Getting There & Departing
By Car -- From San José, take the Interamerican Highway west toward Puntarenas, and then continue north to Cañas. In Cañas, turn east toward Tilarán. The drive takes 4 hours. If you're continuing on to Nuevo Arenal, follow the signs in town, which will put you on the road that skirts the shore of the lake. Nuevo Arenal is about a half-hour drive from Tilarán. You can also drive here from La Fortuna, along a scenic road that winds around the lake. From La Fortuna, it's approximately 1 hour to Nuevo Arenal and 1 1/2 hours to Tilarán.
By Bus -- Transportes Tilaran buses (tel. 2258-5792 in San José, 2695-5611 in Tilarán) leave San José for Tilarán daily at 7:30 and 9:30am and 12:45, 3:45, and 6:30pm from Calle 20 and Avenida 3. The trip lasts from 4 to 5 1/2 hours, depending on road conditions; the fare is $3.90 (£1.95).
There are also morning and afternoon buses from Puntarenas to Tilarán. The ride takes about 3 hours; the fare is $2.90 (£1.45). From Monteverde (Santa Elena), there is a bus daily at 7am. The fare for the 2-hour trip is $2.20 (£1.10). Buses from La Fortuna leave for Tilarán daily at 8am and 4:30pm, returning at 7am and 12:30pm. The trip takes around 2 to 3 hours; the fare is $2.50 (£1.25).
Direct buses to San José leave from Tilarán daily at 5, 7, and 9:30am and 2 and 5pm. Buses to Puntarenas leave at 6am and 1pm daily. The bus to Santa Elena (Monteverde) leaves daily at 12:30pm. Buses also leave regularly for Cañas, and can be caught heading north or south along the Interamerican Highway.
Orientation & Fast Facts
Tilarán is about 5km (3 miles) from Lake Arenal. All roads into town lead to the central park, which is Tilarán's main point of reference for addresses. If you need to exchange money, check at one of the hotels listed here, or go to the Banco Nacional. If you need a taxi to get to a lodge on Lake Arenal, call Taxis Unidos Tilarán (tel. 2695-5324). For a taxi in Nuevo Arenal, call Taxis Nuevo Arenal (tel. 2694-4415).
