Costa Rica map
Map to Arenal 
We do not recommend driving at night because you will miss the great scenery. Our winding roads are in poor condition, only one lane in each direction -not fun when meeting a bus or a big truck with reflections in your windshield and your lane is narrow and without a shoulder, no (or faded at best) painted lines, no street or direction signs and road side assistance is practically nonexistent after 6 pm. Drive during the day - it's nicer and safer!
Because we are near the equator the sunrise is roughly at 5:30 AM & sunset is at 5:30 PM all year long Calendar of sunrises, sunsets and moon phases for Arenal Costa Rica
Driving San Jose / Arenal there is 3 routes on this map to Arenal. Shortest: blue, via San Ramon 3.5 hrs. Cultural: green via nice villages including Sarchi the country's handicraft capital, 4 hrs. Natural attractions: purple, 4 hrs + 1.5 hrs to visit Poas Volcano National Park ($6 pp, gets cloudy @ 9h30 am, be there when opens @ 8h am, 1 hour drive from airport) + 1.5 hrs to visit La Paz Waterfalls ($17 pp, private).
Arenal to or from Monteverde Cloud Forest: 4hrs. A 4x4 is strongly recommended for road clearance as there is many unexpected potholes and 50% of this route is a dirt road in poor condition. There is only 1 way, via Tilaran. Some maps are showing a road on the south side of the lake but it is impassable most of the time because there are 7 streams and rivers without a bridge. For shortcuts alternatives & more info, see: Arenal Volcano to Monteverde Costa Rica
Arenal / Tamarindo via Cañas: 5 hrs. Arenal / Jaco 4 hrs, / Manuel Antonio (Quepos) 5.5 hrs via San Ramon / Atenas / Orotina. Arenal / Sarapiqui 2 hrs. Arenal / Puntarenas: 3 hours. All routes are scenic, 1 lane, Sunrise @ 5h30 am & sets @ 5h45 pm. Drive during the day.
We are working on new maps to Arenal including a more detailed one for the Guanacaste region in Costa Rica: Rincon de la Vieja, Santa Rosa National Park, Liberia, Liberia airport Costa Rica, Sugar Beach, Pochote, Potrero, Naranjo, Cabuyal, Ballena, Hermosa, Coco, Ocotal, Flamingo, Brasilito, Conchal, Playa Grande. Tamarindo, Langosta, Manzanillo, Ostinal Refuge, Ostional, Nosara, Guiones, Samara, Punta Islita, Caletas, Mal Pais, Cabo Blanco, Montezuma, Playa Tambor, Paquera & Puntarenas, Tempisque & Palo Verde. It should be ready in a couple of days.
Waterproof Costa Rica Map The best Costa Rica map by far. We use it almost everyday (even the smallest roads around Arenal and Monteverde are there). Because it's waterproofed with a plastic film you can write notes on it or draw your itinerary with an erasable white board maker). Link goes to Amazon.com so you can get more info. Shipping delays can be long but you can use the ISBN number to get it in any good book store near your home.
