By car · Full day · about 152 km in total
Around the lake via Tierras Morenas, wind turbines, volcanoes and Tilarán
A loop on the Guanacaste side of the lake, with views of the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes, wind farms, Río Piedras' painted rocks and two free Tilarán lookouts.
It is the longest road day in the guide, but every stop is free. You head out on Route 142 to Nuevo Arenal, go up towards Tierras Morenas and Río Piedras, come down to Tilarán and return along the lake. Leave early.
Step by step
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Nuevo Arenal
FreeNuevo Arenal · 45.6 km from the central park
First stop in the town that moved because of the reservoir.
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The road to Tierras Morenas and the painted rocks of Río Piedras
Free with conditionsTilarán
12.4 km · 17 min from the previous stop
On the road to Tierras Morenas you see the lake and the Tenorio and Miravalles volcanoes. In Río Piedras, look for the murals on the rocks and the wooden bridge.
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Tilarán
18.2 km · 25 min from the previous stop
Go up Cerro Tovar for the 360-degree view, with wind-turbine blades all around.
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Tilarán
1.2 km · 3 min from the previous stop
Come down to downtown Tilarán, its park and cathedral.
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Tilarán
5 km · 7 min from the previous stop
On the way back along Route 142, stop at this lookout to see the lake and, on clear days, the volcano.
Back to La Fortuna: 69.6 km · 1 h 28 min
Route map
The plan's stops. Distances are driving estimates calculated with OpenStreetMap.
Before you set out
- We could not confirm whether the road to Tierras Morenas is paved or gravel. Ask in Nuevo Arenal before heading up.
- The lake road is very winding, and it has closed due to landslides in heavy rain. Check alerts before setting out.
- Look at the wind farms from the road; the land is private or belongs to ICE.
Sources
- Municipalidad de Tilarán – Distrito Tierras Morenas Official
- Municipalidad de Tilarán – Distrito Tilarán Official
- Delfino.cr – Primer parque eólico de América Latina reinicia operaciones en Tilarán National media
- Costa Rica Vibes Travel guide
- CR Hoy National media
- Enrutador FOSSGIS/OSRM sobre datos de OpenStreetMap (routing.openstreetmap.de) Map
Text updated: