1st time traveling to Costa Rica
#1
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1st time traveling to Costa Rica
I'm am traveling to Costa Rica with my brother June 22-28 2006. I know we have booked a rafting trip down the paquare, but what do you recommend for the rest of our trip. We are planning on driving from San Jose to Arenal, then south to Jaco at some point. Could someone post a few driving times and anything else we should know? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as are departure date is nearing. I have the 2006 Fodor's Costa Rica book, but I'm looking for info from your personal experiences. Thanks,
jhoce123
jhoce123
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Consider that first and last nights may need to be spent near the airport depending on arrival and departure times.
If you are rafting the Pacuare (good choice!), you'll have to stay the night before and after in San Jose. So it would be a good idea to do that right away--your first full day in the country. So you've spent 2 nights in San Jose, the 22nd and the 23rd. You have 3 nights left, the 24th, 25th, and 26th. You may need to spend the 27th near the airport. Deaprting on the 28th?
So, possibly, you have 3 nights in the middle to decide on. I just want you to get a feel for logistics of doing things in and traveling around Costa Rica. Time can slip away (and be eaten by transfers) real fast.
Airport area to Arenal--2.5-3 hours
Arenal to Jaco--4.5-5 hours
Jaco back to San Jose--1.5-2 hours
Good luck, but do think carefully about your itinerary! You may need to eliminate one of your locales. Most of us know what that feels like! We all wanted to do it all the first time and it is hard to choose! Good news is--it's all very beautiful--enjoy!
If you are rafting the Pacuare (good choice!), you'll have to stay the night before and after in San Jose. So it would be a good idea to do that right away--your first full day in the country. So you've spent 2 nights in San Jose, the 22nd and the 23rd. You have 3 nights left, the 24th, 25th, and 26th. You may need to spend the 27th near the airport. Deaprting on the 28th?
So, possibly, you have 3 nights in the middle to decide on. I just want you to get a feel for logistics of doing things in and traveling around Costa Rica. Time can slip away (and be eaten by transfers) real fast.
Airport area to Arenal--2.5-3 hours
Arenal to Jaco--4.5-5 hours
Jaco back to San Jose--1.5-2 hours
Good luck, but do think carefully about your itinerary! You may need to eliminate one of your locales. Most of us know what that feels like! We all wanted to do it all the first time and it is hard to choose! Good news is--it's all very beautiful--enjoy!
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Hi. Arenal volcano is great, Arenal Observatory Lodge is a good place to stay to enjoy the better views and you must do the night tour to see the lava flow. Canopy in Monte Verde is awesome and very near Arenal.
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my advice is to skip jaco, it sucks!!
go to manuel antonio instead the fishing from the adjacent bay of Quepos is amonst the best inb CR. I recommend Costa Verde Hotel:
http://costa.rica.typepad.com/manuel...ome/index.html
don't miss the waterfall in la fortuna:
http://costa-rica.typepad.com/la_for...ome/index.html
go to manuel antonio instead the fishing from the adjacent bay of Quepos is amonst the best inb CR. I recommend Costa Verde Hotel:
http://costa.rica.typepad.com/manuel...ome/index.html
don't miss the waterfall in la fortuna:
http://costa-rica.typepad.com/la_for...ome/index.html
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