Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This modern hotel attracts traveling business types, who make themselves at home in
simple rooms, dressed up with jewel tones and tiled floors. Service is friendly and effi-
cient. There is a decent restaurant onsite, as well as swimming pool, kiddie pool and hot
tub.
Hotel Cielo Azul
HOTEL
( 2695-4000;
www.cieloazulresort.com
;
per person incl breakfast US$50; )
Found 500m before town coming from Nuevo Arenal, this hillside property has eight re-
cently redone rooms with tiled floors, whitewashed walls and new bathrooms. There are
spectacular views from the pool and grounds, and it even has a spinning studio. Especially
good value for solo travelers.
La Troja
RESTAURANT
( 2695-4935; mains US$8-12; 10am-9pm)
This is a popular stop for Ticos and tourists alike, and rightly so. The attractive wooden
building has massive windows, offering a lovely vista over Laguna de Arenal. Reliably
good Costa Rican fare includes grilled steaks, rotisserie chicken and delicious whole
tilapia.
Getting There & Away
Tilarán is usually reached by a 24km paved road from the Interamericana at Cañas. The
route on to Santa Elena and Monteverde is paved for the first stretch, but then it becomes
steep, rocky and rough. A 4WD is recommended, though ordinary cars can get through
with care in the dry season.
Buses arrive and depart from the terminal, half a block west of Parque Central. Be
aware that Sunday-afternoon buses to San José may be sold out by Saturday. The route
between Tilarán and San José goes via Cañas and the Interamericana, not the Arenal-La
Fortuna-Ciudad Quesada route. Regular services go to the following locations:
Cañas
US$1, 30 minutes, departs 10 times daily from 5am to 5pm.
La Fortuna
US$5, 3½ hours, departs 7am and 12:30pm.
Nuevo Arenal
US$1, 1¼ hours, departs 12 times daily from 4:30am to 3:30pm.
Puntarenas
US$4, two hours, departs 6am and 1pm.
