Sky_King

We (me, my wife, and 10 month old daughter) are going to Costa Rica next week and staying for 10 days. Flying from Phoenix nonstop into San Jose and staying there for 3 days at the Intercontinental San Jose Real. Getting in at 6:20pm the 1st night and renting a car for the entire trip. I realize 3 nights is probably too much in San Jose but our rooms were free and the hotel is nice. Any ideas for day trips from San Jose on our 2nd and 3rd days? I've heard La Paz waterfall gardens are nice. We then head to Manuel Antonio for 3 days and are staying at the La Posada Jungle Bungalows. Looking forward to taking the new highway there. Has anyone traveled this yet? My next to days are up in the air as we have two nights to make our way to Nayara Resort in Arenal. I was thinking Monteverde but then I would have to backtrack all the way around. Maybe Puntaranes or I could make it all the way up to Arenal and stay at a different hotel before Nayara. After two nights at Nayara we then head to Liberia to check in at the Hilton Garden in by the airport. Our flight out is early the next morning. We thought we would drop our stuff off and head to the beaches of Guanacanaste for the day. Any thoughts or must see activities we need to do keeping in mind we have a 10 month old..so probably no zip lining..

Thanks!

volcanogirl

We like the La Paz waterfall gardens, Poas volcano, and the Doka Coffee Estate. Poas can get enshrouded in fog, so get their early for the best view. I'd probably just spend the extra days in the Arenal area; you might like Los Lagos or the Arenal Observatory Lodge for the extra time. The Hanging Bridges are a nice hike, and you could hike the waterfall and swim in the little river there that's at the bottom of the steps. The hot springs are nice as well - Tabacon and Eco Termales are popular.

Kaneez

Hello SkyKing. Our family has just returned from Costa Rica (after a 10 day stay) and we stayed at the Posada Jungle (in the surfer bungalow) ... great location and friendly owner and staff. Estevan makes a mean pizza (from scratch). It is a bit rustic compared to the Arenal Nayara. There is a ton to do in Arenal - since you cannot zipline, you can try the Skytram in Arenal. You get the views on the gondola as you go up and there is a guided trek along level ground included in the price of your admission.
We broke up our stay in Arenal between the Arenal Observatory Lodge and the Nayara. If you have a few days, stay at the Lodge, especially if you have a car (since it is off the beaten path, and it is a $25 cab fare to town). The Lodge has got amazing grounds (waterfall and trails) and a great pool and a suspension bridge on its grounds. We saw a family with a toddler (on their back in a sturdy carrier)at the Arenal National Park, but it is a hike to the old lava area.
I have a trip report on this site with our family activities (we had three children with us, but older than yours) - you may get some info there. Enjoy! We loved it, and got a lot of information from fellow travelers on this site.

cmazza

I think I would skip monteverde and go to arenal. Spend an extra day in arenal or MA. Possible spend two days in guanacasta area.

qwovadis

dokaestate.com POAS

waterfallgardens.com

make nice day trips.

fondavela.com monteverdeinfo.com worth a couple of days

Guanacaste lots farther away you will be doing MA for beach

might skip that.

ruralcostarica.com Rio Celeste is awesome

desafiocostarica.com for other tour options.

skytrek.com for child friendly zip options

Happy Planning,