1st draft of Itinerary to CR...Need Help?
Mar 31st, 2005, 08:46 AM
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1st draft of Itinerary to CR...Need Help?
Okay everybody...we finally have a better idea of our plans for our very first trip to Costa Rica...tell me what you think and whether or not im missing places i shouldn't...
May 2 - Arrive San Jose @ 9:30pm
- Stay @ Hotel Aranjuez
May 3 - Catch Sansa flight to Tambor
- Get ride to Montezuma
- Stay @ El Sano bungalows May 3/4
May 5 - Catch bus to Tamarindo
- Stay somewhere in Tamarindo May 5
May 6 - Pick up thrifty rental @ 7:30am(Rav4)
- Drive to Volcan Arenal (via Canas)
- Stay somewhere @ Arenal May 6
May 7 - Drive to Vocan Irazu (via San Jose)
- Stay somewhere in Volcan Irazu May 7
May 8 - Wake up early to see Guayabo Monument
- Drive to Braulio Car. Park
- Stay in Braulio Car. Park(camp?)May 8
May 9 - Wake up early and drive to Cahuita
- Stay in Cahuita May 9
May 10- Drive to Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo
- Stay somewhere (either PV or Manzan.)
May 11- Drive back to Heredia
- Stay somewhere in Heredia May 11
May 12- Drive to Quepos
- Stay in Quepos May 12
May 13- Catch bus to Manuel Antonio
- Stay in Manuel Antonio May 13/14
May 15- Catch Sansa flight back to San Jose
- Stay in San Jose May 15
May 16- Fly back to Canada!
So...as you can see i need more info about places to stay and things to do along the way...
And thanks so much to all you Fodorites out there!!!
May 2 - Arrive San Jose @ 9:30pm
- Stay @ Hotel Aranjuez
May 3 - Catch Sansa flight to Tambor
- Get ride to Montezuma
- Stay @ El Sano bungalows May 3/4
May 5 - Catch bus to Tamarindo
- Stay somewhere in Tamarindo May 5
May 6 - Pick up thrifty rental @ 7:30am(Rav4)
- Drive to Volcan Arenal (via Canas)
- Stay somewhere @ Arenal May 6
May 7 - Drive to Vocan Irazu (via San Jose)
- Stay somewhere in Volcan Irazu May 7
May 8 - Wake up early to see Guayabo Monument
- Drive to Braulio Car. Park
- Stay in Braulio Car. Park(camp?)May 8
May 9 - Wake up early and drive to Cahuita
- Stay in Cahuita May 9
May 10- Drive to Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo
- Stay somewhere (either PV or Manzan.)
May 11- Drive back to Heredia
- Stay somewhere in Heredia May 11
May 12- Drive to Quepos
- Stay in Quepos May 12
May 13- Catch bus to Manuel Antonio
- Stay in Manuel Antonio May 13/14
May 15- Catch Sansa flight back to San Jose
- Stay in San Jose May 15
May 16- Fly back to Canada!
So...as you can see i need more info about places to stay and things to do along the way...
And thanks so much to all you Fodorites out there!!!
Mar 31st, 2005, 12:22 PM
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dawbydo,
You are going to spend way too much time in the car! Please consider an alternative:
May 2--overnight San Jose
May 3--flight to Tambor, transfer to Montezuma, 3 nights
May 6--transfer to Arenal,
Stop by the airport and pick up a car! Only about 30 minutes out of your way.
2 nights Arenal
May 8--early afternoon, drive to SJO, overnight San Jose, afternoon city tour or museum or two
May 9--early start to Volcan Irazu (Casa Turire would be a nice place to stay in the area, but you really don't have time for these one-nighters you are planning!); tour Irazu/Guayabo, continue on to Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo via Turrialba & Siquirres. 3 nights PV/Manzanillo (visit Cahuita while in the area or on your way back to San Jose you will pass through it).
May 12--early start on return to SJO via Braulio Carillo Parque Nacional, enjoy the park on the way, overnight San Jose or Heredia or Alajuela--Alajuela best overnight stay for your purposes, IMO!
May 13--turn in car and fly to Manuel Antonio, overnight 3 nights (Quepos is right there) Since you are flying, you will free up a little time and might get by with 2 nights.
May 16--return flight to San Jose
I realize I have too many days built in (unless I've made a mistake somewhere which is entirely possible, even probable!), but you can trim one somewhere--perhaps Manuel Antonio or PV/Manzanillo. I would recommend no more than 4 places for your length of time, but certainly not as many one-nighters as you have planned. For sure you can use transfer days to enjoy Vulcan Irazu/Guayabo as well as Braulio Carillo--see them while on the way to your next stop. Your itinerary as is would be a nightmare for you with no time to enjoy your stops along the way.
I've got you picking up your car May 6, returning May 13, exactly one week, which will work well for renting. You really do have a lot of beach time in there--I'm assuming you want it that way! But I don't see how in the world you can reasonably fit in Tamarindo and still have time to enjoy any time there at all. Just not worth it.
Someone else might propose an itinerary that would have you on one side of the country, then the other--avoiding crisscrossing. For example:
1. Arenal
2. Manuel Antonio
3. Montezuma
4. Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo
Between Montezuma and PV, you would overnight in San Jose before doing the Irazu/Guayabo, PV, Manzanillo, Braulio Carillo portion (eastern side) of your itinerary. This would give you another option to think about. . .with your drive/fly combination, it would need to work out just right for you to have the car for one week (best rates). Good luck!
You are going to spend way too much time in the car! Please consider an alternative:
May 2--overnight San Jose
May 3--flight to Tambor, transfer to Montezuma, 3 nights
May 6--transfer to Arenal,
Stop by the airport and pick up a car! Only about 30 minutes out of your way.
2 nights Arenal
May 8--early afternoon, drive to SJO, overnight San Jose, afternoon city tour or museum or two
May 9--early start to Volcan Irazu (Casa Turire would be a nice place to stay in the area, but you really don't have time for these one-nighters you are planning!); tour Irazu/Guayabo, continue on to Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo via Turrialba & Siquirres. 3 nights PV/Manzanillo (visit Cahuita while in the area or on your way back to San Jose you will pass through it).
May 12--early start on return to SJO via Braulio Carillo Parque Nacional, enjoy the park on the way, overnight San Jose or Heredia or Alajuela--Alajuela best overnight stay for your purposes, IMO!
May 13--turn in car and fly to Manuel Antonio, overnight 3 nights (Quepos is right there) Since you are flying, you will free up a little time and might get by with 2 nights.
May 16--return flight to San Jose
I realize I have too many days built in (unless I've made a mistake somewhere which is entirely possible, even probable!), but you can trim one somewhere--perhaps Manuel Antonio or PV/Manzanillo. I would recommend no more than 4 places for your length of time, but certainly not as many one-nighters as you have planned. For sure you can use transfer days to enjoy Vulcan Irazu/Guayabo as well as Braulio Carillo--see them while on the way to your next stop. Your itinerary as is would be a nightmare for you with no time to enjoy your stops along the way.
I've got you picking up your car May 6, returning May 13, exactly one week, which will work well for renting. You really do have a lot of beach time in there--I'm assuming you want it that way! But I don't see how in the world you can reasonably fit in Tamarindo and still have time to enjoy any time there at all. Just not worth it.
Someone else might propose an itinerary that would have you on one side of the country, then the other--avoiding crisscrossing. For example:
1. Arenal
2. Manuel Antonio
3. Montezuma
4. Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo
Between Montezuma and PV, you would overnight in San Jose before doing the Irazu/Guayabo, PV, Manzanillo, Braulio Carillo portion (eastern side) of your itinerary. This would give you another option to think about. . .with your drive/fly combination, it would need to work out just right for you to have the car for one week (best rates). Good luck!
Mar 31st, 2005, 12:54 PM
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Forgot to mention. . .the airport is west of San Jose, and since you are traveling that direction first, it would be more convenient to stay your first night near the airport or in the town of Alajuela. I'd recommend for you Hotel Villa Bonita, a B&B (www.hotelvillabonita.com) or Las Orquideas. Then, the next morning, you just get on the highway and head further west. No need to drive 12 or so miles east into San Jose the night before!
Mar 31st, 2005, 01:36 PM
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Shillmac...you are awesome! The only reason for Tamarindo is to pick up the rental car...so Montezuma for two days then catching a bus to Tamarindo to be there the night of the 5th, just made sense to me.
However...it does make sense if i drive to Arenal on the 6th and stay for both the 6th and 7th...
On the 8th waking up early-early then touring through Volcan Irazu/Guayabo and on to PV via Siquirres where we will spend The 8th and 9th. Where would you stay...PV or Manzanillo?
On the 10th we could stay in Cahuita
Do you think we could make it from Cahuita to Quepos in a single day... because then we could stay in Quepos/MA on the 11th and 12th and then spend our last two days in Monteverde...
We have to be back in San Jose for the 15th because we fly out @ 7:00am on the 16th.
...and i am not big on the bed and breaky idea...something about sleeping in a strangers house doesn't work for me.
Thanks again...
However...it does make sense if i drive to Arenal on the 6th and stay for both the 6th and 7th...
On the 8th waking up early-early then touring through Volcan Irazu/Guayabo and on to PV via Siquirres where we will spend The 8th and 9th. Where would you stay...PV or Manzanillo?
On the 10th we could stay in Cahuita
Do you think we could make it from Cahuita to Quepos in a single day... because then we could stay in Quepos/MA on the 11th and 12th and then spend our last two days in Monteverde...
We have to be back in San Jose for the 15th because we fly out @ 7:00am on the 16th.
...and i am not big on the bed and breaky idea...something about sleeping in a strangers house doesn't work for me.
Thanks again...
Mar 31st, 2005, 01:50 PM
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A lot of B&B's in Costa Rica are NOT like the ones in the Canadian sense ...... More like small , intimate inns .... you might like Hotel Brilla Sol , its 50.00 per night , free pickup at airport , and free breakfast !!!! My neices loved it , as did my sis a few days ago !
Mar 31st, 2005, 06:40 PM
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LOL--no, Hotel Villa Bonita is only a bed and breakfast in the sense that it is a smaller hotel and a free breakfast is included!
Gee, I know you're trying to work it all in here, but I really would advise against juggling your schedule so you can hit one more location. The people I've talked to who have done that have regretted not having the time to spend anyplace once they arrived there. Do reconsider!
In Puerto Viejo, I'd suggest Casa Verde--it gets goods reviews and is very economical. Most hotels are between the two towns. There are many to choose from. Most are closer to PV than Manzanillo. There is really nothing in Manzanillo except a little restaurant and bar (Bar Maxi) literally at the end of the road (or very nearly). No hotels right in town that I know of. Almonds & Corals, which is a tent camp, is about 2km north of Manzanillo.
I'm not sure where the best place in Cahuita is these days. Look at the website for Atlantida (sp?).
Gee, I know you're trying to work it all in here, but I really would advise against juggling your schedule so you can hit one more location. The people I've talked to who have done that have regretted not having the time to spend anyplace once they arrived there. Do reconsider!
In Puerto Viejo, I'd suggest Casa Verde--it gets goods reviews and is very economical. Most hotels are between the two towns. There are many to choose from. Most are closer to PV than Manzanillo. There is really nothing in Manzanillo except a little restaurant and bar (Bar Maxi) literally at the end of the road (or very nearly). No hotels right in town that I know of. Almonds & Corals, which is a tent camp, is about 2km north of Manzanillo.
I'm not sure where the best place in Cahuita is these days. Look at the website for Atlantida (sp?).
Mar 31st, 2005, 09:59 PM
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I agree with shillmac. Reduce your destinations and enjoy the wonders of a few places more deeply.
Montezuma has two waterfalls to explore. The one on the beach might make a good horse ride. Tortuga Island tour from Montezuma has good snorkling.
Cabo Blanco reserve for hikes and animals. Mal Pais/Santa Theresa for good surf and quiet beaches.
Arenal has a beautiful falls making a great hike down for a jungle journey with a swim in the pools.Also the hanging bridges trail through the jungle around the north side of the lake are an option. Just a drive to Arenal Observitory Lodge is a cool adventure in itself. Zip lines. White water rafting. Cano Negro boat trip.
Puerto Viejo has Punta Uva beach and the walk south along the beach.Beautiful! Bike rentals are big there also. Manzanillo has the walk to coves through the jungle. Kayaks can be rented at Aquamor.
Bambu Bar or Loco Natural for music in Puerto Viejo.
Personally I think those three desinations are plenty. You might consider a horse ride in a jungle area. The wife and I REALLY enjoyed our few hours in the hills south of Dominical at Finca La Merced. Its a great way to see the jungle.
Have a wondeful journey.
Montezuma has two waterfalls to explore. The one on the beach might make a good horse ride. Tortuga Island tour from Montezuma has good snorkling.
Cabo Blanco reserve for hikes and animals. Mal Pais/Santa Theresa for good surf and quiet beaches.
Arenal has a beautiful falls making a great hike down for a jungle journey with a swim in the pools.Also the hanging bridges trail through the jungle around the north side of the lake are an option. Just a drive to Arenal Observitory Lodge is a cool adventure in itself. Zip lines. White water rafting. Cano Negro boat trip.
Puerto Viejo has Punta Uva beach and the walk south along the beach.Beautiful! Bike rentals are big there also. Manzanillo has the walk to coves through the jungle. Kayaks can be rented at Aquamor.
Bambu Bar or Loco Natural for music in Puerto Viejo.
Personally I think those three desinations are plenty. You might consider a horse ride in a jungle area. The wife and I REALLY enjoyed our few hours in the hills south of Dominical at Finca La Merced. Its a great way to see the jungle.
Have a wondeful journey.
Apr 4th, 2005, 12:58 AM
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okay maybe i am being a bit hasty...and now i'm once again considering air flight to be a better alternative for the first week and the the 4x4 rental for the last week. Any thoughts?
Apr 13th, 2005, 02:16 PM
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Hi,
Just came back from 2 weeks in Costa Rica, 1/2 in Manual Antonio and 1/2 in Puerto Viejo. I went in February.
Highly recommend flying between San Jose and Quepos, $ 40.00 US per trip and on limited time it is well worth the money.
Bus service in the country is great! There really is no need to rent a car unless you are going somewhere off the beaten track. Cost for a bus from San Jose to Puerto Viejo was less than $6.00 US and the bus was fine, good shape, nice folks ran on time. You can also do the private shuttle buses for about $20.00 US (seats about 8) and they also go everywhere the tourists do.
If you need a place to stay in Puerto Viejo, I stayed at the Cashew Hill Lodge http://www.cashewhilllodge.co.cr/
$20.00 US a night. Clean secure and a 2 minute walk from downtown (okay lets pretend they have a downtown).... If you are interested in surf lessons Salsa Brava was great took a 2 hour lesson and got up 5 times.. Not bad for someone with 0 coordination.
Check out El Local Natural restaurant.. best food every.
Just came back from 2 weeks in Costa Rica, 1/2 in Manual Antonio and 1/2 in Puerto Viejo. I went in February.
Highly recommend flying between San Jose and Quepos, $ 40.00 US per trip and on limited time it is well worth the money.
Bus service in the country is great! There really is no need to rent a car unless you are going somewhere off the beaten track. Cost for a bus from San Jose to Puerto Viejo was less than $6.00 US and the bus was fine, good shape, nice folks ran on time. You can also do the private shuttle buses for about $20.00 US (seats about 8) and they also go everywhere the tourists do.
If you need a place to stay in Puerto Viejo, I stayed at the Cashew Hill Lodge http://www.cashewhilllodge.co.cr/
$20.00 US a night. Clean secure and a 2 minute walk from downtown (okay lets pretend they have a downtown).... If you are interested in surf lessons Salsa Brava was great took a 2 hour lesson and got up 5 times.. Not bad for someone with 0 coordination.
Check out El Local Natural restaurant.. best food every.
