Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of La Fortuna. If you have your own wheels, Muelle can be a quaint, quiet base for visiting
Arenal and environs.
The
Centro Turistico Las Iguanas
(Iguana Bridge; 2462-1107; mains US$6-12)
is a pop-
ular spot for tourists en route from La Fortuna to Caño Negro - but not for lunch. Count-
less iguanas hang out in the bamboo above the river, providing a great photo op.
A 24-hour gas station lies at the intersection of Hwy 4 (which connects Ciudad Quesada
and Upala) and Hwy 35 (running from San José to Los Chiles). From Hwy 4 you can eas-
ily catch Hwy 32, the main artery serving the Caribbean coast.
Sleeping & Eating
Hotel La Garza
LODGE
( 2475-5222;
www.hotellagarza.com
; d/tr incl breakfast US$108/124, 2/4hr tours US$35/55;
)
As soon as you enter the landscaped reception - via a graceful suspension footbridge -
you know you are somewhere special. This upscale lodge sits on a 700-hectare working
dairy ranch and citrus plantation, with views of the Río Platanar and far-off Volcán Arenal.
There are 12 classy, polished wooden bungalows, as well as tennis, basketball and volley-
ball courts, and 4km of private trails.
Tours include horse rides through primary and secondary tropical forest, and rapelling
inside a strangler fig. La Garza is about 5km south of Muelle in the village of Platanar.
Tilajari Resort Hotel
RESORT
( 2462-1212;
www.tilajari.com
; d incl breakfast from US$112; )
This country club turned luxury resort has well-landscaped grounds overlooking the Río
San Carlos and comfortable, well-appointed rooms. The extensive list of amenities in-
cludes a lovely pool area, racquetball and tennis courts, a restaurant, sauna, spa and butter-
fly garden, plus access to the neighboring 400-hectare private rainforest reserve with sev-
eral trails.
The resort is 800m west of the intersection at Muelle, on the road to Ciudad Quesada.
Bar La Subasta
RESTAURANT
