cmincks

We are planning our first trip to CR in Feb for 10 nights. 4 adults in our 50's. We want to "see it all", but not at a killer pace. We want to have time to appreciate what we're seeing. We're planning on renting a 4WD and driving ourselves. I've been doing some reading of guide books, etc. and was thinking about the following itinerary:

2 nights @ Alajuela - we arrive at airport 5pm first day, so first night is just to sleep. Day 1 - visit Poas & La Paz Waterfall Gardens

2 nights @ Arenal area -

2 nights Monteverde

3 nights Manuel Antonia area

1 night back to Alajuela to be near airport for afternoon departure

For those of you "in the know", does this sound like a good itinerary? What changes would you make? Any recommended hotels in each area? How long will it take to drive from Monteverde to MA? Is that a reasonable day drive?

Thanks for any suggestions!
cindy

kencolian

I would choose between Arenal and Monteverde. I think this is too much driving and moving around. You will not be able to fully enjoy either place.

volcanogirl

I think Arenal is getting shortchanged a little bit. We usually stay there 3 or 4 nights. The Lost Iguana is a great hotel. You might also check out Silencio del Campo.

We like Fonda Vela in Monteverde.

Xandari would be nice for your first night. The Peace Lodge is nice for visiting Poas and the Waterfall Gardens. Not sure of your budgets.

rpowell

I would save Monteverde for another trip. You could spend more time in Arenal if you continue on to there after La Paz waterfalls. There is so much to do in Arenal and MA, it would be a shame to short change either one. We would recommend Orquideas Inn, Hotel Bougainvillea, and Xandari in the Alejuela area, and Silencio del Campo in Arenal.

cmincks

Thanks everybody for your suggestions! I was worried that we might be planning too much. Sounds like maybe we should skip Monteverde this time and add one night to Arenal and one to MA. (We do want to have a couple days to just lay around on the beach to rest up from all the fun!)

volcanogirl

I think that's a good plan.

raptortrainer

I too am heading to CR for the first time in March with 3 of us in our late 30s and 40s. I am not following, we were under the impression that the main place we want to spend time is Monteverde area for the cloud forest. Is this not accurate? We really want to be able to do great birding, see turltes and other wildlife viewing as well as seeing the volcano and doing exciting things like zip lines. We will be there 11 days.

volcanogirl

Monteverde is nice, but you aren't going to see turtles or the volcano there. Monteverde is landlocked, and the volcano is in the Arenal/La Fortuna area. You can find ziplines and good birding in Monteverde though - especially the resplendent quetzals which can be elusive but are gorgeous. Arenal is our favorite because the volcano is amazing, and there are so many adventure activities to choose from there plus the waterfall and the natural hot springs and Cano Negro tour.

colibri

Raptor - I wouldn't spend all your time in MV. The reserves there have great hiking and birding, do go to both Santa Elena and MV reserves, but I would go to Arenal also for the thermal springs, Cano Negro boat trip (lots of water birds), hanging bridges, national park hiking.

At MV you can take night hikes, do a zipline and make sure you go to the Hummingbird Gallery next to MV reserve. We saw 8 species of hummingbirds there in 30 minutes.

You can easily split your time between both places. If you have a car, it will take 1/2 day to drive, if not renting, then look into the jeep-boat-jeep transfer across the lake.

volcanogirl

We did the Jeep Boat Jeep with Desafio - only about $25 per person and totally worth it to save time on the bumpy road. You get to cut across the lake, which has some nice views.