Take a Walking Tour around Turtle Cove – check out the views below the villas and walk down to the lake access where you can swim in the lake (be careful, it’s very deep). Bring your fishing pole and catch dinner if you’re so inclined! Enjoy the infinity pool overlooking the lake and offering amazing sunsets.
Take a Horseback Ride – located just 10 minutes (or less) east of Turtle Cove on your left on the main highway, look for El Establo Arenal outdoor restaurant and stables. Owner Alex will take you up to a ridge where you can see Lago Cote on one side and Lago Arenal on the other.
Tour the Arenal Volcano National Park – located about 45 minutes around the lake to the east, this is a must do. The National Park is open daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. You can also check out the Arenal Observatory and Lodge plus hiking trails (easy and not so easy).
Sky Trek-Sky Tram – is located past the entrance to the Arenal Observatory and Lodge. Zipping along nearly two miles (three kilometers) of cables, you will see the rain forest as well as get a panoramic view of the volcano and lake from a whole new perspective. You can take the Sky Tram up to a wide platform where you can sit down and enjoy the view, then either ride back down the same way you came up on the Sky Tram or opt for the more exciting Sky Trek canopy top zip lines. Rated highly by Trip Advisor, it will be an adventure you won’t forget! www.skyadventures.travel/Arenal.
Go to Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park – just west of the dam at Lake Arenal on the paved stone road to your left – Enjoy traveling the forest on 15 bridges (6 of which are hanging) in front of the Arenal Volcano. Self-guided and guided tours available plus horseback riding, boat tours and more. www.misticopark.com; 506-2479-8282.
Go to a Hot Springs – there are many to choose from, including: Tabacon, Baldi, Los Lagos, The Springs Resort and Spa, and Termales Los Laureles (popular amongst the locals and very inexpensive and you can bring a picnic and sit under a covered picnic area with grills.
Hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall – from the back of the church in La Fortuna you’ll see a sign pointing south to the La Fortuna-San Ramon Road (Hwy 702) – go 1 kilometer toward San Ramon and turn right up a country lane. The entrance to the waterfalls and Cerro Chato is 4 kilometers from there.
Monteverde – A pretty easy (but very bumpy in Monteverde) 2 hour drive west, this is a wonderful place of cloud forests and coffee plantations, monkeys, mist and friendly locals. Enjoy tours through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve (horseback rides, canopy tours, visits to the museums, coffee plantation and cheese factory). While in Monteverde, go to Selvatura Park where you can choose from a Canopy Tour (19 platforms and a Tarzan Swing), Treetop Walkways, Butterfly & Hummingbird Gardens, and Reptile & Amphibian or Insect Exhibitions.
Tenorio National Park – (famous for the Rio Celeste waterfall – where the 2 rivers meet and the water turns blue) – look for hot springs just beyond. The 3-4 hour hike takes you to the waterfall and onto a beautiful turquoise blue lake. After your hike be sure to drive past the entrance to the bridge over the river (just a short distance) and take in the views.
Viento Fresco Waterfalls – located on privately owned land located about 15 minutes past Tilarán off the road to Monteverde. They offer a restaurant, horseback riding, guided tours, and a picnic area. www.vientofresco.net.
Free Waterfall – another waterfalls outside of Tilarán is located off the road to Libano – go through Libano to a yellow house on your right and turn right at the road just before it, cross a bridge and the entrance will be immediately to your left through some large metal gates. Not great in the dry season.
Boating on Lake Arenal – call Darrell Holley (he lives off the stone road to Turtle Cove) for a fun lake trip on his 25’ pontoon boat equipped with floats, a porta-potty and trolling fishing poles- 506-8964-1041.
Centro de Rescate Las Pumas –a Rescue Center for wild animals located approximately 4.5 km north of Canas off Highway 1. www.centrorescatelpumas.org.
Cortez Waterfall – one of the best and easiest to access waterfalls in Costa Rica, it’s located approximately 5 km north of Bagaces off Highway 1- entrance is from east bound highway only, so take the first turnaround past Bagaces, look for sign advertising a hotel and turn on the stone road before the metal walkway
Beaches – located about 2 ½ hours from Turtle Cove, you travel through Liberia and go on to Playas Panama, Hermosa, Del Coco, and/or Ocotal . A little farther away are the beaches of Flamingo and Tarmarindo
Adventure – For the adventuresome: let Desafio Adventure Company (located behind the church in downtown La Fortuna) take you river rafting, canyoneering, horseback riding, mountain biking, or on nature tours. www.desafiocostarica.com.
Places to Eat
El Corral – just 2 km east of us is this family owned restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner every day except Tuesdays. The chef is excellent, service wonderful and food very reasonable.
Lucky Bug Gallery – located just a short hop east from Turtle Cove is this friendly B&B with a great gift and art shop. Monica serves breakfast and lunch. She also books excursions/tours to nearby destinations.
Moya’s Place – on the main street in Nuevo Arenal – An excellent pizza place that also specializes in delightful entrees – located across from the gas station in Nuevo Arenal.
The Gingerbread – located just a short distance east of the town of Nuevo Arenal, this is one of (if not the) finest gourmet restaurants in Costa Rica. Eyal (the chef and owner) will delight you with tasty dishes and fine conversation. Be sure to call or e-mail for reservations as they are required: gingerbreadhotel@gmail.com (www.gingerbreadarenal.com) 506-2694-0039. Credit cards are not accepted.
Rancho Tinajas Arenal Restaurant – outside Nurevo Arenal, head towards the T in the road as you travel down the large hill heading east out of town. From there, look for the black signs. Amazing sunsets and views of the lake and volcano plus excellent food in an outdoor setting.
Casa Italia Nuevo Arenal – Authentic Italian food including pizzas and vegan dishes. Open for lunch and dinner; also order homemade breads weekly. Go to base of 142 out of Arenal, turn right and follow signs.
Los Platillos Voladores – on the far side of the soccer field in Nuevo Arenal, next to Banco Nacional – great homemade Italian dishes and pizza – available to go – Tuesday thru Sunday 10a.m.– 6 p.m. 2694-5005.
Equus Bar & Bar B Q Restaurant – located west of us (15 minutes or so) on your right just before you get to a narrow bridge – some of the best ribs, beef and chicken we’ve ever eaten along (smoked on a wood fireplace/grill) with sides of black beans, rice, plantains and salads – ample portions at a very reasonable cost. Check out the disco in the woods above the restaurant.
