In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Tilarán
Use Tilarán as a base for Lake Arenal windsurfing and the drive between Guanacaste and La Fortuna: one night is enough unless you windsurf.
Tilarán is a small, quiet town on the western shore of Lake Arenal in Guanacaste. It is a base for windsurfing and kitesurfing on the lake, and a stop on the road between Liberia and La Fortuna. Most visitors pass through in a day or stay one night.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Nov (rainy season, windsurfing possible but wetter)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡15,000–25,000 excl. bed · Mid ₡25,000–45,000 excl. bed · High ₡45,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | ₡1,000–2,000 |
| Casado (typical lunch plate) | ₡3,500–6,000 |
| Beer (local) | ₡1,200–2,000 |
| Bus Tilarán → Cañas | ₡1,500 |
| Taxi within town | ₡2,000–4,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIR · Liberia (Guanacaste)
- About 1.5 h by bus and shuttle; check
Typical fares
- Bus Tilarán → La Fortuna
- about ₡2,000–3,000, 1.5 h (check)
- Taxi Tilarán → La Fortuna
- US$60–80 (₡30,000–40,000)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walkable town centre. For the lake and Volcano Brewing Company, take a taxi or drive. Buses to Cañas, Liberia and La Fortuna leave from the local bus station.
See and do
Known for
- Windsurfing and kitesurfing on Lake Arenal
- Lake Arenal views
- Volcano Brewing Company
- English-language bookstore Casa del Agua
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| La Fortuna | Direct bus from Tilarán bus station at 12:15, about 1.5 hDirect bus from Tilarán bus station at 12:15 PM, about 1.5 h | About 1.5 h |
| Monteverde | Shuttle or taxi via the lake road, about 2 h | About 2–2.5 h |
| Liberia | Bus via Cañas, about 1.5 h total | About 1.5–2 h |
Sleep
- Town centre
- Close to bus stop, restaurants and shops; basic hotels.
- Lakeshore (Route 142 west of town)
- Cabins and lodges with lake views; need a car or taxi.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Holaoh-lah |
| Thank you | Graciasgrah-see-ahs |
| How much? | ¿Cuánto?kwahn-toh |
| Where is the bus station? | ¿Dónde está la terminal de buses?don-deh es-tah lah ter-mee-nal deh boo-sehs |
| The bill, please | La cuenta, por favorlah kwen-tah por fah-vor |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus to La Fortuna leaves at 12:15 from the local bus station; check the schedule.
- Lake Arenal can be windy; bring a windbreaker.
- Some unpaved roads around the lake; a 4×4 is useful in the rainy season.
Tilarán is a safe, quiet town. The main risk is the winding lake road at night; drive carefully.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tilarán yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Windsurfing and kitesurfing on Lake Arenal
- Lake Arenal views
- Volcano Brewing Company
- English-language bookstore Casa del Agua
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Tilarán, revision 4944699 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4944699
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Tilarán
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
US dollars are widely accepted; colones are better for small purchases.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/tilaran). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.