Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8302-7318;
www.ranchomargot.com
; bike rental per day US$15, tours
US$45)
Rancho Margot has a good selection of guided tours, including horse riding on the south
side of Lake Arenal, kayaking on Lake Arenal and hiking to Cerro Chato. If you wish to
explore the area on your own, you can rent a mountain bike for a day.
Sky Trek
CANOPY TOUR
28, Sky Walk US$35/22, Sky Trek & Sky Tram US$77/48; 7:30am-4pm)
El Castillo's entry in the canopy-tour category has zip lines (Sky Trek), a tram (Sky Tram)
and a series of hanging bridges (Sky Walk). It's safe and well run, and visitors tend to
leave smiling. An all-new adventure (Sky River Drift) combines a zip line with tree-climb-
ing (and jumping) and river tubing.
Sleeping & Eating
Essence Arenal
HOSTEL
( 2479-1131;
www.essencearenal.com
; d/tr/q from US$43/54/65, d without bathroom US$32, tents
US$32; restaurant 7am-8pm; )
Perched on a 22-hectare hilltop with incredible volcano and lake views, this 'boutique
hostel' is the best cheap sleep in the Arenal region. Bed down in a basic but clean room or
a fine hippified tent, done up with plush bedding and wood furnishings. It's an eclectic,
positive-energy place, offering group hikes, yoga classes and good vibes.
Guests participate in the loving preparation of vegetarian meals that will delight even
the most hardcore carnivore. If you don't have your own wheels, the hostel can arrange
transportation from La Fortuna. Otherwise, turn left towards the Butterfly Conservatory
and continue 1km uphill to the hostel.
Cabinas Los Tucanes
HOTEL
(
2479-1076;
www.arenalcabinaslostucanes.com
; d/tr/q US$55/65/70, breakfast US$5)
