princesa425

I studied at a language school called AEC Adventure Education Center. I was mostly in Turrialba, but spent a week in Dominical. It is tiny, but has a lot of character, constant party atmosphere, and it’s easy to get around once you get there (just need your flip flops…).

It’s a big surfing place, but I don’t surf. Even so, still fun.

San Clemente, Thrusters, and Tortilla Flats are popular hang outs. Several places have ladies’ nights that serve unlimited guaro (yuck…) to the ladies.

If you travel to La Fortuna (probably for Arenal), it is worth a morning’s time to go to La Fortuna Falls. It’s a nice hike (not too hard) and a peaceful, pretty waterfall once you get there. I recommend it. It’s a pretty long walk from the main drag in La Fortuna, so I recommend a taxi. You can arrange for them to pick you back up a few hours later, so you don’t have to wait.

I have been to La Fortuna (the city where Arenal volcano is) two times. Each time, I stayed at a small, local cabina-type place for a mere $10 a night. The owner is very nice, rooms clean and cheery (no frills), and just a few steps off the main road in La Fortuna. I can’t recall the name of the place, but many such as it exist and you don’t need to reserve in advance- just get off the bus stop and there will be people ready to walk you to their cabinas. Also, there is a restaurant called La Parada (near the bus stop or “la parada”) that has very good smoothie drinks and also meals for next to nothing. Good, cheap eats.

For Arenal, I do recommend the hiking tour to get closer and see a lot of the volcanic rock from bigger eruptions.

There are two major hot springs from Arenal. One is onwned/run by the nicest hotel in the area (Tabacon) and the other is Baldi Termae. Baldi is less expensive and very nice.