There are two Sabalitos in Costa Rica. We are in the North by Lake Arenal.
From Liberia Airport(LIR) to Sabalito

Follow the airport road to the main road. Take a left and follow this road until you get to a big crossroad with traffic lights. Turn right to Cañas. In Cañas follow sign to Tilarán. There will be a T-crossing as you leave Cañas. Take a left there. You will see the windmills that are around lake Arenal ahead of you and to your left. As you enter Tilarán there will be a steep uphill. Eventually there will be a very sharp left you have to take. There is a restaurant/souvenir shop on that corner. This road will go down, then cross a bridge and then steep uphill until you pass a gas station. This is the last gas station if you are planning to stay in the Sabalito area. Then take the next paved road left. You will see the lake on your right hand side and you will be going clockwise around it. You will pass Hotel Tilawa and the Tilawa Water Sports site. Then there will be a sign for Hotel Pizzeria Mystica leading you to a left turn steep uphill. This road passes Mystica and 2 minutes later you will be in Sabalito.
From San Jose to Sabalito

If you go by bus: The bus is around 3000 colones or $6. The buses depart San José 7.30am, 9.30am, 12.45pm, 3.30pm and 6.30pm.In Tilarán, take a taxi to Sabalito. This should be about 8000 colones.

If you go by taxi: Around $200. Tell the driver to go by way of Caldera and Cañas.

If you go by car: Follow the signs to Alajuela, then, when you see the airport in Alajuela do not go into Alajuela but follow the signs to San Ramón and then Cañas. In Cañas follow sign to Tilarán. There will be a T-crossing as you leave Cañas. Take a left there. You will see the windmills that are around lake Arenal ahead of you and to your left. As you enter Tilarán there will be a steep uphill. Eventually there will be a very sharp left you have to take. This road will go down, then cross a bridge and then steep uphill until you pass a gas station. This is the last gas station if you are planning to stay in the Sabalito area. Then take the next paved road left. You will see the lake and you will be going clockwise around it. You will pass Hotel Tilawa and the Tilawa Water Sports site. Then there will be a sign for Hotel Pizzeria Mystica leading you to a left turn steep uphill. This road passes Mystica and 2 minutes later you will be in Sabalito.
From San Jose Airport(SJO) in Alajuela to Sabalito

If you go by bus: You will have to take a cab into Alajuela and take the bus from there. The bus is around 3000 colones or $6. The buses depart 8.00am, 10am, 1.15am, 4pm and 7pm. In Tilarán, take a taxi to Sabalito. This is about 8000 colones.

If you go by taxi: Around $180. Tell the driver to go by way of Caldera and Cañas.

If you go by car: See directions from San Jose
From Fortuna to Sabalito

Follow the signs to the town of Nuevo Arenal and Tilarán. It takes about an hour. You will have the lake on your left hand side. You will pass by Tabacon Hot Springs, then cross the dam. A stretch of jungle follows. In some parts, if you stop, coatimundis will come out of the jungle. Sometimes a group will be as large as 25 specimens. The groups are comprised of females and young. The males are solitary. Coatimundis are related to raccoons. They also like to eat our food. Eventually you will pass by Nuevo Arenal. There is a gas station and there are stores. Follow the main road around the lake counterclockwise. You will pass Caballo Negro and the Lucky Bug Gallery. Then Ecolodge. Eventually you pass through the village of Aguacate. You will pass by Rock River Hotel, and then Equus, both on your right hand side. Then immediately after that there is a small bridge and a short steep uphill. To go to Sabalito, turn right (it is a wide asphalted road) and go up the hill for a mile and a half. If you are going to Hotel Tilawa or Tilarán, please proceed along the lake and do not turn right.