Sabalito Guide Lake Arenal, Costa Rica
From San José to El Cielo
about 4 hours
If you go by bus: The bus is around 1500 colones or $3. The buses depart San José 7.30am, 9.30am, 12.45pm, 3.30pm and 6.30pm.In Tilarán, take a taxi to Sabalito. This should be about 3000 colones.
If you go by taxi: Pay no more than $120. If the driver won't do it for that price ask him to find someone else who will. They will usually find you one. Tell the driver to go by way of Cañas. This is an hour shorter than to go by way of La Fortuna even though it doesn't look it on the map.
If you go by rental car: Follow the signs to Alajuela, then, when you see the airport in Alajuela do not go into Alajuela but follow the signs to San Ramón and then Cañas. In Cañas follow sign to Tilarán. There will be a T-crossing as you leave Cañas. Take a left there. You will see the windmills that are around lake Arenal ahead of you and to your left. As you enter Tilarán there will be a steep uphill. Eventually there will be a very sharp left you have to take. This road will go down, then cross a bridge and then steep uphill until you pass a gas station. This is the last gas station if you are planning to stay in the Sabalito area. Then take the next paved road left. You will see the lake and you will be going clockwise around it. You will pass Hotel Tilawa and the Tilawa Water Sports site. Then there will be a sign for Hotel Pizzeria Mystica. Stay to the right at that fork. You will follow the road around the lake. Pass Rock River Lodge. A couple of minutes later the driveway to El Cielo will go up steeply on your left. There is a sign. Go up that road. Eventually there will be a right turn that will lead to the retreat.
