FAQ'S

The following are some of the questions we are asked most often. Please read through them and see if your question has been answered. If not, feel free to email us at: info@hoteljardinesarenal.com and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

What is included in the room rate?
Our delicious fresh fruit & full breakfast is included in your room rate. Also, unlimited access to our Dairy Farm and free internet service, free parking lot. Taxes are included in the rate.

How far/long is the drive to Jardines Arenal Lodge from San José?
The drive from San Jose should take about 3.0 hours, taking the route by San Ramon de Alajuela. Jardines Arenal is located about 123 kilometers from San José.

What is the best way to get there?

You can either drive yourself or you can request a ground transfer through our office when making your hotel reservation.
The cost of the ground transfer (shuttle) is $ 39.00 US person each way. Pick-ups are made from the major hotels in San Jose, Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio and Limon. You can book this service in www.interbusonline.com.
Also private transfers can also be arranged with us, just send an e mail to info@hoteljardinesarenal.com

Private transfers are available from San Jose Airport to Jardines Arenal at any time for approximately $125 each way, for up to 4 people. There is a charge of $20 for each additional person. Other destination are available, please contact us info@hoteljardinesarenal.com
Air Transfers Schedule
There are available private chartes from San JosÈ to Arenal at any time
for up to 5 people. Also there are 3 flights every day from different areas of Costa Rica, please inquire us any time for schedule at info@hoteljardinesarenal.com

How far is Jardines Arenal from other popular destinations within Costa Rica?
Manuel Antonio: 5 hours
Liberia (main city that leads to Guanacaste beaches): 3 hours;
Monteverde: By Car : 4 hours; Car/Boat/Car : 3 hours; Horseback: 5 hours.
*Transfers to these locations and others can be arranged through our tour desk.*

Can I fly to the Arenal area?
The domestic airlines offer daily routes to La Fortuna/Arenal. Private charter flights are available upon request and local airlines now are flying 3 times a day to La Fortuna Airport.

What is the weather like? What kind of clothing do I need?
The temperature is mild year-round. Because we are located in a tropical rain forest, you can always expect light rain on and off throughout the day. We suggest that you bring a light rain jacket. Other suggested packing items are: good walking/hiking shoes for tours, bathing suit, sandals/flip-flops for the hot springs resort, shorts, t-shirt, casual clothing for the evening. Occasionally, it can get chilly in the evenings, so a sweater or light sweatshirt is also recommended.

What kind of tours do you offer while at the Lodge?
Click on Tours & Activities, for a complete list of what is offered in the area. If you would like to make reservations or have any questions, please email our tour desk at info@hoteljardinesarenal.com
Can I rent a car while in the Arenal area?
Yes, contact our tour desk at info@hoteljardinesarenal.com for more information.

Can I rent a car while in the Arenal area?
Yes, contact our tour desk at sales@hoteljardinesarenal.com for more information.

Is the volcano clear every day/ night? Will we be able to see eruptions?
The weather is very unpredictable in this area, so the volcano could be not clear every day & night. However, there is a good chance you will be able to hear the eruptions, and if you are lucky, you will get to see the eruptions as well. Upon the guests' request, our front desk offers a wake-up service if the volcano should become clear during the night. You can arrange this at the hotel.

How close can we get to the volcano?
We recommend that you view the volcano from the hotel and the hot springs, or that you take a volcano tour with one of the recommended tour operators in the area. Check Tours & Activities for descriptions of the volcano tours.

Is there Internet access at the hotel?
Yes, in reception area. Internet access Wifi in the rooms is available.

How to get to Jardines Arenal?
If you're coming to the Jardines Arenal from San Jose recommend that you take the shortest and most scenic route, passing through the small town of San RamÛn de Alajuela, approximately 56 kilometers from the capital. The trip from San Jose to Jardines Arenal Lodge takes approximately 3 hours. We recommend driving during the morning or early afternoon, before dark, as you could run into thick fog in the late afternoon and after sundown, especially during the green season
(May-December).

Driving instructions from San Jose:
1.Take the Inter-American Highway North (it will pass the Juan SantamarÌa Airport) until you reach San RamÛn (approximately 56 km from the Airport). The entrance is on the right-hand side of the highway and you will see a road sign for Arenal Volcano.
2.Turn toward San RamÛn and continue straight on the main road until it hits the main avenue cutting through the city. Turn left and continue two blocks to the San RamÛn Hospital. There you'll see another sign telling you to turn right, following the road to La Fortuna town. Along the way, you'll come across two more signs for Arenal Volcano.
3.Follow the signs to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano. You will pass through a number of small towns, such as Los Angeles, Balsa and then Bajo de Los Rodriguez, where you'll come to a toll-booth (close) in a fork in the road. At this toll booth you'll turn to the right. Continue through to the town of Santa Clara, crossing over a small metal bridge to reach it, and then turn to the left when you reach a small square. Then, you will drive through a few more towns such as El Tanque (3 km before get to the property).

We wish you a safe journey, and hope you enjoy your stay at Costa Rica.

Directions to Jardines Arenal from Liberia or the Guanacaste province beaches.
If you are driving to Jardines Arenal Lodge from the Liberia International airport or from any of the main beaches in the Guanacaste Region, from Papagayo to Tamarindo, we recommend driving west to Liberia, continuing on to Cañas and Tilarán, and driving the scenic road bordering the Arenal Lake. The drive from the beaches should take between 4 and 4.5 hours, depending on the point of departure.

1.From your beach destination, follow the main road to the city of Liberia. If you are coming from any of the following beaches: Langosta, Tamarindo, Grande, Flamingo, Conchal, Potrero or Sugar Beach, the drive will bring you back to the town of Belen—a town that lies on the road that connects Santa Cruz with Liberia. Turn north towards Liberia, driving through the city of Filadelfia. Driving time to the Interamerican Highway is approximately 50 to 65 minutes.
2.If you are driving back from Papagayo, follow the road back to the Liberia International Airport, turn north towards the city of Liberia. The drive should take 40 minutes.
3.If you are driving from the following beaches: Ocotal, Hermosa, Coco, Panamá, follow the road that ends near the city of Filadelfia on the road that connects Liberia with Santa Cruz. Turn north, driving past the Liberia International Airport, reaching the Interamerican Highway at the outskirts of the city of Liberia.
4.Once you’ve reached the main crossing from the road into the city of Liberia that intersects the Interamerican Highway, turn right onto the Interamerican Highway, on the road to Cañas, Puntarenas and San José.
5.Drive past the entrance to the town of Bagaces, reaching the city of Cañas. Turn north into town, departing from the Interamerican Highway. Follow signs to Tilarán.
6.Drive for about 30 minutes to the outskirts of the town of Tilaran. Turn away from the main entrance to the town, following signs to the Arenal Lake and Volcano.
7.Within 15 minutes you will reach a fork on the road. Stay on the left, following signs to Fortuna, and Arenal Volcano.
8.Stay on the scenic road that takes you around Lake Arenal. Drive for about 90 minutes, passing the town of Nuevo Arenal and the dam that forms the lake. At this point, you will depart from the Lake and continue east towards the volcano and the town of La Fortuna.
9.Stay on this road for approximately 25 minutes, until you see La Fortuna Downtown.
10.Continue through to the town of La Fortuna, crossing over a small bridge stay on this road for approximately 3 minutes, until you see Hotel Jardines Arenal.
11.We are located 2.5 km. east of La Fortuna (1.5 miles)

If you need assistance, please call the hotel's front desk directly at 2479-9728
We wish you a safe journey, and hope you enjoy your stay at Costa Rica.