No, HOTEL GUESTS can wonder around after hours. Those times are for those just coming for the tours. Also you need to be out of the room by a certain time, but they allowed those that had a later flight out to stay and enjoy the place for the day and put the luggage out of the way for my parents and brother. They are very accommidating.

We left luggage while trapsing around at all our destinations as we seemed to arrive early too. The hotels are usually very freindly. I didn't have issues with any of them really.

You would have time to go down to the aviary, the frog exhibit, maybe the snakes and butterflies too. They will gladly watch your luggage, I had to wait about an hour til my room was ready and just went down to the Trout Bar (better option than the other cafeteria style place imho) and had lunch. Make sure you sign up for the frog tour at night and be prepared for them to jump on you! Very interesting.

We actually arrived between 3:30 and 4 and checked ou the butterfly house before walking along the river and going up and down to each of the waterfalls. The only issue with this plan is that LaPaz runs a shuttle from the lowest waterfall back up to the entry but if you hike the river later in the day you'll miss the shuttle and have to hoof it back up the hill. Seeing the waterfalls later in the day meant there were no crowds which for us was a bonus. We had no trouble leaving our luggagae behind the front desk when we checked out in the morning before seeing more of the grounds.

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks everyone!

We decided to stay at the peace lodge since it is just one and half hours from the san jose airport...and we didn't wish to stay in san jose...sounds like the gardens are wonderful...are there other activities we should consider while in this area?

Thank you.

Poas Volcano is 30 minutes away. We left the Peace Lodge at 7:30 and arrived at Poas at 8 (when it opened). By 9:30 we were back at the visitor center and ate "breakfast" at the cafeteria (It doesn't open until 9). I am glad we got there at 8 because at 9 the tour and school buses had arrived and it was very crowded.

We were back at the Peace Lodge by 10.

NJ-EMT

Did you drive yourselves or use a tour or driver to go to Poas? We will be there in 26 days and planned on doing this.

I drive a lot of people there all the time and about 99% of them LOVE the gardens...nice hikes...

But about 50% make fun of the FLINSTONES rooms...amizing as somebody from Canada was saying...in a tropical country...who can have PLASTIC flowers or have the rooms and some public areas full of fiberglass fake rocks!

If you see Fred...said HI!!

Luis Road Advisor

Just buckle up and enjoy the ride in paradise!!