Sabalito Guide Lake Arenal, Costa Rica
From Fortuna to Sabalito
Follow the signs to the town of Nuevo Arenal and Tilarán. It takes about an hour and thirty minutes. You will have the lake on your left hand side. It is not very far but some parts of the road are in very bad shape. You will pass by Tabacon Hot Springs, then cross the dam. A stretch of jungle follows. In some parts, if you stop, coatimundis will come out of the jungle. Sometimes a group will be as large as 25 specimens. The groups are comprised of females and young. The males are solitary. Coatimundis are related to raccoons. They also like to eat our food. Eventually you will pass by Nuevo Arenal. There is a gas station and there are stores. Follow the main road around the lake counterclockwise. You will pass Caballo Negro and the Lucky Bug Gallery. Then Ecolodge. Eventually you pass through the village of Aguacate. You will pass by Rock River Hotel, and then Equus, both on your right hand side. Eventually there will be a sign for Hotel Restaurant Pizzeria Mystica. To go to Sabalito, turn right and go up the hill for a mile and a half. If you are going to Hotel Tilawa or Tilarán, please proceed along the lake and do not turn right.
Photo by Tom Rentschler