Hotel Arenal Carmela in La Fortuna

zuletzt aktualisiert am 05.01.2010

The Hotel Arenal Carmela is the best Hotel and resort near La Fortuna Arenal Volcano area.   Services:   - Tourist Information services - Souvenir Store - Transfers - Parking lot - Laundry service - Rent-a-car - International phone calls - Arenal Carmela Hotel offers many services for all their guests. - Our experience in the tourism business helps us to identify the customers' needs

Wegbeschreibung

It really depends where you are coming from of course, but the following should cover most bases:

- If arriving via the Central Valley (San Jose):

There are three possible routes. The nicest is over the Poas Mountains, the most direct road is via San Ramon. By night you should take the road over Ciudad Quesada. The average trajectory is about 3.5 to 4 hrs from the airport.

Please drive carefully, in Costa Rica drivers tend to be careless. If you get lost, please ask the local people: they like to help you. We do not recommend you drive at night, unless impossible otherwise. If possible, it is advisable to plan your departure to arrive before 5 PM at the Hotel.

The sunsets are usually very romantic and you will be able to appreciate the beauty of our location upon arrival.

- Via the Poas Volcano:

Take the normal road to the volcano, either via Alajuela, either via Heredia. There is also a direct road, leading from Cariari to Santa Barbara De Heredia, but that road is difficult to find.

Once up the mountain, you can visit first the Poas. The best time is about 8-9 in the morning, before the clouds cover the crater. There is a guard in that parking, but do never leave valuables in the car.

Once on the mountain, search for a location called “Varablanca”: it is on the road #120 leading from the Poas to Heredia. There, at the gasoline station, turn to the nord, direction San Miguel.

You will have now a splendid mountain road, with nearly no holes. But not very large neither. You will see several splendid waterfalls.

15 min after the gas station is at the left site the entrance and restaurant of the La Paz waterfalls: a must if it is not raining. There is a Parking guard.The trip down takes 2-3 hrs.
At the entrance of San Miguel, turn left for 270° and take the renewed road to Aguas Zarcas.

In the middle of the village, turn to the north (right), and after some 10km, to the west (left) (there is a volcano sign there), (road #4)

In Muelle you have to cross the road #35 and continue to the West until the end of the road and turn to the South (left) direction El Tanque.
After +- 5 km you arrive in the latter village. Turn to the west (right) direction La Fortuna.
From La Fortuna, just go straight to the Catholic Church and you will find the Arenal Carmela Hotel at the left side.

- Direct Road over San Ramon:

From the airport, head to the West, the “Pan American” road, with a lot of traffic. After 45-60 min, leave the “highway” for SAN RAMON. You can cross the town straight on, and at the end of the main street, turn left, and at the traffic lights there to the right, heading North. You pass the Hospital of San Ramon, and from now on you have a quiet mountain road with nearly no traffic. It takes about 60 min from San Ramon to Bajo Rodriguez.

At the free toll house, turn to the right, as the bridge near La Tigra is in a dangerous state.
After 5 miles you pass two special bridges, and at the soccer field turn to the left.
A good road will lead you to La Fortuna. Be aware, there are some dangerous curves of 90°.

- Tourist road over Ciudad Quesada:

This road takes more time, but permits to see some tourist towns.
From the airport, drive to Alajuela, and take there the Western ring (turn left when you arrive in Alajuela). Just before the cemetery, this is at the left, turn left too: this road leads you to the scenic town of Grecia. Please visit the church. Next, be a champion, and find the road to Sarchi This road has very nice views on the coffee farms, and you can buy wooden handcraft everywhere.

Continue to Narjio, and from there to Ciudad Quesada. Half way is the little town of Zarcero , known for its garden in front of the church, which looks as made in candy.
Arriving in Ciudad Quesada, cross the town straight on, and next it goes over the village of Florencia. When the road there makes a T, take to the left, direction La Fortuna.
If arriving via the Pacific Coast:
There is only one road leading over Canas, Tilarana, Nuevo Arenal
Calculate 1 ½ hr from Canas to the Arenal Carmela Hotel.