Tilaran Travel Guide

Tilaran is the jumping off point for backpackers and other close-to-the-ground travellers exploring the Arenal region in Costa Rica.  In Tilaran, you can sleep cheap, eat cheap, and catch a bus to the surrounding sights. It costs more money to stay closer to the volcano in one of the expensive resorts or Hotels. You can stay in a modest hotel or even a backpackers hostel for a couple bucks a night in Tilaran.  Need cheap eats?  Look for "Soda" - that means "lunch counter."  Order whatever chicken dish is the specialty that day.  Should be less than $3. Costa Rica in general, and Tilaran specifically is not known for nightlife.  But at least here in town, there is a street festival nearly every weekend.  Get out and mingle with the locals and eat street food. Tilaran is where you can find internet access or internet cafe, and find a cash machine.  Once you leave town on your adventure, there will not be phones, internet or cash machines. This is the jumping off point for organized tours.  Stop in any of the tourist offices to book your 4-wheel tour, rent scooters, book your river rafting tour, join a canopy tour, or book a bus tour to the volcano. All our photos: http://www.flickr.com/gp/29511583@N00/4XS088

As you travel out of Tileran toward Arenal the road is unbelievable...rest sit is the correct road travel on!