Guidebook for Lake Arenal and around
Food Scene
Great View and Good food. Excellent smoothies. Definitely a favorite. Open during the day. Nice spot for breakfast or lunch!
29 locals recommend
Cafe & Macadamia
Great View and Good food. Excellent smoothies. Definitely a favorite. Open during the day. Nice spot for breakfast or lunch!
Fresh food, only a 2 minute drive from the house. Can also be a nice take out option. I like the Fish Margarita with Potatoes. Closes at 9pm usually.
The restaurant right next to it has good ceviche for take out as well.
17 locals recommend
Restaurante Brisas del Lago
Fresh food, only a 2 minute drive from the house. Can also be a nice take out option. I like the Fish Margarita with Potatoes. Closes at 9pm usually.
The restaurant right next to it has good ceviche for take out as well.
Fine Dining. By far my favorite restaurant in the area. Chef Eyal has the skills! 40 minute drive. Highly recommended!
Can get 1/2 orders of most menu items
20 locals recommend
Gingerbread restaurant
Fine Dining. By far my favorite restaurant in the area. Chef Eyal has the skills! 40 minute drive. Highly recommended!
Can get 1/2 orders of most menu items
Little Italian restaurant run by a couple from Italy. Casual. Homemade dishes. Good salads, Lasagne, and Pizza.
15 locals recommend
Los Platillos Voladores
Little Italian restaurant run by a couple from Italy. Casual. Homemade dishes. Good salads, Lasagne, and Pizza.
Local BBQ. Accompaniment is the sides of rice and beans . While waiting for the food, ask for a flash light and be sure to check out the rock discotheque that was built in the back. (Sometimes they have dance parties).
EQUUS BBQ
Local BBQ. Accompaniment is the sides of rice and beans . While waiting for the food, ask for a flash light and be sure to check out the rock discotheque that was built in the back. (Sometimes they have dance parties).
Drinks & Nightlife
Great Craft Beers. You can order a sampler and try them all. My favorite is the dunkel. While you are there, see if you can meet George, the brew master, who brews the beer directly below the bar. Not wild about the food. Have enjoyed the Aztec Soup though. Friends say the Volcano burger is good. Usually open till 10 pm. Open everyday.
12 locals recommend
Lake Arenal Hotel and Brewery
142Great Craft Beers. You can order a sampler and try them all. My favorite is the dunkel. While you are there, see if you can meet George, the brew master, who brews the beer directly below the bar. Not wild about the food. Have enjoyed the Aztec Soup though. Friends say the Volcano burger is good. Usually open till 10 pm. Open everyday.
This is somewhat of a local cowboy bar. They make bocas (small eats) which rotate daily. Great for a drink and snack. When in Tilaran, I often stop in and have arroz con pollo. Raves for the fried chicken (only available at night)
Bar Tilawa
This is somewhat of a local cowboy bar. They make bocas (small eats) which rotate daily. Great for a drink and snack. When in Tilaran, I often stop in and have arroz con pollo. Raves for the fried chicken (only available at night)
Parks & Nature
Viento Fresco Waterfall
Great hike with 5 waterfalls!
Beautiful blue waterfall. Moderate hike. Would recommend hiring a guide to see the insects and reptiles. Hiking can get muddy and waters not as clear if it has been raining a lot.
105 locals recommend
Tenorio Volcano National Park - Rio Celeste
Beautiful blue waterfall. Moderate hike. Would recommend hiring a guide to see the insects and reptiles. Hiking can get muddy and waters not as clear if it has been raining a lot.
Lots of wildlife (monkeys, sloth, and more), birds, and easy jungle hike. Would recommend arriving early (as soon as the park opens) for the best wildlife viewing. Hire a guide with a telescope too.
141 locals recommend
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Carretera a Reserva de MonteverdeLots of wildlife (monkeys, sloth, and more), birds, and easy jungle hike. Would recommend arriving early (as soon as the park opens) for the best wildlife viewing. Hire a guide with a telescope too.
This hotel offers day passes, that include lunch. You can soak in natural hot springs in the jungle. They also have three pools of varying temperatures with a swim up bar. Small hike to a carbonated spring as well. Hot Springs in nature are magical! My favorite hot springs (tabacon is probably 2nd)
26 locals recommend
Rio Perdido
This hotel offers day passes, that include lunch. You can soak in natural hot springs in the jungle. They also have three pools of varying temperatures with a swim up bar. Small hike to a carbonated spring as well. Hot Springs in nature are magical! My favorite hot springs (tabacon is probably 2nd)
If you’d like a great chance to see a sloth-(if you don’t see one Outside!) you can go here and hire a guide.
7 locals recommend
Bogarin Wildlife Trail - Sloths, Frogs, Birds & Much More
Calle 480If you’d like a great chance to see a sloth-(if you don’t see one Outside!) you can go here and hire a guide.
Essentials
Megasuper Tilaran
Almacén Zamora
Offers the best selection for imported foods in Tilaran.
Activities
Beautifully landscaped hot springs near Fortuna. Popular with tourists. Probably my favorite hot springs this side of the lake (rio perdido is my favorite in CR). Tabacon is a 5 Star resort with luxury springs. On the other side of the bridge next to Tabacon, are the free hot springs, which are popular with the locals.
30 locals recommend
Tabacon Hot Springs
Beautifully landscaped hot springs near Fortuna. Popular with tourists. Probably my favorite hot springs this side of the lake (rio perdido is my favorite in CR). Tabacon is a 5 Star resort with luxury springs. On the other side of the bridge next to Tabacon, are the free hot springs, which are popular with the locals.
Great spot for zip lining. They also have a tour (sky limit adventure course) that includes zip lining, canyoning, rappelling, ropes and other activities.
Best to make reservations :
https://skyadventures.travel/arenal/
43 locals recommend
Sky Adventures Arenal Park
Great spot for zip lining. They also have a tour (sky limit adventure course) that includes zip lining, canyoning, rappelling, ropes and other activities.
Best to make reservations :
https://skyadventures.travel/arenal/
Nice walk for families or if not wanting anything too strenuous, great for bird watching. For best sitings go early (and hire a guide to see the most).
101 locals recommend
Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park
Nice walk for families or if not wanting anything too strenuous, great for bird watching. For best sitings go early (and hire a guide to see the most).
Sustainable farm. Has a great tour and amazing lunch buffet
https://www.ranchomargot.com/activities
Rancho Margot
Rancho MargotSustainable farm. Has a great tour and amazing lunch buffet
https://www.ranchomargot.com/activities