Slinkie_dawg

If the lava flow is really shifting, what hotels would you expect to have the best view June 1 ?

How do the Los Lagos and Lost Iguana compare?

Is it true that if I take a taxi at the airport to pick up my Alamo rental car (instead of using their service desk) I can save the 12% tax?

Thanks in advice.

SD

arbegold

You have to be lucky to see the lava flow. We arrived about 1PM and saw lava rolling down the sides and steam puffs. About 5PM the clouds rolled in and we didn't see the volcano again..and we were there for another full day. We stayed at the Paraiso Arenal. Floor to ceiling windows in our cabin. Cost about $100.00 per night with good b'fast. Eat dinner elsewhere.
Most of the rental agencies are not in the airport and you'll pay the 16% tax no matter where your rent the car.

hopabout

Hi,
I was just up there yesterday.... clear as a bell for two days then yesterday it clouded over heavily.

The flow at the moment is best observed from Observatory lodge.

Stay anywhere you wish... and go see the flow at night. IF it will let you.
Steam comes out all day long. Depending on the amount of moisture in the air depends on how much hangs around after the small erruptions. June is rainy.... so the air will have more moisture. That absolutey means nothing... it will let you , if it lets you. Every moment is differnt, not just every day.

Today, it is best seen at the Observatory Lodge, by April 15, who knows where it will be coming down.

Hot spots are everywhere.

Excellent views from: Tacotal, Moñtana de Fuego, Arenal Paraiso... lots of them, Fuego Arenal... you feel like you can almost touch it.

I don't know about your Alamo question... write to them.

HOP

eshain

I am planning a trip for this summer to Arenal. I was wondering, what is a btter p;lace to stay: Arenal Lodge (room with a view of volcanoe) or Tabacon (no view of volcanoe)? I am looking to stay at a nice A/C resort but want to see the vocanoe as well.

Thanks

TravelTeach

I'd go with the hotel that you prefer. Having stayed at the Arenal Lodge, I'd recommend Tabacon. Arenal Lodge is way up top on the mountain, far from everything. The view was nice but as others have responded, it's often hidden by the clouds and mist. I was there last July and most people that I spoke to were able to get a good view of the volcano from most Arenal hotels. Though I didn't see the rooms there, Tabacon Lodge seemed to be the nicer of the two hotels.

TripleSecDelay

I have photos of inside the standard room at Tabacon - if anyone needs them emailed. Maybe different than their website... Use your AAA card to receive 10% discount. We did.

dfarmer

I would opt for a room with a view.

We saw it 3 times in our trip.

Once briefly while sipping coffee on our porch at Arenal Paraiso real early in the morning.

Once from my bed when I woke in the middle of the night.

And while on a night hike.

So if we had not had the view, our experience seeing the volcano would have only been the night hike.

Millie64

RE Arenal. We loved Los Lagos. Don't know if it is airconditioned because it wasn't hot (see website). Has it's own hotsprings so could go anytime you wanted but much more low key compared to Tabacon. Given how hit or miss it is to see the volcano AND how spectacular when you do, I'd stay in a hotel with a view to up your chances. The hotel will call you if you want and wake you up to see it (it's worth it!).

Re the rental car. We rented from Tricolor Rental (based on info on this forum) they were great and actually came and got us for free.