Hello,

I'm planning to head down to Costa Rica this March for a couple of weeks of sailing on Lake Arenal. Got a sweet deal on tickets from Seattle [$375 return after taxes!!]

I'm wondering if people who have been there before can share any experiences? Where to rent gear and car? Where to stay? What to see? Where to eat? etc.

Any tips and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Adam

Great price.If you are taking windsurfing gear,there will be steep charges.Check with the airline,well in advance.There are a few websites for accommodation,and equipment rentals,all not cheap.Car rentals are very expensive ,and the thieves all have keys.Do not leave anything of value in any Vehicle.Lake Arenal is quite a ways from the capital.Where you fly in to.Traveling by bus,is impossible if you have windsurf gear.Kite gear,is much different story.Put gear in golf bag,keep it light as you can.Spread your clothes to a separate bag,also light as you can.Beautiful county,windy.The wind overland.Killer chop at the lake.Gusty and strong.Bugs rule.Snakes are plentyfull.And scorpions can be deadly.Check the hotsprings near the Volcano.Sweet.Hope this info helps,cheers.

Thanks for the info!

We are flying direct from Seattle to Liberia without any windsurf gear so that makes things a bit easier. Our plan is to rent a car once there.

Probably spend 7 days or so sailing and the rest of our time traveling around doing some sightseeing.

Any recommendations on rental places? Has anyone rented from Tico Wind or Tilawa?

cheers,
adam

I was working in Cañas last March. It was about a 25-30 minute drive to Lk. Arenal. We drove up one afternoon. The wind was good. There were two windsurfers out on 4.2's. Something to keep in mind though if you have non-windsurfers with you,......... even though it was 30C and sunny in Cañas, up at the lake it was cold and drizzling rain. The mountain makes it's own weather which comes in from the east. Good price for your tickets. Have a great trip.

Hi Adam,
We were in Costa Rica in March 05 and had one of our best vacations ever. We flew into Liberia, arriving in the evening, rented a car and drove to Hotel Tilawa. Had no problem finding it in the dark. The hotel looks great on the website but was actually in need of updating, but we were only there for 4 days so it was fine. Great views,nice pool and food in the restaurant wasn't bad. A short walk or drive down the hill and you're at the windsurf rental shack. They had lots of gear (Real Wind Boards were nice) and were happy to carry it to the water for you. The rental shop on the opposite side of the lake had JP boards. Conditions were choppy and gusty but it was sunny, warm and NO Sharks. My daughter learned to waterstart there. Make sure you try out the ziptrekking at the end of the lake. http://www.skytrek.com/english/textos/t ... verde.html This was such a blast. Surfing in Samara and Tamarindo were other highlights. Don't expect to sleep in much cause the Howler monkeys prefer you wake up at 5 am. Driving was as adventure, beware the potholes that swallow small cars. We had no problem with thieves, they all live in Victoria. Have a great trip. Cheers BettyAnn