel tethered to the hotel for dinner at night?


We are thinking we'll leave there and head down to Jaco so we can do a day trip to Manuel Antonio. Then back up north the last day to just chill at an all inclusive.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. The only place to stay is the Blue Iguana!

Google it! You will absolutly LOVE it! Not only that but price wise, for that area, it is moderate. You cam spend a lot more at the resort hotels in the area but you will not be as happy.

Edited to add that all rooms have views of the volcano and you can see the lava flow at night.

Also to add that every morning you wake up you will think you are in a Tarzan movie.

[cbayer]

2. I went several years ago and loved it.

We stayed on the Pacific Coast in a vacation rental. This place was far from the nearest town, but there were local people who would shop and cook when we asked.

It was beautiful, remote and had fairly easy access to areas we wanted to see.

Maybe not for you, but you might want to check out vrbo.com and home away.com if you are interested in getting a house or cottage.

Have a great time.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. cbayer

I normally use home away in Europe. That's also where my husband rents out the Italy apartments from.

I think I wanted to be catered to the second half of our trip though! This is a first anniversary and 40th birthday combo trip for me!


I think I found the Iguana place - I've reached out to one of the in country tour operators to see if I can combine with hot springs trip for me and I think my husband is rapelling off a waterfall? Or jumping out of a helicopter? Or - lord knows what he'll get into by himself!

[cbayer]

5. Nothing wrong with being catered to, particularly for a big event like this!

Should be lovely. I really love it there.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

4. It's called the Lost Iguana now? Either I misremembered or they changed the name.

It far exceeded my expectations.